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This page explains The Scout Association's religious policy and how spiritual development fits into Scouting

The Scout Association is an open Association. Whilst requiring all Members to make the Promise which includes 'Duty to God' or 'to Love God', the Scout Association does not identify itself with any one religion. There is no established Church within the Association.

The Scout Association is not directly and immediately concerned with the religious education of its Members. That responsibility is with the religious families to which the Members belong, although some sponsored Groups will have a more immediate responsibility towards their Members' religious development. However, the Purpose of the Scout Association includes 'to promote the spiritual potential of young people'. This responsibility is a fundamental part of the Association and needs to be achieved through the Programme, Method and structure of Scouting.

To help Members achieve spiritual development the Association has identified five principles which give a working description of spiritual development. Spiritual development implies that Leaders and Members should be encouraged to:

• develop an inner discipline and training;
• be involved in corporate (group) activities with others;
• understand the world around them;
• help to create a more tolerant and caring society;
• discover the need for prayer and worship, both personal and shared.

Some examples which relate the five principles to the Sections can be found in the factsheet FS 322021: What is spiritual development?

These principles are what is meant by Spiritual Development in the Scout Association and it should be an integral part of every activity, meeting and event.

The Religious Policy of the Association and the responsbilities of the Religious Policy are contained within Chapter 2 of Policy, Organisation and Rules. This is available online, here:

• Policy, Organisation and Rules Chapter 2: Key Policies: The Religious Policy
• Policy, Organisation and Rules Chapter 2: Rule 2.1 Responsibilities within The Religious Policy

The religious policy encourages exploration and development rather than religious or 'faith specific' education, so it follows see that spiritual development may be encouraged throughout the Scouting Programme through all kinds of 'normal', 'ordinary' Scouting activities.

Spiritual growth and understanding can come through a wide range of practical activities and experiences, and by the way in which we plan and carry them out.

Prayer and worship are the times and activities when we directly acknowledge that we are in God's presence whenever and wherever we are - and whatever our understanding of God is. These times can be during an evening's meeting, when out on a night hike, whilst in camp, or on some other occasion.

The factsheet FS322085: Prayer and Worship examines this by starting to look at the relationships we build.

Relationships - Our personal spirituality can be seen in the relationships we have with:

• Our Selves;
• Other people;
• The Natural world around us;
• God.

And can be remembered as the acronym: SONG

Prayer and worship take place at the moments when we enter into a direct relationship with God and become aware of God's presence. Then, as in other relationships:

• We can talk to God;
• We can listen to what God says to us.

When as leaders we try to help those we lead develop this kind of relationship with God, we will need to provide in our programme:

• Time set aside for prayer and worship;
• The Opportunity to both express themselves and be able to listen;
• A suitable Atmosphere,
• The Daring or encouragement to respond through their own actions.

And this can be remembered as the acronym: TOAD.

Relationships need the right setting, and should not be taken too lightly. Thus, God's presence in the Colony, Pack, Troop or Unit needs to be acknowledged and allowed to develop. Proper prayer and worship enable this especially if built up slowly, simply, and carefully over time.