Scouts Go Solar
The Global Scouts Go Solar Project The Scouts Go Solar project (SGS) is an environmental partnership between the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Greenpeace and Solafrica, a Swiss NGO, working in close collaboration with the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland.
Programme Objectives
To involve, empower and engage young people (e.g. Scouts), the future generation, in solar solution work to protect the climate
To enable Scouts leaders to facilitate Solar workshops for Scouts using the the learning-by-doing approach
To “produce” good examples of “solarized centres” to inspire others
Background
The Global Scouts Go Solar Project The Scouts Go Solar project (SGS) is an environmental partnership between the World Organization of the Scout Movement, Greenpeace and Solafrica, a Swiss NGO, working in close collaboration with the Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC) in Switzerland.
The partnership started in July 2013 as Scouts from all over the world were trained at KISC to become Scout Solar Ambassadors. There they gained practical experience on how to organize and run solar energy activities with children and young people and on basic solar energy principles, including self-assembling of a solar torch for Scouts, a do-it-yourself solar suitcase for camps and a solar campfire. These newly trained Solar Ambassadors were thus enabled to introduce the Scouts Go Solar programme in their national scout organization (NSO), which resulted in two official Pilot NSOs in 2014: One in Manila with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and a second in Islamabad with the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association. Subsequently, to test the activities on ground, train-the-trainers-trainings for Scout Leaders and workshops for Scouts during national jamborees have been introduced to Scout groups in Philippines, Pakistan, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Indonesia and many other countries.
The Official Launch of the Global Scouts Go Solar Programme and the Solar Badge took place on the 16th Sep 2015 on the occasion of the APR Workshop on Environment Education in Scouting (see http://scout.org/node/105276). Because the Project has so much momentum, a Global Scouts Go Solar Coordinator was installed in January 2016, based in Islamabad. The goal is to connect and support Solar Ambassadors world wide and to Implement the Scouts Go Solar programme on a national level in the two pilot countries (Pakistan and Philippines) as a model for other national scouts organisations to adapt.
How to Work Towards the Scout Go Solar Challenge?
3 Main Components
1. Be Aware - KNOW Solar
KNOW Solar is the beginning of an adventure of growth – by learning and being aware of how our world is impacted by our actions. The first segment aims to introduce solar energy, its benefits and uses, and explore why solar energy is not widely utilised. Knowledge built in this stage will be fundamental towards the following segments of GO Solar and SHOW Solar.
2. Cooporate - GO Solar
GO Solar encourages Scouts to explore the various uses of solar energy through a series of experiential activities. This segment will challenge Scouts to explore and demonstrate creative uses of solar energy in their scouting activities and daily lives. This segment aims to guide participants in identifying practical everyday applications and solutions to live a cleaner and greener lifestyle.
3. Act - SHOW Solar
Summary activity: after learning about and experiencing solar energy, participants are required to share about their learning journey. SHOW Solar will give participants the opportunity to share how solar energy can be effectively and extensively utilised. This segment aims to encourage others to adopt solar energy and take on the Scouts Go Solar challenge to learn more about renewable energy available to us.
1. Be Aware - KNOW Solar
Scouts are to perform research on the topic of Solar Energy and renewables and record them down into their challenge record sheet
Here are some recommended topics you can use for different sections
* Do note that you are not restricted to these topics! *
But do ensure that the topic is suitable for the participating sections
2. Cooperate - GO Solar
Scouts are to demonstrate the use of solar/renewable energies through activities covering the 4 categories A. Sun is Life /B. Impacts /C. Uses of Solar Energy /D. Go Solar!
Such activities can be found inside the Solar Energy handbook. Activities are labeled (i.e. A7 for Solar Compass) in the handbook which also comes with instructions on how to conduct the activities. Depending on the section, the participant must complete and record ** With photos in action! ** the stated number of activities per category as shown below.
Minimum requirements for each section
* Do note that you are not restricted to only these activities! *
If you do find an activity that is similar or suits the category provided and want to try it, do reach our to us if you are unsure to proceed.
3. Act - SHOW Solar
Scouts are to reflect on their learning and share their new knowledge and experiences with others!
This can be done through any communicative medium of their choice. It can either be as simple as a sharing your solar activities on your own Instagram posts/stories or giving a presentation to your family or classmates.
One possible example
Want to know what these icons represent?
Click on them to find out!
Resources
You may find the following documents required for the challenge in our repository below
- Scouts Go Solar Challenge Guidelines (SSA)
- Scouts Go Solar Challenge Record Sheet (SSA)
- Scouts Go Solar Challenge Solar Energy Handbook
