What is Scouting:-

This question is not easily answered because scouting is different in the various troops and packs. So to me troops and packs emphasise fun over skills, others badges over camps. Below is all the technical info that unites all troops and packs. This is not the 'how' of scouting, it is what defines scouting as scouting. It is the principles behind the activites and what one should expect from any good cub or scout.

Around the world a very similar promise is shared by all cubs and scouts. This means in over a hundred countries on every continent, over five million girls and boys share the sentiment of the Cub and Scout Promises. It the founding idea that all the activities, badges and skills that one associates with scouting is based upon.

 

The Cub Promise:

I promise that

I will do my best

To do my duty to God

and my country;

To keep the Law of the Wolf Cub Pack

And to do a good turn to somebody every day.

The Scout Promise:

On my honour I promise that

I will do my best

To do my duty to God,

and my country;

To help other people at all times;

To obey the scout law.

As you may have noticed that last promise is a doosy for it in effect makes you promise to do ten more things, for there are ten scout laws. The scout laws are the ethics of scouting. It defines what a scout should strive to be. This does not mean that a scout will always embody these values and if you see a scout not illustrating them to the greatest degree, one cannot say that he isn't trying to be a good scout because make no mistake about it, they are tough.

The Cub Law: The Cub Law: The Cub Law:

"The Cub gives into the Old Wolf.

The Cub does not give in to himself."

The Scout Law:

1.) A scout's honours 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.

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 final credo that all of scouting agree on is that of the Cub and Scout Motto. This is most probably the thing that is most associated with scouting, and although it means different things to different people at different times, it is as much a part of scouting as fun.

Cub Motto:

"DO YOUR BEST"

Scout Motto:

BE PREPARED

 

Aims:

The Aim of the South African Scout Association is to encourage the spiritual, mental, social and physical development of boys and young men to be:

(a) developing their character;

(b) training them in citizenship;

(c) developing their personal fitness by promoting their spiritual, mental and physical qualities;

so that they may take a constructive part in the community.

 

Method:

The Method of achieving the Aim of the South African Scout Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training for boys, girls, young men and women through a special programme based on the Scout Law and Promise and

(a) the Scout uniform.

(b) admitting them as members of a voluntary brotherhood which, under adult leadership and guidance, is increasingly self-governing in its successive age groups.

(c) opening to them congenial activities and achievements in a largely outdoor setting.

(d) progressively increasing measures of responsibility for themselves and others, so that they acquire competence, self-reliance, character, dependability, and capacities both of co-operation and leadership.

(e) the Patrol and Group systems.

(f) providing a feeling of achievement by advancement through a graded series of tests and interest badges.

(g) providing opportunities to serve others.