Scouts ‘have better mental health’ than other children: Survey
Scouts Australia and Resilient Youth Australia decided to run a survey to find out what results, if any, Scouting has on children. The answers they got were staggering.
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Boys and girls who join the scouts aren’t just better prepared than other children – new research shows they are better problem solvers, more confident socially and have handled COVID isolation well because they are more mentally resilient.
An in-depth survey by Scouts Australia and researchers from the University of South Australia found those involved in Scouts were more likely to have a healthier mental state – 62 per cent versus 49 per cent for other children.
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They also held out more hope for a positive future – 79 per cent compared with 69 per cent for non-scouts.
On every measure, children participating in scouting activities performed better than their peers.
“We’re proud to know that the work we do for young people in our communities is helping build resilience, self-confidence and the emotional capacity to help cope during difficult times,” Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Phil Harrison said.
“This is especially poignant today as everyone needs the ability to stay positive after the devastating bushfires over summer and now the impact of COVID-19 on the lives and livelihoods of Australians.”
The survey of more than 1000 Scouts aged between 8 and 18 also found they were more likely to give time to help other people, trusted others more and were more likely to get along with people who were different to them.
They enjoyed school more – 76 per cent versus 69 per cent, and were more likely to read for fun – 60 per cent versus 46 per cent.
Scouts were also more likely to know they can solve a problem when others want to quit – 67 per cent versus 59 per cent.
Resilient Youth Australia director Dr Andrew Wicking, said the results “highlight a remarkable correlation between overall resilience and attending Scouts”.
1st Picnic Point scout Cobalt Walsh, 10, has kept up scouting throughout the lockdowns not via Zoom, but by camping out in his backyard and bushwalks.
“Cobalt has attacked it all with gusto,” mum Claire Geary said.
“Scouting has provided Cobalt with an abundance of opportunities to grow as a person, broaden his interests, take initiative and learn how to be a leader.
“What he loves best about being a cub scout is that he gets to have a lot of fun in the outdoors.
“He loves bushwalking and camping, and toasting marshmallows on the campfire.
“It’s also encouraged his development of a broad range of interests, and a willingness to try out new things.”
Assistant Venturer Scout Leader Heather Porter, who began Scouting aged 12 and in 2018 hiked 4265km from Mexico to Canada, credits it for teaching her helpful life lessons.
“In classic Scouting style, you cannot fail if you try,” she said.
Originally published as Scouts ‘have better mental health’ than other children: Survey