Your family field guide · Ages 10½–14
Ready for Scouts.
As Scouts take more responsibility for their adventures, looking after uniform and understanding the Promise become part of that independence. Use this guide for the 7th Boston Swineshead troop before meetings, badge sewing or an investiture.
Uniform, made simple
The main uniform item is a teal-green Scout shirt or blouse. Our group necker is black with a narrow purple inner stripe and deep green outer edging. Speak to your section team about getting the correct 7th Boston Swineshead necker and the items needed for your child.
Before buying anything for a first visit, ask us what to wear. Label uniform with your child’s name and check the retailer’s size guide. Optional accessories are not a shopping list of everything a new member must have.
Buy Scouts uniform from Scout Store · Ask our Swineshead team about uniform
Scout Store is an external retailer. Check its current sizes, prices, delivery and returns before ordering. If cost or fit is a concern, talk to us privately about possible options before you buy.
View larger image Little badges. Big progress.
Badges celebrate progress, interests and new skills. The Chief Scout’s Gold Award is a goal for this section; the official award pages explain the current requirements. Ask your leader about badge work done at home and how to share it with the section.
Explore official Scouts awards and requirements · A parent’s introduction to Scout badges
Open the official Scouts uniform and badge placement guide
Keep newly awarded badges somewhere safe until you have checked their positions. When moving sections or replacing a sweatshirt or shirt, ask which badges should move across; do not assume every old badge transfers. Leaders can also distinguish uniform awards from souvenir badges.
Your Promise & Law
The Promise is part of becoming a member and of how we treat one another afterwards. Choose the official version that reflects the young person’s beliefs, with support from your section leader. There are choices for different faiths and for people with no religious belief.
Read the exact official Promise wording and all variations
On the official page, find the Scout, Explorer Scout, Scout Network and Adult Promise. Use that complete wording when practising for investiture. The notes here explain the ideas; they are not replacement words to recite.
Understanding the seven Scout Laws
The Scout Law covers trustworthiness, loyalty, consideration, belonging to a worldwide movement, courage, responsible use of time and belongings, and respect for yourself and others.
Try discussing one idea at a time rather than treating the Law as a list to memorise without understanding.
Read the official Laws and Promise rules — section 1.6 for the Scout Law.
Practise together
Choose one of the seven Scout Laws and discuss a realistic situation at school, online or on camp. What would it look like in practice? Then rehearse the exact Promise variation you have chosen with your section leader.
If reading, speaking in front of others or remembering the words is difficult, let the leader know. Ask what support would help your young person take part comfortably. Official Makaton Promise resources are also available.
Your investiture checklist
An investiture is the welcome ceremony where a young person makes their Promise. Your section team will explain when it is happening, the chosen wording, what to wear and whether family members are invited. Please confirm these arrangements with us rather than assuming a fixed date or format.
- Talk with the leader about the Promise version the young person wishes to use.
- Read the official words together and discuss what they mean.
- Let us know about any communication or accessibility support needed.
- Check the uniform and necker arrangements before the meeting.
- Enjoy the welcome, then keep putting the Promise into practice.
Young people choose their permitted Promise wording; parents should be aware of their choice. Read Scouts’ guidance on making the Promise.
We’re here to help
A question before the next adventure?
Whether your family lives in Swineshead, Boston or a nearby Lincolnshire village, our volunteers can help with questions about joining this section, buying the right uniform or getting ready for an investiture.
Contact 7th Boston Swineshead · Check what to pack for camp · See upcoming group events
Official reference links checked 25 September 2026. Follow the current Scouts guidance if requirements change.