Trainer’s Cornerv

Creating - Better India

TRAINER’S CORNER

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SCOUTING: AGE RANGES IN SCOUTING

In Scouting, we believe that all the children of the same age group do not learn in the same way and at the same phase or time, as it happens in traditional schooling. The Founder had made a study of the children of different age groups and even consulted the psychologists on the issue. As a result, it was construed that the children below 10 years, children below 15 years and adolescents possess different characteristics and have different needs. For example, children in the age group of 3 to 5 years are more attached to their mothers. They start developing social skills like friends with their group, like to sing and dance and play, lack personal cleanliness, feel shy to interact with visitors, timid, more inclined to electronic media like T.V. and mobiles, keen observers, like nature and like to play in the open etc. This age group needs activities to interact with peers, building material to develop creativity, opportunities to play together, need appreciations, need to learn social virtues and social manners, need to learn personal cleanliness, health and hygiene etc. Children in the age group of 5to 10 years discover ways to initiate actions on their own. They imitate others, particularly parents and other people whom they like. They are mischievous, boisterous and possess bullying nature. They are active and have excess energy. Their span of attention is very short and so they like transitions for every 5 or 10 minutes. They are not particular about hygiene. This group needs stories of animals, adventure, games, handicrafts, skill activities like drawing and painting, play acting, moral stories and bed time stories and nurturing by parents. Children above 10 years up to 15 years (adolescents) will have rapid pubertal growth and some changes occur in physical appearance and voice. They develop a separate identity from parents. Their tendency is moody, restless like recognition, explore and experiment with various roles, fluctuations between superiority and inferiority, self-conscious and highly sensitive to criticism of their personal shortcomings which they know, Strong need to belong to a group—with peer approval becoming more important and adult approval decreasing in importance and conflicts with siblings. This group needs to be told their clear limitations, help building up self-assurance and facilitating independence, need positive role models who treat them with respect while expecting good behaviour, need to learn respect for the opposite sex and have non-sexual friendship, need

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discussion and share of experience with peers and adults, need appropriate consequences so as to allow them to avoid dangerous behaviours, need experiences such as role play, drama and reading, realize that their challenges are not unique, need assistance in developing healthy habits related to sleep, food and exercise. Children above 15 years of age till they attain 25 years of age are youth. They will have rapid physical and biological changes. They develop appearance consciousness and attractive towards the opposite sex. They develop career consciousness. Emotional conditions fluctuate and imagine about their future life in a very high way and they are fond of hobbies, games and sports, fond of psychomotor activities, spend more time with peers than with parents, like to be more independent, attracted to alcohol and drugs, more hero worship etc. Youth whose needs are met in positive ways are likely to grow into good citizens and contributing members of their families and communities. Youth need to feel that they are taken care of by others including the members of their group. Youth need to feel and believe they are capable and experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence. Youth need to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision-making. 4. The Need to Be Generous Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose. They should be given Clear guidance, given with respect, from counsellors. They should be given responsibilities and leadership opportunities. They need to be observed without giving the feeling that they are being observed. They need opportunities to share and talk about emotions and events. They should be given appropriate s concerning the risks of alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. They should get activities that foster teamwork and responsibility. They need to get continued guidance related to health and well-being habits. The Bharat Scouts and Guides had accordingly made four age groups to impart Scout and Guide training. 3 to 6 year old are called Bunnies and a group of 10 to 20 is called a Tamtola which is common for boys and girls. Cubs and Bulbuls, Scouts and Guides, Rovers and Rangers are the other three groups. Scouting meets all the above needs through activities as suggested in APRO according to the age groups. Projects like Free being Me, surfing smart, awareness campaigns against drug abuse and alcohol, Community Development programmes and camping are some examples. To conclude, the very thought of Baden Powell to divide the young people according to the age groups makes scouting as an educational movement. Unit Leaders should keep in mind the characteristics and needs of the age group which they handle so that the training will be effective and meaningful.

