old and new

[bill]

At leader's meeting last night I spotted a schism- one group of
leaders (no substantial scout background) were of the view that
scouting is all about adventurous activities like climbing, canoeing
and that without those, kids won't come. Camps and meetings must be
all about those things. And these are our Beaver leaders.

Old farts like me, saying its all about giving kids confidence, self
respect and respect for others were brushed aside.

I think they're mistaking the medium for the message- I dn't mind them
doing these sort of activities but I am a bit worried that their
programmes are probably missing out on areas.

Any advice here welcome!

Bill

[Grant Mitchell]

Post by bill
At leader's meeting last night I spotted a schism- one group of
leaders (no substantial scout background) were of the view that
scouting is all about adventurous activities like climbing, canoeing
and that without those, kids won't come. Camps and meetings must be
all about those things. And these are our Beaver leaders.
Old farts like me, saying its all about giving kids confidence, self
respect and respect for others were brushed aside.
I think they're mistaking the medium for the message- I dn't mind them
doing these sort of activities but I am a bit worried that their
programmes are probably missing out on areas.
Any advice here welcome!

I think it's a feature of how HQ has tried to reinvent the image of Scouting
in the media - it all seems to be about adventurous activities and I worry
about whether that is truly representative of grass-roots Scouting - or
indeed
whether it should be.

Adventurous activities play their part, particularly in the older sections,
but
for me Scouting is far more about the team challenge you give them to do
on a wet Thursday night in November when you can't be out canoeing but
from which they learn leadership, teamwork, something about their individual
strengths and have a lot of fun in the process.

For new leaders coming in with different ideas I'd say it's important to
take those
on board and incorporate as part of the programme - but no more than that.
Get them to look at the balanced programme in Colony Essentials etc, or
visit
another Beaver section in the District to see how experienced leaders do
things,
or go on a training course where they will get the opportunity to throw
ideas
around with their peers.

Grant
ASL, 1st Disley

[A***@nospamthanqs.com]

Post by bill
At leader's meeting last night I spotted a schism- one group of
leaders (no substantial scout background) were of the view that
scouting is all about adventurous activities like climbing, canoeing
and that without those, kids won't come. Camps and meetings must be
all about those things. And these are our Beaver leaders.
Old farts like me, saying its all about giving kids confidence, self
respect and respect for others were brushed aside.
I think they're mistaking the medium for the message- I dn't mind them
doing these sort of activities but I am a bit worried that their
programmes are probably missing out on areas.

The two are only mutually exclusive if you let them.
We do sphereing and GoApe and rafting and canoeing and climbing and
Abseiling.
But we base them at a camp where the Explorers organise and plan the
camp, buy the food and run the weekend. One 'old hand' and one novice
do the work.

I find that all the 'big issues' that HQ bangs on about (spiritual
development, environment and respect) are actually simple but the
'programmes on a plate' seem to make them difficult and boring.

On a group camp a few years ago I was walking across the site with
some of the older explorers when I spotted a crisp packet, is picked
it up and put it in my pocket without saying a word, I usually do.
After a little while I became aware that the others were doing it.
On the sunday I was aware that the scouts and cubs were turning up at
activities with soggy litter. They saw their role models picking up
litter and did the same.
Had I announced that we would be litter picking as we went then they
would all have ignored me.
Confidence building comes from the activities and also from the little
things like learning to light a fire properly or organise a camp or
not get lost on an orienteering course.

I am a great beleiver in peer education. Train the older ones to teach
the younger ones.
On a hike the olders ones get the training to lead the younger ones.
They earn respect, gain self-respect and grow in confidence.

Our group still operates PL training courses and training courses for
the older scouts. They get the training necessary to lead the
activities.Some of my explorers are qualified to run abseiling or
climbing at the local scout camp site and the confidence boost and
respect that they get from it is immesuarable.

I sometimes despair at the heavy-handed activities that HQ suggest. It
may be my lot but they seem to resist any attempt at education so I
have to sneak it in stealthily when they are not aware.

Andy