Scouting - the sandbox of life

Someone at my Wood badge course told us that the average volunteering time within our organisation is 8 years. I'm currently at 9. As Scouting is primarily focused on youth, there is often a sense of urgency to achieve and experience as much as possible before it's considered "too late." But what does that really mean?

From local to national

Do you remember your first patrol meeting as a patrol leader? I do. I was very excited about this new beginning in my scouting career, yet I felt a mixture of uncertainty and nervousness about what lay ahead. The feeling of starting a new volunteering role was never the same as that first one. Looking back, I realise it was one of the most impactful roles I have ever been in, providing direct and tangible results. Although it has been almost 5 years since then, my passion for volunteering locally has remained strong. I now hold the position of head of my Scout group and spend my summers working in the kitchen at our camp.

Nowadays, I contribute to Scouting at various levels, ranging from local to national and even international. I have witnessed how actions taken on a global scale gradually permeate to the local level. For instance, I was a staff member on a regional patrol leader course within Taborniki (my National Scout Organization – NSO) for the last 6 years. One of the most important things we teach in these courses is the Scout Method and what it's made of. In 2017, a revised Scout Method was presented at Azerbaijan's 41st World Scout Conference, including a new 8th element called "Community involvement". That same year, it was already integrated into our course curriculum, shaping the education of new generations of patrol leaders. It's incredible how agile and adaptive Scouting is. I mean, remember the pandemic? We could adapt our methods to new circumstances and maintain quality and engagement.

To international

Personally, I thrive when taking on roles that pull me from my comfort zone into a "growth zone". These roles provide a healthy level of challenge, allowing me to learn something new while avoiding overwhelming tasks. Two notable examples are my involvement in The Academy 2019 and the European Scout Jamboree 2020. I learned about The Academy at our national assembly after we won the bid to organise it, and I knew I had to be a part of it. Together with the head of our host team, we identified a suitable role for me as the head of logistics, which I had experience in but outside Scouting. This opportunity enabled me to strengthen my communication and organisational skills. The European Scout Jamboree 2020 was my first experience with an international team. As a member of the IT team, I worked on the development of the website. Witnessing how a large-scale event is prepared and how important every role within the planning team is truly inspiring. Although I faced challenges in the IT realm, making mistakes and subsequently learning how to rectify them, the most valuable lesson I gleaned from this experience was knowing when to seek assistance. As a whole, scouting offers robust support mechanisms, whether from peers or experienced adults. It is through this collaborative environment that we foster personal growth and development. Together.

My most recent adventure was serving as Winter Short Term Staff at Kandersteg International Scout Centre. It's a unique and magical place that brings together scouts and non-scouts from all over the world. I had the opportunity to guide students from the Middle East in cross-country skiing, accompany scout groups from Birmingham on the slopes at Adelboden, practice my favourite hobby of photography during the opening ceremony of the KISC's centenary year, but also carry out everyday tasks like cleaning toilets, cooking meals, and folding sheets. Regardless of one's background or position in life or Scouting, everyone contributes at The World Scout Centre – cleaning up after meals, tidying their rooms before checkout, and recycling. It's a community unlike any other.

People often struggle to comprehend why I dedicate myself to Scouting. I have encountered questions like, "When will you be done with Scouts?" or "You're still involved? Why not go on a vacation instead of summer camp; that's for kids." While I have never felt the need to explain myself, I've realised that there is a common thread woven throughout all my volunteering experiences - the people. It is the passionate individuals in Scouting who make it worthwhile. The patrol leaders create exciting activities for their weekly meetings, the facilitators plan engaging sessions, the board members navigate uncertainty to run the organisation effectively, and the ISTs put in long hours to ensure event participants have an unforgettable time. These individuals continue their dedication because they have experienced the impact of someone else's efforts before them. It's not about monetary gain or personal favours; rather, it is rooted in their unwavering belief in the importance of their work and their shared commitment to creating a better world through the Scouting movement.

Gašper Kristanec, Deputy International Commissioner of Zveza tabornikov Slovenije