For many children and young people in the community, their link with Christianity comes through belonging to a uniformed organisation which is hosted by their local church. These groups are often supported through prayer by the congregation, invited to parade service, often even led by volunteers who are from a Christian background or have strong links with church members. The URC  has its own Guide and Scout Fellowship which is a support group backing the work of the Scout Association. As of the Annual Church Returns in 2017, there were 311 Scout/Guide units linked with URC churches - that's more than one fifth of our churches having young people associated with their church through these particular uniformed organisations. Definitely something to celebrate! 

With this is mind, it is good to know that England's biggest scout group is hosted in a United Reformed Chuch. 5th Penwortham Scouts, which was founded in 1951 (The mosaic on the church wall commemorates its diamond anniversary eight years ago) are part of Penwortham URC and comprise four Beaver colonies, four Cub packs, Four Scout troops, a band and a healthy number of young leaders/Explorer Scouts who are learning to pass on their skills and love of Scouting to a new generation.