Developing Scouting in inner city areas in France

The Scouts and Guides are reaching out to young people living in the inner cities and urban areas. They are working to develop Scout and Guide groups in these areas, organise 'camps for all' during the summer, encourage the integration of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into Scouting and organise activities in the city streets.

The project is an opportunity for intercultural exchange between activity leaders and young people, to discover and experience different ways of life and also different cultures, faiths and beliefs. It is also a way bring diversity to socially homogeneous scout groups. It is an opportunity to adapt the basics of the Scout Method (games, teamwork, personal development, living alongside nature) for a particular context and public.

The principal beneficiaries are children aged 6 to 15 living in inner-city areas or coming from urban disadvantaged backgrounds. Young adults, aged 18 to 25, from these areas are also able to take part in activities, and obtain leader qualifications.

Scouts and Guides are involved in this project as volunteers for 6 to 12 month periods, or as leaders in the activities programmes for children (street activities and during mini-camps and summer camps). Some volunteers are also involved in the establishment of Scouts group in inner-city areas.

At present, the programme involves around 2000 children and young adults. 40 local projects have been developed and 20 groups have been set up in inner-city areas.

The main activities are:
- Street activities and games for children organised with a clear structure and rules, and designed to fill in free time in a constructive way. These adventure games, and activities developed according to themes aim to assist in the strengthening of social links with parents, local partners, young adults and local inhabitants.
- 'Camps for all' giving children from urban disadvantaged background the possibility to go away during holidays and camp in the country.
• Classic Scout groups (for young people aged 8 to 14) in inner-city areas, meeting on Saturday afternoons, organising day outings, weekend camps, and mini-camps during holidays.

The Scouts are working in partnership with the local authorities, local educational and social organisations, Caritas-France and local social workers.