Scouting Ireland provides programme initiatives to help enhance the programme in your section. These initiatives include challenges, programme ideas and programme resources. Take a look through the various initiatives below and see if there’s anything that you can use in your section.
Some of the challenges and programmes include opportunities for youth members to achieve awards and badges.
2026 marks the 50th Anniversary of Beaver Scouting officially starting in Ireland.
To celebrate, we have put together 50 suggested activities for Beaver Scouts to complete. Any of the activities can be adjusted or changed to accommodate the individual needs of a Beaver Scout.
The Beaver Scouts 50 Challenge will help Beaver Scouts advance in their Bree, Ruarc, and Conn Badges and can be used as inspiration for planning at a Log Chew.
EPIC : The Chief Scout’s Challenge
The Chief Scout’s Challenge, EPIC, is now live and ready for your sections to take part.
EPIC is a year-long initiative encouraging sections’ active participation in four key pillars of Scouting:
- Environment – nature, conservation, sustainability.
- Programme – vibrant, varied programme for your section.
- Investiture – celebrate Scouting identity and tradition.
- Camping – Camping together & outdoor adventure.
Safe from Harm Programme
The Safe from Harm programme aims to provide an engaging, youth-centred and age-appropriate range of activities to help develop youth members’ understanding of harm so they can –
- Recognise it, in its many forms.
- Gain an understanding of steps they can take to prevent it where possible.
- Effectively address it, if it occurs either to themselves or others.
Youth Led Programme
Are you looking for some ideas on how to get young people in your sections more involved in decision-making?
We have a short guide to help with this, including –
- an overview of how to use the Scout Method to enable youth empowerment in each section.
- a check-list to self-assess progress in being youth-led.
- a suggested activity.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD), marked annually on 8th March, celebrates the achievements of women and girls while recognising the ongoing work needed to achieve equality and equity. It highlights contributions across communities, science, sport, culture, leadership and everyday life, and encourages people of all ages to reflect on opportunity, representation and participation.
These programme resources provide an opportunity to explore these themes in your sections through learning by doing.
National Activities Calendar 2025/26
The National Activities Calendar 2025/26 includes the various national activities that Scouting Ireland has planned for the 2025/2026 Scouting year.
County Youth Forum
Each Scout County is required to run a County Youth Forum at least once a year for Scouts, Ventures and Rovers.
The aim of the Youth Forum is –
- to provide an opportunity for youth members to discuss relevant matters;
- to bring ideas to the county, province and national forums;
- to elect representatives;
- to contribute to the County Programme;
- to learn and put into practice decision-making skills.
This guide will help with running a County Youth Forum.