Scout Ethics Dave Larson

Ethics – Topics of this Presentation Discipline Policies… Ethics in Scouts… Teaching Ethics… References

Discipline Policies Why –Be prepared for when you need it. –Scouts need to know their expectations. Where –Rules incorporated into troop guidelines and codes of conduct. Who –Written by Troop Committee, Signed by Scouts and parents

Discipline Policies Rules –Define rules Policy of what happens when rules are broken. –Severity invokes different Policies Who has authority –Scout master, SPL, all adults.

Discipline Policies The Trial –Define Judges Example – 2 committee, 1 ASM, and SPL Judgment –3 strike rules, each getting more severe Rank advancement prohibited Participation for a period of time restricted. Asked to leave the troop

Discipline Policies Alternatives –Scout Master can at his discretion handle the problem Informally. –If offense requires Police, it is handled at that level. –Offense at a major Camp could involve camp staff.

Discipline Policies Commitment –All scouts and Parents sign Code of Conduct. –This is a contract. –Keep with troop records –Signed once a year. –Good to have an Ethics Presentation once a year.

Discipline Policies How many Troops have Troop Guidelines? How do you handle Discipline Problems? Questions?

Ethics – Topics of this Presentation Discipline Policies… Ethics in Scouts… Teaching Ethics… References

Ethics in Scouts What is Ethics... Importance of Ethics in scouts… Safety – Fire, Knives, Camping… Leave No Trace… Outdoor code… Safe Haven… Care and understand Fellow scouts… Respect and care of self, Others and Property… Expectations of Scouts…

What is Ethics? Ethics are rules for defining right and wrong. Learn Attitudes, Values, Skills. Justice is rules, Caring is relationships. Understanding what is and what should be.

Importance of ethics in scouts, The Scout tradition Scout Law Scout Promise

Safety - Fire, Knives, Camp Always a concern for adults Needs to be taught. Based on –Fireman Chit –Totin Chip –Basic Camp Safety

Leave no Trace Plan Ahead and Prepare Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces Concentrate Activity, or Spread Out? Pack It In, Pack It Out Sanitation Leave What You Find Minimize Site Alterations Minimize Campfire Use Respect Wildlife

The Outdoor Code As an American, I will do my best to - Be clean in my outdoor manners. I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways. Be careful with fire. I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only where they are appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire. Be considerate in the outdoors. I will treat public and private property with respect. I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping. and Be conservation minded I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy. I will urge others to do the same.

Safe Haven, what does this mean? The power older scouts have. An older scout is a God in the eyes of a new boy. Bulling, a scout may not understand his is kidding is bulling. Care in troop games may not be age appropriate for all scouts. Empower all parents to insure safety and safe haven.

Care and Understand fellow scouts Include all scouts in activities New Scouting - Mentoring system, Scout guides Buddy system Advancement sign off – Older scouts sign off rank. Collective Merit Badge groups

Respect and Care of Self, Others and Property This is where ethics work as a solution to common Scout Master problems. Self - Scout does not believe he is capable. Others - Kids are goofing off with others. Property - Kids are running around the Church.

Expectations of a Scout Define Expectation define Reputation Church expectations Scout Leader expectations Community expectations Scouting Program reputation Troop reputation Group and individual expectations within the troop in regards to attitude values and skills.

Ethics in Scouts Questions? Refection…

Ethics – Topics of this Presentation Discipline Policies Ethics in Scouts Teaching Ethics References

Key tools Refection. Roses, Buds Thorns This is very important. Need to get the scouts thinking.

Where are Ethics taught Outdoor experience… Service Projects… Troop Meetings….

Outdoor experience Leave No Trace – troop line at end of camp for site pickup Interdependency Organization

Service Projects Caring Giving to the community

Troop Meetings –Games based on ethics Team Building, understanding, reflection –Skits Scout developed –Lectures, Presentations –Thought problems. What if scenarios.

Examples Scout Law Skit –Did a Renaissance play with props. –Went over each of the 12 points. Scout Law review as part of the Advancement Committee review. Fire Safety Poster with presentation

Examples Skit - older scout talking with younger scout –New scout “Wow you did that?” –New scout “Do I bring my pillow backpacking?” Skit – How a scout views him self and How the church ladies view the scouts. Reflection – Reputation / Expectations

Teaching Ethics Any Suggestions for teaching Ethics? Do you believe this should be taught? Questions?

Ethics – Topics of this Presentation Discipline Policies Ethics in Scouts Teaching Ethics References ==== Thanks for your Time. ====