Scout link - Scout handbook

The ScoutKinship Award

Welcome to ScoutlinkThe Scout Citizenship Project

Scoutlink is a new and exciting opportunity to explore citizenship for Beaver Scouts,Cub Scouts, Scouts and Venture Scouts across the island of Ireland. It is a jointinitiative between the three Scout Associations - The Scout Association NISC, ScoutingIreland CSI and Scouting Ireland SAI.

Scoutlink introduces three new Awards within Scouting:

The Kinship AwardScouts explore Citizenship by completing four Challenges within their own Scout Troop

The Partnership AwardScouts make a Cross-Border link with another Scout Troop from one of the other twoScout Associations and complete three Partnership Challenges.

The Citizenship AwardThe international element of Scoutlink! Scouts keep their Partnership link and exploreinternational citizenship by either visiting an international country (outside of the islandof Ireland) or attending an international camp or Jamboree.

All of the Awards have individual programme packs containing a wide range of activities and fresh ideas,workable in parallel with existing Scout Awards and Badges.

This pack contains programme ideas for the Kinship Award. It also contains notes that should helpleaders develop the activities with their young people.

2 • THE SCOUT K INSH IP AWA R D

KinshipIt is an exciting citizenship programme based on four Scout Challenges:

Challenge 1 Understanding Myself

Challenge 2 Understanding My Community

Challenge 3 Finding out about My Country

Challenge 4 Finding out about Others

Through the above challenges, Kinship enables Scouts to explore themes, including:

• Values in today’s society – Scout values• Enjoying the out of doors environment• Cultural, sporting and social activities• Equality – equal opportunities for all• Exploring our past and looking towards the future• Finding out about local and national government• Recognising the diversity of cultures in the world today.

Scouts should complete all four challenges over a period of at least three months to gain the KinshipAward.

The Scoutlink team is available to support you as you work through Kinship with your Scout Troop.

What happens when you have finished the Kinship Award?

Simply fill in the record sheet and return to the Scoutlink team. Your Scouts will receive a Kinship Badgethat they can wear on uniform.

The Scoutlink team will then help you work towards the Partnership Award and make a suitable Cross-Border link.

Remember also to fill in the evaluation sheet included with the pack.

THE S CO U T K INS H IP AWARD • 3

Outline of Challenge Activities

Challenge 1

Understanding Myself 1. Desert Island weekend outdoor activity

2. Needs and wants survival overnight

3. Gender time line

4. Communication

5. Cultural Sports

Challenge 2

Understanding My Community 1. Visit a local council

2. Community environmental activity

3. Help a local cause

4. Gender issues in communities

5. Different cultures within communities

Challenge 3

Finding out about My Country 1. Making an Agreement - compare with the Agreement in Northern Ireland

2. Civilisations long ago - camp

3. Historical places to visit

4. Finding out about Government

5. Camp fire debate on a contemporary issue

Challenge 4

Finding out about Others 1. Disability awareness

2. Religious diversity

3. Travellers

4. Different cultures

5. Refugees

4. Race issues

Scouts choose one activity for each of the challenges to complete the Kinship Award

4 • THE SCOUT K INSH IP AWAR D

Choose one activity from:




Challenge 1

UnderstandingMyself

Challenge 1 purposesScouts develop a clear sense of identity

Scouts build confidences to talk about beliefs and feelings

Scouts learn to respect the identities of others around them

Getting Started

Initially to introduce Scouts to the idea of understanding themselves better, it may be valuable toengage in some of the following exercises. These exercises can be completed in isolation, but will workbetter as a build up to the challenge activities themselves.

• My Typical WeekScouts look individually at how they spend their week. As individuals jot down the activities andplaces each Scout goes during a typical week. Share your week with another Scout. Things to recordmight include: school, part time job, Scouts, sports, music, hobbies, social activities, time for friends,worship etc. Discuss with Scouts what they have learned about each other from this exercise and whatthey have learned about themselves.

• Thinking AheadEach Scout draws the outline of a person on a large sheet of paper. Individually at the appropriateplaces mark on the in the answers to the following statements:

a) Eyes – one thing you would most like to see;b) Ears – one or two things you would like to hear;c) Nose – what makes the most ‘sense’ about the country you live in;d) Mouth – if you had the chance, what you would most like to say and to whom;e) Hands – what you would most like to get your hands on and how you feel you could best use your

talents;f ) Body – what you would most like to change about yourself;g) Feet – where you would most like to go and what you would most like to do.

As a group discuss your drawings. Were there any similarities? What were the differences? What does thisexercise tell us about individuals?

• A Range of IdentitiesDivide Scouts into patrols. Give each patrol an umbrella, some post-its and a marker. Scouts shouldtry and find as many things in common that are shared by every member of the patrol, write them onpost-its and stick on the umbrella. This will also reveal some things that are not held in common andthat Scouts are proud of. A variation on this activity may be to have just one umbrella for the wholeTroop, with each patrol using only one section. The umbrella then represents the range of identitieswithin the Scout troop. Discuss the differences that Scouts felt proud of and explore the things thatsome Scouts had to ‘give up’ in order to belong to a wider group. End the activity by thinking abouthow this activity represents society as a whole and how individuals are all different.

As a follow up activity, ask Scouts to choose groups from the umbrella that they most want to belongto. Explain that they have £1000 of money and must bid for their group. Each of the groups on theumbrella can only be sold to one person. Appoint an auctioneer and discuss Scouts feelings after theactivity – did they get what they wanted? What choices did they have to make and why?


Challenge ActivitiesChoose one activity from the following list to complete the challenge.

1. Desert Island

Purpose: Scouts find out more about their personal identity and what is important to them.

A weekend outdoor activity.Read the following to the Scouts:

A great storm has blown your Scout Troop far away to a desert island. You know that people at home areaware of where you are and that you will eventually be rescued. In the meantime you must decide how youare going to organise yourselves on your desert island – it could be sometime before help arrives.

It is entirely up to the Scouts to decide: sleeping arrangements, meals, layout of the area, what facilitiesyou need, what activities you can do and how you can provide a happy atmosphere for everyone byresolving problems and preventing disputes.

Scout leaders should decide how much equipment Scouts have to work with, however it is a usefulactivity for developing good Scouting skills. Adapt the idea as appropriate, for example to include foodcashes left behind by people who have previously been there or provide Scouts with a list of equipmentand ask Scouts to choose six items they feel they will need.

Scouts also have the opportunity to bring with them one object that they feel represents their identity.This can be anything – social, cultural or sporting. Once they have organised the island, they must sitdown as a patrol and discuss why they have brought the object along, why it is important to them asindividuals and how it represents their interests.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp Skills, Backwoods weekend, Lightweight expedition

Scouting Ireland CSI: Leadership Award (Campcraft), Camper

Scout Association: Membership Badge, Patrol Activity Award (Survival Skills)


2. Needs and Wants

Purpose: Scouts develop an awareness of their personal identity and understand better their priorities in life.

Read the following list to ScoutsAsk them to pick one item that they think they need most and put it at the top of a list. Then ask themto choose the item that they need least and put it at the bottom of the list. Continue on from top tobottom until the list is complete:

• Food and water• Coca-Cola• TV and CDs• A warm place to stay• School• Denim jeans• Friends• New clothes• A computer• A job• Freedom to choose what you want• A family• Medical care• Love• Alcohol

To understand better what is important and what is not important in life, run a patrol overnight survivalor lightweight camp. Look at the above activity again when Scouts return. Did their priorities change?Why?

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp skills, Backwoods weekend

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award, Campcraft

Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award, Pathfinder Award (Scoutcraft), SurvivalSkills, Camper.


3. Gender Time Line

Purpose: Scouts understand the influences of both genders in their lives and begin to break down gender stereotypes.

Start off by asking Scouts to name famous people in sport, politics, science, music, history, religion,TV, radio, and as many other categories as they want. These people will probably mainly be male.

Each Scout then, on a large sheet of paper, draws a time line from when they were born to the presentday. Mark on the page the people who have most influenced their lives to date e.g. school teachers,youth leaders, parents and relations, friends etc. It is best to prompt on occasions as some might havevery short lines e.g. first day at school, Did you ever meet anyone famous?, religious occasions (familybaptism, confirmation, Holy Communion, Bar Mitzvah), medical experience (vaccination,hospitalisation, school medical, visit to dentist/orthodontist).

The list should come out with a much more equal balance of gender and can be contrasted by the Scoutsthemselves to show how the list of ‘famous’ people differs from the list of people important to their lives.

1. Newspapers.Provide copies of newspapers for each Patrol. The Scouts count the number of stories about men,and the number about women and make some sort of assessment of the content of the stories, eghow much money is involved, who is making important decisions, who is shown in good light,who is treated seriously/frivolously.

2. Have a discussion where each Scout talks about themselves as follows:“Because I am a girl, I can/cannot …”“Because I am a boy, I can/cannot …”“The best thing about being a boy is…”“The best thing about being a girl is …”To run this, you need to have a good knowledge of the group and strict control of the content.This may work better with older Scouts in a camp situation.

In a mixed Troop, play netball. The girls usually play at school and can run rings around the boys. Eventhings up by playing football and then finish with a short yarn explaining the acceptability of difference.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award (patrol activity)

Scout Association: Sports Enthusiast


4. Communication

Purpose: Scouts build their confidences to talk about their identity with others.

Game: All change.Scouts sit in a circle on chairs with one Scout standing in the middle. The Scout in the middle calls outthe following statements and all Scouts who can relate to the statements must change places. The Scoutin the middle must then find a seat to sit on. The Scout who doesn’t find a seat must read out the nextstatement.

• All Scouts who have gained the cook badge change places;• All Scouts who play ruby/football/Gaelic change places;• Use other statements appropriate to the group, focusing on

the identity of individuals.

At the end of the activity, discuss how much of this Scouts alreadyknew about each other. How do young people talk about theiridentity or send out signals about what they enjoy? How do Scoutscommunicate with each other?

Activity: CommunicationYoung people illustrate their identity in many different ways, bytalking about it, taking part in activities, meeting with others andeven wearing football shirts/strips to illustrate their affiliation tovarious teams and sports – non-verbal communication.

Scouts also learn to communicate with each other in many differentways. As a patrol take part in two of the following means ofcommunicating:

• Learning to use a compass and navigating a simple route;• Developing a code of signalling for another Scout patrol to follow;• Learning to communicate a simple message by semaphore;• Understanding the Phonetic alphabet and conveying a message;• Setting up a smell trail in a forest for another patrol in your Troop.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland SAI: Backwoods weekend, Day hikes

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award (patrol activity), Explorer Badge (pathfinding),Signaller

Scout Association: Scout Award (Scoutcraft), Pathfinder Award (Scoutcraft)


5. The games we play.

Purpose: Scouts develop an awareness of different sporting influences and their importance the identities ofothers.

