Scouting is a game
BP, a military officer, designed a program aimed at young men--to teach them independence and life skills. He published a book, "Scouting for Boys" as a guide. In the book, he describes Scouting as a game. A game where useful skills are taught through the practice of fun drills, exercises, challenges, and competitions. He continues by adding--that Scouting is lead by the older Brother with the intent that, not only should they learn from one another, but also from the slightly older and more experienced.
From these humble roots, the youth movement of scouting spread globally to boy and girls of all ages. For more detail, see the story of BP and the Scouting Movement. Our program seeks to honour this spirit.
Adult leaders are there as guides to help keep the legal wheel moving, to protect the youth from danger, to help find resources in the community, to promote the spirit of the program, and to pass on skills where needed. The drive and daily running should be left in the care of the youths--it's their game!
Why all the name differences?
Unfortunately, over the years adults came along, added politics and changed much of the original spirit and intent of scouting. So much so, that many groups have started to form smaller, independent programs that more closely meet their needs and that of the founder’s intent. These groups include Traditional Scouting, Spiral Scouts, and other independent church and community based groups, which can be found on the web.
Other more corporate run groups, like Scouts Canada, subscribe to huge international associations, with paid staff to manage their programs and events, adventure insurance, and professional paid experts. Organizations like the World Organization Scout Movement (W.O.S.M.) form international corporate interests that at times are not in the best interest of the youth. Much more can be found on the net about these associations and their fees.
As such, specific names of sections and groups have been copyrighted by some organizations, so care must be taken to avoid copyright infringements. Nevertheless herein, and the world over, the names in public use are often repeated. The word “Scout” for example has been copyright protected by one group, causing many groups to change the names of their programs and sections to avoid lawsuits--especially in their publications and printed materials. The oral use of the word "Scout" continues to mean that whichever version or group implied follows the greater spirit of scouting as set out by its founder BP.
Our organization was formed to make the Game of Scouting accessible to our youth! We are not here to partake in political manoeuvrings. Public statements against other organizations, deliberate attempts to undermine the spirit and intent of this program or any others will not be tolerated as this is not what the founder intended. No individual or corporation can copyright "The Creed of Scouting"--such fellowship, spirituality and community service teachings have been publicly given in trust to youth of every generation. Herein Scouting remains protected under UN law and that of most constitutional charters of the world, including Canada and the United States, under the section of religious freedom, and so we continue to use the term.
Aims and Methods of GreenTreeScout:
Aims and Purposes of Scouting:
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To develop and promote good citizenship
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To develop fitness and health
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To develop character
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To develop skills
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To educate youth and adults
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To teach environmentally safe and useful outdoor skills
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To support spiritual growth and cultural identity
The goals of Scouting is achieved through the following of the Promises, Laws and Mottos of each section along with the general activities aimed at achieving various badges and awards in each section. While there is a great tendency to want to just play games, sing songs, do crafts, etc, there is an overall purpose to being in the movement. If the only thing a group is doing is playing floor hockey or dodge ball then they are not Scouting…nor are we in the entertainment or babysitting service, where parents drop off their problems for a few hours.
The temptation to allow popular media, video games and TV to attempt to dictate the format of the program also does not wash. Nor will repeating hobbies and crafts from grade school as a form of entertainment. While the program is meant to be fun and interesting, there is much to do in a very short period of time. Each age group has specific task and skills, which lead successively to the next skill set.
|
Group |
Age |
Element |
Colour |
Unit |
|
Rovers |
18- |
Spirit |
Grey |
Company /Crew |
|
Senior GreenTreeScouts |
Ages 15-18 Grade 10-12 |
Water |
Blue |
Troop |
|
GreenTreeScouts |
Ages 11-14 Grade 6-9 |
Earth |
Earth-Green |
Troop |
|
Wolves |
Ages 8-11 Grade 3-6 |
Air |
Yellow/Brown |
Pack |
|
Muskrats |
Ages 4-7 Grade k-2 |
Fire
|
Red |
Colony |
|
Circle |
Leaders, Elders, Community, and the Committee form the Great Circle |
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Leaders, Elders, Community and Committee: form the Circle that helps support the program. It is their job to ensure that resources are available, that badge requirements are met and that the Great Spirit is maintained. Leadership is a lifelong development. We are often reminded that we are all in training for Elder-hood. BP, in his original works never considered adults and leaders in his program.
