The Scout Association is incorporated throughout the British Empire by royal charter.
The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association.The association is the largest national Scout organisation in Europe, representing 35% of the membership of the European Scout Region.As of 2018, the association claims to provide activities to 464,700 young people (aged 5+3⁄4–25) in the UK with over 116,400 adult volunteers which is more than one adult for each 4 young people. Its programmes include Squirrel Scouts (aged 4–6), Beaver Scouts (aged 5+3⁄4–8), Cub Scouts (aged 8–10+1⁄2), Scouts (aged 10+1⁄2–14), Explorer Scouts (aged 14–18) and adult Network members (aged 18–25).
The association aims to provide "fun, adventure and skills for life and give young people the opportunity to enjoy new adventures, experience outdoors and take part in a range of creative, community and international activities, interact with others, make new friends, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential". The organisation and its activities are regulated through its "Policy, Organisation and Rules" (POR).The association is led by its Chief Scout, the television presenter, adventurer and author Bear Grylls, alongside a UK chief commissioner, Carl Hankinson, and chief executive, Matt Hyde. The association's joint presidents are the Duke of Kent and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and its patron is Queen Elizabeth II.