Message from Chief Scout
Fellow Scouts,
The founder of our movement, Baden Powell, wrote: “The secret of sound education is to get each pupil to learn for himself, instead of instructing him by driving knowledge into him on a stereotyped system” (The Scouter Jan, 1912). This fundamental philosophy is the basis of the ONE Programme. Furthermore, it is central to the Chief Scout Award.The Chief Scout Award is about personal development.
It, like all other challenges in Scouting, is centred on assisting the self-development of the young person. Each Scout must be in control of their own journey; and they, with the help of a Scouter, choose the individual tasks and challenges that will help them make progress towards the Award.Scouting Ireland offers the Chief Scout Award to all sections. Each of the Chief Scout Awards is of equal importance; the Award is as much of a challenge for each Beaver Scout as it is for every Rover Scout. Each young person, in each programme section can enrich their scouting experience and further their personal development in an exciting and challenging way.
An important part of the Award is the link with the International Award (Gaisce – The Presidents Award in Ireland and the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the United Kingdom) for the Scout, Venture Scout and Rover Scout Sections. This link both increases the number of Scouts participating in the International Award and helps Scouts gain external recognition for the great challenges they undertake.
As Chief Scout, I wish all youth members the best on their path in Scouting and should they take on the Chief Scout Award I wish them the very best of luck. Equally, I wish the very best to the Scouters who volunteer their time to support these young people on their journey.
Yours in Scouting,
Michael John Shinnick
Chief Scout, Scouting Ireland
Patron of the Chief Scout Award.
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