The ONE Programme personal progression system for youth members of Scouting Ireland has been designed and refactored since the merger of earlier organisations, using a number of key underlining principles. Activities and personal progression (badges) are designed to make use of the Scout method, maintain a consistent structure across the five youth programme sections, involve youth participation and personal experiences.
The principle of 'ONE Programme for all' means that each age range section delivers the programme in a similar way. Small groups are present in all Sections. Documentation is designed to appeal to the age range of the Section but presents the same concepts to young people in appropriate visual presentations and language. The badge scheme is also similar and the badge designs only signify different age ranges via different coloured designs. [1]
Young people are fully involved in the creation and management of their Scouting experience. This is done via the team and Section Council gatherings. They suggest, design and implement their own adventures and experiences assisted and facilitated by Adult Scouters. This collective experience is the programme of the group.
Every Scout is responsible for their own Personal Journey/experience of Scouting and plays a hand in designing and planning that journey. The Personal Journey ideal draws a young person to explore the SPICES (social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual development areas [2] ) and enable them to learn, acquire knowledge and develop while participating in the Scout programme. The programme, that young people have designed with the help and assistance of Scouters follows a simple process PLAN, DO, REVIEW. [3] Programmes are planned, activities are executed and the whole process is reviewed. The review process is an important stage as it allows young people to learn by doing, reflect on what has been learnt and carry this knowledge through to the next programme cycle. The review and reflection process is an important part of the personal journey of young people. It allows them to position themselves on their chosen path and provides them with pathways to future discoveries and experiences.
There are four types of badges available to young people.
Personal Progress Badges are awarded to young people in recognition of how they have developed and travelled along their personal Scouting journey. The badges are roughly linked to a 'Scouting years' programme. It is not based on individual tests but rather on a concept of bringing young people 'one step forward'. For some young people this will be easy for others more challenging. It will also be related to maturity of young people as they grow and develop. Scouters therefore need to be fully aware of 'where their Scouts are at' so they can have a fuller understanding of how far a young person has travelled in a particular Stage.
The Adventure Skills are a set of 81 badges developed as part Scouting Ireland's ONE Programme. Adventure skills badges set prescribed detailed requirements to young people to achieve a set standard in a particular adventure skill. The requirements are progressive and ultimately reflect and pave the way to outside recognition by a governing body of a chosen skill. There are currently nine adventure skills badges: [4] Sailing, Rowing, Paddling (Kayaking, Canoeing and Rafting), First aid, Camping, Pioneering, Backwoods, Hillwalking and Air with 9 stages within each of these skills. [4] [5] The badges are awarded based on demonstrated competencies at a given level for a given skill. [4] Scouting Ireland established a memorandum of understanding with recognised external organisations (in both the Republic and the North) such as Irish Sailing Association, Canoeing Ireland, and Mountaineering Ireland to develop the respective criteria, and for those skills in which Scouting Ireland is a natural leader (Camping, Backwoods, Pioneering), the criteria were developed in-house. [6] [7] [8] Paddling, Sailing and Rowing form a large part of the Sea Scout programme, and the Air adventure skill is derived from Air Scouting. Badges are open to all programme sections, although some of the higher levels are age-restricted. [4] The criteria are set out so that they can be approved by non-Scouts. Scouting Ireland's campsites, as well as private companies, have developed training schemes which are aligned to the Adventure Skills. [9] [10] [11] [12] [7] An independent app has been developed which shows the full list of criteria. [13] [14]
| Hillwalking Stage | Mountaineering Ireland [6] |
|---|---|
| 7 | Mountain Skills |
| 9 | Mountain Leader |
| Paddling Stage | Canoeing Ireland, British Canoe Union [6] |
|---|---|
| 5 | Level 1 |
| 6 | Level 2 |
| 7 | Level 3 |
| 8 | Level 4 |
| 9 | Level 5 |
| Sailing Stage | Irish Sailing Association, Royal Yachting Association [6] |
|---|---|
| 4 | Start Sailing |
| 5 | Basic Skills |
| 6 | Improving Skills |
| 8 | Adventure 1 |
| 9 | Adventure 2 |
Special interest badges are open ended badges that reflect the interest of the young person undertaking them. Any subject is possible and the requirements are designed by the young person in consultation and agreement with their Scouters. [15] There are five badge designs, badges are presented under a number of heading into which the special interest subject will fall. Heading include -Skill, Physical, Adventure, Community, Environment. [15] [16] Badge requirements will differ depending on the individual, the main requirement being 'doing one's best', recognising personal effort, rather than achieving a prescribed standard. [4] [15] Badge requirements are broad enough to allow youth members to set agree their own criteria with their Scouter. [4]
The Chief Scout Award is the superlative youth programme award in each of the Programme Sections. It is designed to tie-in with the Gaisce Award, and the Chief Scout Award for Scouts, Ventures Scouts, and Rover Scouts are awarded jointly with the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards respectively. [17] Requirements for the award are a number of Adventure Skills, Special Interest Badges, an Expedition, and camp with an inter-cultural aspect. [17] [18]
The role of the Scouters is one of assisting, supporting, facilitating, motivating, being a role model rather than directive. 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 Scouters need 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.
