Scouting
Scouting Nederland is a Dutch nonprofit and the country's largest youth organization, operating 1,000+ local volunteer-led groups that deliver age-structured outdoor and personal-development programs to Dutch children and young adults aged 5–21.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1910
- HeadquartersLeusden, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Scouting does
Scouting Nederland (legal name: Vereniging Scouting Nederland), founded in 1910 and headquartered in the Netherlands (Leusden per firmographics; national operations anchored at Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde), is the largest youth organization in the country. It delivers age-structured outdoor, personal-development, and citizenship programs to Dutch children and young adults aged 5–21 through five tiers — Bevers (5-7), Welpen (7-11), Scouts (11-15), Explorers (15-18), and Roverscouts (18-21) — alongside specialized tracks in water scouting (waterscouting), air scouting (luchtscouting), and inclusive scouting for members with disabilities. Service delivery is decentralized across more than 1,000 volunteer-run local groups (scoutinggroepen), coordinated by regional organizations (regio's) and admiraliteiten for water scouting. The organization operates under royal patronage: Queen Máxima serves as Beschermvrouwe and biologist/TV presenter Freek Vonk serves as ambassador; both features function as national credibility assets.
The organization's technology backbone is Scouts Online (SOL), a centralized member-administration platform used by every local group for registration, activity sign-ups, and communications, currently being upgraded to SOL 3.0 in mid-2025. Complementary digital assets include the Mijn Scouting member portal, the Activiteitenbank structured-activity and badge database, the Kwaliteitstest quality-assessment tool for speltakken (age divisions), the ScoutShop e-commerce site for uniforms (Scoutfit), badges, and equipment, and the Scouting Academy and Watersport Academy training/qualification platforms. Physical infrastructure centers on Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde, the national campsite that hosts flagship events including Nawaka (the 10-day quadrennial water camp) and the annual Landelijke Scouting Zeilwedstrijden (LSZW / NK Lelievlet) sailing competition.
Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit mix: locally set membership dues across 1,000+ groups, donations and fundraising via the Scouting Nederland Fonds, Jantje Beton collecteweek, and Grote Clubactie lottery, recurring proceeds from the Nationale Postcode Loterij partnership, merchandise sales through ScoutShop, and event participation fees (e.g., Nawaka 2026 at €195 for Welpen and €387.50 for Scouts/Explorers). National-office staffing is small (11-50 employees per firmographics), with operations overwhelmingly volunteer-driven across the local, regional, and admiraliteit layers.
Scouting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scouting
- Legal name
- Vereniging Scouting Nederland
- Website
- https://scouting.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1910
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Scouting Nederland is a Dutch nonprofit and the country's largest youth organization, operating 1,000+ local volunteer-led groups that deliver age-structured outdoor and personal-development programs to Dutch children and young adults aged 5–21.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scouting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Services
- NAICS
- Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), National/State Park Campgrounds & Public Campgrounds (THAMAJAI), Adventure Base Camps (Trek/Climb/Expedition Camps) (THAGAOAG)
Keywords
Where Scouting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leusden
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Scouting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Local Scouting groups charge membership fees to cover local activities, insurance, and materials. Individual group contributions vary.
- Donations and Fundraising: Scouting Nederland receives support through donations, the Scouting Nederland Fonds, and partnership fundraising through Jantje Beton collect and Grote Clubactie.
- Event Participation Fees: Fees charged for national events such as Nawaka (water camp). Nawaka 2026 fees: Scouts/Explorers €387.50, Welpen €195, with reduced rates for leaders.
- ScoutShop: Sale of Scouting merchandise including uniforms (Scoutfit), badges, books, and equipment through the ScoutShop.
- Nationale Postcode Loterij: Annual lottery proceeds from Nationale Postcode Loterij partnership supporting Scouting programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Membership fees vary by local group |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Nawaka 2026 Scout/Explorer participants |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Nawaka 2026 Welp participants |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Nawaka 2026 volunteer staff contribution |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Scouting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Scouting Nederland is a nonprofit association that delivers age-structured youth development programs through more than 1,000 volunteer-led local scouting groups across the Netherlands, serving children and young adults aged 5-21 across five age divisions (Bevers, Welpen, Scouts, Explorers, Roverscouts). Its core activities include weekly meetings, outdoor skills training, water scouting, air scouting, badge programs, sleepovers, and summer camps, supported by digital platforms (Scouts Online, Mijn Scouting, Activiteitenbank) and national events such as the Nawaka water camp.
Product overview
Scouting Nederland operates a portfolio of interconnected digital platforms and programs serving the Dutch scouting movement. The core member management is handled through Scouts Online (SOL) and Mijn Scouting, while the Activiteitenbank provides program resources. Physical experiences are enabled through Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde and major events like Nawaka (water camp) and LSZW (sailing competitions). The ScoutShop provides merchandise. Age-specific programs (Bevers, Welpen, Scouts, Explorers, Roverscouts) deliver progressive development from ages 5-21. The Scouting Academy and Watersport Academy provide structured training and qualifications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Scouts Online (SOL): The online administrative application for all Scout Groups in The Netherlands, used for member administration, activity registration, and member services.
- Mijn Scouting
- Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde
- Nawaka
- ScoutShop
- Scouting Academy
- Watersport Academy
- Landelijke Scouting Zeilwedstrijden (LSZW)
Products and services
- ScoutShop Official online and physical retail operation selling Scouting Nederland merchandise including Scoutfit uniforms, badges, insignia, books, equipment, and program guides, available to members and the general public.
