9th Doncaster Scout Group

9th Doncaster Scout Group

What are the fundamental values of Scouting?

A brief history of the 9th Doncaster Scout Group

Scouting and its founder B-P

Our Founder, Robert Baden-Powell (B.P.), returned to England a national hero, after defending the town of Mafeking in South Africa for seven months from the besieging Boer troops. This was the first real British triumph in the Boer War. When he returned to England, he discovered that many boys and young men were avidly reading his book “Aids to Scouting”. This book was intended as a military training manual, teaching soldiers techniques such as observation, tracking and initiative.
B-P re-published his book under the title “Scouting for Boys” in 1908 (after a camp on Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset, where B-P. tried out his ideas on four patrols of boys from London and Bournemouth). “Scouting for Boys” was initially printed in six fortnightly parts, and sold very quickly.
Scouting for Boys is now in fourth place in the all time best sellers list, behind the Bible, the Koran and Mao-Tse-Tung's Little Red Book.
Wolf Cubs were formed for boys those too young to be Scouts. In 1917, B-P. setup a scheme for Senior Scouts (15 to 18), which changed its name to Rover Scouts the next year, for anyone over the age of 18, with Outdoor Adventure and Service as the mainstays of its programme.
In 1967 the Association's name changed, dropping the Boy to become the Scout Association. The Cub section dropped the Wolf to become Cub Scouts; the Scout section also dropped the Boy, and the upper age limit was altered to 16; Senior Scouts and Rover Scouts were disbanded, to be replaced by Venture Scouts for the 16 to 20 year olds and the B-P Guild was set up for those members who wanted to participate in Scouting over the age of 20, but did not want to necessarily commit themselves to a leadership role.
Uniforms were changed, out went the lemon squeezer hats and the baggy shorts, and in came green berets, smart mushroom trousers, and green shirts for the Scouts, and fawn shirts for the Venture Scouts and Leaders.
In the early 1980's Scout Groups were allowed to take in boys in the 6-8 age range to Beavers although at this point the Beavers were not part of the Scout Association, only their Leaders were allowed in. This changed on April 1st, 1986 when all Beavers became Beaver Scouts overnight.
In the late 80's came the Uniform review, which saw the sad death knells for the Cub cap and Scout beret, which although they have been gone for well over ten years still seem to crop up as symbols for the movement. The second (very controversial) saw Groups given the option of whether to allow girls in Scouting in all sections. The equal-opportunities act at the turn of the millennium now dictates that girls have to be admitted into ALL sections!
In 2002, the Scout Movement underwent huge changes – new age ranges, sections, uniforms and training schemes. Only ONE badge remains intact, the Queen’s Scout Award, the highest award available to young people in the Movement. American Scouts gain the Eagle Scout Award and MUST gain this to become an astronaut or President! In Japan, they gain the Fuji Award and are guaranteed ONE Year’s employment with the Fuji Corporation.
The World Organisation of Scout Movements has 150 member organisations. Scouting is now in all but five countries in the world: China, Cuba, Manymar (formerly Burma), North Korea and Turkmenistan do not have any Scout movement.
All in all it is believed that the total membership over the last ninety-odd years of Scouting (and Guiding) is somewhere in the region of half-a-billion, and that its effects have touched many, many more.

What are the fundamental values of Scouting?

The Scouting Movement recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary, which is a great testament to the principles, methods and values of an organization with over 28 million members in more than 200 countries around the world.

The key features of the movement, which separates it from other youth organizations and activity clubs around the world, are the fundamental values on which it is based. Through a series of self-disciplining promises and laws, individuals commit themselves to:

Being trustworthy, self controlled and self confident
Have self respect and respect for others
Work with others to serve other people and to improve society
Show responsibility towards the environment
Have respect for possessions and property belonging to themselves and other people
Exercise faith

Leaders within the Scouting movement also make these same commitments, and actively promote their application to achieve the main purpose of scouting:

“To help young people achieve their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international community”

Duty to Self

Throughout the Scouting programme there are numerous badges and awards that promote personal development on a physical, intellectual and spiritual level. However, this development is structured in such a way that any person, regardless of their own personal circumstances or special needs, can participate comprehensively.

Physical challenges range from taking part in group games and activity in Beavers, right through to participating in three-day expeditions in wild country carrying tents and personal equipment in Explorer Scouts.

Intellectual challenges are sought through learning new skills that cover all areas of life. Everyday skills such as wiring a plug or writing a letter are given equal standing as teaching leadership skills and group work.

Duty to Others

Social responsibility is promoted throughout the Scouting movement, with the aim of encouraging young people to:

Share in the development of society
Recognise and respect the dignity of other people
To promote local, national and international peace, understanding and cooperation
To protect the natural world

Duty to god

With such a large and international membership, the issue of religion is one which evokes many different reactions. The Scouting movement seeks to develop a spiritual dimension to young people’s lives and as such, does not align itself to an individual religion. Instead it promotes the exploration and value of personal faith and deepens the relationship and commitment towards faith. This can take the form of:

Developing personal discipline and training
Being involved in cooperative activities
Understanding the world around them
Creating a more tolerant and caring society
Discovering the need for prayer and worship on a personal and shared level.

How are these Values achieved?

The Scouting movement is a training programme designed for young people from the ages of six and continues into adulthood. Throughout the movement young people are actively encourage to ‘learn by doing’ in partnership with adults. This can take the form of:

Taking part is games and activities
Exploring the outdoors
Group and team participation
Taking responsibility

The Scout movement’s Training Programme is aimed at developing knowledge. Skills and attitudes in the six key Personal Development Areas:

Body
Mind
Faith
Relationships
Community
Environment

How can we tell that the values have been achieved?

