Scout Leadership Course Session Activity Notes

Session activity

Self Discipline: Acting the Part

Time to allocate for this activity

30 minutes

Resources required

Ideas sheet.

Activity Notes

This short activity is designed to encourage Scouts to think through the different interpretations of Self Discipline. Calling on their ability to act and role play, mixed with humour, the Patrol groups will present a short skit, play or song highlighting their understanding.

Introduction (2 mins)

What is self discipline? Ask for some ideas from the course. Encourage ideas that talk about living within your own moral and social code such as arriving on time, dressing appropriately, remembering to do things you have promised to do, good moral values, socially acceptable behaviour, etc.

Why is self discipline important for a leader? Again, briefly encourage comments from the group which include leading by example, setting expectations, practising what you preach, etc.

The task (10 mins)

Work as a Patrol to present a short skit, play or song that shows the importance of self discipline in leadership. There is an ideas sheet with some hints of things you might like to cover. You have just 10 minutes to prepare your performance including writing, practicing and preparing any props or costumes you might need. You must present your piece to the rest of the course after 10 minutes - ready or not! Short means between 1 and 4 minutes in length.

Performances (4 x 5 mins max)

Patrols in turn perform their piece to the rest of the course. Respect from the audience is to be demanded.

Conclusion (3 minutes)

Invite comments from the course about each other's performances - how did they show self-discipline (or a lack of self- discipline as may be the case). Conclude with the statement from BP:
"You can only get discipline in the mass by discipline in the individual."