Scouting

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.

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

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

• Youth development
• Scouting programs
• Outdoor education
• Volunteer association
• Youth organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Leusden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Local Scouting groups charge membership fees to cover local activities, insurance, and materials. Individual group contributions vary.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Scouting Nederland receives support through donations, the Scouting Nederland Fonds, and partnership fundraising through Jantje Beton collect and Grote Clubactie.
3. 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.
4. ScoutShop: Sale of Scouting merchandise including uniforms (Scoutfit), badges, books, and equipment through the ScoutShop.
5. Nationale Postcode Loterij: Annual lottery proceeds from Nationale Postcode Loterij partnership supporting Scouting programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nationale Postcode LoterijcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 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 BetoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational fundraising partnership for youth outdoor play initiatives. Scouting groups participate in annual Jantje Beton collecteweek to support outdoor activities for children.
• Grote ClubactiecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFundraising partnership through lotteries supporting Scouting groups and other youth organizations.
• Nederlandsch Binnenvaartbureau (NBB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial support for the Waterspelenboek (water games book) publication, made possible with funding from NBB.
• Watersportverbond (Royal Dutch Watersport Federation)coreTechnology or IntegrationScouting 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

Regional 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/scouttvnl
• Facebookfacebook.com/scoutingnederland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scouting-nederland
• Instagraminstagram.com/Scouting_NL
• Xx.com/Scouting_NL

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Scouting