In scouting how do you do that with a group of 24?
Imagine 12 are 12 to 14 and 12 are 10 to 12. But only a third want to go on camp.
So actually you only have four 12 to 14 year olds (of whom 1 is a girl and 3 are boys) and four 10 to 12 year olds (of whom 2 are girls and 2 are boys).
Is it safer (for both leaders and children) to run a camp for the whole troop or to split it into two?
Week to week to split it down in half is just a complete nonsense. Part of it is working with others who are different ages too. The kids come in at a young age, learn the ropes then take on responsibility as they get older as patrol leaders. Thats THE POINT.
Its not just about leaders. Who I might add are volunteers. Its hard to get 2 or 3 to run a troop weekly as it is though. You also can't ignore venues and economic viability. In terms of inclusivity Scouts is one of the cheapest after school activities there is (often with hardship funds for the least well off too). One of the things with it, is you often get kids who aren't doing so well in a school environment who really thrive and get confidence from scouting as its a different setting and its practical rather than academic.
If you tried to split it, you'd just kill the organisation. Thats not necessarily a good thing for safeguarding either - scouting should be if run well, another place for children to be safe with more eyes looking out for wellbeing in various different ways.
Thats what ALL children's activities run for children should be like.
I get where you are coming from but its about identifying risk and responding to those weaknesses by taking precautions rather than just killing everything for kids. There is a balancing act which organisations have to navigate and demonstrate good practice. And getting kids to work as a team with people they might not otherwise work with.
I do think there is a reasonable compromise on age bands for this reason. For positive and good reasons as well as safeguarding to ensure you don't have too many issues.