Law & Promise

Mary NugentProgramme Developers Summit

5 – 9th May 2010, Jambville, France

Objectives

After this session it is expected that participants will:

• Review the 7 Elements of the Scout Method.• Understand the principles of the Law & Promise• have reflected on ‘rules of play’ and how they affect and

young people’s personal involvement in the Law & Promise.• have explored the impact of the Scout Law on elements of

the Programme• have examined the implications of the Scout Promise in the

programmes of the different age sections.

Youth Programme

The System of Scouting

The Scout Method is also described as a system. This implies that it has to be conceived as an

interdependent group of elements forming a unified and integrated whole. That is why the word “Method” is used in the singular, not in the plural.

The Constitution of the Scout Movement

Adherence 2. All members of the Scout Movement are required to adhere to a Scout Promise and Law reflecting, in language appropriate to the culture and civilization of each National Scout Organization and approved by the World Organization, the principles of:

Duty to God, Duty to others and Duty to self,

and inspired by the Promise and Law originally conceived by the Founder of the Scout Movement in the following terms:

Law and PromiseThe Scout Promise

On my honour I promise that I will do my best —To do my duty to God and the King (or to God and my Country);To help other people at all times;To obey the Scout Law.

The Scout Law1. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.2. A Scout is loyal.3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.5. A Scout is courteous.6. A Scout is a friend to animals.7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol

Leader or Scoutmaster without question.8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.9. A Scout is thrifty.10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

The Scout Law1. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.2. A Scout is loyal.3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.5. A Scout is courteous.6. A Scout is a friend to animals.7. A Scout obeys orders of his parents, Patrol

Leader or Scoutmaster without question.8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.9. A Scout is thrifty.10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.

Rules of Play and Stages of Development

Observation of how children view and accept the rules of play….. sheds some light on the development of the concept of rules:

 Until 2 or 3 they have no sense of rules at all….  From 5or 6 to 9 or 10 rules become sacrosanct, and are

unalterable. At 7 or 8 they become better at cooperating in a group,

sharing responsibilities. They still learn by obeying and following rules.

 

Rules of Play and Stages of Development

At 10 or 11 children understand that rules can be negotiated, and come from mutual consent

From 12 to 14 is a time for testing rules and pushing limits – as they develop an acceptance of universal values.

From 15 to 17 More aware and accepting of the reasoning behind, and the necessity for rules.

From 17 to 19 Ability to delay gratification, working to achieve something in the long term.

Achieving the Mission

The mission of Scouting is to

contribute to the education of

young people, through a

value system based

on the Scout Promise

and Law, to help build a

better world where people are

self-fulfilled as individuals and

play a constructive role in

society.

Values• Values are beliefs that are acquired and held, consciously

or unconsciously, by each individual and that influence his or her thinking or behaviour. Biases and prejudices are part of our value system. Biases are preferences, everyone has them. Prejudices are generalised judgements. Often the result of one

experience.

• Values play a role in determining our attitudes, actions and the kind of person we are.

• Consciously knowing and accepting one’s values is important to an individual.

• Scouting’s fundamental values are based on: Duty to God, to others, and to self.

Personal Involvement in the LawWhat Personal Values are encouraged in the

Scout Law?

•Exercise 1

•We have some pictures which we think represent some of the values reflected in the Scout Law.

•On your post-it write down some values you think are encouraged by the law and stick them on the picture. Write at least one for each picture.

Living by Values

Loyalty

Solidarity

Protect Life and Nature

Positive attitude to

life’s ups and

downs

Respect for Work

Dignity

Principles of ScoutingThe principles of Scouting, or values it stands for, are normallysummarized in three categories:

• “Duty to God” – a person’s relationship with the spiritual values of life, the fundamental belief in a force above mankind.

• “Duty to others” – a person’s relationship with, and responsibility within, society in the broadest sense of the term: his or her family, local community, country and the world at large, as well as respect for others and for the natural world.

• “Duty to self” – a person’s responsibility to develop his or her own potential, to the best of that person’s ability.

Commitment to a Promise

• To do my best: To do my duty to God and King/Country To help others To keep the Scout Law

Understanding the commitment might include: Knowing what it means to commit to something Knowing the values of the Scout Law and Promise Being prepared to live by them Knowing that this may be difficult at times

Developing Values for

Life

Commitment to a Promise

Exercise 2.

In groups of 3 discuss the following:

How should we approach the idea of a Commitment to a Scout Promise in each of the age section.

What implications will this have in the Programme for that age section.

Report back under the following headings:» Encouraging Values, Peer Pressure, attractive activities

Thank you for you attention