The Scout Method and what we do

Scouts has a new program which captures the best of the old and adds to it. Scouts still camp, get outdoors and scouts still help in the community. Scouts still have many activities to include everyone. And Scouting is still based around patrols and the teamwork it creates.

There are three main differences:

• Youth led, Adult supporting - the youth decide what we do within the framework

• Leadership - the youth are encouraged to lead and earn milestones

• OAS - outdoor skills are carried throughout the scouting journey, so skills gained in Cubs get built upon in Venturers.

Patrols

The patrol is the basis of scouting. It is a team of scouts getting together to achieve goals. There are two types of patrols - Troop Patrols and Activity Patrols.

Troop Patrols are formed and used on the scout nights. They have a color, notice board, symbol and name. Examples are “The Intellectual Monkeys”. The patrol leader and assistant patrol leader of the troop patrols are part of the troop council and determine what we do and the culture of the troop.

Activity Patrols are formed for an activity. They have a designated patrol leader and are formed for all activities.

First of all - Recording your journey

All of the achievements for Scouts are recorded in Terrain. But Outdoor Adventure Skills are carried through the scouts life and can be potentially used for things such as Duke of Ed awards. Therefore we recommend getting the OAS Progression Booklet so the scout has a signed record of their achievements.

Program Essentials - Introduction to Scouting

The first element of the Achievement Pathways completed at the start of a young person’s journey in Scouting. The new youth member will discuss the core elements of Scouting such as its history, structure and fundamentals with their peers.

The first component of the Achievement Pathways completed in each Section. When moving into the next Section, the youth member will discuss the following with their peers:

• How the Section operates and how it differs from their current Section.

• How the Patrol System works.

• Record keeping

• The symbolic framework.

• The Scout Promise, Scout Law and Unit Code.

Program Essentials - Milestones (Participate/Assist/Lead)

Examples:

Outdoor Adventure Skills

Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS) significantly increase the adventure in Scouting. Whether it is hiking, camping, diving, skiing or climbing, members may choose to gain basic skills across a broad range of activity areas, or they may pursue a small number of activity disciplines to a high skill level—the choice is yours, so what will you do?

The early stages of all Outdoor Adventure Skills are for those who want to try out the activity and establish foundational skills. The later stages are geared towards the Scout who wishes to explore these pursuits in more depth than what is provided for in the core program. These stages can develop into nationally accredited skills as Scouts Australia Institute of Training is a registered training organisation.

The Outdoor Adventure Skills carry through all Sections. The lowest stages Have been written with the younger youth members in mind, however keen or skilled Scouts in these Sections can progress ahead.

Core Areas

The core areas Bushcraft, Bushwalking and Camping, are the key Scouting skills that it is expected most, if not all, Scouts will have the opportunity to complete during their time in the Movement, at least to Stage 5. Most of the tasks in the core areas are the same skills that any Scout going on a normal Scout camp or hike would be learning.

Outdoor Specialist Areas

Alpine, Aquatics, Boating, Cycling, Paddling and Vertical are the six specialist Outdoor Adventure Skills.

These broad areas each have multiple streams, separating at Stage 4 and/or Stage 7, which youth members may choose to pursue. Not all of these skill areas are accessible by all members, with locality impacting on the achievability of one or many of these skills.

Peak Award

The Peak Award for each Section represents the highest level of achievement across all fields of personal progression. Each Section has their own Peak Award, and a range of requirements for each one. It is designed for individual Scouts who want to give a whole range of things a try and to experience a high number of personal challenges.

Peak Award - Adventurous Journey

Adventurous Journeys are completed as an outdoor adventure, an opportunity to explore, apply skills learned through the Achievement Pathways and demonstrate planning and leadership skills. See this page for more information

Peak Award - Leadership/Personal Development Course

Leadership and personal development are an important part of growing as a person, and an important part of the Scout program.

Courses may be an internal:

• Section course, an extension course (e.g. You + Lead) or an external course (e.g. RYLA or RYPEN)

Courses will cover some or most of the following concepts:

• Problem solving and communication

• Task management and leadership

• Leadership, planning and community involvement

See here for more information

Peak Award - Personal Reflection

The Personal Reflection is the final component in the Peak Award and an opportunity for the Scout to consider their time in the Section, what has been learned and what goals have been achieved.