- D. R. K. Sarma, LT (C) South Central Railway /Mo:- 9866048096

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WHY SCOUT UNIFORM

Uniform is a very important part of any uniformed organisation and so of the Scouting. In scouting uniform provides so many practical and psychological benefits that a real scout cannot think of scouting without proper and correct uniform. Uniform develops scout values, spirit of brotherhood, and gives a sense of belongingness and identity to the scouts. Baden-Powell has written in Yarn no. 3 of Scouting for Boys “The scout uniform is very like the uniform worn by the men when I commanded the South African Constabulary” (he liked the scarf’s in their uniform). He mentioned, the uniforms that were worn in that division were “comfortable, serviceable, and a good protection against the weather. In his military tenure, after seeing the practical benefits of wearing a standard, reliable uniform B.P. collected ideas to create a uniform for scouts. The original standard khaki uniform is well known to protect from the natural elements and the parts of scout uniform can be improvised as useful resources in emergency or outing. The different components of B.P. ’s originally conceived Scout uniform are: Scout Shirt: The sleeves of theses shirts can be easily rolled up to allow free movement of the arms. In winters the rolled sleeves keep scouts warm and in sunshine protect their arms from sunburns. Scout Shorts:They are less expensive and more hygienic than trousers and allow ventilation and freedom to the legs. They are useful in rain and shallow waters as unlike trouser they don’t get wet at the bottom. Scout Scarf:They are symbol of scouts and their honour. As used by South African constabulary it protects one’s neck from sunburns and provides warmth also. Further, a scarf can be used as a bandage or rope in an emergency situation. Scout Shoes: They are more ventilated and comfortable than high boots. In B.P. ’s opinion “they give better ventilation to the feet and therefore diminish the danger of chills and of chaffs.” Stockings: They protect and keep the legs warm and are held up by garters. Scout Hat:Broad-brimmed khaki hat to protect head from sun and rain. Scout Staff: B.P. said that scout should carry a staff (a stick about as high as your nose with marking of inches and feet for measurement) He stated that “it was a very useful addition to a scout’s success,” as it could be used in a variety of different ways from being a stretcher component, to testing the depth of a river, to keeping back a crowd. Scout uniform is symbolic to the Scout Movement. The members are recognized by the uniform. For Baden-Powell, the uniform was one of the most important parts of being a member of the Scout movement. He spoke many times about the importance of wearing one’s uniform properly e.g. v To wear one’s scout uniform incorrectly would be akin to “letting down the whole movement in the eyes of the public.” v Show me a poorly uniformed troop and I will show you a poorly uniformed leader. v The correct wearing of the Uniform and smartness of turnout of the individual Scout makes him a

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credit to our Movement. It shows his pride in himself and in his Troop. v The Scout kit, through its uniformity, now constitutes a bond of brotherhood among boys across the world. v One slovenly Scout, on the other hand, inaccurately dressed may let down the whole Movement in the eyes of the public. v Show me such a fellow and I can show you one who has not grasped the true Scouting spirit and who takes no pride in his membership of our great Brotherhood.” v The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all the differences of class and country. The aspects of the Scout uniform have changed from B.P. ’s original idea but things like scarf, short and hat are still symbols of scouting. Though the physical uniform has seen many reforms e.g. long pants, badge sash, patches, beret cap, nameplate, whistle etc.but the symbolism and the values that a scout uniform represents have not changed. As always, by maintaining a proper uniform a scout gets: Brotherhood: Wearing uniform gives scout a sense of brotherhood and belonging. A uniform gives a shared community to all the members and fosters a unique and instant connection between scouts who may be strangers to each other even of other nationality Identity: Wearing uniforms reminds the scouts that what a privilege it is to be a scout. They develop a sense of uniqueness and identity and also take pride in their unit. Equality: Wearing uniform makes all of us equal without any concern of family background. All wearing scout uniform deserve same amount of respect and love. Teamwork: Wearing uniform results in better teamwork. It multi-folds the sense of teamwork as everyone wearing same uniform becomes a part of same team with a common goal to achieve. Scout Values:Wearing uniform reinforce the Scout Promise, Law and Motto within a scout. A scout must keep the scout values in their daily lives but the uniform serves as a constant reminder of a scout’s duty to the God, Others and Themselves. It is essential to wear the correct and complete uniform for belonging to the scouting movement. By wearing correct uniform you are giving the Scout movement the respect it deserves and also making the movement more visible in the society. A proper and complete uniform fills pride in the wearer and other people admire the person and so the scout movement. It shows that the person is taking pride in being a member of the scout brotherhood and has developed a habit of being disciplined, tidy and smart. An incomplete or incorrect uniform can never give such impression. The leaders must have inspections during unit meetings to inculcating the habit of wearing and loving the uniform among the scouts.

Dr. Brijender Singh Delhi State BSG

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INDIAN SCOUT GUIDE FELLOWSHIP

v 68th Fellowship Day of International Scout & Guide Fellowship was celebrated by all over India very gracefully on 24th& 25th October 2021. Honourable Chief Justice (Retd.) Kalpesh Jhaveri President in

Chief Indian SGF and Honourable Chief Justice (Retd.) Geeta Mittal National President wished & congratulated all members on the auspicious occasion.

v Fellowship Day & Deepawali Celebration Fellowship Day and Deepawali Festival was Celebrated on 31st October 2021 in which 100 members participated in the Program. International Secretary Diana E Kharshiing Welcomed all members, participants and Officials. Honourable Chief Justice® Kalpesh Jhaveri delivered Opening Remarks for the event. President Executive MAK Mecci explained about Fellowship history in his Fellowship Day Message and a Video was presented about 45 days Festivals, which start from Navratra and complete on Dev Diwali. Unique presentation by all six Regions made the Event memorable and remarkable.

Honourable Chief Justice (Retd.) Geeta Mittal, National President congratulated every one and wished for upcoming Festivals. Seema Rathi thanked all participants, members and officials for contributions & support.