ONE Programme's Adventure Skills and Special Interest badges (along with a set of Nautical Badges in each section to tie-in with the Sea Scout symbolic framework) replaced the legacy attainment and merit badges.
Attainment badges were awards earned by youth members, based on a variety of adventurous outdoor activities. These badges were originally developed by the former Scouting Ireland S.A.I. for its sectional programmes in the Scout section and the Sea Scout section.
A core of 7 attainment badges ("The Magnificent Seven") were developed by the SAI which are universal across the Scout programme and the Sea Scout programme. A further 7 badges were developed by the Sea Scout team which are mostly specialist water activities badges that aid the Sea Scout programme, supplementing its primary progressive badge scheme. These badges, while developed for just one of the programmes, were open to members of both the Scout and Sea Scout section to achieve. The 14 attainment badges are listed below.
| Name | Programme |
|---|---|
| Backwoods | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| Camp Skills | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| Camping | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| Canoeing | Sea Scouts |
| Cycling | Sea Scouts |
| Expedition | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| First Aid | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| Hiking | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| Powerboating | Sea Scouts |
| Rafting | Sea Scouts |
| Rowing | Sea Scouts |
| Sailing | Sea Scouts |
| Survival | Scouts & Sea Scouts |
| Swimming | Sea Scouts |
Merit badges were awards earned by youth members, based on activities within an area of study by completing a list of periodically updated requirements..
Merit badges were a universal award for achievement within the Scouting movement. The purpose of the merit badge programme was to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to further pursue them as a career or as a vocation. Originally, the programme also introduced Scouts to the life skills of contacting an adult they hadn't met before, arranging a meeting and then demonstrating their skills, similar to a job or college interview. Increasingly, though, merit badges were earned in a class setting at troop meetings and summer camps.[ citation needed ]
Many of the badges were more advanced versions of Cub Scout (Macaoimh) badges.
| Name | Section | Further reading |
|---|---|---|
| Map-maker | Scoutcraft | Cartography |
| Pioneering | Scoutcraft | Pioneering |
| Signalling | Scoutcraft | Signalling |
| Camper | Camping | Camping |
| Camp Chef | Camping | Camping |
| Campfire Leader | Camping | Campfire |
| Quartermaster | Camping | Quartermaster |
| Camp Leader | Camping | |
| Hiker | Adventure | Hiking |
| Hike Leader | Adventure | |
| Hill Walker | Adventure | |
| Orienteer | Physical Ability | Orienteering |
| Cyclist | Physical Ability | Cycling |
| Athlete | Physical Ability | Athletics |
| Sports | Physical Ability | Sport |
| Self Defence | Physical Ability | Self Defence |
| Electrician | Electronics | |
| Electronics | Electronics | |
| Radio | Electronics | |
| Computer Applications | Electronics | |
| Computer Programmer | Electronics | |
| Computer Skills | Electronics | |
| Car Mechanic | Skills | |
| Home Manager | Skills | |
| Metal Worker | Skills | |
| Woodworker | Skills | |
| Woodcarver | Skills | |
| Bookbinder | Crafts | |
| Artist | Crafts | |
| Printer | Crafts | |
| Photographer | Crafts | |
| Basketry | Crafts | |
| Leathercraft | Crafts | |
| Collector | Crafts | |
| Equestrian | Nature | |
| Sea Fishing | Nature | |
| Pet Keeper | Nature | |
| Gardener | Nature | |
| Angler | Nature | |
| Archaeologist | Natural Sciences | |
| Geologist | Natural Sciences | |
| Farmer | Natural Sciences | |
| Naturalist | Faith and Environment | |
| Observer | Faith and Environment | |
| Forester | Faith and Environment | |
| Civics | Faith and Environment | |
| Scripture | Faith and Environment | |
| Faith | Faith and Environment | |
| Bell ringer | Entertainment | |
| Bugler | Entertainment | |
| Musician | Entertainment | |
| Entertainer | Entertainment | |
| Irish Dancer | Entertainment | |
| Fire Safety | Public Service | |
| Emergency | Public Service | |
| Guide | Public Service | |
| Interpreter | Public Service | |
| Life Saver | Public Service | |
| Advanced Life Saver | Public Service | |
| Home Maintenance | Public Service | |
| Public Health | Public Service | |
| Public Speaking | Public Service | |
| Consumer | Public Service | |
| Secretary | Public Service | |
| Librarian | Public Service | |
| Social Awareness | Social awareness | |
| World Friendship | Social awareness | |
| Conservation | Social awareness | |
| Gaeilge | Languages | Gaeilge |
A Scout is a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section. Scouts are organized into troops averaging 20–30 Scouts under the guidance of one or more Scout Leaders or Scoutmasters. Troops subdivide into patrols of about 6–8 Scouts and engage in outdoor and special interest activities. Troops may affiliate with local, national, and international organizations. Some national Scouting associations have special interest programs such as Air Scouts, Sea Scouts, outdoor high adventure, Scouting bands, and rider Scouts.
