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| Scouts |
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The Scout Troop is for
young people from sometime after their tenth
birthday until they are aged at least 14. At the
moment the Troop is composed entirely of boys. Many
entrants move up from the Group's Cub Scout Pack,
but from time to time young people who have not been
in the Cubs, or had left the movement, join the
Troop at any age within the age range. The
activities provide training in life-skills, as well
as adventurous activities, and leadership skills.
Over the years a significant number of boys have
gained the top award in the Scout section – the
Chief Scout's Award (now known as the Chief Scout's
Gold Award).
The Troop runs an active programme. Through the
winter this is almost entirely at the weekly
meetings, but an effort is made each year to hold at
least one indoor 'camp', either in an outdoor
centre, or sometimes in our own hall. From May to
September there are generally three camps, including
a week's camp at the start of July at a site
normally in the Highlands. Recently these have
included Duirinish (near Plockton) and near Brora.
Some Scouts have recorded over 100 nights under
canvas during their time in the Troop.
Every two or three years the Troop makes an effort
to make a foreign visit, generally by attending a
major camp in the chosen country, and this event is
supplemented by local sight-seeing and, where
possible, by a short period of home hospitality,
staying in the homes of local Scouts. Recent visits
have been to Iceland (2005), Finland (2003 and 1999)
and Norway (2001). Other countries visited have been
Austria, Luxembourg and Eire. These foreign visits
are often the highlight of the time that a young
person spends in the Scout Troop.
Older members of the Troop take part in various
local and national events, such as the annual
Caledonian Water Rally and the Adventure camps run
each May holiday by the Scottish Scout Fellowship. A
significant number of boys have been selected from
the Troop to represent Inverness Area at the
biennial Scottish International Patrol Jamborette at
Blair Atholl, and one recent member of the Troop was
part of the Scottish Contingent to the World
Jamboree in 2007.
From the Troop many Scouts move on to
Phoenix Explorer Unit,
in which they can be a member until age 18.
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