SPICES (Scouting)
{{Short description|Learning objectives of several scout organisations}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2023}}
The SPICES (Social, Physical, Intellectual, Character/Creativity, Emotional and Spiritual){{Cite web |last=McHugh |first=Conor |date=12 April 2017 |title=After 24 years Allenwood scouts open den |url=https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/244842/after-24-years-allenwood-scouts-open-den.html}} are learning objectives, or areas of personal development explored through scouting programmes in a number of countries. The acronym was created during the development of the ONE Programme scheme by Scouting Ireland,{{Cite web |title=SPICES Discovery |url=http://www.scouts.ie/news/article/spices_discovery-920.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126055557/http://www.scouts.ie/news/article/spices_discovery-920.html |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=5 November 2015 |website=Scouts.ie |via=Wayback Machine}} but has since been adopted by Scouts Canada, Scouts Australia, Scouts New Zealand and Scout Association of Malta. These objectives reflect the aims of Scouting rather than the methodologies – the Scout Method.
Background
On the merging of legacy scout associations to create Scouting Ireland in 2004, a need was identified to merge or replace existing programmes into a unified youth programme, eventually becoming "ONE Programme".{{Cite web |title=Ireland |url=https://gps.scout.org/handbook/cross-bridges-ireland/#1603807896348-c75e519a-f3b2 |website=Guide to Youth Programme in Scouting Scout.org |publisher=World Organization of the Scout Movement}} Thirty-six fundamental learning objectives, categorised as social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual areas,{{Cite web |date=20 October 2020 |title=Learning Objectives |url=https://issuu.com/scoutingireland/docs/learning_objectives |publisher=Scouting Ireland |via=Issuu}} were identified as the central aim of the organisation. Interim steps were identified so that these areas of growth could be targeted across the age ranges of the youth members.
The success of the ONE Programme development, prompted other scout organisations to base their youth programme revisions on Scouting Ireland's research. Some examples include, Scouts Canada,{{Cite web |title=Canadian Path – SPICES |url=https://beaconsfieldscouts.com/cubs/program/canadian-path-spices/ |publisher=Beaconsfield Scouts, Scouts Canada}}{{Cite web |title=Program Standards |url=https://www.scouts.ca/resources/bpp/policies/program-standard.html |publisher=Scouts Canada}} Scouts Australia,{{Cite web |date=21 August 2018 |title=The SPICES of Scouting |url=https://scouts.com.au/blog/2018/08/21/the-spices-of-scouting/ |publisher=Scouts Australia}} Scouts Aotearoa and the Scout Association of Malta.{{Cite web |title=Programme |url=https://scouts.nz/programme/ |publisher=Scouts Aotearoa}}{{Cite web |title=Training Forms |url=https://scouts.mt/training-forms/ |publisher=Scout Association of Malta}}
National implementations
=Australia=
The SPICES are adapted for each of the programme sections – Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers.{{Cite web |last=Attwood |first=Alan |date=30 January 2020 |title=Be prepared: Scouting's struggle for relevance |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/be-prepared-scouting-s-struggle-for-relevance-20191205-p53h93.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
=Canada=
As part of the "Canadian Path", from beaver scouts to rover scouts, the SPICES are considered the attributes that best represent well rounded youth, prepared for the world.{{Cite web |title=Program Standards | Scouts Canada |url=https://www.scouts.ca/resources/bpp/policies/program-standard.html |website=Scouts.ca}}{{Cite web |title=Intro to the SPICES |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaUCeNAsN-o |publisher=Scouts Canada |via=YouTube}}
The Spiritual element is not necessarily religion focused, but could include a scout's relationship with an abrahamic god or connectedness with nature or the global community.{{Cite web |title=THE CANADIAN PATH: SPICES | 137th Ottawa Scouts |url=https://www.137thottawascouts.com/canadian-path-spices |website=www.137thottawascouts.com}}
=Ireland=
In programme books and materials, for Beaver Scouts and Cub Scouts, the SPICES are represented by characters representing those traits.{{Cite web |title=One Programme - Beavers |url=https://sfni.org/beavers/one-programme/ |website=Scout Foundation NI}}
Beavers track their progress through the SPICES in the Bree (first year), Ruarc (second year) and Conn (third year) lodges.{{Cite web |title=Personal Progression Journey Beaver Scouts |url=https://sfni.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Personal-Progression-Journey-Beaver-Scouts.pdf |website=Scout Foundation NI}}
Cubs track their progress by marking their "travel cards" which contain a checklist of all the learning objectives.{{Cite web |date=15 February 2021 |title=The Lands of Adventure |url=https://issuu.com/scoutingireland/docs/general_how_to_cub_sm |publisher=Scouting Ireland |via=Issuu}} SPICES beads, and annual personal progress badges are awarded as the travel cards are filled. Venture Scouts plan activities based on a self-assessment of their current personal development using the SPICES (similar to wheel of life tool).{{Cite web |date=15 February 2021 |title=Venturing the Adventure |url=https://issuu.com/scoutingireland/docs/how_to_venture_smxx |publisher=Scouting Ireland |pages=32–38 |via=Issuu}}
Scouts, Venture Scouts, Rover Scouts review their progress as part of the general review of programme cycles.{{Cite web |date=5 March 2021 |title=Developing and planning programmes |url=https://issuu.com/scoutingireland/docs/programme_plan |publisher=Scouting Ireland |via=Issuu}}
{{Cite web |title=The Spirit of Adventure |url=http://1stgalway.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/The-Spirit-of-Adventure.pdf |publisher=Scouting Ireland |pages=65–66 |via=1stGalway.com}}
=Malta=
The "C" in SPICES has been adapted to represent "Creativity".{{Cite web |title=SPICES – Creativity | Our method includes forming the character of our youth through six development stages we call the SPICES, this is how we do it! – Creativity... | |url=https://www.facebook.com/MaltaScouts/videos/spices-creativity/1658554660887403/ |website=Facebook |publisher=The Scout Association of Malta}} The sections are cubs, scouts, ventures and rovers.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2017 |title=Victoria Scout Group awards |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/Victoria-Scout-Group-awards.638651 |website=Timesofmalta.com}}
=New Zealand=
The SPICES are used in the five sections – Keas, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers.{{Cite web |title=Programme |url=https://scouts.nz/programme/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917200208/https://scouts.nz/programme/ |archive-date=2023-09-17 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=Scouts.nz}} Scouts Aotearoa has linked the SPICES to a similar concept from the Hauora philosophy of health and wellbeing.{{Cite web |title=Hauora – Kirikiriroa and St. Peter's Scout Group |url=https://www.kspsg.org.nz/hauora/ |website=KSPSG.org.nz}} There are four dimensions (or whare walls) of hauora: taha tinana (physical well-being – health), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional well-being – self-confidence), taha whanau (social well-being – self-esteem) and taha wairua (spiritual well-being – personal beliefs).{{Cite web |last=Littlewood |first=Matthew |date=24 January 2013 |title=Chant grab their chances |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/entertainment/attitude/8221630/Chant-grab-their-chances |website=Stuff.co.NZ}}
References
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{{Scoutorg SI}}
{{Scouting in Australia}}
{{Scoutorg Scouts Canada}}
{{Scouting|other}}
Category:Scouting and Guiding in Australia
Category:Scouting and Guiding in Canada
Category:Scouting and Guiding in Malta