• What sports do the Scouts play? What sports are not readily available to them and why?• Looking at sporting influences, why do games have rules? What would happen if we took away the

rules in football/gaelic? What are fouls?• Find out about a new sport and arrange for a trainer to teach Scouts how to play it. Why not adopt

this as your new sport and take part in it for at least three months.

Just as there are rules for playing games, there are rules to help people get along better.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Sports, The Explorer Badge (culture)

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (Health), Sports Enthusiast, Physical Recreation

THE S CO U T K INS H IP AWARD • 1 1

Challenge 2

UnderstandingMy Community

Challenge 2 purposes

Scouts identify their local communityScouts find out how a community operatesScouts take a greater role in community life

Getting Started

Initially to introduce Scouts to the idea of understanding their community better, it may be valuableto engage in some of the following exercises. These exercises can be completed in isolation, but willwork better as a build up to the challenge activities themselves.

• Community MapEither as patrols or as individuals, Scouts draw a map of what they understand as their local community.They should think about houses, schools, places of worship, shops, friends etc. Include positive andnegative aspects of the community.

Discuss what each patrol/person has drawn and why. Some maps may reflect where people live andothers may focus on buildings and important places.

• Visit to BrazilImagine your Scout Troop has been invited on an exchange visit to another Scout Troop in Brazil. Inorder to prepare for your trip, you must put together a profile of your local community. What thingswould you include? How would you prepare for going to Brazil? What things would you like to findout about the other Troop?

What is different then about going to the North or South of Ireland to meet another Scout Troop?Would you need to tell them the same things and prepare in the same way?



1. What happens?

Purpose: Scouts develop a better understanding of the workings of their community.

Arrange a visit to a local Council and find out how decisions are made in your local area.

• Find out what was the last proposal passed by the Council and what impact it had on your localcommunity;

• Hold a mock election at the place you visit. Scouts should understand the process, from drawingup manifestos to canvassing for votes and being elected.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Civics, Tracker Award (patrol activity)

Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award, Membership Badge


2. Community Environment

Purpose: Scouts learn to respect and show concern for their local environment.

Either:

• Take part in the Best Kept Town, National Spring Clean or Tidy Towns initiative;• Tidy and maintain an area of waste ground in your local community.• Visit a local recycling plant;• Help plant a Marie Curie Field of Hope or daffodils for Daffodil Day;• Fundraise to buy energy saving light bulbs for your Scout hall or den or a group in your local

community.• Contact the energy efficiency unit.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Explorer Badge (patrol activity), Conservation

Scout Association: Membership Badge (patrol activity), Conservation


3. Help with a local cause

Purpose: Scouts identify, respond to and influence important issues within their local community.

Choose an issue relevant to your local community and:

• Define the problem and identify why it is important to your Scouts (emphasis on young people);• Work on the issue – plan the steps you need to take;• Map the political environment – who you can lobby for help or advice (if necessary);• Take action;• Record your progress.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award (patrol activity), Explorer Badge (community)

Scout Association: Explorer Award (community), Pathfinder Award (community)


4. Community life

Purpose: Scouts explore their understanding of equality and the role of women in modern society.

Have you got any children? The doctor asked.

‘God has not been good to me. Of 15 born, only nine live.’ He answered.

‘Does your wife work?’

‘No she stays at home.’

‘I see. How does she spend her day?’

‘Well, she gets up at four in the morning, fetches water and wood, makes the fire and cooks breakfast.Then she goes to the field and tends to the family crops. After that she goes to town and buys whatwe need in the market. Then she cooks the midday meal.’

‘You come home at midday?’

‘No, no she brings the meal to me in the fields – about three kilometres from home.’

‘And after that?’

‘Well she goes to the river and washes clothes. Then she takes care of the hens and pigs and ofcourse she looks after the children all day…then after she has ground the corn she prepares thesupper so it is ready when I come home.’

‘Does she go to bed after supper?’

‘No, I do. She has things to do around the house until about nine o’clock.’

‘But you say your wife doesn’t work?’

‘Of course she doesn’t work. I told you she stays at home.’

• Is it true that this woman does not work?• Why does her husband think she does not work?• What roles do women have in farming life in your country? Find out more about a local woman’s

community organisation such as Macca Na feirne or Irish Country Women’s Association. Whattype of activities do they get involved in?

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award (patrol activity), Explorer Badge (community)

Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award, Pathfinder Award (culture)


5. Community Cultures

Purpose: Scouts identify and find out about different cultural and sporting influences within their localcommunity.

• On a large page ask Scouts to make a map of the local community, identifying all the cultural andsporting influences there are in your neighbourhood. For example football pitches, social clubs,youth centres and include different cultures of people and their influences in community life,such as Chinese or Indian restaurants. Were Scouts surprised by the outcomes? Also look atdifferent places of worship.

• Choose one culture in your community different to your own and learn about a craft or sportassociated with that tradition.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: World Friendship, The Explorer Badge (culture, community)

Scout Association: Craft, Pathfinder Award (culture, community)


Scouts explore the values of their countryScouts celebrate traditions associated with their country’s identity

Scouts identify contemporary issues that affect young people

Challenge 3

Finding OutAbout My Country

Getting Started

Initially to introduce Scouts to the idea of finding out more about their country, it may be valuable toengage in some of the following exercises. These exercises can be completed in isolation, but will workbetter as a build up to the challenge activities themselves.

• What makes us ScoutsScouts in patrols, on a large sheet of paper, write the following headings: clothing, activities, symbols,method, meetings, programme, important events, awards. Under each of the headings they must fillin as many things as possible about what they understand about their identity as Scouts. Then, as afollow-up ask them to list as many things as they can about the identity of their country. Maybe usingthe same headings and also including things like: food, language, sport, places of worship and music.As a group, compile a giant list of things that each patrol understands represents their country identity.Does country identity mean the same thing to everyone? Does everyone agree with the list? Whosetraditions have they neglected to include on the list?

• SymbolsHow much do Scouts know about the various symbols associated with their country and what theyrepresent? Find out about some of these, for example Shamrock, Red Hand, Flags, Colours, Saints,Flowers etc. Also try and incorporate symbols associated with different traditions within your owncountry such as other Religious groups. What do they tell us about the identity of our country? Whatdo they signify to different groups of people or people from a different part of the island of Ireland?

• IdentityScouts are asked to bring in one item that they feel represents the identity of their country. This couldbe a cultural symbol, a famous person associated with their country, a picture of a place or landmark,a piece of music or musical group, a video or film, or a piece of writing. It could even be somethingassociated with Scouting. Scouts should think about the object they have selected and explain to therest of the group why they feel it is important. This is perhaps a good activity to be run at a campfiresession where Scouts can make use of some of the cultural items as camp fire activities.



1. A Community Agreement

Purpose: Scouts begin to explore issues around the Agreement and its impact on their lives.

Gambia(leaders should change the words of the places and tribes to suit their area)

In many parts of Africa different peoples have made agreements for hunting, dividing up land so thatmembers of each tribe know exactly where they can go. Ebrima, the leader of the Mandinka tribe, wasbecoming very worried. Hunting expeditions by the Fula people were coming closer and closer in on theMandinka’s land. Yesterday one of their younger men had been injured while chasing a Fula warrior offthe land. Ebrima had never been very friendly with Lanin, the Fula leader, but he decided to approachhim before any of his people were killed.

A meeting was arranged on the border between the land of the two tribes after the leaders had greeted onanother and had a drink together they began to discuss the situation. Lamin knew that there was notenough food available on his land for all of his people. Ebrima know this as well, but he also knew thatthe Fula warriors were better fighters than the Mandinkas. He did not want a big invasion of his landbecause many of his people might be killed.

The two men discussed their positions for many hours. They came to no agreement that day and begantalking again early the following morning and by noon they had come to an agreement which suitedthem both. Ebrima agreed to allow the Fula people to hunt in an area on the west side of the land (whichthe Mandinkas didn’t use much anyway). In return Lamin agreed to give the Mandinkas a right to passthrough a large area of his land when they wanted to travel. This would make their journeys far shorter.

The leaders shook hands and returned to their communities with the news. Both tribes were unhappywith some aspects of the agreement and were more content with others.

They all celebrated that evening, singing and dancing in honour or their leader for helping to make themfeel more secure and less threatened by others.

• What lessons can we learn from this story?• Think of a time when you made an agreement with someone else that helped both of you.

Discuss your opinions of the Agreement in Northern Ireland. How does it relate to the situationabove and what would you change, if anything?

Badge links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Civics, Public Speaking

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (culture), Scout Award (culture), Heritage


2. Civilisation long Ago.

Purpose: Scouts find out more about history and traditions important to the identity of their country.

Many people colonised the island of Ireland including the Celts and the Vikings.

Dublin for example is a Viking settlement and many Viking artefacts are on display at the NationalMuseum. Vikings were tradesmen, especially shoemakers, weavers, blacksmiths and workers in precioussilver and amber.

Around 200 BC the Celts, originating in central Europe, spread outwards to Greece, France, Spain, Italy,Britain and Ireland. The family was the basic social unit (the extended family) and if a number of thesecombined together to rule a larger area, a King would be appointed.

Find out as much as you can about these two eras and the cultures they brought with them. Hold a themenight or an overnight camp on the chosen theme. Why not visit some of the remaining Celt and Vikinginfluences in your area?

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Explorer Badge (Scouting Knowledge)

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (commitment), Heritage, Public Relations,Membership Badge


3. Ask the historians.

Purpose: Scouts develop a greater understanding of the identity of their country.

From a display of important buildings and monuments see if you can:

• Identify where you would find them in your country;• Work out why they are significant;• Decide how old they are and if you feel they are important in the history of your country/culture.

Arrange an outing to one of these places that will include a guided tour of the landmark.OrFind your nearest castle or stately home and arrange to spend a night there. Find out who built it andwhy. Also why it fell out of use.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Explorer badge (culture)

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (culture), Scout Award (culture), Heritage


4. The workings of my country.

Purpose: Scouts understand better the workings of their country.

Arrange to visit the National Government building of your country e.g. Stormont or Dáil Éireann findout what political parties are represented. Also find out what was the most recent Act passed by theNational Government and how it affects your country.

