Scout Sunday?

“The Big Adventure”

“The Big BBQ”

 

These are just 2 of the national campaigns run by the UK scout association to raise awareness to the scouting program, grow membership and volunteers.  Both worth causes but in discussing with Greater London North LDO Russ today I happened to come upon another cool idea.  Scout Sunday… 

 

I remember a time back in Australia as a boy that first got me interested in Scouting was when we had a scout Sunday at the local church.  Basically the local scout troop was invited to participate in serving the sacramental bread and wine, doing the readings, passing and receiving donations etc. to assist the congregation.  In return for this little service the scout group received half the monies collection of the day.

Obviously, I am from a Christian background and this model may not work across all religions.  I am not trying to be exclusive but if it is adaptable, great, if not then I can’t see why we still can’t use it in the religious groups that would be willing to take on this type of program.  Contentious?. Maybe, but ultimately it’s just an offer to guide/organise a relationship that is a small step up from the existing informal relationships that many groups already have with their local religious organisations.

 

At the time I thought that was it but now (with my experienced scouter professional hat on) I can recognise the immense benefits to not only the scout group but the church and larger community as well.

 

Follow me in this if you will.

 

Scout group benefits:

Money – great, helps oil the program and grow options for activities. Community exposure – even better, more new participants and adult volunteers, also serving the community part of the scouting way.

 

Church benefits:

Seen to be part of the youth of the community Can develop this relationship to closer integrate the congregation youth e.g. join church/scout activities like food distribution to homeless or collection for crisis care (earthquake victim appeal for canned food or blanket)

 

Community Benefits:

Community services provided by youth e.g. clean-up or maintenance of hiking path or some other scouting environmental or community project.  Community cleaner and safer – 60% less chance of being involved in petty crime or graffiti if youth are involved in the scouting program

 

SO, the question is would there be a case for a Scouting Sunday type initiative here in the UK?  I vote YES.. and will be pitching it to fellow Development professionals at the upcoming GDB development Day.

 

Is there any benefits I have missed? Comments? Post your feedback below