Program Language Guide Updated

The guide to how to use and write the terms and other language of the Scouts Australia program has been updated.

In version 2, the most significant addition is the language of Scouts | Terrain.

There are also some other clarification and tidy ups throughout the document.

It is recommended that if you are developing resources, communications, documents, training modules, etc., about the program, that you use this to guide your writing.

Page:Fundamentals
Tab:Fundamentals of the Program
Direct Link:The Language of the Program

Programming Page Re-org

We have taken some time to reorganise the programming resources page on pr.scouts.com.au. Previously called “The Weekly Program”, it is now changed to simply “Programming”. It appears as Programming in the menus too.

Resource tabs have been rearranged to more logically organise the resources on the page as well.

Finally, the Plan>Do>Review> resources have been moved from the Fundamentals page to the Programming page.

The direct URL is now pr.scouts.com.au/programming/ and the old URL will also automatically redirect you to the new address if you have used it elsewhere.

(Bonus Fix: Have you been having some problems with the search? We think it’s working a bit better now!)

Scouts | Terrain Update

As part of the ongoing commitment to Scouts | Terrain, there are two streams of work that will happen from time to time, resulting in releases of differing natures.

The first of these is an ongoing time allocation, per month, that enables background work to occur in the form of support and maintenance. Each month, this might look slightly different, and some items will be fixes to specific user issues, whilst other items might be more wide-ranging. It is more efficient for any of these fixes to be grouped for testing and release, so whilst work is steadily occurring, we won’t always see evidence of this on a routine basis.

The second stream of work is a concentrated stint of development work, with the potential to occur once each year. This will see significant enhancements to, or adjustment of, a feature (or multiple features) as a result of user feedback.

This month, there are quite a few items that have been bundled together from work that has occurred in the last two months from the support and maintenance stream. Some of this is addressing bugs, and other aspects are maintenance to update program additions or changes.

Check out the latest update here and here.

How To Prepare A Scouts’ Own

The World Organization of the Scout Movement tells us that a Scouts’ Own is a gathering of Scouts. This can be in small or large groups. In smaller groups, Scouts are able to get involved, share their experiences, and see that spirituality is something that affects them and gives meaning and direction to their lives. In large groups Scouts can enjoy a collective experience, perhaps celebrating the shared values of Scouting and the impact this has on their lives.

A Scouts’ Own is an activity that helps us reflect on our connection with nature and the world around
us. We reflect on our place in the world and with our community. Scouts’ Owns are one way in which we can develop spirituality, however they are not religious services or observances.

Use this resources to help you create your own Scouts’ Own for your Unit, Patrol, or a larger gathering of Scouts. It has helpful hints about planning, doing, and reviewing your Scouts’ Own program, and includes information about how they can be incorporated into the Achievement Pathways.

Page:Weekly Program
Tab:Programming
Direct Link:Preparing A Scouts’ Own

Concluding Activities in Scouts | Terrain

To conclude a program activity, event, or camp in Scouts | Terrain, there are a few steps involved so as to ensure this happens properly, and to correctly award participates, assists and leads in the Program Essentials Milestones. The organiser of this activity or any member of the Unit Council (including adult Leaders) are able to conclude these activities.

This resources explains how this can successfully be achieved.

Page:Scouts | Terrain
Tab:User Guides
Direct Link:How to conclude an activity

Why Units?

In our one program, one journey symbolic framework of the youth program, why are we using the word “units” to describe a formation of Scouts from any section, meeting together to actively participate in a diverse program?

Under today’s Scouts Australia program, we are all Scouts. We come together to be part of a common and familiar experience, that progresses as we grow and develop.

This resource explains the background to this particular language and why it is used in our youth program.

Page:Fundamentals
Tab:Scout Method
Direct Link:Symbolic Framework – Why Units

The Fundamentals Posters

There are some aspects that you will see in Scouting and the program that are essential to achieving the stated goals of Scouting. They are what makes our program unique as a global Movement of young people and adult volunteers. We call these the Fundamentals of Scouting.

We have refreshed some of the posters that promote the Fundamentals.. You might recognise many of these from The Adventure Begins resource kit of a few years ago. Now they have been refreshed using the the current Scouts Australia branding, with updated program language, and are now available on the Program Resources site.

Check these out and perhaps put them up in your hall!

  • Australian Scout Promise and Law posters
  • The Purpose of Scouting poster
  • Scout Method poster
  • Community Involvement poster
  • Unit Councils poster
  • SPICES poster
  • Youth leading, adults supporting poster
  • A brand new Plan>Do>Review> poster
Page:Fundamentals
Tabs:Fundamentals
Scout Method
Promise and Law
SPICES
Plan>Do>Review>
Direct Links:Australian Scout Promise
Australian Scout Law poster
Combined Promise and Law poster
The Purpose of Scouting poster
Scout Method poster
Community Involvement poster
Unit Councils poster
SPICES poster
Youth leading, adults supporting poster
Plan>Do>Review> poster

Supporting Section Transitions

A new resource has been developed to support Scouts, their youth and adult leaders, and parents, to guage when to begin their transition to the next age section.

These guides help you to explore the Educational Objectives of the age section when considering transition to the next section.

The items in the checklists are based on the SPICES I… Statements, as well as other indicators that individuals can use to determine readiness.

The checklist provides guidance as to when a young person is ready to change, and each dot point should involve a conversation with the Scout. However, this should not be the only thing used to inform the decision.

The Scout themselves, and their immediate circle of friends, family, and fellow Scouts know them the best and should be a part of the decision about when to begin transition.

Find these four new resources here:

Page:Achievement Pathways
Tab:Reflection and Review
Direct Links:Joey Scouts to Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts to Scouts
Scouts to Venturer Scouts
Venturer Scout to Rover Scouts