Or

Visit a local courthouse and hold a mock trial. Choose Barristers, Lawyers, Judge, plaintiff and defendant.Send all these out of the room. Improvise the plaintiff being robbed or attacked by the defendant, arrestedby a policeman in front of the audience. Have the plaintiff and defendant meet with their lawyers and getwitnesses from the audience. Hold a trial following real procedure as far as possible.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Civics

Scout Association: Writer, Heritage


5. The news today.

Purpose: Scouts develop confidence to have their opinions and attitudes challenged in relation to contemporaryissues.

Discuss why Scouts operate a Patrol Leaders Council or Court of Honour system, have patrols with apatrol leader and have Scout laws. Why do countries need a government? What is a citizen? List ways inwhich citizens can influence government (voting, petitions, writing letters to politicians, public meetings,lobbying, marches, protests etc.)

Organise a Scout debate on a contemporary issue relating to the Government of your country.

Carry out this activity for example at an overnight camp where Scouts are permitted to speak only whenthey are holding the tent peg.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland SAI: Lightweight expedition, Camp skills


Scout Association: Heritage, Pathfinder Award (commitment)


Challenge 4

Finding OutAbout Others

Scouts celebrate personal prejudicesScouts celebrate diversity within their country and community

Getting Started

Initially to introduce Scouts to the idea of understanding others better, it may be valuable for Scouts toengage in some of the following exercises. These exercises can be completed in isolation but will workbetter as a build up to the challenge activities themselves.

• What are stereotypes?Set up a walking debate and label one corner of the room‘yes’, the other ‘no’ and the centre ‘don’t know’. Scouts mustmove towards and opinion when the following statementsare read out. Also they must try and defend their opinionsby trying to persuade Scouts from the other side of the roomto join them. Statements can be tailored to suit particulartopics/interests, but it may be useful to keep them lighthearted to begin with:

• All red heads have a bad temper;• Girls are better cooks than boys;• People from the South of Ireland are good musicians;• Everyone in Northern Ireland is either Catholic orProtestant;• Boys are better at sports than girls.

This exercise should highlight that stereotypes are simplifiedjudgements made without necessary information.

• All different – All equalThis activity can be run at camp very simply as a discussion session. Scouts examine a potato lookingcarefully at its shape, size and bumps. All the potatoes are put back into the bag and mixed up. Theleader throws them out on the floor and Scouts must try and identify their own potato. The discussionthat follows should concentrate on the fact that although potatoes are all very different on the outsidethey are still potatoes inside. Each Scout should then think about themselves and the way they aredifferent from everyone else in their patrol. List all the abilities and talents, attributes, experiences andskills of each person in the patrol and explain that their differences not only help them work togetherbetter as a patrol, but enrich the whole Scout Troop.

• Setting up a CommunityImagine you have been given the task of finding a group of people to move to a remote island and setup a community for the next hundred years. You can only choose ten people to inhabit the island.Decide who you would choose and why from the following list?

• A 20 year old male secretary • A 37 year old experienced Scout leader• A member of the Travelling community • An ex-politician• A farmer • A female police officer• A young apprentice female carpenter • A disabled school teacher• A musician • A gay doctor• A grandfather • A film star• A religious leader • An Indian nurse• A Chinese cook • A science student• A pregnant teenager • A retired self-made millionaire• A social worker • A 19 year old model

Discuss what were the principal criteria used in deciding who would be chosen to inhabit the island?How comfortable did Scouts feel about making this kind of decision? Will the island include a diversityof cultures? Why were some people chosen over others? What does this tell us about society’s attitude todifferent people?



1. Disability Awareness

Purpose: Scouts begin to challenge personal prejudices and stereotypes in relation to disability issues.

Try out at least three of the following activities. After each, discuss Scouts feelings and the difficulties theyencountered:

• Visually Impaired - equipment needed: jug, water, cup, blind fold.

Place the blindfold on the Scout and ask them to make a cup of tea (show them where the sink, cupand jug are). Remember to use cold water so that they will not burn themselves. It is not as easy asthey might think.

• Hearing Impaired – equipment needed: ear muffs.

Place the ear muffs on one of the Scouts and ensure that they cannot hear anything. Take them backto their patrol with other Scouts who can hear perfectly. Stand with your back slightly away from theperson with the ear muffs. Give the patrol a set of instructions to follow. The Scout wearing the earmuffs will find that they cannot follow the instructions.

• Physically disabled – equipment needed: wheelchair.

Take the Scouts outside with the wheelchair. Scouts should each have a turn at sitting in the wheelchairand trying to get back into the building. Most buildings (due to their age) are not wheelchair accessibleand disabled people cannot get into buildings that do not have ramps, wide doorways or doors thatopen inwards.

• Mentally disabled – ask a Scout to volunteer.

Take (s)he away from the rest of the Troop and explain that they cannot speak and have the mentalability of a one year old child. Their task is to try and tell the other Scouts that they want a drink orthat they have a pain (without speaking). The rest of the Scouts must decide what the person is askingfor. Try this out with other volunteers.

• Disabled due to an illness – ask a Scout to sit in a chair in the middle of the room.

Explain to them that they are a Stroke victim and no longer able to move or speak. However theirbrain is still functioning properly. They have to tell the rest of the Troop that they want something.The rest of the group must decide what it is.

In each of the above cases how did the Scouts feel about not being able to do simple everyday tasks?

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Social Awareness

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (community), Community


2. Let’s Celebrate Diversity

Purpose: Scouts begin to challenge personal prejudices and stereotypes in relation to different religions withintheir own community and country.

Other people in your country do not share your religious beliefs. What responsibilities should they haveto ensure you can practice your religion?

What responsibilities do you have to allow them the right to practice their religion?

What might happen if people didn’t keep their responsibilities?

Choose four different religions and find out as much as you can about them.

• Their symbols;• Where people worship;• The numbers in your country;• The principles of each religion.

Visit a place of worship unfamiliar to Scouts.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Faith

Scout Association: World Faith, My Faith, Pathfinder Award (commitment)


3. Travellers

Purpose: Scouts begin to challenge personal prejudices and stereotypes in relation to the Travelling Community.

In history travellers brought to small towns throughout the island of Ireland services that were not readilyavailable, such as pot-mending and blade sharpening. They also traded in horses and stayed in fields setaside by the town people especially for them. Farmers today no longer use horses and so travellers beganto trade other things including scrap, recycling and often are involved in tarmacing. Travellers call theirhomes ‘trailers’ and they also have their own language – ‘cant’. There are about 22,500 Travellers in theSouth of Ireland and 1250 in Northern Ireland.

Hold a short discussion with Scouts:

• Does everyone have to live in a house?• If travellers want to move from place to place do they have the right to do that?• Imagine the Scouts are travellers. Organise an overnight camp using only materials that can be

moved from place to place, e.g. a bivouac in a local forest or lightweight tents. Who decideswhere the camp is located? Who should be involved? What decisions need to be made beforesetting up shelter? Allow Scouts to design the site to include arrangements for cooking, water,waste, washing, safety, lights, blending in with local environment.

• What difficulties do Scouts have to deal with? Travellers each time they move face similar difficulties.How would Scouts react if they were told they could not stay there and were treated as outcasts?

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland SAI: Backwoods Weekend, Lightweight Expedition

Scouting Ireland CSI: Explorer Badge (patrol activity), Tracker Award (patrol activity)

Camper, Social Awareness

Scout Association: Membership Badge (patrol activity), Patrol Activity Award,Survival Skills


4. Different Cultures

Purpose: Scouts begin to challenge personal prejudices and stereotypes in relation to different cultures withintheir community and country.

Find out about differences in cultural behaviour, for example:

• In Polynesia people greet each other by sticking out tongues;• Burping after meals is a sign of good manners in Japan and China;• In many cultures men hold hands while walking together;• In some cultures it is insulting for people to give or take anything with their left hand and particularly

to eat with the left hand;• In both the North and South of Ireland it is bad manners to eat with your fingers.

Explore your own cultural habits further. Take one aspect of your culture e.g. music or dance and prepareand carry out an activity for a different patrol to enjoy.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Entertainer, Tracker Award (patrol activity), The Explorer Badge(culture, community), Gaeilge

Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award, Entertainer, World Faith, Pathfinder Award(culture)


5. Refugees

Purpose: Scouts begin to challenge personal prejudices and stereotypes in relation to Refugees.

What is a refugee?The Geneva Convention describes them as someone who ‘owing to a well-founded fear of being persecutedfor reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, isoutside the country of nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him/herself ofthe protection of that country.’

Introduce the activity with discussion with Scouts on what they know about refugees.

Q. Why do refugees leave their homes?A. Refugees run from danger.

Ask Scouts to think about the following scenarios. What are the refugees running from? Scouts shoulddecide what they would do if they were in these situations:

• ‘I want to leave my country and it is illegal for me to do this’• ‘ I fear I may be killed because people who live in my town have disappeared and then been found

murdered.’• ‘Military service is compulsory in my country, and I do not want to serve in the army. I believe

what the army is doing is wrong.’• ‘It is illegal for me to practice my religion, and I wish to do so.’

Wide Game: RefugeesSpace required: a forest with a large open space.

Scouts are told to imagine they are refugees fleeing from Sudan, the largest country in Africa. Sudan is experiencinga serious famine and the ongoing civil war has left living conditions impossible. The journey will be a distanceof about 300 miles and the route will pass through a desert. Your destination is Khartoum in the north. Youwill be given a map. At each stopping point you must accomplish the task before proceeding.(Leaders mark various points on a map of the area)

Task cards:

• JubaYour town is under attack. Flee from your home with your patrol. Take only one possession each/per patrol

BlanketTeddyRopeCompassFootballWhistlePen knifeBottle of water(Any other items leaders feel they could include).

• Mvolo (river or stream)Heavy rain has made the river rise. It is too deep to cross by foot. You must make a bridge to cross. Youhave travelled 50 miles.

• Toni (leaders or Venture Scouts with water pistols)Fighter planes are overhead. Lie down. Shooting. You must hide and not get caught. You have travelled100 miles.


• AweliOutbreak of Cholera. One of your patrol takes ill. You have to stop for a while. Cook a meal on a smallfire (e.g. cook rice). You have travelled 150 miles.

• Al FulaYou are 200 miles from home. You must make a hat to protect yourself from the sun as you enter thedesert (open area).

• El ObeidA sandstorm is blowing up. You must take shelter – improvise with what is around you.

• RabakOne of your patrol has hurt her/his leg. You need to help him and give him first aid.

• KhartoumCongratulations you have reached Khartoum and can join the camp with the rest of the refugees. Youhave trekked 300 miles to safety.

Has this activity increased Scouts knowledge and understanding of the plight of refugees? Why nottalk to a local agency that deals with refugees?

