Our Mission

The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

This is achieved by

* involving them throughout their formative years in a non-formal educational process

* using a specific method that makes each individual the principal agent in his or her development as a self-reliant, supportive, responsible and committed persons

* assisting them to establish a value system based upon spiritual, social and personal principles as expressed in the Promise and Law.

History

As early as 1928, the then small town of Darwin was introduced to Scouting – only 20 years after the Movement got started in England.

Administration during the next six decades of scouting in the Territory mirrored something of the lack of interest that had dogged the Territory generally from the time of its inception.

Scouting arrived in the NT in Darwin in 1928, with the formation of the first Darwin Group under the command of Captain Len Samut.  At that time it was controlled from New South Wales but this changed the next year when control was passed on to Queensland.

Alice Springs formed its first official group in 1936, but it’s believed the Movement had been operating there since 1923 – well before Darwin.

Tennant Creek followed suit in 1941 but it wasn’t until 1957, well after World War II, which had seen Scouting go into recess, that the first Katherine Group was established, giving the Movement a foothold in all the main Territory centers of the time.

The war had taken its toll though, and when Scouting control was passed from Queensland to South Australia in 1955, only two groups 2^nd Darwin and 1^st Alice Springs were registered.

1973 saw the formation of an official NT Area, but Cyclone Tracy dealt a blow when it destroyed records and mementoes.

Compilation of accurate records for the earlier years is still one of the main tasks faced by the Movement and there is a standing plea for any relevant material to help in the reconstruction of Scouting’s history in the NT.

1986 finally saw the Movement come out of the colonial era when control of it’s own activities was finally passed over to the NT Area.

1986 was an important year for the Movement for another reason.  Prior to 1986, it was not uncommon to see a female leader and girls had been admitted into Venturer and Rovers but not in the younger sections.  In 1986 girls were allowed to join all Sections and did so in droves joining Packs and Troops right across the Territory and Australia.

1^st April 1989 saw the Northern Territory become a Branch which meant that the then Administrator, Commodore Eric Johnston AM. OBE was sworn in by the then Chief Justice of the NT Mr. Justice Asche, as the Chief Scout of the NT a tradition that has continued to day with Mr. Tom Pauling AO QC the current Chief Scout of the NT.

Scouting continues to grow within the Territory with Groups in Darwin, Northern Suburbs, Palmerston, Howard Springs, Humpty Doo, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs with Venturers and Rovers in the Darwin area.

Groups

The Northern Territory has 11 active Scout Groups This includes a Rover Crew, a support office and a local campsite.  Below are the age ranges of the sections within Scouts and contact details and information regarding these institutions:

Joey Scouts (age 6 – 7.5)
Joeys introduces boys and girls to the world of friendship, problem-solving and adventure through stories, games and craft activities.

Cub Scouts (age 7.5 – 10.5)
Cub Scouts learn new skills while spending weekends camping and learning bushcraft. They collect special badges to demonstrate their skills and achievements.

Scouts (age 10.5 – 14.5)
Scouts allows boys and girls to develop their confidence and learn to work as part of a team. Scouts learn essential outdoor safety skills as well as participate in a variety of physical and intellectual activities.

Venturer Scouts (age 14.5 – 17.5)
Venturer Scouts is built around a do-it-yourself program of fun and adventure. Venturers run their own Venturer Unit (with adult guidance) and get involved in outdoor activities, writing, performing and community service initiatives.

Rovers (age 17.5 – 26)
Rovers is a mix of social and physical activities where ‘Crews’ are involved in planning and running their own programs. This allows them to develop their personal abilities while also making lifelong friends.

Forms and Reports

Interesting Links

Look at the latest Pictures

Collaboration Tools - forums, chat, polls..