Leadership training and adult enrolment came much later in the evolution of scouting. To learn more see the Brown Sea Isle and Wood Bead training for adults. BP, due to the success of the program, later wrote several good books on scout leadership, many of them still remain in public domain on the net. The GreenTree program, offers progressive training in each group section. While some leaders may elect to follow their youth through the wheel of progress, others find a calling to one section or another and often remain for many years of rich rewards.
Rovers: Spirit
Ages 18-00
Rovers form Companies or Crews. While they follow the traditional scout laws and promise their Motto is Service and they wear grey, the off colour of white, to reflect their vigilance and servitude according to Knightly heraldry. Many follow the Orders of Knighthood and write separate promises often seeking their own paths and vision quests.
There is a basic badge system to start their learning. Such reflect the master skills they should posses in life, however, often they go far beyond those boundaries. Final approval of their works is often reviewed by the Elders and Council. Rovers reflect the Spirit of Scouting often bringing awe and wonder to their Brothers and Sisters. They are forever seeking the Knowledge of the Great Divine and Mysteries.
Rovers may eventual become Elders and leaders but there is neither a demand to do so nor any set time they must retire from Rovers. A Rover need only prove that they support the program and are worthy to hold the title.
Senior GreenTreeScouts:
Ages 15-18, Grades 10-12
Like their younger version SGTS follow the same Law, Motto, and Promise. Seniors have far more leadership roles in their troop. Providing role models and teaching and--if there are enough for their own patrols--form a Senior Troop, which operate separately from the younger scouts.
Scouts like their elements--Earth and Water--comprise the main embodiment of the program. Seniors have a badge system and work hard to plan their great works and earn the right to join a Rover crew or company. Seniors often plan mystery events for younger sections and go on extended treks and adventures on their own.
All scouting badges must be earned and approved by from members of the community (there will be no ma and pa said "I can do this stuff, so I got the badge" or "I was cooking hotdogs when they taught us that section"). Each senior is expected to have mastered the skills and be able to explain or show it to others. It is important that the older sections have time to themselves while remaining connected to the younger groups. Affording SGTS the opportunity to learn from the Rovers and GreenTreeScouts to learn from the Seniors.
GreenTreeScouts:
Ages 11-14, Grades 6-9
Scouts, as we learned earlier, were the birth of the movement. As such, the most thought and development was placed in the overall program design, badges, and system. Scouts form into small units or patrols, 6-8 members each. Several patrols form a troop.
The patrols elect their own leaders, and plan their own events, trips, and activities--often competing with other patrols in their troop. The patrol leaders form a group council for planning and decision-making and sometimes an Honour Court. Leaders should allow the group to govern itself within obvious reason and the limits of the scouting program. Orson Wells, “Big Brother” need not apply for this job.
The scout badge system progresses from Green to 1st class, requiring the youth to remember and pass the old skills, as well as, present skills, and relies on them to teach each other.
Scouts should be out in the wilds, where they can commune with nature and use the resources around them. Parks and campsites are definitely out for many activities. The leader often teaches the seniors, who in turn pass the knowledge on to their younger brothers and sisters, and so on down the line.
Scouts have a variety of uniform options, depending on their program orientation (Land, Sea or Air) and their backgrounds and customs. Primarily, they should be snappy, clean looking, and functional--see dress code for options. Most often noted are, green or tan shirts for Land, blue or white shirts for Sea, there are provincial variations for Air.
GreenTreeScouts progress up to the Senior program when appropriate, often going on a soul journey or rite of passage to prove they have mastered the basic scouting skills.
Motto: Be Prepared
The Scout Law:
1. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal to their Country, their Leaders, their parents, their employers, and those under them.
3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys the orders of their Parents, Community and Elders without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
9. A Scout is thrifty.
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed.
