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About

About Us

What we Do

We are all about Positive Youth Development!  Our purpose is to empower young people through adventurous experiences to lead lives that make a positive difference.

Every year we help 13,000 young people in New Zealand enjoy new adventures, experience the outdoors, make new connections, and gain confidence. We give young people the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Working alongside our youth members are thousands of adult volunteers who bring a diverse range of skills, talent, and expertise to the Movement.  There are a huge variety of roles and opportunities available for those wanting to volunteer with us.

Our programme focuses on three core areas; personal development, adventure and community engagement.  Using these three main areas we aim to foster development in the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental aspects of young people.  Scouts Aotearoa provides a safe, nurturing environment where they are encouraged to be their best selves.  

our programme

Youth Programme Launch

Every week you can expect your young person to spend an evening doing adventurous, challenging, active, and inclusive activities.  One night there might be a scavenger hunt around town. The next week they might be planning a tramping trip.  All the fun, adventure and challenge is designed to help your young persons social, physical and mental, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual development.

our volunteers

With over 100 years experience working with volunteers, Scouts Aotearoa is proud to champion the benefits of volunteering. 

There are a huge number of ways for people of all ages to volunteer with Scouts Aotearoa: from internships and work experience placements, to one-off events or ongoing leadership roles.

Safeguarding; Child & Youth Safety

Scouts Aotearoa takes Health & Safety and Safeguarding very seriously.  Our Better Prepared strategic plan prioritises Youth at the Centre, with a focus on keeping our youth Safe From Harm.

Please review our Code of Ethics and Safeguarding Policy (in line with the Vulnerable Children Act 2014).  If you have any questions, comments or concerns please send an email to [email protected] and we will respond as soon as we can.

national schools

Scouts Aotearoa is proud to provide seven National Schools for its youth members that offer unique training in specialised areas.  

Our nine specialised National Schools operate throughout the year during the school holidays.

Scouts and Venturers will learn skills specific to their interests, have unforgettable experiences, and leave with lifelong friends.  Our National Schools are open to non-members but preference is given to members as numbers are limited.

Scout in a plane

For All young People

We welcome rangatahi and tamariki between the ages of 5 to 26.  We are open to young people of all ethnicities and religions. We are the worlds largest non-formal education institution, serving over 13,000 young people all across New Zealand. We organise ourselves around five sections.

Ages 5 to 8

Kea

Picture of Keas

Fun, learning and friendship are the cornerstones of the Kea programme. Kea do a little bit of everything: outdoor activities, games, music, and crafts. 

Ages 8 to 11

Cubs

Picture of Cubs

Challenge and fun are the focus of the Cub programme. Hikes, water activities and weekend camps are some of the fun outdoor adventures that Cubs enjoy.

Ages 11 to 14

Scouts

Picture of Scouts

Scouts is about gaining valuable leadership skills and self-confidence by doing outdoor adventures like mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping.

Ages 14 to 18

Venturers

Picture of Venturers

The Venturer programme offers exciting, fun, real-life, hands-on experiences for youth, by taking a step up in leading and running their own activities.

Ages 18 to 26

Rovers

Picture of Rovers

Rovers run their own programme including regular Regional and National events with a focus on personal development, taking on leadership roles, and giving back to their communities.