5th Carmarthen Scout Group 2012 -13
Peace Mala Accreditation Self Evaluation Form
A Peace Mala youth group is committed to placing the vision and message of Peace Mala at the heart-centre of its values system
The seven key areas for action
Area One / Actions / Evidence5th Carmarthen Scout Group will seek Peace Mala accreditation during this scouting year.
Work towards Peace Mala accreditation has been approved by Leaders in all sections.
Youth members in all sections will explore the Peace Mala resources and will make and wear Peace Malas. / · 5th Carmarthen Scout Group shares the spirit and message of Peace Mala. Our Peace Mala journey is a whole group one. Scouting promotes tolerance and respect. Respect for others and self respect are part of the Scout Laws. Peace Mala was introduced to the Scouts in September 2012
· All members of our Scout Group will be offered the opportunity to make Peace Mala bracelets. By the end of this Scouting year all youth members and Leaders will be wearing Peace Malas.
· There are 3 partnership awards in Scouting. During the last three years Scouts have achieved the International Friendship Partnership Award (2010-11), the Environment Partnership Award (2011-12) and are working towards the Faith Partnership Award during 2012-13.
· Scout Leaders have made parents aware of our involvement with Peace Mala via email newsletters. There is a page on our website with information about Peace Mala activities in the group and a link to the Peace Mala website
· Scouts will be visiting various faith centres during this year, including Swansea Mosque, Cardiff Synagogue and the Sri Ranganatha temple at Skanda Vale. These visits and further study will contribute to their World Faiths activity badge
· Peace Mala is promoted at every opportunity and there are will be group events and activities that support this e.g. charity work, Health Challenge Wales Awards, Keep Wales Tidy, Save the children passport
· The group will share its news and information about Peace Mala with other Scout Groups via international events such as Jamboree on the Internet, and by placing information on the Carmarthenshire Area Scouts website, Scouts Wales website / Group Website
Emails sent to parents
Involvement on Scouts Messengers for Peace during 16th Annual Jamboree on the internet
http://www.joti.org/en/index.html
Scouts wearing Environment Partnership and international Partnership badge on uniforms
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/search/?cat=56,139
Notice board in scout hall
www.5thcarmarthenscouts.org
http://5thcarmarthenscouts.org/index.php/orienteering/84-synagogue-visit-a-neath-camp
http://5thcarmarthenscouts.org/index.php/peace-mala/66-peace-mala
http://5thcarmarthenscouts.org/index.php/peace-mala
http://www.skandavale.org/bring-an-educational-group/
Area Two / Actions / Evidence
By engaging with Peace Mala the group is committed to education for global citizenship through the promotion of understanding, respect, friendship, tolerance and peace between all communities, cultures and enlightened, compassionate faiths. Peace Mala promotes and encourages community cohesion. / · The group programme is centred on core scouting values, and all our activities relate to and uphold the Scout Promise and laws
· Our programme is balanced and ensures the emotional, physical, spiritual and social development of all our young people
· Scouts have a good understanding of their rights and responsibilities through activities and discussions
· The Scout Association has written policies and practices which support equality and diversity.
· Each week one Scout prepares a Thought for the Week to finish our meeting. This can be a prayer, thought, reflection, reading or poem
· Before making the scout promise, each scout undergoes a preparation session to ensure that they understand Scouting Values
· We regularly interact with other members of the wider community by way of visits and visitors, and take part in charity and voluntary work
· Scout Leaders receive training modules in Valuing Diversity and International links / Copy of Scout promise and Laws
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/2943/scout-promise-law-and-motto?cat=7,132&moduleID=10
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/search?cat=25
Copy of balanced programme planner
https://members.scouts.org.uk/documents/6to25/593%201%20PG%20The%20Balanced%20Programme%20Resource%20-%20FINAL.pdf
Copy of Global citizenship objectives
Copy of annual programmes for 2010-11, 2011-12 AND 2012-13
Photographs on website and link to albums
Copy of Adult Training modules
https://members.scouts.org.uk/documents/Adult_Training/Module%20Matrix%202012.pdf
Area Three / Actions / Evidence
By using Peace Mala as part of our programme the group supports human rights and helps prevent bullying and all forms of prejudice. / · At the beginning of each year the Scouts formulate their own Code of Conduct which is displayed on the Scout Hall notice board.
· A large Anti bullying poster is displayed
· Rector of St Peters Church, Rev Leigh Richardson makes a presentation to the group before Remembrance Day
· All our communications with parents stress that Scouting is fully inclusive and that no young person should ever miss out on any Scouting activity due to financial hardship or any special requirements. We endeavour to ensure that all young people who wish to take part in our activities are enabled to do so.
· When new members join the Scout Troop they are introduced to their Patrol Leader, who has the responsibility of ensuring they feel welcome and happy. Patrol Leader training days are held during the year to ensure that they understand this role.
· It is unusual for behaviour to cause problems within the group. All Scouts know that they can talk to either their Patrol Leader or one of the adult leaders at any time if they are unhappy with any aspect of their scouting experience. When cases of bullying are reported they are dealt with swiftly in conjunction with the parents, The Scout Association has a definite structure in place for reporting of any cases of suspect abuse.
