A Scout Spirit Worksheet
Rick Seymour (Rick@SCOUTER.NET)
Sat, 28 Aug 1999 20:15:48 -0700
I use a "Scout Spirit Worksheet" (below) with my Troop. I give them a
copy of the Worksheet for the campout on which they are likely to
finish their next rank. I ask them to use the Worksheet as a log of
their Scout-like behavior during the campout.
I reserve the Scout Oath/Law requirements for "Scout" and Tenderfoot as
well as Scout Spirit requirements in the higher ranks as requiring
Scoutmaster initials. From the very beginning I present Scout Law is
a collection of practical rules for working with other people in the
wilderness. As a Tenderfoot candidate defines each point of the Scout
Law, for instance, I ask him how it would be "practical" on a campout.
In those situations where Scouts are earning both 2nd and 1st Class at
the same time (which happens often on "Requirement Clean-Up" campouts),
I sometimes ask that the experiences they record in the second
Worksheet be taken "from their everyday life." But n general I prefer
them to reflect on their recent or present behavior at camp.
When the worksheet is complete I meet with the Scout individually and
the conversation usually leads to their everyday life unless there has
been a lot of interpersonal conflict during the campout. If a Scout
has some sort of block about writing, I let them dictate their answers
to me and I patiently write them down on their worksheet as they watch.
Many Scouts are surprised at how many of the things they do are an
example of Scout-like behavior. At Courts of Honor the Scouts with the
best "Scout Law Story" get to relate the experience as their definition
of one of the Scout Laws as they might light a candle or a torch.
The worksheet below is merely a reflection of what I think is
important. I have changed the wording from the Scout Handbook
"definitions" for some Laws:
LOYAL: Most boys in my area don't understand the term "loyal" and
confuse it with "obedient" or "helpful," so I stress loyalty to a
group.
COURTEOUS: I like to reward the courteous behavior on the part of a
candidate when another Scout is "wrong" because most of my Scouts seem
to be right all the time :-/
CHEERFUL: The Scouts in our Troop all hate the rain, so on rainy
campouts I *only* count acts of cheerfulness in the rain. Whistling
counts. :-)
REVERENT: I use Baden-Powell's notion that nature is the very best
instructor of reverence. B-P's father's book, The Order of Nature
(http://www.kudu.net/Duty_To_God), influenced B-P's writings in his
books about military scouting and reverence in nature long before his
invention of Boy Scouting. Contrary to what some Scouters claim, an
eleven year-old Scout can learn to recognize the experience of "awe" in
nature.
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*****
Name____________________________________
For Rank:___________________Date___/___/___
1. A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises.
People can depend on him.
I was TRUSTWORTHY when I_________________________
2. A Scout is true to the groups to which be belongs: his Patrol,
family, friends, school, and nation.
I was LOYAL when I_________________________________
3. A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help
others without expecting payment or reward.
I was HELPFUL when I______________________________
4. A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He
offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects
them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
I was FRIENDLY when I_______________________________
5. A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He
knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
A Scout can be polite even when the other person is wrong or angry.
I was COURTEOUS when I___________________________
6. A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others
as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or
kill any living thing.
I was KIND when I___________________________________
7. A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and Troop. He
obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules
and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner
rather than disobeying them.
I was OBEDIENT when I______________________________
8. A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks
that come his way. He tries to make others happy when he is tired
or even when it is raining outside.
I was CHEERFUL when I_____________________________
9. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the
future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully
uses time and property.
I was THRIFTY when I________________________________
10. A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage
to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or
threaten him.
I was BRAVE when I________________________________
11. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit. He chooses the company of
those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community
clean.
I was CLEAN when I_________________________________
12. A Scout finds wonder all around him: in the tiny secrets of
creation, in the great mysteries of the universe, and in the kindness
of people. He sometimes feels a chill or "awe" when he witnesses
the beauty, the vastness, or the raw force of nature.
I was REVERENT when I_____________________________
Rick Seymour
SM Troop 252
Buffalo and a Beaver Too
