3. The characteristics of the team system in the Rover Scout section The three basic institutions (teams, council and assembly) exist in all Scout age sections in a way adapted to the characteristics of each age. Children are not able to attend long meetings and to plan activities in every detail. Therefore in the Cub Scout section, the council and assembly meetings are very short and the adult leaders have to take a number of initiatives to help the pack work properly. In the Scout section and even more in the Venture Scout section, the level of participation of young people is higher. In the Rover Scout section, we evolve from youth participation to youth leadership as young people have the greatest part in evaluation and decision-making (see figure 1).
Adult/youth co-facilitation of activities Rovers Senior-Scouts Scouts
Cub-Scouts
No participation
Adult-run Youth interest reflected in programme
Adult-run Youth involved in activity planning and evaluation
Adult-as peer trainers and counselors. Programme led with no adult present
Adult-led activities. Youth involved in programme planning
Youth Participation
Youth-run activities. Youth hold all positions of power
Youth Leadership
Figure 1 – From youth participation to youth leadership
The development of youth leadership begins in a small but meaningful way in the Cub Scout Section, and continues to grow through the Scout Section. In the Rover Scout section, youth leadership has developed to such an extent that take up all positions of leadership are taken up by the Rover Scouts, the adult leader having just a role of advisor. This is a necessary principle if we want to train Rover Scouts to be active and responsible citizens.
© WSB Inc. / Korea Scout Association
Let us see what are the consequences of this principle on the different “institutions” of the team system.
E m p o w e r i n g
y o u n g
a d u l t s :
G u i d e l i n e s
f o r
t h e
R o v e r
S c o u t
s e c t i o n
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