Cub Scouts (Scouting Ireland)

Cub Scouts
Owner	Scouting Ireland
Age range	9–11
Headquarters	National Office
Location	Larch Hill, Dublin 16
Country	Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
Affiliation	World Scout Movement
Previous Beaver Scouts Next Scouts
Website http://www.scouts.ie/cub_scouts/what_we_do-16.html

Cub Scouts or Macaoimh (Irish pronunciation: [ˈmakiːvʲ]) is the name given to youth members Scouting Ireland and previously Scouting Ireland (CSI), of the Cub Scout age group. The terms Macaoimh and Cub are often co-existent though Macaoimh represents a different tradition. Both boys and girls participate in the Cub Scout programme though some Scout Groups accept boys only. Its membership is the largest of the four Scouting Ireland Sections.^[1] The Cub Scout programme is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to develop the youth member using the SPICE program - Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character, Emotional and Spiritual.^[2]

Methodology

Cub Scouts are arranged into Sixes, Cub Scouts range from 9 to 11 years of age. The Cub Scout adventure is full of fun and exploration. We are all about finding out about new things and new ways of having fun. We learn to become more responsible because we want to do more things like go on longer camps and lead activities. Cub Scouts are organised into small groups called Sixes and guess what, there are 6 Cub Scouts in them! The Sixes are collected together in what we call a Pack. The Six has one of the Cub Scouts as their leader and that person is called the Sixer. The Sixers meet and talk about things that the Cub Scouts would like to do and this meeting is called a Sixer Council. Cub Scouts are given more responsibility and more say in the running of the programme and as a result can do more. Responsibility is the key to helping the Cub Scout grow as it teaches them to look after themselves and to look out for others. They spend more time working in small groups and making decisions as a team. Each Six has a leader (Sixer) and assistant leader (Seconder). Every Cub Scout should have a job to do in the Six and they should be given more responsible jobs as they progress. The Sixer’s Council should meet periodically to chat about bigger issues or topics and to guide the direction of programme. Scouters should ensure that each Cub Scout is given the chance to take on additional responsibility as they develop and the chance to act as the leader of a small group on a regular basis. Getting out into Nature is what Cub Scouting is all about. There is so much to explore in nature and the Cub Scout Programme will help the Cub Scout what to look out for. You can see Cub Scouts in action on Jamóige – which is a Giant camp for Cub scouts and normally has over 2000 Cub Scouts camping together. National Cub Scouting days as well as Pack Holidays also are typical activities for a Cub Scout to go on. The small groups have a clearly defined leadership system and the emphasis is certainly on learning by doing.^[3]

Personal Progression

The personal progressive scheme takes the form of badges which use a certain number of stages to determine how far along in the programme the Cub Scout is. The three stages are Turas (bronze needle), Taisteal (silver needle) and Tagann (gold needle).

The Aim of Scouting is to develop young people Socially, Physically, Intellectually, Character, Emotionally, Spiritually. These elements are called the SPICES and are deeply integrated into the programme experience via the Scout Method, Personal Progress Awards and Programme designed by young people.

The Programme, that the young people have designed with the help and assistance of Scouters follows a simple process; PLAN, DO, REVIEW. Programmes are planned, activities executed, and the whole process is reviewed. The review process is important as it allows young people to learn by doing, reflect on their new knowledge, and carry it through to the next Programme step. This allows them to see their own progress, and move towards future discoveries and experiences. Along with the Progress badges that a young person gets from following their personal journey in Scouting they also have the opportunity of doing complementary badges; Adventure Skills, Special Interest Badges and Nautical badges.

Adventure Skills Badges require a young person to achieve a detailed set standard in a particular Adventure Skill. The requirements are progressive, and ultimately pave the way to outside recognition by a governing body of a chosen skill. There are currently nine Adventure Skills Badges.

Special interest badges are open-ended badges that reflect the interests of the young person undertaking them. Any subject is possible. The requirements are designed by the young person in consultation and agreement with their Scouters. Badge requirements are designed to allow exploration of the subject, develop and improve skills, and put the new knowledge into practice, preferably as a practical project which will benefit others.^[4]

Leadership

The role of the Scouter is one of assisting, supporting, facilitating and motivating. The Scouter is a role model, rather than a boss. Younger age ranges will require more facilitation and direction but this should be reversed in older age ranges to one of ‘mentor or coach’. The Scouter needs to be aware of the young people in their Section, and understand ‘where they are’ in relation to their development as young people. Scouters will assist in reviewing activities and help young people to reflect on their experiences and personal journey through Scouting.^[5]

References