Paul wrote:The NSS are on the case

http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2012/10/boy-11-excluded-from-scouts-because-he-doesnt-believe-in-god

They've dug up a non-religious promise, written by Baden Powell himself, which they say was in use into the 1990's. They've also started a petition which, after about a day, has attracted under 1000 signatures. Please give it a boost if you can. http://www.change.org/petitions/the-uk-scout-association-open-up-scouting-to-non-believers

why do they need to pledge an oath at all?

When I joined the Scouts (many many years ago) I simply didn't say the bits about god or the queen when asked to recite them. Wasn't a problem as our group was mainly about building dangerous adventure equipment out of old rope and planks of wood, or playing incredibly dangerous games like British Bulldogs (like rugby without the ball or the rules). Needless to say it was great fun.

God (or the queen) simply never came into our Scouting life. Go the 28th Ayrshire!