Badge LinksScouting Ireland SAI: Camp skillsScouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (pathfinding), Social AwarenessScout Association: Patrol Activity Award, Pathfinder Award (Scoutcraft, community)


6. Racism

Purpose: Scouts begin to challenge personal prejudices and stereotypes in relation to race issues.

Society is made up of many different cultures and traditions.

• Ask Scouts to spend a few minutes in patrols defining what they understand by Racism.• Discuss their replies as a large group and explain that Racism can be defined as ‘the belief that

some people are inferior because they are born into a certain ethnic, racial or cultural group.’

Give Scouts the following scenarios and ask them to prepare a short sketch illustrating the followinginequality situations:

• Travelling women chatting while fetching water and carrying it to their trailers (caravans);• A Jewish girl being told by her parents that she cannot enter the centre of the Synagogue;• Two Scouts are building gateway for their campsite. A third Scout comes along and asks to join

in. She is coloured. The first Scout agrees but the second does not like the newcomer and saysno;

• Any other scenario appropriate to the community/Troop.

Where is the conflict in each of the stories?Ask Scouts to describe their feelings about both sides of the conflict.What is the most positive action to take for everyone?

Either:• As patrols design an advertising campaign that will persuade the public of the multicultural

element of Scouting;Or

• Invite a guest speaker form a minority culture to speak to Scouts about their way of life.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (Scouting knowledge), Social Awareness

Scout Association: World Faith, Explorer Award (culture), Membership Badge


The Scout Kinship AwardThe Scout Kinship AwardThe Scout Kinship AwardThe Scout Kinship AwardThe Scout Kinship AwardLeaders Notes

Kinship primarily focuses on the individual, the community and country around the individual anddifferent traditions and cultures within their own area. Parallels can be drawn with the Scout Promise andLaws, in that Scouts make a personal commitment to ‘do their best’, and are guided by the Scout laws.New Scouts entering the Troop may find it useful to work towards Kinship as they come to terms withtheir responsibilities as a Scout. Whilst it is not essential to run the challenges in order, it would be usefulfor Scouts to understand who they are as individuals before trying to relate to their community, countryand others around them.

The overall purpose of the Kinship Award for the Scout section is to find out and challenge personal,community and country identities and learn to respect a diversity of traditions and cultures.

Challenge 1 Understanding Myself

Scouts begin to understand what has influenced and shaped their lives – their identity. Young peopleexpress their identity in many different ways, for example by showing allegiance to various sportinggroups, religions, organisations (including Scouting), schools, clubs etc. Also their beliefs and feelings areimportant aspects of their identity and will be different for each individual Scout.

Activity oneThis activity is best run on an overnight or weekend camp. Leaders should be involved to some extent inthe planning process of the ‘desert island’ activity. It would be useful to draw up a list of rules with theScouts before the camp and suggest that the Scout Laws are the rules for the weekend. Similarly includethings such as, the camp must be hygienic, all Scouts must eat balanced meals and all activities must besafe. It is important that Scouts have the opportunity to contribute to the planing of the camp as this isa vital element of building citizenship.

Activity twoThinking Ahead is a useful exercise to begin with for both activities one and two as it should help Scoutsbegin to focus on the issues, specifically issues that are important to them. It may be useful for leaders toask Scouts what they feel they could do without for the activity or what they feel they will need for thenext twenty-four hours. Also the first thoughts exercise would be valuable to use. Leaders simply call outa list of words and Scouts must write down the very first thing that comes into their head; the list mayinclude:

• Clothes• Food• Entertainment• Activity• Sleeping

Try running the exercise after the overnight experience to see if their thoughts have actually changed.

Activity threeDeals with gender issues. The timeline can spark very specific feelings amongst young people and leadersneed to carefully manage the activity so that Scouts life experiences, positive or negative, are treated withrespect and understanding. The first part of the activity separates distinctly male and female roles. Thereforeat the end of the activity leaders must ensure that they have explained fully that difference is very acceptableand important in everyday life. It is equally important that people are equitable when dealing withgender issues, in other words fair when considering male and female issues.


Activity fourFocus on communicating with each other, specifically about how young people express their identity.Draw on various illustrations specific to the community the Troop is operating in and other relevantaspects of identity relevant to the young people themselves. The Typical Week exercise or the Range ofIdentities exercise may help draw out relevant aspects of identity in this activity.

Activity fiveAllows leaders to develop and introduce new sports to the Troop. These could be cross-community sportsor simply sports that Scouts are not familiar with in their own community. Leaders can decide what isappropriate for their Troop. Again ask Scouts and allow them to take responsibility for organising thetrainer/coach to visit the Troop.

Challenge 2 Understanding My Community

This challenge builds on individual identity and considers where the young person fits in to the life of theirlocal community. It is also fundamental that Scouts are able to define and understand their local community.Is it a collection of buildings or a congregation of people, or a mixture of both? The Community map exerciseis particularly useful in helping young people focus on these issues. Look carefully at what Scouts haveincluded on their map, but also what is not included. Are there reasons for this?

Activity one can actually be organised by the Scouts themselves or by the Patrol Leaders Council or Courtof Honour. Give Scouts the opportunity to write the letter to the council, make the necessary telephonecalls and organise the format of the mock election. This will obviously need guidance from leaders.Similarly Scouts could visit their local Parliament building and sit in on part of a meeting. Whichevervisit is chosen, try to ensure that the experience is relevant to young people and will be of interest to them.

Activities two and three again can be organised by the Patrol Leaders. They can take responsibility foreach of the suggestions and find out about a local organisation.

Activity four looks at gender roles within local communities. Leaders should try to relate the story to alocal issue, perhaps a contemporary news story. It would be interesting to compare gender roles betweenan urban and rural area, perhaps specifically in the past, but also in today’s society. Scouts should beallowed to find out about local organisations for themselves and organise necessary visits or discussions.

Activity five should draw out a range of cultural, sporting and social activities within local communities,perhaps even more than Scouts are aware of. It illustrates the richness of community life and highlightsthe opportunities for participating in community activities.

Challenge 3 Finding out about My Country

Scouts should be allowed to develop a clear understanding of their role or potential role in the life of theircountry. Building on personal identity, community identity and then country identity. The challengelooks at history, government, culture, sport and what it actually means to be an active and responsiblecitizen. It introduces Scouts to public life and how they fit in to society’s structures. It should encourageyoung people to enquire, debate and express personal opinions. The lead in activities should help clarifycountry identity. The symbol exercise can be set as individual challenges, where Scouts must find out asmuch as they can about each symbol associated with their country. Information is available form the‘Cultural Traditions Dictionary’ ISBN 0-85640-636-8

Activity one draws parallels with the Agreement in Northern Ireland reached in May 1998. Leaders canchange the format of the African story to suit their Troop, for example changing the names of the tribes.Scouts can discuss an agreement they have made with a friend, or even develop a scenario through roleplay. It may also be useful to have a copy of some of the relevant sections (or one aspect) of the Agreementdocument for discussion. Highlight that just as in the African situation, the 32 county referendum had to


have majority support from both communities. This activity may work well at a camp where Scouts areworking in a different environment and perhaps more focused.

Activity two can be planned by Patrol Leaders or Scouts themselves in Patrols. The camp can be plannedaccording to individual taste and interest, but should have a historical theme. Local libraries or historicalassociations will be able to help with finding out about Celt and Viking influences in local areas.

Activity three. Local libraries, museums, tourist information centres and local historians will be able toprovide necessary information. Also try local community groups and organisations that occasionally producehistorical booklets or tourist information on specific areas. The nearest castle or stately home can either be anindoor or outdoor camp/stay.

Activity four will take a little planning. Again involve Patrol Leaders and Scouts. It may be useful to join withanother Troop working on Kinship for this activity, specifically if the visit is to a Government building.

Activity five should highlight the importance of young people opinions in Scouting and develop a sense ofresponsibility for making decisions. The debate on a contemporary issue should be relevant to young peopleand managed carefully so that both sides of the argument are presented fairly.

Challenge 4 Finding out about Others

Whilst it is important that Scouts understand their own identity, it is also important that they are aware andfamiliar with the needs of others to express their identity. Also it is vital that young people appreciate diversitywithin communities and develop a sense of fairness in looking at the needs of others to express their cultures.The challenge looks mainly at disabled people, different religions, travellers, different cultures, refugees andracism. It tackles prejudices and stereotypes associated with each of these groups of people.

Activity one clearly has a serious side and should be managed with care. The purpose of the activity is to allowScouts to experience the difficulties faced by disabled people in society and understand the need to treat themequitably.

Activity two draws on rights and responsibilities as a citizen. People have the right to freely express theiridentity and religion, provided that they do not interfere with the rights of others to express their religion.The purpose of the activity is to allow Scouts the opportunity of finding out more about different religionsand understand that there are other people with different beliefs and religious practices. Again it is aboutlooking at these people fairly.

Activity three focuses on Travellers and their way of life. Further information to supplement the activity canfound in ‘Travellers, Citizens of Ireland’ ISBN 0-9521120-7-8 or ‘In Our Own Way, Tales from BelfastTravellers’ produced by the Belfast Traveller Support Group.

Activity four would work well with the stereotypes exercise (lead in activity). Other types of cultural behaviourcan be added as appropriate. Also it is possible to run the cultural activity at a camp, weekend event, or otheroccasion perhaps even as part of badge work.

Activity five has a serious message and should be related to the situation across the island of Ireland. The widegame should help Scouts understand the plight of refugees and compare their frustrations on a small scalewith those actually faced by refugees themselves.

Activity six focuses on racism. Racism can be broadly defined as the belief that some people are inferiorbecause they are born into a certain ethnic, racial or cultural group. This belief leads to attitudes of prejudiceand actions of discrimination. The role play scenarios can be adapted to suit various situations within eitherlocal communities or within Scouting. The activity has a serious side and the role plays should finish with aserious explanation of the issues and difficulties faced by people from different traditions/groups in theireveryday lives. The advertising campaign can focus on multiculturalism either across the island of Ireland orInternationally.


The ScoutPartnership Award

Welcome to the ScoutlinkScout Partnership Award

Partnership is the second Scoutlink Award. Scout Troops make a cross-border link with another Troopand complete three Partnership challenges. The three challenges are:

Challenge 1 Take part in an activity based on a cultural orsporting theme of your choice

Challenge 2 Undertake an activity new to both troops

Challenge 3 Spend at least two other nights together outdoors

The Scoutlink team will help you make a suitable cross-border link, however some Troops may alreadyhave established links that they can pursue. Both Troops together should complete all three challenges togain the Partnership Award.

Remember, the Scoutlink team is available to help as you progress through the Award.

