Our Scout Association, C.N.G.E.I, is internationally known and it is characterized by its educational choices (laicism, coeducation, adult involvement and participative democratic management). We believe it would be useful to start with a kind of glossary, defining some particular terms that will be found in our narrative, in an effort to make all the written parts more comprehensible and (we hope) more interesting.
Sir ROBERT BADEN POWELL OF GILWELL -was the founder of the Scouting Movement, beginning in 1907 - and today we appreciate (in the professional educational field) his intuition about the young and his brilliant educational perception, which was also found in some others (including Maria Montessori) who proposed in the early 1900s the concept of the "active school". Some of his axioms have become bywords for outlining an educational method for the young people, and they are as valid today as in the past: "learn by doing", "listen to the boys", "learn to guide your canoe among the rocks of your life", "the Scout is a World citizen", "the educator is an elder brother for the boys, and an example through his dedication".
 | SCOUT -
is a term taken from the heroic explorers of the American
frontier and is synonymous with the Italian word
ESPLORATORE. Baden-Powell adopted this word, having in mind the
various frontiers of adventure and achievement that his young would explore. The term suggests a special kind of person who can
"get by"
in the most varied situations; a person with a well prepared and
organized way of life, not only in outward appearance, but internally
as well. To develop this internal, personal nature the SCOUT lives in
an open air environment and has a harmonious and respectful
relationship with the natural World. |
|
INTERNATIONAL MEMBER
- the great World of Scouting is represented by two
international organizations WOSM for males and WAGGGS
for females) which include all the associations that "correspond
to the original aims set down by Baden-Powell". Actually there are
more then 130 acknowledged national Scouting associations. Additionally, there are other groups that use Scouting
terms and something of the original idea, BUT do not have all the
elements to be accepted as true Scout associations. C.N.G.E.I. came
into being in Italy between 1910 to 1912 and was recognized as a
national institution in 1916. It is a founding member of the two World
Scouting organizations. |
| SCOUT LAW -
is the moral code of the entire Scouting Movement. It is
expressed (in C.N.G.E.I.) in 10 points, using terminology that sets
forth the positive nature of good actions (rather than forbidding
negative behaviour, which is less motivational and effective). The
scope and terminology of the SCOUT LAW relate to everyday behaviour,
with the promise by each of us to do "our best each day to follow its rules". |
| SCOUT METHOD - (web page about method) to capture and hold the interest of children between the ages of 8 and 19, it is necessary to fan their enthusiasm with programs that are valid for each of the three age groups that C.N.G.E.I. has chosen to serve. Successful program elements have been defined for each group, based on the psychological characteristics of the ages involved. For younger children (the Cubs): GAMES, IMAGINATION, and HANDICRAFT SKILLS, For adolescents (the Scouts and Guides): ADVENTURE, HANDICRAFT and GROUP LIVING. And finally, for the oldest group (the Rovers): DISCOVERING THE WORLD, SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL JOURNEYS and the SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION. The natural environment, with all its innumerable opportunities for life experiences and personal involvement, is the main setting for Scouting. |