“Be Prepared” – Boy Scouts and Girl Guides groups in Dubai
New outdoor skills, new friends, marshmallow roasts around a campfire and a shiny new badge to pin on your sash —anyone who has ever been part of a scout movement in their childhood knows the experience. Expats who want to share their experience with their kids in Dubai need not fret. Just sign them up to these Boy Scout and Girl Scouts in Dubai. Our guide details the available groups in the emirate.
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Groups in Dubai
Signing kids up as scouts or guides during their early years sets them up to become more multi-skilled and self-sufficient. The UAE Guide and Scout movement is presented by two entities — the Emirates Scout Association and the Girl Guides Association of the United Arab Emirates. The former is also a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).
Girl Scouts Groups in Dubai
Looking for a suitable scouting group for your daughter or female relative? Here are your options.
Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP)
Overseas Filipino Works (OFWs) looking for appropriate girl scouts groups in Dubai can sign them up for GSP. Originally based in the Philippines, the movement is open to Filipinos in specific international destinations.
Girl Scouts of the Philippines is open to all who follow the Girl Scout Promise and Law as well as the principles of Girl Scouting. Membership at GSP is based on five age levels, from 4 to 21 years. The categories are Twinkle, Star, Junior, Senior and Cadet.
Membership at GSP is on an annual basis. Those interested in joining should contact via email.
- Join: Contact GSP at memberships@girlscouts.org.ph
Girlguiding Overseas Dubai
Budding girl scouts in Dubai can register their interest at British Girlguiding Overseas, another UK-based scouting movement in the UAE. Members must follow the same rules as Girlguiding UK where appropriate and make the same promise. Like the original, the Dubai based movement is divided into four units according to age.
- Rainbows: For members aged 5 to 7
- Brownies: For girls between 7 to 10
- Guides: Members aged 7 to 14
- Senior Section: Women 14 to 25 years of age
Parents can register their daughters for available units in the emirate on the Girlguiding Dubai official website.
- Join: Register your interest on the British Girlguiding Dubai division website
- Contact: girlguidingdubai@gmail.com
Boy Scouts Groups in Dubai
Prospective boy scouts in Dubai can consider joining these groups.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
Have your kids move their way up the ranks to become Eagle Scouts with the Boy Scouts of America? The internationally acclaimed BSA has a branch in Dubai, with meetings being held every week. Kids aged 11 and out of fifth grade are welcome to join.
The Dubai-based group is Troop 813 — chartered in Dubai for over 30 years. There is also a sister group for differently-abled children.
Parents with kids in grades 1 to 5 can join the Cub Scouts programme at the Boy Scouts of America. Available adventures offered are based on topics like hiking, sports, science, first aid and more.
You can get in touch with the BSA on their official Facebook page for information about available units and programmes in Dubai.
- Contact: BSA Dubai Facebook page | boyscouts@asdubai.org
British Scouting Overseas (BSO)
The BSO offers Scouting to over “3,000 young people in 28 countries.” The United Arab Emirates is one of them. The Middle East division of the Britain-based movement is headed by District Commissioner Michele (Shelly) Burrows, a Dubai resident.
As the name implies, British Scouting Overseas operates by supporting scouting programmes for expatriate children from Britain. According to the organisation’s official website, other districts covered by the BSO apart from the Middle East and Northern Europe, Southern Europe countries categorised in The Rest of the World like Singapore, Brunei and Nepal.
British Scouting Overseas Dubai provides the same programmes, resources and guidance as given to scout groups in the UK. It is open for both girls and boys.
The Youth Sections at BSO accommodate members who are 4 to 25 years of age. Those who want to become scouts in Dubai can contact them for more information about offered programmes.
- Join: Register for your intended category on the BSO website
- Contact: Fill out the online form on the website
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free things to do in Dubai with kids?
Looking for other activities for your children without breaking the bank? You can indulge in free things to do in Dubai with kids. Your options include everything from beautiful parks to ‘fun in the sun’ beach visits.
Looking for places that 5 to 10-year-old’s will enjoy? You can find many activities for kids in Dubai if you know where to look.
Which are the best activities for families in Dubai?
A trip to the emirate is more fun with the whole family. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to family-friendly activities in Dubai. Go on a desert safari, visit the souks, amusement parks and more.
That concludes our review of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Dubai. Stay tuned to MyBayut for more updates on the best attractions in the UAE.
