National Scouting and Guiding organisations are divided into different age groups to deliver the Scouting and Guiding programmes for a full range of youth.
Originally, there was only a single section for all members of the Scouting (Scouts) and Guiding (Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) Movements. Typically, these were for 11–17 year olds, although the exact ages varied between the countries and organisations.
Within the first twenty-five years of Scouting its founder, Robert Baden-Powell, saw that there was a demand to provide the Scouting programme for young people both above and below the core age range.
The first section to have a separate programme to the Scouts were the Wolf Cubs. This development allowed the younger brothers of Scouts to participate in similar activities. Later on, a senior section known as Rover Scouts was created. This was mirrored by similar sections being created for the Guide Movement — the Brownie Guides (equivalent to the Wolf Cubs) and Ranger Guides (the senior section).
In addition to the expansion of the age ranges, new programmes which ran parallel to the core Scout method were developed. For example, the Sea Scouts and Air Scouts. Another parallel programme is Extension Scouting, which aims to bring Scouting to young people with special needs.
Over time, the various Scouting and Guiding organisations around the world have continued to adapt their programmes to meet the requirements of the society they function in. However, while the age ranges and names vary, the core principles of the Scout or Guide Method are applied throughout.
There are a number of similarities in the Scouting and Guiding sections around the world, and the following articles contain generic information on the various age groups:
| Scouting | Guiding |
In most countries a local organisation, a Scout Group, combines different sections together into a single body.
The following table contains links to articles with information on specific sectional programmes within the various organisations where available:
Guiding and Scouting in Northern Ireland are administered by Irish and UK organisations, respectively.
Guiding and Scouting in Northern Ireland is served by Irish and UK organisations.