This pack contains programme ideas for the Partnership Award. It also contains notes that should helpleaders develop the activities with their young people.

What happens when you have finished the Partnership Award?

Simply fill in the record sheet and return to the Scoutlink team. Your Scouts will receive a PartnershipBadge that they can wear on uniform.

The Scoutlink team will then help you plan for Citizenship – the international element of the programme.


42 • THE SCOUT PARTNER SH IP AWA R D

on a cultural or sportingtheme of your choice

Outline of Challenge Activities

Challenge 1

Take part in an activity based 1. Town orienteering exercise

2. Pioneering together

3. Incident hike

4. Wayward walking

5. Historical city tour

1. Island discovery

2. Watch the sun rise or set

3. Canoe expedition

4. Learn to surf

5. Visit an airfield

6. New adventurous activities

7. Public transport journey

8. Day hike

1. Joint weekend camp

2. Outdoor activities at a residential centre

3. Skills training weekend

4. Service projects

5. Team building initiatives

6. Environmental work

7. Inter-Association Scout camps

8. Visits to National Camp sites

Scout Troops together choose one activity for each of the challenges to complete thePartnership Award.

Challenge 2

Undertake an activitynew to both troops

Challenge 3

Spend at least two othernights together outdoors




THE S CO U T PARTNERS H IP AWARD • 4 3

Challenge 1

Take part in an activitybased on a cultural or

sporting theme of your choiceChallenge 1 purposes

Together with their Partnership TroopScouts celebrate the diversity of cultural and sporting influences

Scouts explore their shared heritage.


1. Town Orienteering

Purpose: Scouts explore and learn about different communities and environments.

Try a simple orienteering exercise around each Troop/unit’s own town. This is a good way of introducingthe visiting Scouts to your own environment, area and culture. Include places such as cultural centres,places of worship, Scout halls/dens, recreation areas, schools etc.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Arts Enthusiast, Pathfinder Award (culture, adventure)

Scouting Ireland SAI: Day Hikes

Scouting Ireland CSI: Orienteer, The Explorer Badge (culture)

2. Pioneering Together

Purpose: Scouts work together to celebrate cultural diversity.

Build a pioneering structure representing both traditions and Scout Troops. This could be for example agate for a joint weekend camp or a totem pole carved by Scouts themselves. You could include sportinginterests, music interests, youth culture, colours, Scouts scarves, traditional foods, places of interest etc.use your imagination to make your pioneering project as interesting as possible, use items such as:

• Bunting• Craft• Carved items• Troop flags/pennants• Troop names• Identity shields• Lights

This exercise should encourage Scouts to work together and learn from each other about life North orSouth of the border.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (Scoutcraft), Pioneer

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp Skills, Backwoods Weekend

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award (Scoutcraft), Pioneer


3. Incident Hike

Purpose: Scouts explore their shared heritage.

Hold an incident hike where the bases are culture and sports activities, e.g. Scouts have to sound at leastone note each on a set of bagpipes, learn how to prepare and cook a traditional dish, or learn how to playa simple game of hurling. Scouts should have the opportunity of trying out as many different types ofmusical instruments as possible.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (culture), Heritage, Arts Enthusiast


Scouting Ireland CSI: Gaeilge, Tracker Award (patrol activity), Orienteer

4. Wayward Walking

Purpose: Scouts learn to co-operate and work with others.

Take part in a walk along one or two of Ireland’s famous walkways, such as the Ulster way, the 16 mileCavan way, the Wicklow way. There are over 1000 miles of completed walkways in Ireland North andSouth, with campsites and youth hostels along many of the routes. Why not stop overnight at a campsiteor youth hostel? Why not also use this idea to raise funds for a charity of your choice? Scouts should beworking together on the planning and be reasonably familiar with each other. This is a good way ofallowing Scouts the opportunity to really experience the outdoors and share with others in a traditionalScouting way.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Scout Award (adventure), Pathfinder Award (adventure), Hiker


Scouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (pathfinding), Hiker, Hillwalker


5. Historical City Tour

Purpose: Scouts appreciate the experience and perspectives of others.

Organise a historical tour of a city. Perhaps the city has Scouting headquarters – pay them a visit. Thisactivity should motivate discussion on history and politics and raise awareness of issues pertinent to eachside of the border. Visit new and different areas, explore how local and cross-border patterns affect thelives of people. Try to dispel fears and misconceptions about places in Northern and Southern Ireland.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Heritage, Chief Scout’s Award (community), World Friendship

Scouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (culture), Civics


Challenge 2

Undertake an Activitynew to both Troops

Challenge 2 purposesTogether with their Partnership Troop

Scouts understand each other better throughsharing new activities

Scouts learn more about each other’s identity.


1. Island Discovery

Purpose: Scouts explore and learn more about Northern and Southern Ireland.

Have you ever tried taking your Scouts on a day trip on a boat to a remote island on one of Ireland’s manylakes?

• A good way of exploring undiscovered territory;• Why not spend a night there?• It could even be a canoe expedition.

If Scouts spend one night together, it is possible to introduce good discussion on issues and topics pertinentto cross-border relations, for example on the Agreement or on issues affecting young people today.

Badge links

Scout Association: Chief Scout’s Award (culture), Explorer Award (adventure)

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp Skills

Scouting Ireland CSI: Civics, The Explorer Badge (Scoutcraft)


2. Sun rise and set

Purpose: Scouts begin to understand each other better through sharing new experiences.

Watch the sun rise or set from a high place – this could be a mountain or hill, or perhaps the highest peakin each Province.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Chief Scout’s Award (Scoutcraft), Hillwalker

Scouting Ireland SAI: Day Hikes, Mountain Survival

Scouting Ireland CSI: Mountain Pursuit Challenge, Hill Walker

3. Canoe Expedition

Purpose: Scouts understand the need to appreciate the viewpoints of others.

Take part in a canoe expedition on a famous waterway north or south. Make a night of it and camp over.Organise a camp debate, for example ‘What do we need to know to be active citizens? What responsibilitiesdo we have to be informed?’

Badge Links

Scout Association: Chief Scout’s Award (adventure), Explorer Award (adventure),Explorer, Canoeist

Scouting Ireland SAI: Lightweight Expedition

Scouting Ireland CSI: Canoeist, The Tracker Award (patrol participation), Canoeist


4. Learn to Surf

Purpose: Scouts begin to understand each other’s identity through sharing new activities.

Learn to surf, the west of Ireland is excellent for surfing –Irish Surfing Association will be able to helpwith this. Also the North Cost of Northern Ireland.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (adventure), Explorer Award (adventure)

Scouting Ireland CSI: Sports

5. Visit an Airfield

Purpose: Scouts begin to understand each other’s identity through sharing new experiences.

Visit an airfield and try to get a ride on a plane or helicopter.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Chief Scout’s Award (adventure), Airmanship

Scouting Ireland CSI: Aeronautics

6. New Adventurous Activities

Purpose: Scouts learn more about each other through sharing outdoor activities.

Have a go at archery, climbing or gliding. This could be a new adventurous activity, not necessarily oneof these.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Master At Arms, Sports Enthusiast

Scouting Ireland CSI: Self Defence, Sports

7. Public Transport Journey

Purpose: Scouts learn more about each other’s identity by visiting new places together.

Take a public transport journey to several places of interest – try and pack as many different means oftransport into your journey, e.g. trains, buses, cars, by foot, on bicycle or even by boat. Day tickets areavailable for travel throughout the country. Perhaps you could base your journey on a particular theme.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (adventure), Chief Scout’s Award (culture)

Scouting Ireland CSI: Civics, Explorer Badge (community)


8. Day Hike

Purpose: Scouts co-operate and work with others for new activities.

Spend a day together hiking to a place of interest – anything from a mountain range to a history park.What about a night hike? Could you use this activity to finish Kinship together?

Badge Links

Scout Association: Heritage, Chief Scout’s Award (Scoutcraft, culture)

Scouting Ireland SAI: Day Hike

Scouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (culture), Civics

Or choose your own new activity that both Troops have not done before.


Challenge 3 purposes

Together with their Partnership TroopScouts build new relationships through outdoor activities

Scouts investigate cross-border issues.

Challenge 3

Spend at least twoother nights’

together outdoors


1. Joint Weekend Camp

Purpose: Scouts learn more about each other’s identity through sharing outdoor activities.

During the weekend camp encourage Scouts to mix together in patrols and for activities. Scouts shouldbe able to learn about and from each other through outdoor activities. Campfire sessions can be used forshort debates and discussion sessions. Some activities have been included with the pack to help with this.

Badge Link

Scout Association: Chief Scout’s Award (community, commitment), PathfinderAward (Scoutcraft), Camper

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp Skills, Lightweight Expedition

Scouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (campcraft), Camper

2. Outdoor Activities at a Residential Centre

Purpose: Scouts learn to consider and appreciate the identities of others.

Outdoor activities can be useful in building relationships and helping Scouts understand each otherbetter. Once the relationships have been established it is possible to introduce some discussion typeactivities – provided Scouts are happy and willing to do so. Initial programme suggestions have beenincluded with the pack. Some of the residential centres may be able to help with this part of the programme.

Badge Link

Scout Association: Various proficiency badges according to activities undertaken

Scouting Ireland SAI: Help organise annual camp

Scouting Ireland CSI: Various merit badges according to activities undertaken


3. Skills Training Weekend for Badges

Purpose: Scouts investigate similarities and differences between Scout Associations and work together for Awardsand Badges.

For example the meteorologist badge, camp skills, Patrol Activity Awards, First Aid. This can also be thebasis for training for other Awards such as expeditions for the President’s Award or Duke of Edinburgh’sAward. Badge links will depend on what badges Scouts and leaders decide to work towards.

4. Service Projects

Purpose: Scouts learn together to care for others.

Service projects could be set up as part of work towards other Awards and badges, for example Duke ofEdinburgh’s Award or the President’s Award.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (community), Explorer Award (community),Chief Scout’s Award (commitment)

Scouting Ireland CSI: Service and Public service badges

5. Team Building Initiatives

Purpose: Scouts work together to tackle challenges.

Run a weekend camp that incorporates team building activities. Leaders can decide the programmethemselves based on traditional Scouting methods or perhaps even enlist the support of specialised trainersboth from within the three Scout Associations or from outside. Initiatives may include things likepioneering, survival skills, individual patrol challenges etc.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Pioneering, Survival skills, Patrol Activity Award

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp skills, Lightweight expedition

Scouting Ireland CSI: Pioneer, The Explorer Badge (Scoutcraft)


6. Environmental Work

Purpose: Scouts appreciate the need to respect the environment.

