RISKY SCOUT BUSINESS

Risky Scout business

By: Greg Nash

There’s a fair amount of debate about the risks and benefits associated with it when talking about youth development. It’s argued that young people need exposure to a certain level of risk in order to fully develop both physiologically and psychologically.

So what does this have to do with scouting?

There is a lot in what scouting offers youth that attracts the perception of risk; in actuality, we use this to attract membership. We offer risky activities that appeal to the needs of all of us. This is not always physical as we also offer mental challenges that are also risk associated, for example, a Group Leader has many challenges associated with their role that risks a group’s viability.

Scouting offers youth a variety of risky activities like Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Kayaking, Caving, Diving, Parascending, Four Wheel Driving, and much more. All these have physical risks and dangers associated with them. What is required for scouting is the capacity to achieve a balance between safe activity environments while still enabling youth to take part in a learning experience.

A balance is also needed between ‘cotton-wooling’ our youth and exposing them to healthy levels of managed risk. Too little challenge for young people can lead to inappropriate risk-taking behavior later in life.

POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF RISK-TAKING:

Promotes life-long participation in physical activities; an issue that is becoming increasingly important with inactivity being associated with the rising incidence of childhood obesity. These are important considerations if children are to reach their potential and have active, healthy lifestyles.

The outdoors; whether it be the natural environment or staged activities specifically designed for youth, more so than in any other context encourages young people to be themselves, explore, experiment, move and make the most of the opportunities offered by the environment in a less restricted “unstructured” manner.

This view which is championed around the globe by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recognises that we need to move on from approaches where the emphasis is on protection towards finding a balance between safety and children’s exposure to healthy levels of risk that allows them to build resilience and personal duty of care.

THE PERCEPTION OF RISK

In the amusement ride industry, it is common knowledge that it is the perception of risk and not actual risk that is important. It is more dangerous traveling to the theme park than taking the scariest ride. All the hazards have been ‘engineered out’ – the hazards have all been removed by good design.

Scouting makes use of perceived risk to challenge youth, engaging them in their self-awareness and that of the environment they are in. It’s well known that scout-run adventurous activities like abseiling could look a bit scary, it is just a perceived risk. It is only through good training, good leadership, and quality gear well maintained – the exposure to danger is exceedingly diminished.

Training and standards

It is important to maintain a focus on training and the need to have a good deal of competency when engaging in risky activities. When leaders put on their uniforms a perception is held by participants, the general public, and others that the leader in uniform is trained. Scouts Australia Institute of Training ensures its methods of training are up-to-date and in keeping with National and World standards that benefit its membership. There’s more than an obligation for leaders to train, it’s the basis on which responsibility, personal growth, and membership are centered.

Leaders: Training for all scouting activities from weekly meetings to outdoor adventures is not an option but a duty of care for self and others.

Whilst safety issues can be addressed, avoiding the activity is not the solution as doing so limits youth participation in a wide range of worthwhile scouting experiences that promote their optimal health and development. Leaders in scouting are best placed to develop themselves and pass on a variety of life skills to our youth.