Different Models of Scouting

[Kudu 186]

The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

 

The "Three Aims" and "Eight Methods" of Scouting are unique to the BSA, and have changed dramitically over time.

 

In 1920 the BSA had two different sets of "Aims:" one for adults (Character, Citizenship) and one for Scouts (Pleasure, Interest). The model was parallel "train tracks," with one rail being the adult Aims and the other rail being the "Boy Aims" with the caption "ADULT AIMS CAN BE REALIZED ONLY THRU BOY INTERESTS."

 

"Adult Aims and Boy Aims in Scouting.

 

"A Scoutmaster should frankly recognize that the adult aims of citizenship and character are vitally different from the boy aims of pleasure and interest.

 

"Only can the adult hope to effect his aims as he does so through the boy's interests. The "train" of the adult program must "run" on the "tracks" of the boy's interests pulled by the boy's enthusiasm. Character and citizenship then may be expected as by-products of what the boy does and thinks under leadership and association. To get an ideal or an idea "into" a boy, one must have his attention. The boy must think it and do it, not merely hear it.

 

"The program of Scouting is essentially sound in this regard, as it develops the boy through companionship and leadership in activities which interest and appeal to him.

 

"Any Scoutmaster departing from this Scout principle of the boy's interests as a starting point, may properly expect difficulty."

 

At this time the Nine Methods were not "of equal importance" but were "Arranged in Order of their Appeal to Boys"):

 

1) Play; 2) Competition; 3) Dramatization; 4) Experiment; 5) Observation; 6) Demonstration; 7) Recitation; 8) Lecture; 9) Book Study

 

See: http://www.kudu.net/adult/methods/2nd/

 

The idea that the Methods are of equal importance was introduced in 1972 when the "Uniform Method" was removed :-)

 

For an overview of the history of different models of Methods of Scouting used in the United States (Including Baden-Powell's Boy Scouts and Ernest Seton's Woodcraft Indians) see:

 

http://www.inquiry.net/adult/methods

 

Kudu

 

 

[Venividi 35]

Kudu,

 

I like it - seems pretty desciptive to me. Sometimes I think there is so much argument over the methods and how best to use them than on actually spending time with the kids. Seeing the changes BSA itself makes over time makes it obvious to me that there are many ways to implement, not just one best way.

 

(tongue in cheek: Often the arguments seem to be about how best ALL YOU OTHER PEOPLE should use the methods.)