Sometimes I think I must be the most annoying person in the world when it comes to talking about Scouts, maybe because I’m always asking for grants and donations. But in fairness, I do it to raise awareness of the wonderful work happening in the community by volunteers who give up their time to make the world a better place by investing in the youth of today.
Scouting builds resilience, and if you can imagine a world where the youth of today become the resilient leaders of tomorrow we need, you’ll find this is the driving force for many Scout leaders.
One of the most frequent questions I get asked when I share what I do for fun is, ‘Wow, is Scouts still around?’
Of course Scouts is still around! It’s a historical movement filled with tradition and structure. Add dedicated Leaders and supporters to the mix, and you find an excellent environment for the youth of today to flourish in a diverse and accepting setting to learn life skills they may not otherwise have the chance to learn.
I’m always the first to admit that I’m not the best Scout Leader out there when it comes to outdoor skills. If anything, my skills when it comes to bushcraft, bushwalking, and camping are less than desirable. In reality, though, they’re more than adequate because of lived experience and the training offered by Scouts Queensland. But when I compare my skills to the level of skill some of the leaders in our district have, what I offer is minimal from that perspective.
I was never a Scout or Girl Guide as a child, and the only skills I could offer Scouts were business management, people leadership, four-wheel-driving and an ability to have fun and seek adventure. It really goes to show that anyone has the potential to join the Scouting movement.
In October 2022, I wrote a blog about why I’m a Scout Leader, and I’m glad I did because it often reminds me why I do what I do. Sometimes I have to grab the words as they float before me so they don’t escape and are captured forever in a concise structure. By writing and capturing this blog, I’m reminded that I learn every day that I’m with Scouts, often from people who don’t even realise they’re teaching me. I learn from the tenured and experienced Leaders and the Youth Members.
Volunteering your time to be part of something bigger than yourself selflessly is such a rewarding experience and one I’m grateful was instilled within me.
It’s during moments of sheer admiration for youth that this rings true.
Not every Scout actively works towards badges or peak awards, but when those that do succeed, it is a moment in time when you have the opportunity to witness the significant achievement of a child. You start to imagine a world where the leaders of tomorrow can take us.
The most recent peak award achievement at the Gracemere Scout Group was achieved by former Cub Scout Isabelle (Issy) Matschoss. Issy is now a Scout, having transitioned to the next section once her peak award was presented.
Issy is the child of a Scout leader, which means her achievements are far more scrutinised. Not in a negative way, of course, but in a way that means she has to really step out of her comfort zone and demonstrate her knowledge, experience and commitment to the task at hand.
To achieve a peak award in the Cub Scout section (aged 8 – 11 years), a Youth Member must complete a minimum level of stage three for the three core competency skills in the Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS) of Bushcraft, Camping and Bushwalking. In addition to completing stage three in the core competencies, a Youth Member must work towards six Special Interest Areas (SIAs), which total a duration each of four hours and is across six categories; STEM & Innovation, Adventure and Sport, Art and Literature, Creating a Better World, Environment and Growth and Development.
This still isn’t enough for an 8 to 11-year-old to work through, though, as they also need to complete a Leadership or Personal Development Course, a reflection of their journey in the section, and achieves Milestones three. A Milestone is achieved by consistently participating in the Scouting program and assisting and leading activities that span challenge areas of Community, Creativity, Outdoors and Personal Growth.
I encourage you to reflect on the 8 to 11-year-olds in your life and consider if this three-year journey is something they could accomplish. If you’re in doubt, I guarantee you they can by participating in Scouts.
With over 40 million members worldwide, seven million adult supporters and over 160 National Scout Organisations with a shared purpose, mission and principles, it’s no wonder Scouts is the world’s largest non-formal youth education movement.
So the next time someone asks me if Scouts is still around, my answer is yes, and it always will be.
“At Scouts, we empower young people to make decisions, take the lead and learn by doing. We give them a safe space where they can work with others to plan and embark on their own adventures, indoors and out. By building resilience in young people, we are empowering them to learn from their mistakes and understand that failing is ok -it’s an integral part of the learning journey.”
PS – Happy birthday Dad.
