GUIDING

        About Guiding.... Article from A whole new wold of scouts and guides.

EDUCATION FOR LIFE Guiding complements the school and the family, filling needs not met by either. Guiding develops self-knowledge, the need to explore, to discover, to want to know. Guides discover the world beyond the classroom, tapping the skills of others to learn, and passing that knowledge on to others. INTERNATIONAL There are recognized Guide organizations and branches in more than 216 countries and territories. GROWING Guiding has never stopped growing since its founding. Today there are more than 25 million members - boys and girls. Guiding has doubled its membership in the last 20 years. Much of the growth is in developing countries. OPEN TO ALL Guiding is open to all, regardless of race or creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by its founder Robert Baden-Powell.

A MOVEMENT FOR YOUTH Guiding is a Movement... on the move. Evolving and adapting everywhere according to local conditions, serving according to local needs. NON-POLITICAL,NON-GOVERNMENTAL Guiding does not and must not represent any political party or organization. Nonetheless, Guides are encouraged to make a constructive contribution to their community, society and country. ALSO A CHALLENGE FORADULTS A chance to help young people. A way to improve the understanding between generations. In their service, adult leaders get valuable training and experience, adding to their personal development. VOLUNTARY Guides and leaders must choose to join Guiding. FUN, WITH A PURPOSE Through recreation, Guiding achieves its purpose to help young people develop physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually.

GUIDING IS... A METHOD:

MAKING A PERSONAL COMMITMENT - to a simple code of living: the Guide Promise and Law. LEARNING BY DOING - active participation, with others. WORKING IN SMALL GROUPS - in patrols to develop leadership, group skills, and individual responsibility. STIMULATING PROGRAMS - progressive activities based on the interests of young people. Activities in contact with nature, a rich learning environment where simplicity, creativity, and discovery come together to provide adventure and challenge.

GUIDING IS... A CODE OF LIVING:

A SPIRITUAL DIMENSION - a commitment to seek the spiritual value of life beyond the material world. A SOCIAL DIMENSION - participating in the development of society, respecting the dignity of others and the integrity of the natural world. Promoting local, national and international peace, understanding and cooperation. A PERSONAL DIMENSION - developing a sense of personal responsibility and stimulating the desire for responsible self-expression.

GUIDES ARE INVOLVED

MEETING REAL NEEDS Guides are involved in a vast number of issues facing the communities where they live. Guides work with others in the community to achieve mutual objectives. They work with friends, neighbors, community leaders and other organizations. Many work on projects of bilateral cooperation between Guides in developing and industrialized countries.

GUIDES ARE INVOLVED IN... Child health Drug abuse prevention Clean water and sanitation Appropriate technology Low-cost housing Literacy Peace education Life skills training Children at risk Integration of the handicapped Family life education Rights of children Food production and agriculture Environmental conservation and education Renewable energies Reforestation Job skills training Youth unemployment Immigrant communities Education about development issues