It is believed that Scouting has succeeded when a member demonstrates:

A growing sense of self discipline and self esteem with integrity, honesty and reliability – someone that can be trusted
A growing ability to get along with other towards the creation of a more tolerant and caring society
A growing determination to work with others towards the creation of a more tolerant and caring society
A growing understanding of the natural world in which we live, and a sense of responsibility towards it and those who live in it
A growing sense of wonder and discovery of the need for prayer and worship

If you have any questions about the values discussed in this article, please feel free to contact the author at webmaster@9thdoncasterscoutgroup.co.uk

A short history of the 9th Doncaster (York Road) Scout Group

The 9th Doncaster was originally the Scout Troop of Doncaster Grammar School (now Hall Cross School) and was formed back in 1911. The Troop enjoyed much success but closed in 1948. We have their flag (1927 vintage) on display in our Headquarters

The 9th Doncaster (York Road) Scout Group were registered at Imperial Scout Headquarters on 16th February, 1952. The original Leaders were: Tom Stirland (G.S.M.), Wilf Round (S.M.) and Freda Hunstan (C.S.M.). The Group originally met in the Wesleyan Reform Chapel where Ringway’s forecourt is now! The Group gained its first Queen’s Scout in 1953 with Fred Stirland. Steve and David Jackson gained theirs in the 1960’s. Throughout the 1970’s, Troop and Pack numbers dwindled but the Group survived. A second-hand wooden building was purchased from the 23rd Owston Group and erected on our present site in 1977.

A Venture Scout Unit “The Vikings” began in 1983. The late 1980’s saw a resurrection of Scouting here at the 9th Doncaster. Following a very successful recruitment campaign by the G.S.L., Ken Holmes, the Scout Troop numbers rose from about ten to the mid-forties, two Beaver Colonies and another Cub Pack were formed. The total Group membership was almost two hundred (including over twenty Leaders!). We have remained one of the largest Scout Groups in Doncaster ever since.

The old wooden building reached the end of its life in the early 1990’s and was replaced in 1996 by the brick building that we now occupy. This followed a huge fund-raising and building effort over many years. There are other projects that need to be tackled in the near future and we are always seeking volunteers with the right skills . . . . .

In February 2002, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary and were delighted to welcome back some of the people who were around in the early days. A fantastic day and the building was officially opened by Fred Stirland, our first Queen’s Scout.

The Group has produced 21 Queen’s Scouts, the highest number in our District by far. Two Scouts/Explorers have been to World Jamborees (Holland 1995 and Thailand 2002) - see display boards at the H.Q.. Seven Venture Scouts have been to work on Boy Scouts of America Summer Camps. The Venture Scout Unit went to Norway in 1985 and climbed the highest mountain in northern Europe, Galhopiggen.
We have equipment to allow us to take your son/s camping (from traditional Patrol camping to modern lightweight camping), hill-walking, canoeing and climbing. We have the ability to plan and organise a wide-range of activities and use the aforementioned equipment regularly. Leaders are trained and authorised as appropriate for these activities.

About out leaders

All Leaders are volunteers and receive NO PAYMENT for their services.
We are fortunate at the 9th Doncaster to have Leaders with tremendous experience and devotion to the Movement and this Group. There is a staggering continuity of leadership in this Group, five Leaders have over 15 years service and one has 30 years (the average service of a Leader in the Movement is a mere 2½ years!). Most Leaders have gained the “Wood Badge” Leader Training Award.
All Leaders are checked by the criminal records bureau on appointment, on renewal of appointment or on change of appointment. They have to complete formal training at County level or higher within five years of appointment. When fully trained they are qualified to proudly wear the “Wood Badge” (two specially shaped pieces of wood on a leather lace, worn around their neck). This is symbolic of beads given to Baden-Powell by Dinizulu, the Chief Zulu when his tribes surrendered to the British army.

Leaders have to be formally assessed for their ability to take their members camping and are awarded a permit based on their experience and level of ability. All Leaders have a first-aid qualification which is renewed every three years. Some leaders are authorised to lead adventurous activities (hill-walking, climbing, sailing and canoeing) having completed training courses and assessments appropriate to those activities. A few leaders hold national governing body outdoor qualifications!
We do like to welcome new blood to our leadership team and would love to hear from parents who feel they have something to offer (we cannot do everything!). After all it’s only one night a week.

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Interested in joining?

If your child is interested in joining our Group, please email here providing details of their name, and age. We will contact you afterwards to arrange a meeting to discuss how they can get involved in one of the largest youth organizations in the world!

Should your child decide stay with us, their experiences will provide excellent material for the“Record of Achievement” when they finish Year 11 at school. The badges theywill gain will provide skills that will last for many years. Should they go on to gain the top awards (Chief Scout’s Awards or Queen’s Scout Award), these are looked on very favourably by employers and have certainly helped many of our former members and current Leaders to get jobs and places at University. The Queen’s Scout Award is the ultimate honour for a young person in the Movement. Holders are invited to a wonderful national presentation and meet the Chief Scout. They are invited to the St. George’s Day Parade of Queen’s Scouts at Windsor Castle and could meet Royalty. They are also invited to take part in Boy Scouts of America Summer Camps and get a fantastic eight weeks in America (see display board in the back corridor).