St Johns Wood Scouts
For Girls and Boys aged 5 to 25 and Adults of All Ages
What is Scouting?
Scouting is for Girls and Boys!
The aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens, and as a member of their local, national and international communities. Research shows Scouting builds resilience in youth.
This is undertaken in small teams ("patrols"), under the watchful eye of trained volunteer leaders, with the youth gradually taking on more leadership as they learn the skill of leadership using the proven Scout method. And all done in the context of fun, often outdoor adventurous activities.
St Johns Wood Scouts (Ashgrove West) is a strong local group of the world's largest youth movement with 50 million Scouts worldwide and provides Scout training, new friends and life building experiences to girls and boy from age 5 to 25 and youth are welcome to join year round.
St Johns Wood Scouts are located in Ashgrove Scenic Reserve on the corner of the Gresham Street and Waterworks Road (547 Waterworks Road Ashgrove). Our Carpark entry is on Waterworks Rd immediately inbound from Gresham St (where the bikeway starts).
We accept membership enquiries for leaders, and youth all year round! You can join at any time! Contact us to find out more
Located in Ashgrove West
Next to Ashgrove State School and Fire Station
Scouts repaints Wirra Birra den in group colours May 2023
Scouts have repainted the outside of their well known "Wirra Birra" den in Ashgrove Scenic Reserve, located creekside adjacent to the fire station and St Johns Wood locality. When the group formed in 1945, the group colours were decided as the royal colours of Royal Blue and Maroon due to the royals visit to St Johns Wood. With a donation from Bunnings Keperra, and Scouts extra purchasing paint, and a set of enthusiastic volunteers, the outside, and some inside rooms were painted to freshen the building and proudly show off our group colours.
Annual report released
Each year, Scouts produces an annual report of the activities, triumphs and challenges, which you can access here. The one page snapshot is below.
Scouts rebounds after flood Feb 2022
Scouts have resumed operating from their site adjacent to the new St Johns Wood bridge at Ashgrove West after the devastating February floods. Group Leader Alan Brake said that this flood was the highest since 1974 with 2.3 meters of water in the lower steel den (shed). A tremendous effort by the local scout community cleaned the mud from the buildings and equipment and made the site operational. Much of the Scout equipment supports our adventurous activities such as camping and tolerates water but needed a good clean. The electrical system inside the buildings suffered some damage but the recent renovation had moved much of the electrical infrastructure above the flood line, which limited the damage. The cleaning effort was led by lifetime member Russ Davie for two weeks, assisted by a big group of helpers at the den and cleaning items at home. Local MP Julian Simmonds helped with the cleanup and MP Jonty Bush also offered support. Our group operated from the Mt Mirrimbul Scout den for two weeks whilst our waterlogged grounds dried. Scouts accepts donations of 10c containers into our red bins as a fundraiser with easy access from Waterworks Rd. The Scout movement provides lifelong learning in resilience, leadership and teamwork for girls and boys from age 5 to 26 delivered by the proven Scout method. St Johns Wood Scouts is part of the strong local Scout district that includes Bardon (Bee St), Oakleigh (High St) and The Gap (Paten park).
Join Scouts
Purpose of Scouting
The Purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the education of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. Scouting builds resilience, self-confidence and leadership skills in our youth.
St Johns Wood. Scouts is part of the of the largest youth movement in the world with over 40 million youth members and inviting community members aged 5 and up to join anytime during the year.
Successful Scout groups excel with community support and people of all ages assisting running the group! Parents are expected to assist the group and interested community members new to scouting are welcomed. Previous Scout experience is not necessary.
Join as a Youth Member (Children and young adults aged between 5 and 26)
Join as an Volunteer Adult Leader, a committee member, a Youth Program Supporter or Adult Parent Helper to help leaders let youth members get the best out of scouting!
St Johns Wood has all units that meet weekly at various times. Follow the link above for times, and below for other information about that age group.
Joey Scouts - Youth Aged between 5 - 8
Cub Scouts -Youth Aged between 8 - 11
Scouts -Youth Aged between 11 - 15
Venturer Scouts - Youth Aged between 15 - 18
Rover Scouts - Young Adults aged between 18 - 26
If these times aren't convenient, contact one of the neighbouring scout groups here.
Scouting is run by volunteers so sometimes there may be a delay in getting back to you due to family, work and other scouting commitments.
Please fill in the "New member enquiry" form on the right) and we usually reply within 24 hours.
There are many ways to contact us
Hall for hire and Grounds for hire
Timber floor upstairs hall with main meeting room approx 7 x 8 meters. Separate kitchenette and toilet also upstairs. Tables and chairs.
Great ambience, located in Ashgrove West, next to Enoggera Creek and in treed parkland. Close to city and bus route. 18 car park spaces on site and extra car park and street parking available.
Hall is being renovated but still usable
Grounds available for boot camps, etc.
Become A Leader!
Are you an Active Parent seeking quality family time?
Were you a youth member?
Did you not get to be a youth member and always wanted to be involved with Scouts?
Do you want to be a positive role model?
Be part of the Worldwide Movement?
Do you want free training to improve yourself?
Do you want to give back to the community?
SJW Scouts is a donation location with a wheel bin to accept donations of single use containers with the 10 cents refund. Please keep your own containers and encourage your neighbours/ community/ workplace/ school to consider donating to SJW. This is a sizable fundraiser for Scouts. Keeping Scouting affordable is important to make the benefits of Scout training available to everyone.
Donations support scouting to reach youth where no scout groups exist and contribute to our new building program to keep Scouts alive in St Johns Wood.
Contact the group to make a donation for the building, or through Scout HQ
Brisbane City Council officer helping Scouts plant the creek bank at our Scout den.
St Johns Wood Scouts support other local community groups
St Johns wood has many organisations that it supports it and in turn they suport them and others. Giving back to the community is a pillar of any organisation and our group is no different.
Our supporters range are from the the not for profit, governement and commercial organisations.
Many Organisations use our Den Facilities and grounds for which we are very proud and pleased to do so
Alan's vision for the SJW Scouts
Badges are what makes Scouting scouts, rather than an interest group. Our founder, BP, cleverly designed the system to provide encouragement for youth to participate in many activities, and often in areas that broaden their experience and skills. Reflecting on my experience as a youth member, I only did well badge wise in Venturers because that leader had the expectation and drive to encourage me. That’s where leaders make a difference in delivering Scouting by harnessing the youth’s desire for recognition for a job well done to earn badges in new skill areas. The leaders in the group agree that our expectation is that youth at SJW earn badges. We’d like to have many Scout Medallions, Queen Scout and BP awards and we already do well in Joey Scouts and Cub Scouts. Further, the Scout group should be a place where Leaders feel valued and are proud when the children receive recognition.
Contact Us
Contact us by Phone, Email, Social Media , or a traditional Scout Cooee!
Scouting is run by Volunteers so sometimes there may be a delay in getting back to you due to Family, Work and other scouting Commitments.