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Our members

Our members

Census results for the year ending 31 January 2024

Census results for the year ending 31 January 2024.

Scouts in the UK is made up of

  • Squirrel Scout Dreys: 1,275
  • Beaver Scout Colonies: 7,017
  • Cub Scout Packs: 7,495
  • Scout Troops: 6,903
  • Explorer Scout Units, including Young Leader Units: 2,990
  • Scout Networks: 528
  • Scout Active Support Units: 1,621
  • Groups: 7,007
  • Districts: 627
  • Counties, Regions (Scottish), Areas, Islands: 90

1. Of the 7,427 Scout Network members, 5,448 also have another ‘adult’ role (in a Section leadership, Governance, Leadership or Support role). This means the total number of Network members is 12,875.

2. Explorer Scout Young Leaders (aged 14–17) are included in the Explorer Scout numbers above. However, they’re also counted as members of Section Leadership Teams, so they’re included in the total Section Leadership Teams membership of 98,268.

3. Leadership roles are responsible for effective operation of their charity (the Scout Group, the Scout District, County, Nations), so we can meet our charitable objectives. They are Group Scout Leaders, District Explorer Scout Commissioners and District Scout Network Commissioners, District Commissioners, County Commissioners, Area Commissioners (Wales), Region Commissioners (Scotland), Island Commissioners, Bailiwick Commissioners and Branch Commissioners (where formally part of our federated structure).

4. Governance roles form the membership of each charity’s Board of Trustees or Executive Committee, together with any sub-committees. Each Board of Trustees is responsible for making sure the charity achieves its strategic direction. The 28,853 Governance roles don’t include the volunteers who have an Ex-Officio Trustee role (for example Leadership roles described in note 3, Youth Commissioners and others).

5. Support roles are vital for helping volunteer line managers run Scouts and support Districts, Counties/Areas/Scottish Regions and Nations HQs to operate effectively.