Scouting in QueenslandNovember 2013

Scouting Comes to Australia

The game of Scouting was played by boys in the Commonwealth of Australia as early as 1908, the year the first Boy Scout Training handbook Scouting for Boys was published in England. The visits made to Australia by Baden-Powell in 1912 and in later years (1931-34) encouraged the extension of the Movement in Australia.

Scouting came to Queensland in August 1908, when four young men started Patrols of Scouts. In 2008, we celebrated the ‘Year Of The Scout’.

Mission

To contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Promise and Law, to help build a better world, where people are self fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

We achieve this by:

• Involving young people through their formative years in a non-formal education process.

• Using a specific method that makes each individual the principal agent in his or her development as a self-reliant, supportive and committed person.

• Assisting them to establish a value system based upon spiritual, social and personal principles as expressed in the Promise and Law.

Aim

The Aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and character development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as a member of their local, national and international community.

Principles

The principles of Scouting, as identified by the founder, Lord Baden-Powell, are that Scouts serve their God, act in consideration of the needs of others and develop and use their abilities to the betterment of themselves, their families and the community in which they live.

MethodsThe principle methods used by the Association to achieve its aims are:

• Voluntary membership of a uniformed group which, guided by adults, is increasingly self-governing in its successive age groups;

• Commitment to a code of living as expressed in the Promise and Law, the meaning of which is expanded as the member grows towards maturity;

• The provision of a wide range of attractive, constructive and challenging activities, including opportunities for adventure and exploration, both indoors and outdoors;

• The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility;

• Learning by doing;

• Encouragement of activities in small groups;

• An award scheme that encourages participation in the full range of activities and provides recognition of individual achievements.

ValuesScouts Australia adheres to the following values:

• The importance of individuals developing a sense of personal identity and self-worth which leads to responsibility for oneself and one’s actions as a citizen.

• The belief that young people are able and willing to take responsibility and contribute to society.

• The belief in the right and responsibility of individuals to regulate their own health.

• The importance of adults in providing suitable role models for young people.

• The importance of not exposing young people to harm or exploitation.

Values continued• The importance of individuals and the community adopting a lifestyle that allows

ecologically sustainable development through preventing environmental overload, environmental degradation and resource depletion.

• The importance of respect for and equity in dealings with all people, irrespective of culture, gender, religion or impairment.

• The importance of mutual support and help between members of a community to maximise the quality of life for all.

• The importance of the development of understanding between individuals as a contribution to peace between nations.

• The importance of gainful employment in contributing to the sense of dignity and self-worth of the individual.

GoalsScouts Australia has set the following goals:

• To provide challenging accredited programs to the youth of Australia, which are recognised and valued by the community and government.

• To promote Scouting to the community on the basis of the high quality and relevance of its methodology and programs.

• To have an increasingly male and female membership which reflects the social and cultural mix of the community.

• To carefully select and train adult leaders on the basis of standards that are recognisable and measurable.

Goals continued…• To have the community recognise, support and value the role of Scouting

and its activities. • To be recognised by the community as being responsive to community

youth issues.• To be recognised and consulted as a major contributor to establishing

priorities and determining policies on community youth issues. • To have a high profile portraying a quality way of life. • To acquire and maintain adequate human, physical, and financial

resources, which are used to the best advantage of Scouting and the community.

• To provide opportunities for its members to participate in international activities.

• To provide maximum support for the development of World Scouting particularly in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Part of An International Movement

Join the Adventure…In Queensland, approximately 10 000 young people aged between 6 - 26 years are actively involved in a wide range of Scouting activities - from the Scouting in Schools program through to Scouts of the Air for young people living on isolated properties in North-West Queensland.Approximately 3 000 adults and uniform Leaders voluntarily give up a substantial amount of their spare time as part of their commitment to developing young people as they progress through the program to become the community Leaders of the future. All adult members who apply to members of the Scout Movement undertake an extensive background history check and are required to be a holder of a blue card issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.

