Scouts

President Theodore Roosevelt created the Boy Scouts. They began as out doors activities for adolescent boys. Later they developed a variety of activities. Throughout they have been an avenue for socializing and socialization of boys. Spinoff organizations have developed. The Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Blue Birds, Campfire Girls, and others can be highly beneficial for students.

I believe the basic model of the scouts organizations can be adapted to fit many cultures. The idea of socialization and teaching young peopel how to socialize is important to all cultures. Adaptations may need to be made. However, creative people can work together for aa common goal that helps round out the young person while discovering and developing interests and talents that might otherwise lay dormant for a lifetime.

The students are able to meets each other in different configurations than in class. The activities are also arranged differently. Much of the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom can be applied differently and with different leaders and students. This can broaden and deepen the students understanding of what he/she has learned.

Socializing is also varied. Students who are not leaders in the classroom may become leaders via scouting. The relationships between adult leaders, student leaders, and the majority of students may be altered as well.

Many of the skills learned both traditional and nontraditional school subjects can be incorporated into the scouting framework. When these are taken into the general community or into other communities the student's horizon is further broadened. This includes visiting people the students might not otherwise meet via trips.

The school has a Gym, classrooms, and other spaces that can accomodate scouting activities. This enhances the utilization of school building space and may bring in much need revenue by leasing/renting the space to the scouting organizations or sharing maintenance costs/responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities may be shared by the student/scouts, further developing their sence of belonging, accomplishment, and self-worth/esteem.