Arrange a weekend to help a local conservation project. This could be with organisations such asConservation volunteers or your local County or District Council or local community group. Troopsmay also decide to undertake an environmental project in each other’s community – one North and oneSouth. This would really help Scouts understand the experiences and perspectives of their partner Troopas well as find out about different communities.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Naturalist, Conservation

Scouting Ireland CSI: Naturalist, Conservation

7. Visits to Camps organised by each Association

Purpose: Scouts learn more about each other through spending time together.

Scouts should be encouraged to mix together at the camp. It is also a good opportunity to find out moreabout other Scout Associations and learn form them. Leaders could for example spend some time talkingabout differences and similarities in uniform, badges, symbols – what they represent and why they areimportant to each of the Associations.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Camper, Chief Scout’s Award (community)

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp skills

Scouting Ireland CSI: Campleader, Camper

8. Visits and weekends at some of the National campsites of thethree Associationse.g. Larch Hill, Crawfordsburn, Lough Dan.

Purpose: Scouts learn more about each other through spending time together.

Scouts should be encouraged to mix at the camp. It is also a good opportunity to find out more about theother Associations and learn from them. Introduce some discussion based activities around the campfirewhen Scouts are comfortable and willing to talk.

Badge Links

Scout Association: Camper, Chief Scout’s Award (community)


Scouting Ireland CSI: Campleader, Camper


Cross-Border Weekend CampProgramme Ideas

Theme 1: Outdoor Pursuits

Friday NightIcebreakersTeam gamesEnergisers

Saturday MorningRock climbing/abseiling

Saturday AfternoonBouldering

Saturday EveningGroup work – North/South issues session

Social event

Sunday MorningCanoeing

Sunday AfternoonTeam gamesScouts Own.Evaluation

Theme 2: Scouting Skills

Friday NightIce-breakersEnergisers

Team games

Saturday MorningBases: Backwoods cooking, Meaning behind

Scout Promise etc.

Saturday AfternoonBuilding bridges – pioneering

Team games

Saturday EveningPlan sketches for camp fire.

Camp fire with story telling, songs and ghoststories.

Sunday MorningScouts OwnEvaluation.

Theme 4: Cultural Skills Weekend


Team games.

Saturday MorningMusic workshop: Tin whistle, Lambeg,

Bodhrán, Flute. Irish and Scottish Dancing.Traditional music from both sides of the

Border.

Saturday AfternoonDrama Workshop – introduction of N/S issues

through role plays.

Saturday EveningPresentation of drama sketch and video.

Sunday MorningTraditional arts and crafts session.

Sunday AfternoonScouts OwnEvaluation.

Theme 3: North/South Issues


Team games.

Saturday MorningLearn to play cultural sports associated with

each part of the island.

Saturday AfternoonRole reversal: how would your values and

beliefs change if you lived in the other part ofthe island of Ireland (and vice versa).

Saturday EveningFinish discussion.

Social event e.g. cinema, bowling, ice-skating.

Sunday MorningInvite local Minister and Priest to take part in

a Scouts Own Service.Evaluation.


Programme ActivitiesThe following activities may be useful for the weekend camp programme

1. Making sense of the Environment

Purpose: Scouts learn to work co-operatively with others.

Create smell cards in a defined area in the forest, using distinct smell with cards placed on trees. Patrolsmust follow the trail and note the letter on each card –this should spell a word associated with theenvironment and identify six different trees. How can these trees be used in Scout activities e.g. gadgetmaking, shelter building.

Badge Link

Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award, Conservation, Observer

Scouting Ireland CSI: Observer, Naturalist

2. Wide Game: Conservation

Purpose: Scouts build respect for each other through team work.

Take both Troops to a wood or forest with clearly marked boundaries. Scouts are told to wear old clothesand to divide into equal groups – the number of groups being the number of letters in the chosen word,in this case conservation, therefore there are twelve groups. Groups should also be mixed between Troops.

Each group is given a sketch map with a one inch grid. Marked on the map with a red line, is a small area(about 300m square) and the statement ‘go to xxxxxx [six figure grid reference] for instructions.’ Eachgroup gets a different grid reference.

At the starting point each Scout is given a card showing only their group letter.

Starting instructions read: ‘you are part of the great CONSERVATION movement. Each of you mustcarry the letter (letter of the particular group) of the word CONSERVATION. Go to the area outlined inred on the map and then split up the group. Each of you must find and join up with the other elevenletters of the word CONSERVATION.’ Give each of the ‘o’ letters ‘o1’ and ‘o2’ etc.

‘And beware of pollutants in the conservation area. They attack anything moving or making a noise.(Ventures or older Scouts with water pistols shooting Scouts as they move through the forest).’

Scouts can perform various tasks on their trail around the forest. For example collect flowers, leaves,record sounds or even sing (or invent) a conservation song.

Badge Link

Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award

Scouting Ireland CSI: Explorer Badge (patrol activity)


3. The Lifeboat

Purpose: Scouts work together to overcome a challenge.

Tell Scouts that they are involved in a shipwreck. Twelve of them managed to get into a lifeboat. However,after a short time everyone realises that there are too many people on board. The boat will capsize andeveryone will drown unless three people are thrown out. Which three will be the unlucky ones? Nobodycan swim and there are no life jackets!

In mixed patrols, decide who leaves the lifeboat.

• A sailor with a broken arm;• A doctor who is a drug addict;• A young mother;• Her small child;• A grandmother who has organised an gained a national reputation for a meals-on-wheels

service for the whole country;• A youth club leader who is a homosexual;• A successful business man who employs 250 people but who pays them an unjust wage;• The leader of a country;• A young nurse;• A twelve year old mentally retarded child, the only son of a widow aged 40;• A blind teenage girl who is a famous musician;• A 70 year old missionary.

How did Scouts feel when dealing with this activity? What criteria did they use? What problems or issuesdid they face?

Badge Link

Scout Association: Chief Scout’s Award (commitment)


4. Active Citizens

Purpose: Scouts consider the experience and perspectives of others.

Give each mixed patrol a copy of cards as follows:

An active citizen joins a political party.

An active citizen always returns library books on time.

An active citizen never has parties because of the disturbance to neighbours.

An active citizen always obeys the speed limit.

An active citizen does not allow their dog to foul the pavement.

An active citizen always votes at the time of an election.

An active citizen never writes on walls.

An active citizen signs petitions to show strong opinions.

An active citizen takes litter home or puts it in a litter bin.

And active citizen tries to stop any person they see committing a crime.

An active citizen always takes empty bottles to the bottle bank for recycling.

An active citizen joins pressure groups to try to change things.


Divide Scouts into patrols. Give each patrol a set of cards. Tell them this is a card sorting exercise. Theyare to discuss each card and then put each card in one of three piles:

• Cards they agree with• Cards they disagree with• Cards they are not sure about or can’t agree on

Allow 15 minutes or so for the Scouts to sort the cards. Tell them that when they have finished oneperson from the patrol will have to report back to the large group showing two cards their patrol agreedwith, two cards they disagreed with and two cards they were unsure about.

A Scout from each patrol explains to the Troop why their patrol came to the decisions they did aboutparticular cards. The leader draws the session to a close by summarising the views of the group as to whatan active citizen is, what an active citizen is not and areas of citizenship the group is unsure about. It isimportant to draw the attention of the Scouts to the fact, reflecting reality, that the definition of activecitizenship is not clear-cut and attracts a range of differing opinions.

Follow upScouts could make three new active citizen cards containing some of their own ideas about what activecitizens should do and how they should behave.In another session select some of the cards and behaviours of active citizens there was disagreement aboutand run mini-debates where two young people say why an active citizen should/would behave like thisand two Scouts say why an active citizen should not/would not behave like this.

Badge Link

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (commitment), Chief Scout’s Award(commitment)



5. My Country Quiz

Purpose: Scouts investigate together and understand cross-border issues.

This is a useful activity for an evening session, even around a campfire, where patrols are mixed. Examplesof useful questions may include:

a) Ireland, North and South, is part of Europe. When was the European Union formed?1957

b) Name as many groups of people as you can who colonised Ireland.Celts – 200BC, Vikings – 795, Normans – 1169, Tudors – 15th Century.

c) When was Scouting formed?1907

d) When did Scouting first begin in Ireland?1908 – Ireland was part of the UK

e) Who or what is a ‘crannog’?An artificial island built in a shallow lake or marshland, made of stones, timber or peat. Used asa dwelling or in times of attack in Ireland.

f) What was the plant that was used to make linen, an important industry in Northern Ireland?It is now the symbol of the Northern Ireland Assembly.Flax – grown throughout Ireland on farms. The flax flower is the symbol of the Assembly.

g) When did the Titanic sink?1912.

h) What was the first country after the UK to have Scouting?Chile.

i) What is the prime minister of the government of the South of Ireland known as?An Taoiseach.

j) How many members has Dáil Éireann?166

k) When was the Anglo-Irish Agreement signed?1985

l) How many members are in the Northern Ireland Assembly?108

m) Who is the First Minister of Northern Ireland?David Trimble.

n) Who is the President of Ireland?Mary McAleese.

o) How many Scout Associations are there on the island of Ireland? Name them.3 – Scout Association, Scouting Ireland CSI and Scouting Ireland SAI.

p) How many counties are there on the island of Ireland? Can you name them?

Badge Link

Scout Association: Heritage



The Scout Partnership AwardThe Scout Partnership AwardThe Scout Partnership AwardThe Scout Partnership AwardThe Scout Partnership AwardLeaders Notes

The Partnership Award focuses on giving Scouts the opportunity of meeting other Scouts from across theisland of Ireland. In essence it is about actively taking an interest in the identities of other young peopleacross the island. It should foster friendships and promote understanding and appreciation of diversity. Clearly there are many questions that leaders will ask, such as ‘How will we be twinned?’ or ‘Where willwe meet?’ The answers to both these questions will be specific to individual groups, but the Scoutlinkteam will be available to help with setting up links and providing support and encouragement. Troops will be paired on the basis of their interests, numbers, mix of young people (gender balance andage ranges) and also perhaps urban/rural considerations; these are not the only considerations – otherswill be specific to individual Troops.

Each of the challenges must be completed to obtain the Award. Challenges one and two should take placeon separate meetings and Challenge three must be a separate weekend activity. It is important that Scoutsare able to establish a relationship with their partner Troop over a number of meetings.

Scouts themselves should be involved at each stage in the planning process. They should be encouragedto make decisions and take responsibility for the outcomes, with leader guidance. This will encourageScouts to take a greater interest in the Award and work to achieve it.

