The SPICES of Scouting
The Six Areas of Personal Development
The six areas come together into an acronym commonly known as SPICES. Scouting is about fostering personal growth in all six areas of personal development, and the concept of SPICES help us to remember those areas. The outcomes that are achieved in Scouting, the educational objectives, are summarised below. They are adapted for each section, based on each SPICES area.
Social
- Becoming aware
- Interacting with others
- Developing relationships and networks
Physical
- Being healthy and fit
- Being adventurous
Intellectual
- Acquiring new information
- Showing initiative
- Being adaptable
- Planning and reviewing
Character
- Developing Identity
- Showing autonomy
- Demonstrating commitment
Emotional
- Being emotionally aware
- Expressing one’s feelings
- Showing respect
Spiritual
- Exploring beliefs
- Stopping for reflection
- Respect for others
- Being thankful
Supporting Resources
To help your Section complete The Adventure Begins checklist, we’ve developed resources that help understand the SPICES at developmental levels. Download the “I Statements” to help understand how the SPICES are applied in each section. Through the Scouting program, young people should be able to meet all these outcomes, and can reflect on their learning and development.
Another tool to help youth members reflect on their development is the downloadable Review Tool. This tool helps Patrols of Scouts to consider their recent activities, and how they could incorporate SPICES that were not covered be added to the program.
Finally, the SPICES Playing Cards, available from The Scout Shop feature questions that can be used to facilitate reflection on achievements and development through the program, and across the Sections.