Advancement and recognition in the Boy Scouts of America is a tradition dating from the inception of the Scouting movement. A fundamental purpose of advancement is the self-confidence a young man or woman acquires from his participation in Scouting. Advancement is one of the methods used in the "Aims and Methods of Scouting"– character development, citizenship training and personal fitness.
The Scout Association is the largest Scouting organisation in the United Kingdom and is the World Organization of the Scout Movement's recognised member for the United Kingdom. Following the origin of Scouting in 1907, the association was formed in 1910 and incorporated in 1912 by a royal charter under its previous name of The Boy Scouts Association.
A King's Scout is a Scout who has attained the King's Scout Award. The King's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in the Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where Scouts operate under the patronage of King Charles III. Whether the award recipient is a Queen's or King's Scout depends on who is the current monarch of the Commonwealth realms.
Varsity Scouting was a program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It was an alternative available to boys ages fourteen to eighteen until the end of 2017. It used the basic Boy Scouting program and added high adventure, sporting, and other elements that were more appealing to older youth to accomplish the aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Varsity Scouts were organized into teams; separate chartered units from a Boy Scout troop.
Explorer Scouts, frequently shortened to Explorers, is the fifth section of The Scout Association in the United Kingdom for 14- to 18-year-olds. The section was introduced in 2001 and formally launched in February 2002, alongside Scout Network, to replace the former Venture Scout section for fifteen-and-a-half to twenty-year-olds.
Venturer or Venture Scouts are programs in some Scouting organisations for young people of various age ranges in the 14–20 age range. A participant in the program is called a Venturer.
Venturer Scouts, formerly Senior Scouts, and commonly known simply as Venturers, is the fourth section of Scouts Australia, and was first formed in 1946. Venturers are aged between 14.5 and 18 years of age and are organised into Units, which can be a part of a single Scout Group or a stand-alone group. Both types of Unit take Scouts from any Scout Group. Although not in common usage, the motto of the Venturer Scout section in Australia is "Look Wide".
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Scouts, often referred to as the Scout section to differentiate itself from the wider movement and its parent organisation, is a section of Scouting run by The Scout Association for ten and a half to fourteen year old young people. The section follows on from Cub Scouts and precedes Explorer Scouts. Since 1991, the section has been coeducational and today the Scout section accepts young people from all backgrounds, faiths and genders.
Beaver Scouts, often shortened to Beavers, is the second youngest official section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association in the United Kingdom. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years. Sections of Beaver Scouts are known as Colonies and are run locally by Scout Groups. After reaching the age of eight, a Beaver Scout will then move on to Cub Scouts. The section officially launched in 1986 but had existed before this as trial and unofficial sections as far back as 1963.
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Cub Scouts or Macaoimh is the name given to youth members Scouting Ireland and previously Scouting Ireland (CSI), of the Cub Scout age group. The National Team Lead and Programme Commissioner for Cub Scouts is Evan O'Connell of the 49th Cork, Ballincollig Scout 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 are boys only. Its membership is the largest of the four Scouting Ireland Sections. 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.
Cub Scouts is the section of Scouts Australia for boys and girls aged 8 to 11 (inclusive), often known simply as 'Cubs'. The Cub Scout section follows after Joey Scouts and is before Scouts. Cub Scouts wear a uniform shirt with navy blue panels, and yellow shoulders.
Scouts is the section of Scouts Australia for boys and girls aged 11 to 14 (inclusive). The Scout section follows after Cub Scouts and is before Venturer Scouts. Scouts wear a uniform shirt with navy blue panels, and green shoulders.
Scouts in Scouting Ireland are aged between 11 and a half to 16 years of age. Each group has a Court of Honour/Patrol Leader's Council which under the guidance of an adult Scouter designs and implements activities. Scouts is the section where activities begin to really challenge the youth member and impart responsibility and self-reliance in accordance with the Scout method and the educational philosophy of Baden-Powell. The organisation also currently has Sea Scout and Air Scout programmes. The highest award is the Chief Scout Award.
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Cub Scouts, often shortened to Cubs, are a section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association with a core age of eight to ten and a half years of age. This section follows on from the Beaver Scouts and precedes the Scout section.
Sea Scouting has existed in Ireland since 1912 and is a programme framework within Scouting Ireland.
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