From Kinship to Partnership1. Scout Troop has completed the Kinship Award and has talked about moving on to

Partnership.2. Leaders make contact with the Scoutlink team and explain that they are ready to make a

cross-border link.3. Scoutlink team discusses ideas, suggestions, interests, age ranges and numbers.4. Contact made with the other Troop and discussion generated regarding numbers, interests,

ideas, plans and dates. May also be appropriate that leaders meet to discuss some ideas andget to know each other better.

5. Scouts from both Troops are kept informed of developments through the Patrol LeadersCouncil or Court of Honour.

6. Agreement reached as to setting up a first meeting. This may involve each leader teamvisiting the other Troop or Patrol Leaders meeting for a social event.

7. Patrol Leaders and leaders keep in contact to make plans for Partnership, with the help ofthe Scoutlink team.

Partnership Challenges do not have to be run in order. It may be appropriate for each Troop to host theother Troop for each of the first challenges. Likewise some leaders may decide that it would be valuable tobegin with the weekend camp and then develop some of the other activities.

Meeting your Partner TroopGuidelines:

• Keep it simple;• Allow Patrol Leaders and Scouts to help with the organisation of the link;• Action and activity based programmes that everyone can enjoy are often the key to getting

Scouts interested;• Share the planning and organisation between both Troops;• Keep to your agreements;• Priority – have fun!

Share experiences with the other Troop. Invite the visiting Troop to important events in your Scoutingcalendar such as investitures, parents’ evenings or annual meetings. Get as much publicity for the projectas possible.


In order for the Scoutlink team to make suitable contacts for your Troop it is imperative that they have asmuch information about both Troops and Scouts as possible. The following list details a few ideas thatleaders may use to help the team find out what Scouts are really interested in.

• As a member of …(name) Scout Troop, meeting another Troop, what three facts wouldyou tell them to let them know a little about your interests as a Troop?

• What is the most important/favourite thing you do in Scouts? Where would you most liketo visit in Ireland (North or South)?

• Make a short video of your Scout Troop and some of the activities you most enjoy doing.• Make contact through e-mail.• When both Troops are deciding what activities they would like to take part in, give Scouts

a sheet of paper with a list of the letters of the alphabet on it. Scouts must come up withan activity for each letter of the alphabet.

• Ask Scouts to prepare a list of questions they would like to ask the other Troop andperhaps the leaders could visit the Troop and ask the questions.

Challenge 1 Take part in an activity based on a cultural orsporting theme

This challenge is about exploring cultural similarities and differences across the island of Ireland. It isabout celebrating diversity and promoting understanding and respect for the identities of others. Scoutshave an opportunity to try new sports and meet with other young people who play different sports. Suggested activities have been included, however there may be more appropriate sports and culturalactivities that Scouts could take part in. Leaders should check with the Scoutlink team before embarkingon activities.

Challenge 2 Undertake an activity new to both Troops

This is a great opportunity to make Partnership special and memorable. It is also an opportunity tointroduce new and exciting activities into the programme. By undertaking something new, Scouts shouldfeel enthused about the Award and it will make it even more important to them.

Suggested activities have been included, however individual Troops will be able to identify activities thatthey would like to take part in.

Challenge 3 Spend at least two other nights together outdoors

This is the opportunity to develop relationships and encourage Scouts to share interests and experiences.It is also the opportunity to work towards Awards and Badges and plan ahead for the Citizenship Award.

The weekend can be run anywhere across the island of Ireland. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in alocation familiar to each of the Troops.

During the weekend every effort should be made to ensure that Troops are mixed together for activities.Consideration should also be given to the specific needs of each Troop, for example is there time laidaside for worship? Will Troops run a Scouts Own service or worship separately? It is useful to rememberthat Troops are all Scouts and therefore have made a promise and have laws that are in effect good practiceguidelines for the weekend.


The ScoutCitizenship Award

Welcome to the ScoutlinkScout Citizenship Award

Citizenship is the third Scoutlink Award – the international experience! To gain the Award, Scouts completethe Citizenship Challenge:

Take part in an International Experience with aCross-Border Troop for at least 7 nights.

In order to complete the challenge, Scout Troops may either:

• Attend an international camp or Jamboreeor

• Visit an international country (outside of Northern or Southern Ireland)

Challenge purposes:

Scouts build North/South relationships in an international setting.Scouts explore and experience other cultures across the world

Information and help on finding suitable Scout Citizenship experiences is available on request from theScoutlink team.

This pack contains programme ideas for the Scout Citizenship Award. It also contains notes that shouldhelp leaders plan for the Citizenship experience.

What happens when you have finished the Citizenship Award?

Simply fill in the record sheet and return to the Scoutlink team. Your Scouts will receive a Citizenship pinthat they can wear on uniform.


68 • THE SCOUT C I T I Z ENSH IP AWAR D

Challenge

Citizenship is the great Scoutlink challenge – taking all Scouts have learned inKinship and Partnership to an International arena. Simple!

On return Scout Troops should share their experience within their own community, either their localcommunity, Scout community, District, County or Region.

This may take the form of a presentation, a slot in a parent’s evening, a district meeting, a county meetingor another Scouting event. The purpose of this exercise is to encourage other young people to get involvedwith Scoutlink and to promote the International experience, as well as taking credit for the achievementof the Citizenship Award.

‘ A Scout is a friend of all the world and a brother (or sister) to every other Scout. Theway to have a friend is to be one.’

Baden Powell, Scouting for Boys.

Scouting is active in 216 countries and territories with over 25 million Scouts. Visitat least one for Citizenship.

THE S CO U T C I T I ZENS H IP AWARD • 6 9


Food for theweekend may also

have an internationaltheme, for example

Indian, Italian

From Partnership to Citizenship

Citizenship requires continued contact between Troops after they have completed the Partnership Award.This section contains some programmes and ideas for ‘international’ theme activities that may be usefulin helping Troops plan for their Citizenship experience.

Programme Idea 1: International Awareness (Indoor residential weekend.)

Purpose: Scouts build North/South relationships and learn to co-operate with others.

Friday eveningIce-breakersEnergisersTeam games

Saturday morningVisit to swimming pool/recreation centre

Saturday afternoonPlanning session for International camp

Saturday eveningCinema

Sunday morningTeam gamesScouts Own

Badge Links


Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (commitment, adventure)

Scouting Ireland SAI: Help organise annual camp or expedition

Programme Idea 2: International Awareness (Planning)

Purpose: Scouts learn more about and celebrate diversity.

Friday eveningIce-breakersEnergisersTeam games

Saturday morningAwareness game (choose form attached)

Saturday afternoonPlanning session for the international camp – equipment required, transport, fundraising ideas etc.

Saturday eveningDesign a cultural presentation for the international camp, perhaps explaining about Scoutlink andthe project both troops are involved in. Also including traditional items from across the island ofIreland, such as potato bread, soda bread etc.Video of past International camp.

Sunday MorningDecide on patrols for the international camp and leader responsibility.Scouts Own.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: The Explorer Badge (culture), Gaeilge

Scout Association: Explorer Award (culture), Chief Scout’s Award (commitment,community)




Programme Idea 3: International Theme (Australia)

Purpose: Scouts begin to explore international citizenship.

Citizenship CampIn preparing for citizenship try basing a camp on the theme of citizenship in the country you intend tovisit. This will give Scouts the opportunity of finding out more about where they are going.

Background: Australia’s indigenous nomadic people are the Aborigines. They are one of the oldest civilisationsin the world. Historical investigations show that the Aborigines inhabited Australia 50,000 years ago. In 1788there were 750,000 to three million Aborigines in Australia, today there are only about 2,000. The nameAborigine comes from the latin ‘from the beginning.’

Lets look at how the Aborigines developed as citizens of their country and examine if what they did300,000 years ago is much different from today’s society.

• What were their basic needs?Imagine that you and your Scout patrol are one of the Aborigine tribes and your task is to set up ashelter or small area that you and your fellow travellers can settle in. You have minimal resources (upto the Scout leader to decide). Scouts should consider:

Sleeping arrangements, food (backwoods may be appropriate), activities, access to wood and water,a means of leadership and thoughts on how you can live and work together.

• How did they live and communicate together?The Aborigines, like Scouts, designed a code of symbols that they used to communicate with eachother in the wild. Set up your own version of a tracking trail for other patrols to follow.

• They developed their own culture and sport.Much of what we associate with Australian culture today actually dates back to Aboriginal times. TheBoomerang for example was a weapon used to kill birds for food.

The Aboriginal culture is full of warm, bright colours and unusual shapes. They are famous for facepainting, bark paintings and native dances. Try face painting Aboriginal style or make bark rubbingsfrom different species of trees.


• Recording Aboriginal HistoryThe Aboriginal people recorded important events in their time by making wall and stone drawings.Again they used bright and warm colours to illustrate their relationship with the earth. Likewise inIreland history was recorded in many different ways, such as tapestries, dances, songs, poems andfolklore. Choose one of these methods and record what you are working towards in the CitizenshipAward.

• Changing Societies for the AboriginesMany people colonised Australia. As time progressed, the numbers of the indigenous Aboriginalpeople declined. They found themselves in conflict over territory, culture and traditions. Today Italian,Greek and other European styles are popular. Shops and restaurants cater for many cultures as theinflux of different peoples mould a multi-ethnic way of life. This has all been to the detriment of theAborigines. They have steadily declined in numbers.

Imagine you are a minority Aborigine in your country. Design an election manifesto and campaignthat will highlight and publicise your group and culture. What do you need to consider? How canyou achieve this? When you are elected you will need to be able to change attitudes and policies. Howdo you think you may be able to influence decisions and fellow politicians especially? What sort ofissues do you need to resolve to make life better for your people?

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Camper, Campleader

Scout Association: Survival skills, Explorer Award (Scoutcraft)

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp skills, Lightweight expedition

International Awareness ActivitiesDuring the period between Partnership and Citizenship, when Troops are not meeting together, theymay decide to run parallel programmes based on International Citizenship themes. Here are a few activitiesthat may be useful:

1. Rights

Purpose: Scouts develop understanding and concern for human rights.

Ask Scouts to list what rights they feel they have and what rights they should have. Write each on aseparate sheet and pin on the wall.

For example, the following rights are taken form the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:

• Everyone should recognise that you have the right to live.

• You have the right to find out things and say what you think through speaking, writing,making art etc. unless it breaks the rights of others.

• You have the right to a private life. For instance you can keep a diary that other people arenot allowed to see.

• If you are disabled, either mentally or physically you have the right to special care andeducation to help you grow in the same way as other children.

• You have the right to education. Primary education must be free and you must go toprimary school. You should also be able to go to Secondary School.