(Helpful Hint: It is often easier to remember the key word in each law)
We have an additional law to encompass the environment:
11. A Scout is wise in the use and protection of the resources of nature.
The Scouts' Promise:
On my honour, I promise that I will do my best,
To do my duty to serve *(The Great Spirit), and
To help other people at all times,
Respect the Divine in all things
And obey the Scout Law
*(Insert the appropriate deity or state, the original read is God, the Queen, and my country)
Wolves: Ages 7-10, Grades 3-6
Often referred to as Cubs or Timber Wolves, in some programs, wear yellowish brown shirts--usually industrial strength to hold up against wear and tear-- ball style caps are often recommended, as they spend lots of time outside in the sun. Wolves meet in Dens.
The original program is based on Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book". Leaders are encouraged to use the names of the characters and read sections of the book at each meeting. More can be found in traditional programs. The weekly meeting are usually one hour, sometimes more. Older Scouts often help run games and events for the section.
The nightly meeting should be filled with energy. The Grand Howl is often heard many miles away (see cub program ideas). Cubs should be learning to cope in the outdoors and manage to do overnight camps nearby.
The badge system is very basic and encourages them to do tasks at home with family and friends as well as at club nights. Cubs form smaller groups for competition and eventual leap up to the Scout program.
Many of our traditional program suggestions are based on aboriginal and Celtic practices, neither of which should be followed without proper mentorship and appropriate cultural training. Often Elders and Fellowship leaders will help guide those interested in these approaches, which will mirror many of the original BP activities, games, stories, and fun.
Motto:
Do your best
The Wolves' Law:
The Wolf follows his Elders and obeys the laws of Nature.
The Wolves' Promise:
I promise to do my best, to do my duty, to honour the Spirit of the Lands and Sea.
To follow the teachings of the Elders.
To be helpful and understanding towards others and to do a good turn each day.
Muskrats: Ages 4-7 or about K- 2 in school terms:
Like the native story of creation, Muskrats are the creative spark and fire in our program. Creating new life in the program, they are eager to explore the world. Red is their uniform colour, like the element Fire, often wearing T-shirts, polo shirts or hoodies, and brown pants. (See uniform suggestions.)
Muskrats meet in Colonies, weekly doing group games, activities, and field trips. They earn basic awards badges based on the season and wheel of life, learning the basics of the natural world and each other.
Muskrats are often lead by two or more adult leaders and visited by older sections to lead them on. Meetings are often 30-45 minutes, after school or church, and occasionally longer for a field trip. Muskrats swim up to Wolf program.
Motto: Busy and Bright
The Muskrats' Law:
A Muskrat is busy and bright and helps others.
The Muskrats' Promise:
I promise to do my best, to obey my Elders and be a good Muskrat.
Group dynamics and leadership structure:
CO-ED
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Co-ed has been an ongoing issue in Scouting. While there is a great value in co-ed leadership (the Muskrat and Wolf programs run well as co-ed youth section) the Scout and Senior Scout programs run into some serious issues. The general view is to run these programs as independent male and female sections--where the two may meet as a troop for some events and activities. The main reason this opinion is held is:
Scouting is not a dating service. Due to the limited leadership, we can not police them, nor desire to do so. So, for the leaders and the Greater Circle's sake, it is generally recommend to split these age groups up. Once they reach Roverhood, as young adults, they are free to spend their off time as they please, however, at public events and at group camps, there are to be no PDAs (public displays of affection).
Co-Founders Rev. Strider Headworth & R. Holland 2000 |
Having said the above, the GreenTree Council provides the following three membership options for Groups:
A) All Male
B) All Female
C) Co-ed
Each Group must weigh the pros and cons before deciding which membership option to select. There is no input from Council on this matter; it is entirely up to the Group as to what option they pursue, unless legislation or insurance dictate otherwise.
There are, of course, rules regarding the composition of adult leadership teams for each option. They are as follows:
All male Groups MAY have a mixed leadership team, except for the GreenTreeScouts and Senior Program, which MUST have all male leaders.
All female Groups MUST have all female leadership teams. The Group Committee, Council, etc, may have male members.
All co-ed Groups must have a mixed leadership team.
Co-ed Groups MUST operate separate male and female GreenTreeScouts and Senior Patrols. While the troop may be Co-Ed, unless The Elder Council has approved a waiver. This has to do with insurance options and may be flexible in some programs.