Example 1: Slovakia

The Scout Method was taken to the Roma community and with the assistance of leaders of the community was adapted to meet the needs of the young Roma. There is a particular focus on music, dance and retaining the Roma culture. This works alongside some of the elements of Scouting of working in small groups, decision-making and having positive role models but it has been very important to work alongside the leaders and the young people to make Scouting and the Scout Method relevant to them.

Example 2: Hong Kong

The Scout Group for young offenders in Hong Kong runs along the same principles as other Scout Groups and the Scout Method is a key element of helping behaviour change in the young offenders. Through providing a challenging and attractive programme, based on the Scout Promise and Law, the young offenders can begin to test their abilities, see their potential and begin to find another path away from crime and offending. The activities are much the same as would be found in any Scout Group, hiking, camping, first-aid, mapping, pioneering to name but a few. Scouting and the Scout Method offers these young people the chance to develop skills and self-esteem which are key elements to supporting their re-integration back into society.

Example 3: El Salvador

By using the Scout Method, the energy of the gang leaders was channeled in a positive way. Young people from different backgrounds were in a group; working together to achieve tasks, learning by doing and learning how to enter into dialogue and co-operate with each other. The use of the Scout Promise and Law was also a key aspect of working with the former gang members. They were shown how to live out a commitment to the set of positive values expressed in the Scout Promise and Law. This has been a life-changing experience for over 15,000 young people over the past 8 years.