Scouting in Wales provides an overview of Scouting activities in Wales. Scout troops have existed in the country since 1908 with the largest number of Scouts and volunteer leaders today linked to the Scout Association of the United Kingdom. This is done through ScoutsCymru, the Welsh Scout Council who split the region further into four regions and a total of 12 Scout Areas. In addition to the Scout Association, there are also traditional Scouting groups belonging to the Baden-Powell Scouts' Association and a number of Scouting clubs within Universities which are affiliated to the Student Scout and Guide Organisation.
The Scout Association: ScoutsCymru
ScoutsCymru, formerly known as ScoutsWales and the Welsh Scout Council, is the Country Scout Headquarters for Wales and supports the development of The Scout Association programme in the country. It was first established in 1925 and is distinct from the other country Scout headquarters as a number of matters are undertaken by the UK headquarters at Gilwell Park but does have a role in tailoring the Scout Association programme and message to Wales such as providing programme resources and support in the Welsh language in line with legislation. There are 14,000 young people and 5,000 adult volunteers in ScoutsCymru.
Prior to the formal establishment of the Welsh Scout Council, the appointment of Chief Scout of the Principality of Wales was held by Edward, Prince of Wales from 1911 and held this position until he became official patron of the Scout Movement across the British Empire on becoming King Edward VIII in 1936. The current name of ScoutsCymru was adopted on 1 March 2016, Saint David's Day, to reflect the pride of the Welsh roots of the organisation and to reflect a commitment to the culture of Wales.
ScoutsCymru has a similar organisational structure to England with four regions, 12 Scout Areas supporting local Scout districts and groups. The lead volunteer for Wales, the Chief Volunteer for Wales, leads Scouts Cymru and since 2018 this has been Rhian Moore. They are supported by a team of volunteers, collectively branded as TeamCymru, including a Youth Lead for Wales; a Trustee Board to govern the charity; and paid members of staff based at the headquarters in Caerphilly.
ScoutsCymru also operate a number of properties and sites that are available for other Scouts to use. This includes meeting rooms at their HQ in Caerphilly, the Yr Hafod mountaineering hostel in Snowdonia that is part of the Scout Adventures grouping and the Cornel Scout Centre in Snowdonia with indoor accommodation and camping space.
Scouts in Wales wear the same uniform as the wider Scout Association but with the addition of a badge showing the flag of Wales on each shoulder. Similarly, the ScoutCymru scarf design is red with green and white borders to match the flag of Wales. There are a number of badges and awards specific to Welsh Scouts which are awarded by ScoutsCymru HQ:
The Welsh Beaver, Cub and Scout Awards, one for each section, that raise awareness of Welsh heritage. Dragon Award, available in Bronze, Silver and Gold variations can be achieved by members in the Scouts, Explorers and Scout Network sections. Aims to promote outdoor nights away experiences in new and different locations and at different times of the year. Democracy challenge to raise awareness of the democratic processes within the section, the local community and at elections for the Welsh and UK Parliament. Produced in partnership with the Welsh Parliament and open to all sections. Rights Badge to raise awareness of children's rights and the role of the Children's Commissioner for Wales and produced in partnership with the Commissioner's office. Flood Awareness Badge for the Cub and Scouts sections to raise awareness of flooding and how it can be prevented. Produced in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. Internet Safety Award for each section produced in partnership with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command.
A number of events are organised on a Wales-wide basis coordinated by ScoutsCymru. Such events include Beaver Scout Leaders' Conference, Wales Cub Fun Day, All Wales Scout Camp and AWESOME.
Brecknock Scout Area Brecknock Scout Area is located within the Powys Welsh Scout Region and covers an area approximate to the historic county of Brecknockshire. It includes much of the Brecon Beacons National Park and is rural in nature. It is led by an area commissioner, along with other volunteers at area and district levels. The area is split into three Scout districts that support the nine Scout groups in the area:
Brecon & Glanusk including Crickhowell, Llangynidr and Llangors. Builth Wells in the North of the area including nearby Llanwrtyd Wells. Ystradgynlais in the South West corner of the area.
From early days of the movement, the area experienced strong growth through the influence of Baron Glanusk, who became the first Commissioner for Wales in 1912, and with the first Ystradgynlais troop established in 1908. Scouts marked the coronation of George VI and Elizabeth II in 1937 and 1953 respectively by lighting a beacon on Pen y Fan – a symbol that appears as the area badge for members' uniforms. Welsh Jamborees were celebrated in the area at Gwernyfed in 1961 and Glanusk in 1993.
