SPICES (Scouting)

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The SPICES (Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character/Creativity, [1] Emotional and Spiritual) [2] are learning objectives, or areas of personal development explored through scouting programmes in a number of countries. The acronym was created during the development of the ONE Programme scheme by Scouting Ireland, [3] but has since been adopted by Scouts Canada, Scouts Australia, Scouts New Zealand and Scout Association of Malta. These objectives reflect the aims of Scouting rather than the methodologies – the Scout Method.

Contents

Background

On the merging of legacy scout associations to create Scouting Ireland in 2004, a need was identified to merge or replace existing programmes into a unified youth programme, eventually becoming "ONE Programme". [4] Thirty-six fundamental learning objectives, categorised as social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual areas, [5] were identified as the central aim of the organisation. [4] Interim steps were identified so that these areas of growth could be targeted across the age ranges of the youth members. [4] [5]

The success of the ONE Programme development, prompted other scout organisations to base their youth programme revisions on Scouting Ireland's research. Some examples include, Scouts Canada, [6] [7] Scouts Australia, [8] Scouts Aotearoa and the Scout Association of Malta. [9] [10]

National implementations

Australia

The SPICES are adapted for each of the programme sections – Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers. [11] [8]

Canada

As part of the "Canadian Path", from beaver scouts to rover scouts, the SPICES are considered the attributes that best represent well rounded youth, prepared for the world. [12] [13]

The Spiritual element is not necessarily religion focused, but could include a scout's relationship with an abrahamic god or connectedness with nature or the global community. [14]

Ireland

In programme books and materials, for Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts, the SPICES are represented by characters representing those traits. [15] Beavers track their progress through the SPICES in the Bree (first year), Ruarc (second year) and Conn (third year) lodges. [16] Cubs track their progress by marking their "travel cards" which contain a checklist of all the learning objectives. [17] SPICES beads, and annual personal progress badges are awarded as the travel cards are filled. [17] Venture Scouts plan activities based on a self-assessment of their current personal development using the SPICES (similar to wheel of life tool). [18] Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rover Scouts review their progress as part of the general review of programme cycles. [19] [20]

Malta

The "C" in SPICES has been adapted to represent "Creativity". [1] The sections are cubs, scouts, ventures and rovers. [21]

New Zealand

The SPICES are used in the five sections – Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers. [22] Scouts Aotearoa has linked the SPICES to a similar concept from the Hauora philosophy of health and wellbeing. [23] There are four dimensions (or whare walls) of hauora: taha tinana (physical well-being – health), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional well-being – self-confidence), taha whanau (social well-being – self-esteem) and taha wairua (spiritual well-being – personal beliefs). [24]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cub Scouts (Scouting Ireland)</span>

Cub Scouts or Macaoimh is the name given to youth members Scouting Ireland and previously Scouting Ireland (CSI), of the Cub Scout age group. The National Team Lead and Programme Commissioner for Cub Scouts is Evan O'Connell of the 49th Cork, Ballincollig Scout group. The terms Macaoimh and Cub are often co-existent though Macaoimh represents a different tradition. Both boys and girls participate in the Cub Scout programme though some Scout Groups are boys only. Its membership is the largest of the four Scouting Ireland Sections. The Cub Scout programme is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to develop the youth member using the SPICE program - Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character, Emotional and Spiritual.

Cub Scouts is the section of Scouts Australia for boys and girls aged 8 to 11 (inclusive), often known simply as 'Cubs'. The Cub Scout section follows after Joey Scouts and is before Scouts. Cub Scouts wear a uniform shirt with navy blue panels, and yellow shoulders.

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The Chief Scout Award is the highest youth programme award in each of the Programme Sections in Scouting Ireland. It is designed to tie-in with the Gaisce Award/Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and the Chief Scout Award for Scouts, Venture Scouts, and Rover Scouts are awarded jointly with the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards respectively. Requirements for the award are a number of Adventure Skills, Special Interest Badges, an Expedition, and camp with an inter-cultural aspect. The progress of the award is led by the participant, with the help of the Scouter.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Scouts (Scouting Ireland)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal progression in Scouting Ireland</span>

The ONE Programme personal progression system for youth members of Scouting Ireland has been designed and refactored since the merger of earlier organisations, using a number of key underlining principles. Activities and personal progression (badges) are designed to make use of the Scout method, maintain a consistent structure across the five youth programme sections, involve youth participation and personal experiences.

References

  1. 1 2 "SPICES – Creativity | Our method includes forming the character of our youth through six development stages we call the SPICES, this is how we do it! – Creativity... |". Facebook . The Scout Association of Malta.
  2. McHugh, Conor (12 April 2017). "After 24 years Allenwood scouts open den".
  3. "SPICES Discovery". Scouts.ie . Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2015 via Wayback Machine.
  4. 1 2 3 "Ireland". Guide to Youth Programme in Scouting Scout.org . World Organization of the Scout Movement.
  5. 1 2 "Learning Objectives". Scouting Ireland. 20 October 2020 via Issuu.
  6. "Canadian Path – SPICES". Beaconsfield Scouts, Scouts Canada.
  7. "Program Standards". Scouts Canada.
  8. 1 2 "The SPICES of Scouting". Scouts Australia. 21 August 2018.
  9. "Programme". Scouts Aotearoa.
  10. "Training Forms". Scout Association of Malta.
  11. Attwood, Alan (30 January 2020). "Be prepared: Scouting's struggle for relevance". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  12. "Program Standards | Scouts Canada". Scouts.ca .
  13. "Intro to the SPICES". Scouts Canada via Youtube.
  14. "THE CANADIAN PATH: SPICES | 137th Ottawa Scouts". www.137thottawascouts.com.
  15. "One Programme - Beavers". Scout Foundation NI .
  16. "Personal Progression Journey Beaver Scouts" (PDF). Scout Foundation NI .
  17. 1 2 "The Lands of Adventure". Scouting Ireland. 15 February 2021 via Issuu.
  18. "Venturing the Adventure". Scouting Ireland. 15 February 2021. pp. 32–38 via Issuu.
  19. "Developing and planning programmes". Scouting Ireland. 5 March 2021 via Issuu.
  20. "The Spirit of Adventure" (PDF). Scouting Ireland. pp. 65–66 via 1stGalway.com.
  21. "Victoria Scout Group awards". Timesofmalta.com . 5 February 2017.
  22. "Programme". Scouts.nz . Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  23. "Hauora – Kirikiriroa and St. Peter's Scout Group". KSPSG.org.nz.
  24. Littlewood, Matthew (24 January 2013). "Chant grab their chances". Stuff.co.NZ .