Requirements for Scouts Own
At First Class level you are required to plan a Scouts Own. We require you to also run a short Scouts Own. The emphasis is on short here so don’t make it long or complex. You must submit a short plan (less than a page) to the Troop Scouter (or whichever scouter is looking after 1st Class) before you run the Scouts Own. The plan must cover:
- The material you are using (e.g. a story, song, etc);
- The structure of your Scouts Own in point form (e.g. 1. Welcome; 2. Story, etc);
- What scout law are you discussing, directly or indirectly and how is it related to the material;
- What you hope to achieve with your Scouts Own.
What is a Scouts’ Own?
A Scouts’ Own as “a gathering of Scouts held to contribute to the development of their spirituality and to promote a fuller understanding of the Scout Law.”
- A Scouts’ Own is a gathering of Scouts. Scouts are able to get involved, share their experiences, and see that spirituality is something that affects everyone.
- A Scouts’ Own is held for the development of the Scouts’ spirituality. Spirituality is that which is beyond the material; that which gives meaning and direction to one’s life.
- A Scouts’ Own should connect in some way to the Scout Law, the ethical code of Scouting. Usually, this is done by mentioning the Scout Law, making allusions to it, and/or including a recitation of the Law as part of the Scouts’ Own. BP believed that a person’s religion is in how they behave, rather than in what they believe. This is where the Scout Law intersects spirituality. Scouting hopes that Scouts will connect their spirituality to the Scout Law so that the living out of their religion is also an active expression of the Scout Law.
Designing a Scouts’ Own
Scouts’ Owns can be made up of:
- a combination of stories with a moral or spiritual message;
- metaphors, such as describing learning in terms of packing a backpack for life;
- prayers, where hopes, fears, emotions, and thankfulness are expressed;
- songs, which usually are prayers; and
- sharing between those present.
These elements can be combined in a variety of ways. One should not include any elements that will not lead towards the goal of the Scouts’ Own. For example, songs should not be included unless the members would really enjoy singing them. Campfires are the place to introduce Scouts to singing, not Scouts’ Own. These elements also need not be combined in a manner that resembles a church service. When telling a story or parable, one need not explain its meaning. A parable hides the truth from those who are listening until they are ready to understand it. The Scouts may be turned off by the moralizing instead of leaving thinking about the story, later to find meaning in it.
A Scouts’ Own should be focused on a few closely related concepts. If the topic of the Scouts’ Own is too broad, the Scouts will be unable to grasp it.
To help the Scouts concentrate on the Scouts’ Own, it is a good idea to hold it in a special place, such as a lookout or pretty clearing in the forest. It should be a spot not usually used for other activities, so that it will be somewhat special.
If one is going to include a prayer, ensure that it is appropriate for those present. One should never assume that everyone is, for example, Christian. Often the difference between a Christian prayer and a universal one is the closing. References to Jesus or Lord are Christian-specific (Father is marginal). Be aware that many religions, such as Jainism and Humanism, have no conception of God. Prayers can be worded “We are thankful for…” instead of “We thank God for…” to get around this problem. If people wish to say “Amen” at the end of a prayer, they may do so.
While it is important to set a Scouts’ Own apart from the rest of the day, if one makes too big a deal of it, the Scouts may be distracted and the point is missed. The Scouts should gain the understanding that thinking about spiritual concepts is a normal part of life and should not be restricted to special places and times.
Summary
The key to success in a Scouts’ Own is to stick to the purpose: to develop spirituality and a better understanding of the Scout Law. The Scouts’ Own must be interesting to the Scouts and be at their level in order to be effective. If you leave behind any preconceptions about a Scouts’ Own being similar to a church service and you stick to spirituality that the Scouts can understand, you will succeed in contributing to the spiritual development of your Scouts.
