Scouting is a learning and development organisation. But an INFORMAL version of this. Run by volunteers.
So while there will be an objective to touch on all aspects of the programme during the course of the year (in Ireland it is the SPICES - Social, Physical, Intellectual, Culture (or Character?), Emotional and Spiritual) - it is done by drawing elements into the programme.
The KIDS set the programme - through the Sixers Council or just the entire Group having discussions with the Leaders. (As they move up from Beavers to Cubs to Scouts, they get more say in the programme, and greater levels of responsibility to organise it too). So it is not set in stone at the beginning of the year like a school curriculum would be. So that the Youth Members can have a say, and so that we can take advantage of opportunities that pop up (whether an event we can join in with, a chance to visit the local emergency services, a parent or another contact offers to run a really fun event they are skilled at, the weather being great allowing more outdoor activities etc) AND make changes based on other things that happen and affect us (such as weather which is so rubbish that we have to cancel a meeting altogether, or things like Covid stopping all meetings in person, or something like a Leader not being available for a period so big things stop and we go back to more basic plans if we can still meet to manage the gap).
It is run by VOLUNTEERS, who are not paid.
And it is as much about having fun and developing young people in a less structured way as it is about learning specifics. Not everyone is adventurous, but less adventurous Scouts often still have a great time gaining independence and lots of different skills, making friends for life, and having some adventures within their comfort level but sometimes being the designated photographer or "carrier of the water bottle to wash bog out of Cubs' eyes" instead of jumping into boggy muddy gloop with the rest of them. We have had people who love adventure but need an hour quiet time to read to recover themselves. We have had quiet people who are great at story telling or singing/playing music at campfire. We've had boisterous boys who cause chaos everywhere being the person who will spot someone who is upset and listen to their fears/worries and cheer them up. We've had quiet girls who are very good at seeing how things could be done better and stepping in to tell the boys what to do. We have people with physical or mental disabilities who push themselves to their limits and participate in different ways but still get involved and have a great time.
We can't allow each of those types to have something that suits them and to make friends and enjoy their time in Scouts if we are following a rigid programme.
So yes, there are learning objectives that we work towards. But they are quite general in nature for the Group as a whole. They are not specific to any 1 youth member - there are risk assessments and arrangements that may be specific to 1 YM, but the objective is for everyone to enjoy themselves and achieve what they can individually and as a group. Some of that is learning new skills, some is dealing with emotions and "soft skills", and quite often (realistically) some of that is babysitting.
But while I will accept a lot of different things in potential new Youth Members, as a Scout Leader, I would have laughed in that parent's face.
(OK, not quite laughed in their face, we are too diplomatic for that. But I would have pushed back gently but very firmly that this is not what Scouts is about and that it is an INformal learning organisation).
