Bringing Scouting’s Values Through to Youth

To bring the values of Scouting through leaders need to understand how youth grow and develop, how to create an environment for learning and growth, and how to provide youth with activities and meaningful experiences that reinforce positive values.

Caring Adults

A positive adult role model has always been one of Scouting’s methods. Caring adults, interested in the welfare, growth and positive development of youth have been a hallmark of Scouting since its earliest years. Our example as adult leaders is the starting point. Scouting will work with adults who care. They care about Scouting. They live by its values, and they care about their Scouts.

The Ages and Stages of Youth Development

An important part in helping Scouts grow is recognizing that all boys are different. These differences are often a result of their age, or the stage of their physical or emotional development. In Scouting activities are often planned for separate experience and age groups. Advancement is tailored to the age, experience and maturity of the boys.

Clearly, B-P understood this when he wrote the following in Aids to Scoutmastership in 1919:

The Scoutmaster guides the boy in the spirit of an older brother….
He has simply to be a boy-man, that is:

(1) He must have the boy spirit in him: and must be able to place himself in the right plane with his boys as a first step.
(2) He must realise the needs, outlooks and desires of the different ages of boy life.
(3) He must deal with the individual boy rather than with the mass.
(4) He then needs to promote a corporate spirit among his individuals to gain the best results.

Activities that Help Bring Values Through to Youth

The Scouting program is designed to keep Scouts busy and involved in all sorts of activities. Scouts learn by doing, and learning values is as action-oriented as other parts of Scouting. There are three types of activities designed to help bring the values of Scouting through:

Reflection
Problem Solving
Meaningful Community Service to People

Reflection — By talking about or reflecting on their experiences, Scouts learn to think for themselves, and practice group skills. They make judgments, work together, develop understanding and trust. With guidance, they can seek and find the meaning or purpose behind activities, make sense out of experience and reinforce positive values.

Problem Solving — Through stories involving ethical dilemmas Scouts learn successful ways to resolve real problems. With experience, Scouts learn how to apply this method to real problems in Scouting and in their own lives

Community Service — By planning and carrying out meaningful service projects Scouts are able to connect with the real needs of their community.

Scouting is a Special Place

Educators and others often talk about providing youth with a place where they can feel physically and emotionally secure.

This is a place to grow, to develop, to learn and mature. We refer to this when we use the phrase, "Scouting is a Special Place." As adults in Scouting, we have a special responsibility to youth. The Scouting program has always emphasized this role as one of the "Methods of Scouting."

Creating that "special place" is best accomplished by personal example. Your attitudes, your example and your expectations will set the tone. The process of reflection and activities will keep the message clear.

Delivering the Promise

By being caring adults, creating a safe haven, and recognizing the differences in the ages and stages of youth development, we can create a special place in Scouting for boys. Reflection, the problem solving process, and opportunities for meaningful community service, each help achieve this.

Our goal as leaders is to bring the values of Scouting through and the way we do this is with an exciting program, challenging activities and a real adventure for boys. We "Deliver the Promise.

Scouting is a Game with a Purpose: Links

		By a Quiet Campfire
		What are Values?
		Bringing Scouting’s Values through to Youth
		Problem Solving
		Resources
		Why You Should Read Chapter 10 of the Scoutmaster Handbook
		Some Thoughts on Reflection Under development
		Community Service: An Extra Dimension Under development

Return to the Pine Tree Web Home Page: A Collection of the Authors Links

Your feedback, comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Please write to: Lewis P. Orans