Scouts for Young People
Scouts is where young people make new friends, have amazing adventures, and learn new skills.
What do Scouts do?
Scouts are do-ers and give-it-a-go-ers.
Yes, Scouts in Portsmouth go camping, hiking, swimming, abseiling, cycling, canoeing and even sailing. But we also get to hang out with our friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges.
Every week we give over 1,300 4-25 year olds across Portsmouth the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.
Everyone’s welcome here. All genders, races and backgrounds. Regardless of your child’s physical ability – there’s a Scout adventure out there in Portsmouth waiting for them. And we’ll help them find it.
Register to help your child discover their ‘thing’: from abseiling to coding to performance art and everything in between.
The Scout Promise*
On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
* one of several versions that help ensure everyone can feel comfortable with their personal promise
Scouts is open to people of all faiths and of none. Leaders will help you and your child choose which variation of our Promise is right for you: so that everyone’s included and can say a set of words that means something to them.
Information for parents
What to wear
Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone feel part of the group. Our uniform consists of a sweatshirt or shirt and a coloured scarf (also called a 'necker’) to represent your Group. There are lots of other optional accessories you can wear such as polo shirts, caps, hoodies, trousers or shorts.
Buying uniform
Uniform can be bought from any trusted retailer, online or in-person. Portsmouth has it's own Scout Shop at Hilsea HQ (Saturday 9.30am to 12pm, term time only). If you’re not sure where to start, leaders can give you more information about what, where and when to buy. Pre-loved uniform is sometimes available. Where appropriate, there are grants available to help fund a uniform, ask a leader for details.
What is costs
Each group charges an annual membership fee to cover the costs of running Scouting. You will be told how much your group charges and how it can be paid. There are sometimes extra charges for special activities, camps and events. Scouts is a not-for-profit organisation. If you need support paying subs, please speak to your leaders in confidence.
Scouting for those with additional needs
Portsmouth Scouts is about actively involving everyone and we will make reasonable adjustments to make that possible. We pride ourselves on our inclusivity and do our best to make sure all our members can take part. There’s a lot of flexibility within the Scouts programme to meet individual needs, whether that be a disability, neurodiversity, or an educational, mental health or medical need.
What do I need to do? Contact your preferred Portsmouth group as soon as possible. A local leader will arrange a chat with you to find out more about your child and make sure we understand your child’s needs and how we can work with you to implement adjustments to make sure your child will get the most out of Scouts.
Interested in your child taking part in Scouting?
Share your contact details and a few bits of information about your preferred Group and we'll be in touch. Just so you know, we don't always have capacity for new members. It may not be possible to offer a place quickly OR with the Group you prefer.