to seek out and maximize the many opportunities to incorporate character
development
to convince the young Cub Scout that character is
important to the individual, to his family, community, country, world, and
God
Character development
should not be viewed as something done occasionally as part of a separate
program, or as part of only one area of life. For in reality, character
development is a part of everything a Cub Scout does. Character development
lessons can be found in every aspect of the Cub Scouting experience.
When
it comes to developing character, the complete person must be considered.
Character development involves at least three critical areas:
Know (thought)
Commit (feeling)
Practice (behavior)
In Cub Scouting, addressing these three critical areas and
relating them to values is referred to as Character Connections.
Character Connections asks the Cub Scout to:
Know
Character development includes moral knowledge—both awareness
and reasoning. For example, children must understand what honesty means and they
must be able to reason about and interpret each situation, and then decide how
to apply the principles of honesty.
What do I think or know about the core value? How does the
context of this situation affect this core value? What are some historical,
literary, or religious examples representing the core value?
Commit
Character development includes attention to moral motivation.
Children must be committed to doing what they know is right. They must be able
to understand the perspectives of others, to consider how others feel, and to
develop an active moral conscience.
Why is this core value important? What makes living out
this core value different? What will it take to live out this core value?
Practice
Character development includes the development of moral
habits through guided practice. Children need opportunities to practice the
social and emotional skills necessary for doing what is right but difficult, and
to experience the core values in their lives.
How can I act according to this core value? How do I live
out this core value? How can I practice this value at school, at home, and with
my friends?
To make Character Connections an integral part of Cub
Scouting, the 12 core values are being integrated throughout the boys' handbooks
and advancement program. Program support for character development can be found
in Cub Scout Program Helps, in the Cub Scout Leader Book, and at
your monthly roundtable meetings.
Remember:
Core values are the basis of good character development.
Character must be broadly defined to include thinking,
feeling, and behavior.
Core values should be promoted throughout all phases of
life
