The "Grey Area": Euro.Scout.Doc on Youth Leadership

Euro.Scout.Doc on Youth Leadership
The idea of this document is to present models for tackling youth leadership in associations and to examine the decisions which have to be taken. The document also gives a view on leadership, especially in the Rover age section, and discusses inter-generational issues in Scout leadership.

One of the biggest challenges of national Scout associations is to have enough adults to support the younger age sections (Cubs, Beavers and Scouts), and at the same time to have Rovers ready by the end of their membership in the Movement to be active citizens.

Some national Scout associations seem to pay less attention to adolescents and young adults, consciously or not, and are focusing on the pre-adolescent ages. Actually, working with adolescents and young adults can be difficult and may require more sensitivity and quality of adult leaders.

If it is true that a young leader, who should be in the Rover section, is not mature enough to be a competent leader in a Scout unit, it is equally true that often there is no other obvious solution for the lack of adults. Besides, leadership is among the most prestigious skills we can offer to young people. This Euro.Scout.Doc aims to help national Scout associations make an informed decision about providing the best options for the young people in the last age section.