· All Leaders undergo Safeguarding and Child protection training. They also receive training in Challenging Behaviour
· Residential activities and camping form a vital part of the Scout programme. These contribute to our emphasis on a healthy lifestyle
· All Scouts work towards their Promise Challenge / Copy of Troop Code of Conduct
Scout Association Equal opportunity Policy
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/search/?cat=377
Copy of Adult Training programme
Copy of Promise Challenge requirements
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/2667/promise-challenge/?cat=56,135,157&moduleID=10
Area Four / Actions / Evidence
Peace Mala encourages the scout group to raise awareness of issues of global interdependence and encourages active compassion by scouts that will lead to positive changes locally and globally. / · Participation in the annual Jamboree on the Internet – making contact with Scouts all over the world and comparing experiences
· The group participated in the Shelterbox Challenge 2010 . Scouts learned how the charity helps with relief in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and how Scouts are vital part of the work in many parts if the world. Monthly activities throughout the year relating to Global issues completed the challenge
· The group took part in the Coast Along for Wateraid sponsored walk in 2012 and 2011 raising over £600.
· Scouts learned about the work of Wateraid, and learned about water shortage and poor sanitation in many developing countries
· Most Scouts have completed their Global Challenge Award
· Programme activities based on third world issues e,g ‘That’s not Fair’, Fair Food’
· Cubs and Beavers have participated in Save the Children passport / Copy of Shelter Box certificate
Copy of Shelterbox challenge activities
Photographs and website article relating to JOTI
Photographs of Coastalong
Certificate of participation in Coastalong
Photographs of Wateraid activities
Copy of Global Challenge requirements
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/2579/global-challenge/?cat=56,135,157&moduleID=10
Area Five / Actions / Evidence
Peace Mala encourages the celebration of cultural, racial and religious diversity through art, music, drama and dance. / · Participation in JOTI allowed Scouts to compare their own traditions and differences within Scouting around the world. We made video links with scouts from different countries and were able to compare uniforms etc
· ‘A Scout is a member of the worldwide family of Scouting’ is one of the Scout Laws
· Visits to Swansea Mosque and Cardiff Synagogue
· Visit to and attending pooja at Sri Ranganatha temple in Skanda Vale
· Whole group participated in a Swedish night where we took part in Swedish craft activities, ate Swedish food, learnt some Swedish words and learnt about ABBA! Scouts from our group attended the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011 / Skanda Vale website
http://www.skandavale.org/bring-an-educational-group/
Group website
www.5thcarmarthen.org
Newspaper cuttings of World Jamboree
Photographs of Swedish night
Area Six / Actions / Evidence
With Peace Mala the group actively promotes environmental sustainability, healthy eating, and respect for all animals and wildlife. / · During 2011-12 the whole group completed the Environment Partnership Award
· As part of the Environment Partnership, the group worked with Keep Wales Tidy and helped to tidy and clear an area of land around Cwmoernant Ponds in Carmarthen
· We worked with the National Trust during the year. Iestyn Thomas, the NT environmental engagement officer visited the group and explained the environmental work carried out by the charity.
· Scouts spent a weekend at Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo where they planted over 500 new trees on the flood plain to improve habitats for a number of native birds. They also built an otter holt and bird boxes to encourage tree sparrows
· Cubs and Scouts spent a day at Dinefwr park building and erecting dormouse tubes around the park. We plan to return and help the NT with a survey to see if the boxes have been used
· Scout learnt a lot about biodiversity as part of their work with the NT
· Scouts spent a weekend clearing litter from the coast in Pembrokeshire in conjunction with the Pembrokeshire Coast Park warden Tim Jones
· The whole group participated in a clear up of the Museum gardens in Carmarthen
· As part of Scout Community week Scouts, Cubs and Beavers helped to tidy two gardens in Glangwili hospital to improve the environment for patients in the Mental Health wards.
· Fitness, health and outdoor activites are a key part of Scouting.
· During 2011-12 we had a visit from Becky Icke, of Carmarthenshire Council who discussed healthy lifestyles with the Scouts
· All older Scouts are encouraged to complete their Fitness Challenge Award. This year one group of Scouts took part in a 57 mile bike ride, for which they had to train over a 6 week period, Another group took part in the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Pen y Fan, Cader Idris and Snowdon between dawn and dusk on one day. Again they had trained over a 6 week period.
· Understanding a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and the dangers of drugs, smoking and alcohol are part of the Fitness Challenge
· Scouts are offered the opportunity to camp a night in every month of the year as part of their Scouts Wales ‘Dragon Award’
· We have a high level of participation in our camps and outdoor activities
· Food served at camp is healthy and we ensure a balanced diet with plenty of fruit always available. / Requirements for Environment Partnership Award
Photographs from Keep Wales Tidy week and newspaper cutting
Photographs of Dinefwr Park weekend and newspaper cuttings
Photograph of placing dormouse tubes.
Photographs and newspaper cutting of beach clearing
Photographs of museum clear up
Photographs of Community Week work at hospital
Copy of letter of thanks from hospital staff
Website show letter of thanks from Friends of the Museum
http://5thcarmarthenscouts.org/index.php/home?start=32
Fitness Challenge requirements
https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/2668/fitness-challenge/?cat=56,135,157&moduleID=10
Website articles relating to bike ride and 3 peaks challenge
Link to dragon award requirements
http://www.scoutswales.org.uk/members/awards/dragon-award
Sample camp menu
Area Seven / Actions / Evidence
With Peace Mala the group encourages Peace Education by engaging in peace activities. / As a Scout Group we only meet one night per week therefore it is not possible to run a separate Peace Council.
However we discuss Peace Mala objectives on a regular basis, scouts prepare and read a prayer, reflection reading or poem to finish each meeting
Prayers are chosen and read from the Peace Mala booklet on a regular basis
Future plans:
We are in discussion with the curator of Carmarthenshire County Museum about the possibility of the scout group developing a Peace Garden in the Grounds
Work with the British Heart Foundation to promote awareness of heart disease
All Scouts to complete their World Faiths Activity Badge
Scouts to be encouraged to complete their My Faith activity badge / Sample evening programme
http://5thcarmarthenscouts.org/index.php/orienteering/100-rock-up-in-red-for-bhf