Beavers Cubs Scouts
Explorers Network
#SkillsForLife
You are here: Home > About Us
York Minster District Scouts - About Us

York Minster District Scouts is part of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom and is one of thirteen Scout Districts which together make up the Scout County of North Yorkshire. We cover roughly half of the city of York and have 13 Scout Groups based throughout the North and East of York. The other half of York is covered by York Ebor District.

Most of our Groups have their own Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack, and Scout Troop. We also have two Explorer Scout Units and a Local Scout Network.  At the moment, we do have one Squirrels Drey (at Lord Mayor's Own) and we are starting a third Explorer Unit at Heworth from September.

We aim to offer fun, challenge and adventure to all our members. We believe in helping our young people fulfil their potential by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves. We're working to make Scouting available to all and we're passionate about what we do.

Through the adventure of Scouting, young people get to take risks in a safe environment, and have their first taste of responsibility. We give young people experiences they’ll never forget. The sort of adventure we offer is the chance to experience something different and the opportunity to challenge. When a Beaver Scout wakes up the morning after a sleepover or a Cub Scout has just got over her fear of heights by completing her first abseil - that’s adventure.

We provide hundreds of activities from abseiling to zorbing (‘that’s falling out of the ‘sky’ in a foam ball in case you were wondering). If we don’t have an instructor who can help we can normally find someone who can. But Scouting isn’t just about activities for their own sake. We encourage our young people to feel the buzz of the challenge and then reflect on what that means. Did they have fun? Do they feel more confident? Would they do it again?

All this is made possible by the efforts of our dedicated team of hard working voluntary adults. With award winning training and one-to-one support, we make sure that each one of our volunteers gets to make the best use of their skills and talents.

Our adults have a responsibility to make sure that our Programme is fun and exciting. They also make sure that it is safe. Our policies, rules, code of behaviour and advice on child protection and safety are there to ensure our young people stay safe while they enjoy themselves and learn.

It’s something different from the norm, and that why a lot of people like it.’ In fact, it’s what’s made us part of the largest co-educational youth Movement in the Country.

We can't solve all the problems in the world but we can help to make it a better place. Scouting makes a positive contribution to society by helping young people to develop as active members of the community who are self-reliant, who are caring, who are responsible and who show commitment.

Scouting is open to all young people aged 6 to 25 of every faith and background. There are also plenty of opportunities for adults to become involved as Leaders, Assistants or Administrators.

Our District

As a Scout District we aim to provide the best possible support for our adults working in our Scout Groups and to do this in a way that meets everyone’s local needs. Our District support structure is designed to deliver practical services that are accessible to all members of York Minster District Scouts whatever their role.

This includes:

  • Support for the youth programme, including camping and adventurous activities,
  • Growth and development of the Association in our District,
  • Coordination of our Scout Groups, Explorer Scout Units and our Local Scout Networks,
  • Ensuring that all our adult volunteers are vetted before they are authorised to undertake a role in the Association,
  • The formal appointment of adults,
  • Induction, training, motivation, review and development of adults in the District, including delivery of the Associations adult training programme in partnership with the County Training Team,
  • The implementation of the policies and rules of the Association,
  • Relationships with other organisations and bodies,
  • Helping young people take part in decision making within our Groups, Districts and the District,
  • Support for our Scout Active Support Unit,
  • Recommendations for decorations and awards,
  • Advice on financial and administrative matters, particularly relating to charity trusteeship,
  • Provide an effect chain of communication between our Scout Groups, Districts, County, Region and National Headquarters.
Get Involved - Make a Difference

York Minster District Scouts are currently looking for enthusiastic individuals to fill various roles, to help deliver our Scouting programme across the district. If you are interested please click the link below.

Get Involved