• You have the right to meet, make friends with and make clubs with other people unless itbreaks the rights of others.

• If you are ever the victim of armed conflict, torture, neglect, maltreatment of exploitationyou have the right to receive whatever treatment you need in order to become a full part ofsociety again.

• As a child you have a voice and the right to have others listen to your opinion.

• Children have the right to a name, a nationality, to know and be cared for by their parents.

• The best interests of the child should be the driving force behind any actions concerningthem.

Give each patrol a copy of the scenario of Mozambique that follows.Choose one Scout to be auctioneer and ask each patrol to buy their rights.


You are young citizens of the Republic of Mozambique. Your aim is to set up the mostsecure and just society possible. Discuss and decide what human rights are most importantto your group and in what order. You have five to ten minutes to decide what rights youwill bid for in the auction. You have one thousand pounds to spend.

• Mozambique is a former colony of Portugal which gained independence in 1975;• Mozambique has a population of around 18 million and around 70% of these are

under 30 years of age;• The country has been devastated by civil war for 16 years until a peace agreement

was finally reached in 1992;• Thousands of children actually took part in the fighting as child soldiers. Many of

these children have been separated from their families and are living on the streets;• Mozambique has a huge refugee population with over 1.5million people having

returned after the civil war;• Mozambique has often been considered as the poorest country in the world. Of the

human development index which measures average income, standards of education,life expectancy etc. Ireland is number 21 in the world, Mozambique is number 159;

• Young people in Mozambique have recently set up a national Youth Council.

(Activity adapted from the Rights Stuff and Young People Imagine, DEFY 1995)

• Discuss which rights are the most important?• Are there any vital rights missing?• Can young people have a good life without these rights?• Taking the right of freedom of expression of culture, imagine the first task of the youth council is

to celebrate culture lost during the civil war. Your task is to hold a musical evening with instrumentsand customs associated with the identity of your country (if you wish, this could be Mozambiqueculture). Why not make it a campfire activity?

Badge links


Scout Association: Patrol Activity Award


2. A World of Diversity

Purpose: Scouts explore and celebrate diversity on a global scale.

Imagine the entire population of the world was shrunk to precisely 100 and everyone lived on an island.Ask patrols to consider how they think the population would be split between:

• Male and female?• Different cultures?• Wealth?• Education?• Health?• White and non-white?• Christian and non-Christian?

Answers• 58 Asians, 15 Europeans, 16 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south, 11 Africans;• 52 would be female, 48 would be male;• 70 would be non-white, 30 would be white;• 70 would be non-Christian, 30 would be Christian;• 89 would be hetersexual, 11 would be homosexual;• 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world’s wealth and all 6 would be from the United

States;• 80 would live in substandard housing;• 70 would be unable to read;• 50 would suffer from malnutrition;• 1 would be near death, 1 would be near birth;• 1 would have a college education;• 1 would own a computer.

(Adapted from ‘Award Journal’, Spring 2000)

Were you surprised by any of your answers? How accurate were you in your estimations?Try cooking a meal with an international theme for your patrol to enjoy, perhaps outdoors on a campfire.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Explorer Badge (patrol activity), Camp Chef

Scout Association: Cook, Campcook

Scouting Ireland SAI: Camp Skills


3. Life in Peru

Purpose: Scouts understand the nature of social challenges faced by people across the world.

Examine a shopping basket of food:

• Where it comes from and what it is made of;• Where the raw materials come from and who produces it;• Who gains the profits from its sale and the living conditions of the workers.

Hold a Third World meal and a First World Meal to illustrate to help Scouts realise what problems otheryoung people have, for example in Peru:

On their way home to their children, half of whom die before the age of five, women working in themaize fields of Peru have to subject themselves to a body search to show they are not taking one cob ofmaize home. The maize goes to feed cattle and pigs which then go to feed us.

Peru is the third largest nation in South America. The capital is Lima and the country has a population ofabout 24 million. Quechua Indians are the largest ethnic group in Peru and about nine tenths of the populationspeak Spanish. Peru has a very large birth rate, about two fifths of the population is under 15. In order toreduce this high population growth, more women were brought into the labour force. Life expectancy is low– 67 years for women and 63 years for men. Agriculture employs about one third of the workforce. Droughtsare frequent, irrigation is inadequate. Sugarcane, cotton, coffee, potatoes, corn and rice are the major crops.

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: World Friendship

Scout Association: World Faith

4. Leadership

Purpose: Scouts explore the experience and perspective of others.

Game: ImpressionsThe Scout leader has one card for each Scout with his/her name on it. The leader shuffles and deals thecards so that every Scout has one. Each Scout writes on the card a description of the person whose nameis on the card. When they have finished the leader collects the cards and begins to read the description,without the name. Those who think they know the name may shout it out but the leader does not stopuntil the correct answer has been given. The game continues until all the cards have been read.

World LeadershipTry the above activity again using some of the world’s great leaders, where Scouts have to guess who isbeing described. Choose one of these people and find out more about their life and work. Have you listedany Scouting leaders/people?

(Think about people such as Baden Powell, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luthur King, Nation leaders e.g. Churchillor President’s of Ireland.)

Badge Links

Scouting Ireland CSI: Tracker Award (patrol activity).

Scout Association: Pathfinder Award (commitment)


The Scout Citizenship AwardThe Scout Citizenship AwardThe Scout Citizenship AwardThe Scout Citizenship AwardThe Scout Citizenship AwardLeaders Notes

The Scout Citizenship Award builds on the Partnership experience. Troops are encouraged to keep theirPartnership link so that both are continuing to build their relationship through the Citizenship Award.This Award focuses on exploring Scouting across the world and building relationships between youngpeople in an International setting.

The Citizenship Award should be completed within one year of finishing Partnership. During this timeTroops need to ensure that they are maintaining their Partnership link and that Scouts are having theopportunity to meet with their partner Troop. Suggested programmes and activities have been includedin the pack. These meetings may be for social activities or even a joint weekend camp. Scouts are encouragedto keep in contact via e-mail and other mediums.

Leaders similarly should keep in contact, not only for planning Citizenship, but for sustaining theirrelationships and link.

Citizenship OpportunitiesA list of opportunities for Citizenship will be revised and provided to leaders each year.

List of CampsitesA list detailing one or two campsites per county is included in the pack. Further information can befound from local County/Regions or the three Scout Associations themselves.

Travel companiesSeveral companies operate group travel packages that some Scout Troops may be interested in pursuingfor Citizenship. These companies include:

Acorn Venture, Tel (+44) 01384 37 38 39Jeka, Tel (+44) 0121 559 0991Paragon Tours, Tel (+44) 01493 426 364Venture Abroad, Tel (+44) 0113 256 1444

Funding and Fundraising ideasThe Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland and local VEC grants schemes in the South ofIreland may be able to help.

Similarly a list of fundraising ideas will be available. For example Mars fundraising (Scout AssociationNI) tel. 08000 726111.

Insurance, travel and parental consentInformation for Troops within the Scout Association wishing to travel overseas can be found in the ‘VisitsAbroad’ pack available from The Scout Office, Belfast.

Information for Scouting Ireland CSI Troops is available from Scout Headquarters. In general however itis recommended that Scouts take out specific travel insurance cover for medical expenses as well as coverfor lost luggage, personal money, cancellation or curtailment expenses or for Scout equipment. Troopswill also need to complete the PC7 Approval to Camp form and each Scout complete the ParentalConsent form.

Information for Scouting Ireland SAI sections is available from the relevant sections of Safety and InsuranceGuidelines available from the National Office. This document also details guidelines for section activities.All sections should complete Permission to Camp forms.


International CommissionersInternational Commissioners should be able to detail opportunities for travel abroad. They can be contactedfrom;

Scout Association: Stephen Millar NIC (International), The Scout Office, 109 Old Milltown Road,Belfast. BT8 7SP

Scouting Ireland, CSI: contact CSI office for further information.

Scouting Ireland, SAI: Susan Thomas, SAI National Office, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street,Dublin.

Scouting qualificationsIt is important that leaders comply with their own Association’s activity regulations and qualificationswhen venturing abroad or meeting with a Troop from a different Association.



Useful Web SitesRepublic of IrelandIrish Government www.irlgov.ie

Political Parties www.fiannafail.iewww.finegael.com/gohere.htmwww.connect.ie/users/dIwww.labour.ie/core.htmwww.progressivedemocrats.iehttp://irsm.pair.com/irspwww.freespeech.org/republicansf/

Green Party www.greenparty.ie

Northern IrelandAssembly – Northern Ireland www.ni-assembly.gov.ukNorthern Ireland Office www.nio.gov.uk

Political Parties www.uup.orgwww.indigo.ie/sdlpwww.dup.org.ukhttp://sinnfein.ie/index.htmlwww.unite.net/unite/customers/alliance/indexa.htmlwww.pup.orgwww.udp.orgwww.pitt.edu/~novosel/northern.htmlwww.ulster.org.uk/ukupwww.workers-party.orgwww.labourni.orgwww.belfast.co.uk/nigreens

Other useful web sitesDevelopment Education For Youth www.defy.ieTrocaire www.trocaire.ieConcern Worldwide www.concern.ieGoal www.goal.ieChristian Aid www.christianaid.netSt. Vincent de Paul www.svp.ieSimon Community www.indigo.ie/simonnatFocus Ireland www.focusireland.ieIrish Wheelchair Association www.iwa.iePavee Point www.ireland.iol.ie/paveeEnfo www.enfo.ieEpa www.epa.ieEarthwatch www.iol.ie/foeeireGreenpeace www.greenpeace.co.ukEquality Commission (NI) www.equalityni.orgEquality Authority (ROI) www.equality.ieRugby www.irfu.ieGAA www.gaa.ieBasketball www.iba.ieSoccer www.fai.ieHockey www.leinsterhockey.ieTennis www.tennisireland.ieOrienteering www.orienteering.ieBaseball and Softball www.ibsf.ieAthletics www.ble.ie

EuropeEuropean Union and Its Citizens http://euroinfo.ce.pt/info/qa.htmlEuropean Commission AgainstRacism and Intolerance(Council of Europe) www.erci.coe.int

Scout Web SitesScouting Ireland SAI http://www.iol.ie/~sai/index.htmlScouting Ireland CSI http://homepage.tinet.ie/~cbsiScout Association www.scouts-ni.org.ukFederation of Irish ScoutAssociations (FISA) http://www.iol.ie/~catcart/ir/scout.htmScoutbase UK www.scoutbase.org.ukWorld Scout Foundation http://www.scout.org/


Scout link - Scout handbook

Documents

Transcript of Scout link - Scout handbook