A Natural System Of Self-Progression

The Scout Method is a system of progressive self-education. It is intended to help each young person to use and develop his or her capacities and interests, building on what has already been gained; to find constructive ways of meeting needs at different stages of development; and to open doors to further stages of personal development at the young person’s own pace.

The Scout Method provides an educational framework based upon how young people develop naturally. It provides an environment which responds to their need for action, challenge and adventure; their desire to explore, experiment, and discover; their natural capacity for inventiveness and resourcefulness; the need to feel acknowledged, respected and appreciated as individuals; their need for close supportive relationships; their capacity for idealism and their need to make sense of the world; and so on. 

At the same time, the Scout Method offers a way of life which channels their energy in a way which enables them to experience being autonomous, supportive, responsible and committed straight away, to the extent of their current capacities, while helping them to progressively develop their capacities in these directions in a holistic, balanced and attractive way.

<!– Place this tag in the of your document –>

{lang: ‘en’}

A System Of Educational Elements

The Scout Method

The fact that Scouting’s method is referred to as the Scout Method (capital “M”) is because it is composed of several different educational tools. These are: a law and promise, learning by doing, a team system, a symbolic framework, personal progression, nature and adult support.

Taken individually, many of these educational tools are used in other forms of education working in teams on projects, for example. In Scouting, however, these different tools are referred to as elements of the Scout Method – as each one is only one part of the whole. The fact that all of these elements form a whole and are used as a system is part of what makes Scouting unique.In the sense used here, a system could be described as a network of elements in which each element: 

• Has a specific function.
• Interacts with the other elements so as to reinforce the effectiveness of each one.
• Contributes to the overall purpose to be achieved – and therefore must be present.

An important characteristic of a system is the synergy that is created – in other words the effects of a system are greater than the sum-total of the effects of its parts. The same is true of the Scout Method. Each of the elements has an educational function; each element complements the impact of the others. If any of the elements is missing or is not being used as intended, then the system as a whole cannot serve its original purpose – the progressive, holistic development  f the young person. We cannot, therefore, apply certain elements and disregard others , nor can we use any of them in a way which is not consistent with Scouting’s purpose and principles.
 

The Scout Method is designed to stimulate the development of young people throughout the age range that Scouting serves. This means that the educational function of each of the elements and the way in which they work together as a system are just as valid and effective when working with young people in the junior age section as they are when working with young people in the senior age section.
 

Evidently, however, the way in which the elements are applied (i.e. the way in which the educational “tools” are intended to be used) needs to reflect the maturity of the young people in the various age sections. Finally, it would be unrealistic to imagine that each element of the Scout Method can be in the foreground during every activity that the young people take part in. Young people cannot physically be in nature, for example, while they are performing a puppet show for sick children in a hospital in town. However, the element of nature could still be present, albeit in the background – for example by taking time to walk through a park on the way back or by using recycled materials to make the puppets.

<!– Place this tag in the of your document –>

{lang: ‘en’}