An adventure together
Welcome to Scouting, the largest youth organisation in Switzerland. Scouting offers friendships, involvement and adventures for children and teenagers and accompanies you even after your active scouting time: once a scout – always a scout! How much Scouting is in you?
What is Scouting?
Scouting offers unique group experiences, unforgettable camp days in nature and adventurous activities on Saturdays or an entire weekend. Scouts form friendships for life and learn early on to assume responsibility for themselves and for others. Scouting welcomes everyone, regardless of origin, cultural or religious background. That’s why Scouting has around 51 000 members and is the largest association for children and young adults in Switzerland. At the same time, Swiss Scouting is part of the international Scouting movement, which has around 60 million members in 170 countries.
Swiss Guide and Scout Movement in numbers
51 000
Scouts and Guides in Switzerland
534
local groups
1300
scout camps each year
42 Mio.
unforgettable experience since 1910
What you need to know about Scouting
Scouting activities usually take place on Saturdays: groups meet to do outdoor games, crafts, treasure hunts, knots and bushcrafts, cooking, or learning first aid.
All children and teenagers are welcome. For children and young adults with special needs there is a dedicated group.
Children from the age of five can become members – Scouting has five different levels with age-appropriate activities. From the age of 13 onwards, scouts can join courses and start assuming responsibility for a group.
Just pop in. Visit a scout group in your area without any obligation and if you like it, the leaders will gladly give you a registration form.
Of course! There are regular dedicated try-out-days. Upon request you can also join in for some Saturday sessions to get a taste of Scouting. Just contact a scout group in your area.
If you come regularly, you’ll feel comfortable more quickly and you’ll get more out of Scouting. The activities are also more fun if many scouts join.
The uniform and scarf are the fundamental pieces of equipment. Since activities are frequently outside (even in rainy weather), we recommend good shoes and robust clothes. Basic equipment further includes a backpack or bag with a small notepad, pens, cord, a pocket knife, matches, old newspapers, emergency cash, a first aid kit and a plastic bag.
Scouting is organised according to the principle «young people are guided by young people». Young adults from seventeen years of age are part of a team that leads scout groups and organises scouting activities. Older scouts are responsible for the leadership teams and for organising the group. All of them are volunteers.
Young leaders are supported and advised by a network of more experienced leaders and a trained coach. These offer valuable feedback and support in difficult situations.
The Swiss Guide and Scout Movement offers many different trainings. The courses are taught by experienced trainers. The basic training and some further education modules are offered as Jugend+Sport (J+S) courses. J+S is the federal sports promotion programme for children and young people.
International encounters
Through shared experiences, children and young people build commonalities and discuss differences. In this way, they develop an open mind and critically question themselves and others. International encounters are therefore an important cornerstone for the worldwide Scout Movement. This includes about 60 million Scouts and is organized in two world associations. The Swiss Guide and Scout Movement is a member of both and actively participates in their shaping.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)
WAGGGS is the world organisation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Around 10 million females worldwide are members of WAGGGS, which is divided into five regions. WAGGGS is strongly committed to the recognition and advancement of girls and women.
World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)
WOSM was originally the world organisation of Boy Scouts but now accepts members of both sexes. WOSM has more than 50 million members, is divided into six regions and is committed to recognising scouting as a learning ground for life's essential skills.