Exploring pathways to purpose in scouts

A Rush, J Brown Urban, WJ Davis

Abstract

Youth purpose was investigated using a two-phase embedded design with youth participating in Scouts BSA (N=3,943), ages 9–20 (M=14.0, SD=1.9). Participating Scouts were mostly White (91%) and male (98%). In Phase 1, we conducted a two-step cluster analysis on Scouts’ survey responses to three purpose dimensions (personal meaning, goal-directedness, beyondthe-self orientation). Four clusters emerged: Purposeful, Explorers, Dreamers, Nonpurposeful. In Phase 2, we explored qualities of purpose within each cluster and programmatic features and relationships within the scouting context fostering youth purpose with a Scout subsample (N=30) who completed semi-structured interviews. Results demonstrated that adults supporting scouting, inspiration from older peers, and opportunities to help others and explore new activities supported youth purpose.

Relevance to scouting

This empirical study of Scouts in the U.S. identifies clusters of youth purpose (Purposeful, Explorers, Dreamers, Nonpurposeful) and highlights how adult support, peer inspiration, and opportunities to help others foster purpose. Scouting globally similarly invests in mentoring, peer networks, and service projects (e.g. the Messengers of Peace initiative) to nurture youth purpose. Scouts can apply these findings across national programmes to tailor support to different purpose clusters. That helps maximize impact on personal meaning, motivation, and life direction for participants.