The Scouts Australia website can be accessed to find out lots of information about scouting.
MISSION, AIM AND PRINCIPLES OF SCOUTING
MISSION
To contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Promise and Law, to help build a better world, where people are self fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.
We achieve this by:
- Involving young people through their formative years in a non-formal education process.
- Using a specific method that makes each individual the principal agent in his or her development as a self-reliant, supportive and committed person.
- Assisting them to establish a value system based upon spiritual, social and personal principles as expressed in the Promise and Law.
AIM
The Aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and character development of young people so that they take a constructive place in society as a member of their local, national and international community.
PRINCIPLES
The Principles of Scouting, as identified by the founder, Lord Baden-Powell, are that Scouts serve their God, act in consideration of the needs of others and develop and use their abilities to the betterment of themselves, their families and the community in which they live.
METHODS
The principal methods used by the Association to achieve its aims are:
- Voluntary membership of a uniformed group which, guided by adults, is increasingly self-governing in its successive age groups;
- Commitment to a code of living as expressed in the Promise and Law, the meaning of which is expanded as the member grows towards maturity;
- The provision of a wide range of attractive, constructive and challenging activities, including opportunities for adventure and exploration, both indoors and outdoors;
- The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility;
- Learning by doing;
- Encouragement of activities in small groups;
- An award scheme that encourages participation in the full range of activities and provides recognition of individual achievements.
VALUES
Scouts Australia adheres to the following values:
- The importance of individuals developing a sense of personal identity and self-worth which leads to responsibility for oneself and one’s actions as a citizen.
- The belief that young people are able and willing to take responsibility and contribute to society.
- The belief in the right and responsibility of individuals to regulate their own health.
- The importance of adults in providing suitable role models for young people.
- The importance of not exposing young people to harm or exploitation.
- The importance of individuals and the community adopting a lifestyle that allows ecologically sustainable development through preventing environmental overload, environmental degradation and resource depletion.
- The importance of respect for and equity in dealings with all people, irrespective of culture, gender, religion or impairment.
- The importance of mutual support and help between members of a community to maximise the quality of life for all.
- The importance of the development of understanding between individuals as a contribution to peace between nations.
- The importance of gainful employment in contributing to the sense of dignity and self-worth of the individual.
GOALS
Scouts Australia has set the following goals:
- To provide challenging accredited programs to the youth of Australia, which are recognised and valued by the community and government.
- To promote Scouting to the community on the basis of the high quality and relevance of its methodology and programs.
- To have an increasingly male and female membership which reflects the social and cultural mix of the community.
- To carefully select and train adult leaders on the basis of standards that are recognisable and measurable.
- To have the community recognise, support and value the role of Scouting and its activities.
- To be recognised by the community as being responsive to community youth issues.
- To be recognised and consulted as a major contributor to establishing priorities and determining policies on community youth issues.
- To have a high profile portraying a quality way of life.
- To acquire and maintain adequate human, physical, and financial resources, which are used to the best advantage of Scouting and the community.
- To provide opportunities for its members to participate in international activities.
- To provide maximum support for the development of World Scouting particularly in the Asia-Pacific Region.