Cardiff and Vale Scout Area Cardiff and Vale Scout Area, located in the South Wales Region, is concurrent with the city of Cardiff and the county borough of the Vale of Glamorgan which includes the towns of Barry, Penarth, Llantwit Major, and Cowbridge. It is led by an area commissioner, along with other volunteers at area and district levels. As of January 2021, there are 2,600 members in the area. The area has a central office, called The Hub, in the Gabalfa community of Cardiff and offers meeting space, resources for leaders and a Scout shop run by a paid administrator. The area has around 4,000 members and is split into five districts and around 50 groups. These were last reorganised in 2017 and are:
Cardiff East covering an area of the city roughly east of the railway line to Caerphilly including Cathays, Roath, Cyncoed and Trowbridge. Cardiff North covering the central north part of the city including Llanishen, Rhiwbina and Whitchurch. Cardiff West covering the area of the city west of the River Taff including Radyr, Llandaff, Ely and Grangetown. Penarth and District including Dinas Powys, Sully and Wenvoe. Tir a Môr (English: Land and Sea) covers the western Vale of Glamorgan including Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major.
The Area runs and owns two campsites; Jubilee field which is based in the Vale of Glamorgan, and Miskin Mill Scout Village which is owned jointly with Mid Glamorgan Scout Area. Since the mid-1980s, the area has run a Scout Post system around Christmas time where Scouts sort and deliver Christmas cards as a fundraising activity and a way to engage the community.
The uniform badge used by the area and worn on the uniform of every member shows three chevrons pointing up and coloured differently in the two halves of the badge: white on a red background on the left and red on a gold background on the right, similar in style to that appearing on the coat of arms of both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
1st Cathays Al Huda Located within the area, the 1st Cathays Al Huda Scout Group in Cardiff became the first Muslim Scout Group in Wales in 2006 and the tenth in the United Kingdom.Youth Citizenship and Religious Difference: Muslim Scouting in the United Kingdom, Sarah Mill, pds. 190–206, in Informal meetings of the Group started in 2002, prior to its official establishment in January 2006, growing from 61 members in 2006 to 98 in 2010. By 2018, they had 250 members making them one of the largest Muslim scout groups in the UK. They provide the full range of Scouting sections including separate sections for boys and girls.
Tŷ Hafan Scouts Conceived in 2007 for the Centenary of Scouting and founded in 2008, Tŷ Hafan Scout Group provides scouting activities to the patients at the Tŷ Hafan children's hospice. They are the first hospice Scout group in the UK and emerged from the need to provide fun activities and experiences to the children with life limiting conditions including camping and activities with their families. The group do not charge patients for the activities, so costs for the activities and the Scouts membership fees are covered through fundraising.
Lord Mayor's Own Scouts Run directly by the area, The Lord Mayor's Own Scout Troop is made up of Scouts from the area which have achieved the highest youth awards. Since 2003, this has been Scouts achieving the Chief Scout's Gold Award, the Chief Scout's Platinum Award, the Chief Scout's Diamond Award and the Queen's Scout Award. The troop support the Lord Mayor of Cardiff with ceremonies and civic events.
The group first emerged when the 14th Cardiff Scout Troop assisted with the rescue efforts at the Senghenydd colliery disaster in 1913 when their efforts were recognised by James Robinson, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, he adopted the group and presented them some colours. When the group was disbanded in 1954, the colours were returned to the City Council and stored where they were uncovered in 1994 by the Lord Mayor Councilor Ricky Ormand who approached the Scouts to discover their story. The Lord Mayor's Own Scout troop was reformed in its current state in that year with members wearing a white necker bearing the coat of arms of the City of Cardiff.
Carmarthenshire Scout Area Carmarthenshire Scout Area is located within the West Welsh Scout Region and covers an area roughly concurrent to the historic county of Carmarthenshire (the exception being Scout groups in Newcastle Emlyn which is administered by neighbouring Ceredigion Scout Area). It is led by an area commissioner, along with other volunteers at the area level to support scout groups directly as there are no districts within Carmarthenshire.
The 1st Carmarthen Scout Group is notable within the area as one of the founding troops registered with the Scout Association in 1908 while local records suggest another early Scout group in Llanelli founded in 1908.
Ceredigion Scout Area Ceredigion Scout Area is located within the West Welsh Scout Region and covers an area roughly concurrent to the principal area of Ceredigion and includes around 600 members. It is led by an area commissioner, along with a team of 8 volunteers at the area level to support scout groups and districts. The area is split into two districts:
North Ceredigion including Aberystwyth. Teifi covering the southern part of the area and named for the River Teifi that forms the southern border of the area.
The area has a lengthy history of Scouting with records existing in the Ceredigion Archives for the Aberystwyth Local Scout Association in April 1910.
Clwyd Scout Area Clwyd Scout Area is located within the North Welsh Scout Region and covers an area largely equal to the preserved county of Clwyd, specifically the boroughs of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, in the North East of Wales. The area has around 2,200 Scouts and a further 800 adults and is led by an area commissioner along with a team of volunteers at the area level to support the Scout districts and the approximately 60 scout groups. The area is split into four districts:
Flintshire Llangollen includes the areas of the counties of Denbighshire and Wrexham around the town of Llangollen including Corwen and Chirk. Vale of Clwyd covering the remaining areas of Denbighshire including Rhyl and Prestatyn. Wrexham
The former national Scout camp of Brynbach, which was used since the 1930s, transferred to headquarters in December 1948 and closed in September 1952, is situated in Denbighshire near the village of Saron.
Eryri Y Mon Scout Area