Questions and answers

What is guiding and scouting?

The basic principles of guiding and scouting in Finland


For whom and in what age?

Scouting is a fun hobby that gives you many kinds of useful skills. It offers plenty of great activities such as nature trips, camps and playing and learning new things together. In Scouting children make new friends – even for the rest of their lives. This hobby is full of friendship, laughter and unforgettable experiences!

Scouting supports children’s growth and promotes their development as individuals and group members. Considering the environment and other people, operating in a group, learning various skills, developing the ability to solve problems and taking responsibility are important parts of the hobby. Scouting is an international movement that is open for all regardless of your language, culture, religion or background.

Weekly activities and new groups start in August, but you can join the Scouts anytime and any age starting from 4 years old.

In Scouting, children will

How do you start Scouting?

Children can start Scouting from the age of four. There is no upper age limit. Scouting takes place in local groups, and you can find one in almost every municipality in Finland. Children meet weekly in the local group, in small groups (patrols) with children of their age. The patrols are usually led by one or two adult Scouts. In the local group meetings children play, do arts and crafts and learn new skills. Every now and then the group also participates in bigger events. All Scouting activities are based on the Scouts’ youth programme, which consist of numerous activities tailored for different age groups. For example, some local groups focus on nautical, aviation or hiking activities.

Scouting is not expensive

The membership fee is about 60–80 euros per year. By paying the fee, you can participate in weekly meetings, hikes, camps and other Scouting events. The sum depends on the annual fee of the local group and the Guide and Scout district. Small participation fees are also collected for hikes and camps. Families with more than one child in the Scouts get a discount from the membership fee. Usually you can also apply for a scholarship for camps.

For adults, too!

You can start Scouting also as an adult. No previous experience is needed. The Scouts offer plenty of activities and various volunteer tasks for adults.

Family Scouting

Some local groups also offer Family Scouting for children under seven and their parents. The purpose is to familiarize children with Scouting and give families positive nature experiences. Family Scouting is a great hobby for the whole family and an opportunity to meet other parents regularly.

What are the basic gear I need in scout trips and camps?

Usually before every event we send you a list of gear to take with you. Please put names on every gear. It helps us to find the owner of the lost and found stuff.

When you pack your gear please be sure that they all fit in the bag or backpack. Loose small bags tend to get lost. Be sure that all the stuff is packed in waterproof smaller bags. Pack the gear with the scout. For this there are two major reasons. First the kid learns to pack and secondly the kid knows what is in the bag. The main principle is that a scout carries his gear. 

Who is responsible for the troop activities?

When we arrange overnight trips, camps or bigger events there will always be trained scout leaders on site. Weekly meetings for squirrels and cubs are always an adult's responsibility. With adults we mean in this context a person over 18 years. He or she is also trained for the task.

Adventurer's group guide is a teenager who has training for the task and is always supervised by an adult trainer. Trackers, explorers and rovers have their own group trainers. 

The troop is managed by a board. Chairman of the board is called a troop leader. Troop leader has 5-7 members in his board. Our troop has eight members. 

We have two annual assemblies. Spring meeting in March to close up the last year and Autumn meeting in November to decide what is happening in next year and to elect the Board. Scouts over 15 years have the right to vote in these annual assemblies.

Who supports scouting?

Wild Eagles ry is a registered legal entity. We have two main supporters. Olari Parish is one. They give us the Sammalkallio club house for free. The other is Olarin Eräkotkien Kilta ry. The guild supports us economically and is the owner of the Kotkanpesä scout hut.

We get support from the City of Espoo and some scout organizations. 

Our own active income is from the Christmas calendar sales. It is a very important tool to fund annual activities, trainers education, supplies to weekly meetings and communication costs.  Our events, trips and camps are net profit operations. 

If you have economical difficulties please do not hesitate to contact the troop leader. We have different kinds of scholarships and support to relieve the costs of scouting.

What is The Scout Promise and motto?

I promise to do my best to live for the good of my country and the world, to develop my spiritual beliefs and worldview and fulfill the ideals of the <age group> every day.

The Scout Promise and Ideals describe the fundamental values of the movement in a concise manner that is easily understood by young people. Making the Scout Promise means that one voluntarily strives to commit oneself to the values of Scouting.

The Ideals are based on Robert Baden-Powell’s original Scout Law and the Promise has been derived from the original Scout Promise.

The Motto of a Scout is Be prepared

What are the Scout Ideals?