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Our Philosophy

The Scout Association of Australia, generally referred to as Scouts Australia, is incorporated by Royal Charter. It is the National Scout Organisation in Australia and is accorded membership status by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Scouts Australia accepts the Principles upon which the Scouting Movement is based as expressed in the Constitution of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement.

More information about Scouting’s philosophy is below, or read our Policy and Rules.

Mission

Scouts Australia operates a voluntary, non-political educational movement for young people, open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles, and method conceived by the Founder, Lord Baden-Powell.

The Mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

Purpose

The Purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the education of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.

Principles

The Principles of Scouting, as identified by the founder, Lord Baden-Powell, are duty to God, duty to others and duty to self. These provide a framework to encourage service to, and the care of, others and themselves in the way Scouts think and act throughout their lives. It is also about acknowledging that there may be other influences involved – whether that is nature or a higher being.

Motto

The motto of Scouts Australia is ‘Be Prepared.’

Values

Scouts Australia recognises the following values:

  1. The importance of individuals developing a sense of personal identity and self-worth which leads to responsibility for oneself and one’s actions as a citizen.
  2. The belief that young people are able and willing to take responsibility and contribute to society.
  3. The rights and responsibility of individuals to regulate their own health.
  4. The importance of adults in providing suitable role models for young people.
  5. The importance of not exposing young people to harm or exploitation.
  6. The importance of individuals and the community adopting a lifestyle that allows ecologically sustainable development through preventing environmental overload, environmental degradation and resource depletion.
  7. The importance of respect for and equity in dealings with all people, irrespective of culture, gender, religion or impairment.
  8. The importance of mutual support and help between members of a community to maximise the quality of life for all.
  9. The importance of the development of understanding between individuals as a contribution to peace between nations.
  10. The importance of gainful employment in contributing to the sense of dignity and self-worth of the individual.
  11. The importance of harnessing technological innovation to benefit human society.

Method

The Scout Association of Australia achieves its purpose through a system of progressive self-education, known as the Scout Method, the principal elements of which are:

  • Community Involvement
  • Learning by Doing
  • Nature and the Outdoors
  • Patrol System
  • Personal Progression
  • Promise and Law
  • Symbolic Framework
  • Youth Leading, Adults Supporting