WELCOME TO
THE SCOUTS! Scouting is a great hobby for everyone. As a scout you learn useful skills and make new friends. Jump into the adventure of your life!
WHAT IS SCOUTING? Scouting is a hobby for 7-22-year-olds. Scouts meet with their own group weekly. In these meetings, they learn things like nature and camping skills, and working as a team, as well as taking responsibility in an age-appropriate manner. Skills and competencies grow with age. In the English language there are two words for partio, Guiding and Scouting (or girl guides and boy scouts), but in Finnish all genders are called with the same word partiolainen so in this brochure we have only used the word
PHOTO Heikki Heinonen
scout/scouting to describe the hobby.
Groups are led by volunteers who are usually young (starting from the age of 16). They are not paid for their work, but scouting is a hobby for them as well. Leaders receive training for their positions, and they are supported and mentored by experienced adults who will help lead the groups. Parents are welcome to offer help, but they are not required to participate. In scouting, you will practice things hands on. This way, by cooperating with others. Â
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY FIFTH FINN IS OR HAS BEEN IN THE SCOUTS?
PHOTO Anna Enbuske
you will learn new skills and gain confidence
ACTIVITIES FOR DIFFERENT AGES THE YOUNGEST GUIDES AND SCOUTS ARE CALLED CUB SCOUTS (Sudenpentu in Finnish), and their groups are called packs (lauma). Cub scouts can start at 6-years-old, and these groups are led by adults. Cub scouts and guides play games, do crafts and learn to look after their belongings.
SCOUTS BETWEEN THE AGE OF TEN AND TWELVE are called Adventurers (Seikkailija). They learn camping skills and working together as a group. Adventurer groups are led by adults, and they take a lot of day and overnight trips.
SCOUTS BETWEEN THE AGE OF TWELVE AND FIFTEEN are called Trackers (Tarpoja). Tracker leaders are young scouts. The young people develop their teamwork skills and learn to take responsibility.
15–17-YEAR-OLD SCOUTS are called Explorers (Samoaja). Explorers have their own group meetings, and they practice leading younger groups.
THE OLDEST SCOUTS are called Rovers (Vaeltaja). Rovers lead groups and work on different projects. Later on, rovers become the adult leaders of guiding and scouting.
Even though scouting is a hobby for kids, adults have an important role as volunteers in the scouting community. For example, adults can learn to lead a group or help by cooking on overnight trips.
AS A SCOUT, YOU WILL: Make new friends Learn new skills Go on day and overnight trips and have fun Have unforgettable camping experiences Have international experiences
PHOTO Susanna Oksanen
Get to do things by yourself and be an advocate
WHEN CAN YOU START? You can start as a scout at any age, as long as you are over six years old. Most new people start in the autumn, but you are always welcome to come and try!
HOW MUCH DOES SCOUTING COST? The annual membership fee is approximately 60 euros. In addition, the overnight outings and camps cost between 10 and 100 euros. The fee will cover the food and programme of the camp or outing, as well as accommodation in a tent or cottage. There are foundations that may be able to help cover the fees if required.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED FOR SCOUTING? Scouts spend a lot of time outdoors. The most important things are weather coat and trousers, sturdy shoes and suitably warm clothes are essential. For camps and outings, you will need equipment such as a backpack and a sleeping bag, which you can borrow from friends or ask your local scout unit about.
PHOTO Mikko Roininen
appropriate clothing and shoes. Waterproof
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN IN SCOUTING? As a scout, you will make friends, because everything is done in a group or with a partner. You learn leadership and take responsibility. You get to do things, try new things, and learn practical skills on the side. In scouting, you will spend a lot of time outdoors in the nature. Scouts go on day and overnight trips. These outings often take place in the forest. Camps last for at least a week, and the majority of them take place in the summer. When spending time in the outdoors, scouts are taught how to follow their units safety protocol.
PHOTO Joel Forsman
WHO IS SCOUTING FOR? Scouting is open to all. There are scouts in almost all countries in the world, and in all religions. You can be a scout regardless of your mother tongue, religion or background. Some groups meet in church buildings, but scouting is not just for Christians. Scouting is mainly a hobby for children and young people, but adult volunteers are important as well. For example, you can help by providing transport, going grocery shopping or helping in group meetings.
IN SCOUTING, YOU WILL:
Learn by doing and through experiences Get out into nature, forest and lakes
Sleep in a tent or a cottage in summer and winter Play and sing Make decisions together and share responsibility Learn to work in a group and have consideration for others
PHOTO Anna Enbuske
Go on day trips and overnight trips
COVER PHOTO Joel Forsman | PRINT Grano, 2018
JUMP INTO THE ADVENTURE!
Suomen Partiolaiset – Finlands Scouter ry Twitter: @partiolaiset Instagram: @partioscout #partioscout | www.partio.fi