The Youth Team exists to champion youth voice, strengthen youth participation, and ensure that young people help shape Scouting at every level in Oxfordshire. Our role is to create meaningful, accessible opportunities for young people to share, influence, lead and shape what Scouting looks like across the county. The County Youth Team is made up of young adults all aged 25 and under lead by the County Youth Lead, Joseph.
What We Do
Youth Forums & Representation
We design and deliver Youth Forums that give young people a platform to discuss the issues that matter to them—such as inclusion, accessibility, programme ideas, and the future of Scouting in Oxfordshire. These conversations directly influence county decision-making and support the development of youth voice across all 6 districts.
We also help districts develop their own youth provisions, ensuring consistent and high-quality youth involvement too! Our signature county youth forum is for explorers and young leaders if they would like to get involved they can sign-up here: Oxfordshire Scouts: Youth Forum Application Form.
Large-Scale Youth-Led Events
A major part of our work is delivering innovative, youth-led engagement events that bring young people together from across Oxfordshire. One of our flagship upcoming projects is Six Flames of Change—a series of five county-wide Youth Forum events for Cubs and Scouts, touring the districts across Oxfordshire.
Designed and run by young people, these events aim to gather a wide range of perspectives from younger sections, exploring topics such as:
- What they enjoy about Scouting
- Camps and adventurous activities in their districts
- What they’d like to change or improve locally
- County Events both present and future
- Accessibility and inclusion
- Environmental impact
- International Scouting and global ideas
- Creating positive memories and new traditions
Each event will bring together 100+ young people in unique venues across Oxfordshire. Creating a vibrant, youth-led space for ideas, feedback and reflection.
Workshops, Camps & Skills Development
We run Youth Forum Camps, skills workshops, and facilitated discussions that give Explorers and Young Leaders opportunities to share honest feedback, build leadership skills, and help shape future county plans. These events consistently highlight the power of listening to young people and acting on their experiences.
Supporting County Events
We support major county events such as Awards Day, helping celebrate the achievements of thousands of young people each year. Working alongside young adults and youth volunteers, we ensure these celebrations reflect the pride, energy, and diversity of Scouting in Oxfordshire. We also support groups locally with fundraising and volunteer recruitment events providing additional support locally.
We also work with our County Inclusion Lead to support Oxford Pride, on the stall and parade. Ensuring our LGBTQIA+ volunteers and youth are welcome and supported in Scouting across the county.
Looking Ahead
The Youth Team continues to expand opportunities for young people to take the lead. Alongside our Youth Forum events we’re focused on:
- Supporting District Youth Leads
- Delivering regular Youth Forums
- Running Youth Forum Camps
- Creating new pathways for young people to influence county plans
- Supporting youth shaped Scouting locally.
We’re always happy to support local groups with becoming more youth shaped, and supporting them to funnel young people’s sometimes wild ideas into actionable plans! If you’re wanting some support with this ping us an email
We’re also looking to grow our team of 5 people! If you’re under 25 and interested in supporting youth events & youth-shaped Scouting at a county or district level drop us an email
