Alcoa Foundation

A Nature Trail/Eco-Path and a Canoe Station has been officially opened by the Association of Christian Guides and Scouts (VCP). The Nature Trail/Eco-Path is part of the ecological education programme offered by our camp site. This programme is being established on the four Scout centres of the RDP/RdP´s (German Scout Ring) member organisations. The project is financially supported by the World Organization of Scout Movement and the Alcoa Foundation.

The canoe station is part of a regional project called INTERREC-IIIC “Rural Waters – Tourism on and around the water”, which was initiated by the “Canoe Initiative Ruppiner Land”, to develop regional canoe tourism. The aim of the project is to establish an information system for canoeists throughout the nature reserve “Stechlin-Ruppiner Land”. The canoe station will also be available for use to the German Canoe Association.

During the first few months of 2008, fourteen local Scout Groups and Scout Centres from nine countries around the world were given the special task of testing the curriculum content and programme activities for the World Scout Environment Badge. These 550 Scouts from Algeria, Australia, Bolivia, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Palestinian Authority, South Africa and the United Kingdom gave valuable feedback that proved the environment is an important global issue and something that young people, wherever they are in the world, are concerned about and want to help make a difference.

The Scouts participated in a wide range of activities that included exploring their local environment, looking at the local air quality and water quality, analysing environmental issues in their country then engaging in debates and discussions, learning about natural disasters that could happen to their community, creating natural art pieces, tree planting, clean up activities, looking at their own carbon footprint and much more.

The Swiss National Jamboree 'Contura 08' has taken place in Eastern Switzerland on the Plain de la Linth with 25,145 Scouts participating in the two week event which takes place only every 14 years. This year's location was particularly special, because it was on the border of 3 cantons- St Gallen, Schwyz and Glarus.

Participants had the opportunity to take part in action-packed activities throughout the Jamboree which included a full day's programme in the Global Village. 28 workshops were presented by various NGOs and partners of the Swiss Scout Movement and World Scouting which explored issues relating to education, sustainable development, human rights and environmental protection.

Jeju Island, Korea - 14 July 2008: Scouts from all over the world have traveled to Jeju Island, Korea to attend the 38th World Scouting Conference, which begins today. During this ‘General Assembly’ of Scouting – taking place from July 14 – 18 – delegates of all National Scout Organizations will discuss and decide on a wide range of topics and projects important to Scouting. Among these topics is the launch of the new World Scout Environment Programme developed with support of the Alcoa Foundation.

Two training seminars are being offered to European National Scout Associations, free of charge with thanks to the support of the Alcoa Foundation, to support adults in Scouting with the delivery of the World Scout Environment Programme, using experiential education. This approach is based on the Scout Method and offers support for engaging Scouts in learning by doing, particularly with regard to exploration of the environment and natural world.

The first seminar will be held at Jambville, Paris 12 - 14 June 2009 and the second seminar will be held at Fritz-Emmel-Hause, Frankfurt 11 - 13 September 2009. A third seminar will be made available to Eurasian Regional National Scout Associations from 2 - 4 October in Moscow.

After more than twelve months of planning the first ‘trial’ Scouts of the World Discovery was held at Youlbury Scout Activity Centre near Oxford. Eight enthusiastic members of the Scout Network from across the country took part in the Discovery which had Environment and Sustainability as its theme, and The Woodland Trust as partners.

A full day of exploration was spent photographing and ‘hugging’ trees in the nearby forest to provide a practical introduction to the Ancient Tree Hunt project. Participants were also given training in a wide range of skills including project management, behavioural analysis, challenging prejudice, conflict resolution, and what it means to be a Scout of the World. Case studies of overseas service projects were examined, and input given by a team of experts including two members of Scouts et Guides de France. Finally, action plans were drawn up to ensure this group will be the first British Scouts to achieve the SW Award which they must complete before their 25th birthday.

World Scouting is pleased to announce the launch of new SCENES Guidelines for Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and Environment as part of the World Scout Environment Programme.

"Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and the Environment are outstanding examples of Scouting's ongoing commitment to the environment, through protecting natural areas, engaging Scouts through fun and interesting environmental education programmes and demonstrating continuous improvements in environmental management practices. I commend these Scout Centres for their example to Scouting and the wider community of how Scouts can make a positive contribution to the environment.

I would like to encourage our National Scout Organizations to read the SCENES Guidelines and consider if there are potential new SCENES Centres that can be established," recommended Luc Panissod, Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

During the 21st World Scout Jamboree in the UK in August 2007, Scouts aged 14 to 18 had the opportunity to participate in workshops at the Global Development Village (GDV), where they could learn about issues confronting the world today and in the future and explore how Scouts can act as a positive force for change in these areas.

The World Scout Environment Education Task Team, in conjunction with an international team of volunteers, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Alcoa Foundation, developed four environment and sustainability workshops for the GDV on some of the most important issues for Scouts today and for the coming years. These topics included climate change, disaster preparedness, green living and renewable energy.

The Hops Clan from Sakskøbing had hardly eaten the energy-friendly baked potato, before they raced to the Climate Tent. Here they found that commitment is rewarded. They were the first to receive five stamps needed for the World Scout Environment Badge, and thus the proud owners of the world's first environmental badge for Scouts. Jens Peter, Morten, Ellen, Patrick, Louise and Daniel solved the tasks together and had set a target to become the first to receive the badge. They immediately threw themselves into three climate activities in the afternoon where they learned about heating the water primitively, create wind and build a so-called Sudan stove. Friday they learned about the secrets of the rain forest and environmental friendly potato baking. This is all part of the programme available to 20,000 Scouts at the 'Blue Summer' or Blå Sommer Jamboree in Denmark.

Exploring the local park, considering the biggest environmental challenges facing the planet and discussing how Scouts connect with nature were all part of the training provided to Scouts at the Euro Scout Academy. Fourteen participants from Denmark, Lithuania, Portugal, Iceland, Malta, Belgium, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland explored the World Scout Environment Programme and how this can be of benefit to their own National Scout Organizations.