Joey ScoutsJoey Scouts is the first section in Scouts. It’s for boys and girls aged 6 to 7½ and it’s all about fun!What do Joey Scouts do?• play exciting games• sing songs• make and fly your own kites• play musical instruments• have sleepovers (1 night) and mob holidays (2 nights)• tell cool stories• make inventions like real scientists• explore the outdoors• visit local stores on excursions• make craft• plant your own garden• cook yummy treats• make lots of friends

Cub ScoutsCub Scouts is the second section into Scouts. It’s for boys and girls aged 7½ to 10½ and it’s all about adventure!What do Cub Scouts do?• Enjoy bush walks• Learn water-safety skills• Orienteer and learn to read maps and compasses• Perform team activities and meet individual challenges• Go camping with your friends• Learn about First Aid• Play imaginative games• Be a part of exciting team relays• Perform in plays and skits• Show your creativity in art and craft sessions• Learn practical skills like knots and construction• Discover our environment

ScoutsScouts is for boys and girls aged 10½ to 14½ and is the most well known section of the Scouting Movement – Scouts is where the action is!What do Scouts do?• Abseil into limestone caves• Navigate the bush lands and challenge yourself in survival camps• Take art classes• Learn how to build bridges and flying foxes• Talk to over 500,000 Scouts across the world on the radio• Trek 30km up a mountain and camp at the top• Take an overnight river trip by canoe• Attend the ultimate Scouting adventure of a Jamboree anywhere in Australia or the world!• Pursue your hobbies and gain new skills

Venturer ScoutsVenturer Scouts is for males and females aged 14½ to 17½ who never turn down a good challenge and love to push themselves to their limits.What do Venturer Scouts do?• Travel overseas on exchange• Dive the coral reefs• Gain leadership qualifications and undertake accredited management courses• Tackle white-water rapids in a kayak• Study astronomy and meteorology• Examine the importance of conservation• Serve the community and understand good citizenship• Gain first-aid qualifications• Plan and participate in your own challenging expeditions• Develop skills in the visual, performing, and literary arts• Experience personal growth• Make new friends with similar interests and extend your social life• Abseil down cliffs, fly planes, hang glide, build bridges, mountain bike across real mountains – the possibilities are endless.

Rover ScoutsRover Scouts is for males and females aged 18 to their 25th Birthday who love socialising, challenging themselves, and seizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities!What do Rover Scouts do?• Meet new people• Activate your social life attending balls, bush dances, boat cruises, nights out, car rallies, and Rover gatherings• Experience nature and character-building experiences through bushwalking, canoeing, sailing, caving, ski-touring, four-wheel driving, rock-climbing, and scuba diving.• Test your physical and mental endurance on week-long expeditions• Further your management and leadership skills• Serve and make a positive contribution to your community• Set your own goals and activities to suit your needs• Be a mentor to younger Scouts• Attend State/National/International Rover Scout Moots (activity and adventure camps)• Attend one of the annual Beach Moots in which you can participate in water based activities• Challenge Yourself to try new things

Leaders and Adults

Leaders are the backbone of our movement. If you are looking for an adventure and the chance to help young people build a solid and positive foundation for their futures than you should become a Leader.

Benefits of VolunteeringScouts Leaders come from all walks of life, from parents of Scouts, to childhood Scouts, to people with no Scouting experience at all! Volunteering will encourage, mentor and empower young people to be their best and contribute to the citizens of tomorrow.

What do Scouts do?Gang Show

What do Scouts do?Triple S

What do Scouts do?

Joey Scout Jaunt

What do Scouts do?Operation Nighthawk

What do Scouts do?Skillorama

What do Scouts do?Venture in North Qld

What do Scouts do?Agoonoree

What do Scouts do?

Cuboree and Jamboree

What do Scouts do?Rover’s Banana Bash

What do Scouts do?McHappy Day

What do Scouts do?Recognition Award Ceremonies

Rex The Scout

Ambassador Bear GryllsUK Chief Scout