Maryland Shortland Scout Group is a vibrant, community-focused Scout Group serving the families of Fletcher, Maryland, Wallsend, Shortland, Minmi, Cameron Park, and surrounding areas in the Newcastle region. We’re part of Scouts NSW and the worldwide Scouting movement, providing adventure-based learning for young people aged 5-18.
To contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.
On my honour, I promise to do my best,
To do my duty to my God and the Queen of Australia,
To help other people,
And to live by the Scout Law
Be Respectful: Be friendly and considerate
Do What is Right: Be trustworthy, honest and fair
Believe in Myself: Learn from my experiences
Scouting began in 1907 when Robert Baden-Powell held the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island, England. The movement quickly spread worldwide, arriving in Australia in 1908. Today, Scouting exists in 176 countries with over 57 million members globally.
Drawing from his experience as a soldier and leader, Baden Powell held an experimental scout camp at Brownsea Island in the UK. It consisted of 20 boys from all different backgrounds who were taught the values behind Baden Powell’s scouting ideals. The group slept in tents, cooked their own food and learned value life skills through challenging outdoor activities designed to foster development, teamwork, critical thinking and imagination. The camp was considered an absolute success and its conclusion is considered the beginning date for the creation of the Scouting Movement worldwide.
After the success of the Brownsea Island camp, Baden Powell set about writing down his thoughts and experiences, what he learned and how to adapt the movement in the future.
‘Scouting for Boys’ was published in 1908 as the premier manual for Scouting worldwide.
The first instances of Scouts within Australia occurred not long after the release of Baden Powell’s book worldwide.
After gaining popularity between 1908 -1909, Baden Powell organised the first ever scout rally at Crystal Palace in London in 1909. Some 11,000 boys attended the rally, cementing the Scouting Movements’ future throughout the world.
To Baden Powell’s surprise, there were several hundred ‘girl scouts’ in attendance as well, prompting Baden Powell to realise that young girls and women needed their own movement focused on activities that were more suited to women. Girl Guides was born with Baden Powell’s wife, Agnes becoming the first president of the Girl Guides Movement.
In the years following the Crystal Palace rally, scouts went through many expansions with the development of the different youth groups for varied ages, Wolf Cub Scouts and Rover Scouts.
Sub branches of scouts were also formed as the first Sea Scouts.
The first global scout jamboree was held in 1920 in Olympia in London. There were over 8000 youth scouts in attendance from 34 different nationalities. The week-long jamboree involved numerous activities, contests, and pageants, designed to test the boys and help them make new friends and develop comradery amongst their fellow boy scouts.
The first Australian Scout Jamboree was held in December 1934 in Frankston, Victoria. The 10-day jamboree was the first international scouting event to be held outside Europe. It hosted 12,000 boy scouts for the duration, and even had a visit from World Chief Scout, Robert Baden Powell. It is regarded as one of the most well known jamborees in Australian history.
The remainder of the 20th century saw the Scouting Movement expand significantly within Australia and the world. Various sub branches of scouting were established including Air Scouts and Deep Sea Scouts.
The youth group systems were firmly established, allowing scouts from aged 5 – 26 to be involved with the movement.
Restrictions regarding the admittance of females within the movement were lifted and additions were made to make scouting more inclusive for all individuals.
Today, scout in Australia is one of the premier youth organisations for boys and girls aged 5 -26. With over 70,000 members across all 8 states and territories, it continues to develop and align with modern principles, beliefs and values, while still honouring the foundations that were built by Baden Powell over 100 years ago.
Maryland Shortland Scout Group prioritizes child safety through:
We celebrate diversity and welcome all young people regardless of:
We teach environmental stewardship through:
Sustainable practices
Scouting provides young people with:
The Scout movement has been running for over 117 years in Australia and 118 years worldwide..
We currently have approximately over 8000 youth members in attendance from 34 different nationalities.
Any young person aged 5-18 can join. We also welcome adult volunteers of all ages.
We have trained leaders for each section, supported by assistant leaders and adult helpers, all coordinated by our Group Leader.
Through membership fees, fundraising activities, hall hire, and community support.