Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement employing the Scout method, a programme of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and encouraging equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable headwear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Guiding and Scouting organizations in 152 countries. It was established in 1928 in Parád, Hungary, and has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). WAGGGS is organized into five regions and operates five international Guiding centers. It holds full member status in the European Youth Forum (YFJ), which operates within the Council of Europe and European Union areas, and works closely with these bodies.
Girlguiding is the operating name of The Guide Association, previously named The Girl Guides Association. It is the national guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest girl-only youth organisation. Girlguiding is a charitable organisation.
The Scout Association of Saint Kitts and Nevis operates as a branch of the United Kingdom Scout Association, due to Saint Kitts and Nevis' former affiliation to the United Kingdom. The Saint Kitts and Nevis Scout Oath and Law, as well as other Scouting requirements, closely follow that of the United Kingdom.
The Irish Girl Guides is a Girl Guides organisation in the Republic of Ireland. Together with the Catholic Guides of Ireland, it forms the Council of Irish Guiding Associations. Whereas the Catholic Guides are an all-Ireland body, the Irish Girl Guides are not organised in Northern Ireland, where Girlguiding Ulster, the branch of Girlguiding UK, operates instead.
The Scout Association of Bermuda is a branch of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom as Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory. The Bermudian Scout Oath and Law, as well as other Scouting requirements, closely follow that of the United Kingdom. Program activities are taken from the British system but adapted to the local conditions. Leader training including for the Wood Badge is conducted with the help of British and other nearby Scout organizations. Bermuda Scouts participate in camps and events and a contingent has been fielded to World Scout Jamborees. The Bermuda Scout emblem incorporates elements of the coat of arms of Bermuda. The Scout Association of Bermuda is governed by a Chief Scout and a Chief Commissioner appointed by The Scout Association and an executive committee. In June 2021, Rena Lalgie, Governor of Bermuda was appointed Chief Scout. In March 2012, Dr. Geoffrey Rothwell was named Chief Commissioner.
Scouting and Guiding in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is administered by the United Kingdom Scout Association and Girlguiding UK, due to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha's affiliations as a British Overseas Territory.
Scouting and Guiding in the Falkland Islands are served by a part of the Scout Association and a branch of Girlguiding UK, due to the Falkland Islands' affiliation as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.
Scouting and Guiding in the Turks and Caicos Islands exist as branches of the parent organisations in the United Kingdom.
Girlguiding Bermuda is a Guiding organisation in Bermuda. It is one of the nine branch associations of Girlguiding UK. It is represented by Girlguiding UK at World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) level and Girlguiding UK's Chief Guide is also Chief Guide for Girlguiding Bermuda. Girlguiding Bermuda is part of the Caribbean Link for Guiding.
Non-aligned Scouting organizations is a term used by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and their member national organizations to refer to Scouting organizations that are not affiliated with them. See List of non-aligned Scouting organizations.
The Scout and Guide movement in Malta is served by three organizations:
Scouting and Guiding in Anguilla exist as branches of the parent organisations in the United Kingdom.
Scouting and Guiding in the British Virgin Islands exist as branches of the parent organisations in the United Kingdom.
Scouting and Guiding in Montserrat exist as branches of the parent organisations in the United Kingdom.
Scouting and Guiding in Gibraltar exist as branches of the parent organisations in the United Kingdom.
The Caribbean Link for Guiding is a consortium of 21 Girl Guide Associations from throughout the Caribbean. These include associations from independent countries as well as from British Overseas Territories, coordinated by Girlguiding UK. It was created in 1958.
Girl Guides is a worldwide movement, originally and largely still designed for girls and women only. The movement began in 1909 when girls requested to join the then-grassroots Boy Scout Movement.
There are many national organisations in the United Kingdom that have been established to provide services to people under the age of 18.