- Nawaka National Water Camp A 10-day national water camp for water scouts across Scouting Nederland, held every four years at Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde, with tiered participation fees for Scouts/Explorers (€387.50), Welpen (€195), leaders, and volunteer staff, and late-registration surcharges.
- Landelijke Scouting Zeilwedstrijden (LSZW) Annual national sailing competition for water scouts within Scouting Nederland, also known as the NK Lelievlet championship.
- Scoutinglandgoed Zeewolde National Scouting Nederland campsite and accommodation facility located in Zeewolde, hosting major national events such as Nawaka and serving as the organization's central gathering and event venue.
- Scouting Academy Training and qualification system for Scouting Nederland volunteer leaders and members, offering e-learning modules, quizzes, and certifications ranging from practical instructor qualifications to Gilwell recognition.
- Watersport Academy Nautical training platform affiliated with the Watersportverbond that provides formal sailing, rowing, canoeing, and motorboat qualifications for Scouting Nederland water scouts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Largest youth organization in Netherlands
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Scouting
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Scouting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Scouting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nationale Postcode LoterijcoreAnnual lottery partnership where Scouting Nederland receives proceeds from the Nationale Postcode Loterij to support Scouting activities and youth development programs. Listed as a partner on scouting.nl homepage.
- Jantje BetoncoreNational fundraising partnership for youth outdoor play initiatives. Scouting groups participate in annual Jantje Beton collecteweek to support outdoor activities for children.
- Grote ClubactiecoreFundraising partnership through lotteries supporting Scouting groups and other youth organizations.
- Nederlandsch Binnenvaartbureau (NBB)minorFinancial support for the Waterspelenboek (water games book) publication, made possible with funding from NBB.
- Watersportverbond (Royal Dutch Watersport Federation)coreScouting Nederland is affiliated with the Watersport Academy, the training platform of the Watersportverbond. Watersport Academy provides sailing, rowing, canoeing, and motorboat qualifications that Scouting members can earn.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Scouting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Norges Speiderforbund: National scouting federation of Norway with age-based groups and strong emphasis on outdoor and expedition activities. Comparable in mission and Scandinavian outdoor culture, but operates in a different geography.
- DPSG (Pfadfinderbund): Germany's largest Catholic scouting federation, organized in local Stämme (groups) with age-based stages. Comparable mission and federated structure, but operates in a different country and faith-based context.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA Nederland: Dutch branch of the global YMCA youth organization, offering youth programs, sports and accommodation. Comparable as a domestic youth-services organization in the Netherlands, but with a broader, less outdoor/specialized mandate than Scouting Nederland.
- NJN (Nederlandse Jeugdbond voor Natuurstudie): Dutch youth association for natural history and outdoor study, organized through regional local groups. Comparable as a Dutch youth organization with local federations and outdoor focus, but narrower in scope (nature study) and serving an older youth demographic.
Direct peers
- Girl Scouts of the USA: US national youth organization for girls, operating through local troops with badge/cookie revenue model. Highly comparable in federated local-group structure, badge progression, and merchandise/direct-sale revenue streams.
- The Scout Association: National scouting federation of the United Kingdom, operating the same age-progression model (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Network) with member-led local groups. Closely comparable in mission, structure, and program scope to Scouting Nederland.
- Scouts Canada: Canadian national scouting organization with Beaver, Cub, Scout, Venturer and Rover sections and a strong outdoor/camping focus. Directly comparable in age-progression structure and federated local-group model.
- Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America): The largest national scouting organization in the United States, offering Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts. Directly comparable in youth-development mission, badge/advancement system, and local-unit federation model.
- Scouts et Guides de France: Main French national scouting organization with co-educational local groups serving youth from 6-19+. Directly comparable as a national federation with structured age branches and a mix of land, water and air activities.
Emerging players
- Woodcraft Folk: UK-based cooperative youth organization focused on outdoor activity, social justice and self-governance for children and young people. Comparable as a volunteer-led outdoor youth organization, though significantly smaller in scale than Scouting Nederland.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Scouting social profiles
Digital presenceScouting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scouting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Scouting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Scouting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Scouting
What does Scouting do?
Scouting Nederland is a nonprofit association that delivers age-structured youth development programs through more than 1,000 volunteer-led local scouting groups across the Netherlands, serving children and young adults aged 5-21 across five age divisions (Bevers, Welpen, Scouts, Explorers, Roverscouts). Its core activities include weekly meetings, outdoor skills training, water scouting, air scouting, badge programs, sleepovers, and summer camps, supported by digital platforms (Scouts Online, Mijn Scouting, Activiteitenbank) and national events such as the Nawaka water camp.
Is Scouting a public or private company?
Scouting is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Scouting founded?
Scouting was founded in 1910. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Scouting based?
Scouting is headquartered in Leusden, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Scouting make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, event Participation Fees, scoutShop and nationale Postcode Loterij.
Who are Scouting's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Norges Speiderforbund and DPSG (Pfadfinderbund). Broad incumbents are YMCA Nederland and NJN (Nederlandse Jeugdbond voor Natuurstudie). Direct peers are Girl Scouts of the USA, The Scout Association, Scouts Canada, Boy Scouts of America (Scouting America) and Scouts et Guides de France. Woodcraft Folk is listed as an emerging player.
Does Scouting have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scouting.
What industry is Scouting in?
Scouting's product category is Youth Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAOAI, Group Camping & Scout Camps, with a secondary code of EDAMALAA, Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports). Its NAICS code is 721214 and its SIC code is 7997.