Scouts NSW and author & educational specialist Susanne Gervay join forces against bullying.
To be a good Scout, bullying is out.
That’s the message being shared with more than 1600 Cub Scouts as part of Cuboree 2023 later this month.
Scouts NSW and best-selling author Susanne Gervay have teamed up to educate children about bullying – how to identify it and how to help someone who is being bullied.
The first two books in Gervay’s I Am Jack series, which are highly regarded books about bullying and were turned into an award-winning play, will be distributed to Cub Scouts during the event, as part of a new anti-bullying focus by Scouts NSW.
Cataract Activity Centre will play host to the Cub Scouts, aged between eight and 12, from 29 September to 3 October for Cuboree – an event to have fun, make friends and “Explore the World” in a series of themed activities.
The Scouts NSW Youth Protection Team have created an anti-bullying package to help youth members recognise the five areas of bullying – physical, verbal, relational, group and cyber. This package will be presented for the first time to an audience at Cuboree. It was developed in response to the increasing number of children experiencing bullying within their communities.
“Our Cub Scouts will attend anti-bullying workshops to raise awareness of bullying behaviours, who to go to if they are being bullied and how to support a friend who is being bullied,” Scouts NSW Executive Manager Youth Protection and Issues Management Renee Jensen said.
“We will also be helping them consider their own behaviours as in most instances, children do not necessarily understand their behaviour may be of a bullying nature, so these workshops will give them an opportunity for self-reflection.”
As one of the leading non-formal educational movements in the world, Scouts understands their unique position to deliver this program and the importance of educating children and young people on topics that impact their lives, helping them build confidence in a safe and supportive environment, while re-enforcing that youth safety and protection is Scouts NSW’s priority.
Scouts are delighted to have the support of Gervay in this project and the opportunity to share her age-appropriate stories with our youth members.
I Am Jack is about a boy, inspired by Gervay’s son Jamie, who likes going to school until he starts getting bullied.
“My life and passion are children; I think kids are disempowered,” she said
Susanne Gervay OAM is an educational specialist and children's author has been awarded the International Social Justice Award for her body of work, especially in the area of school bullying.
Key Facts:
No children deserves to be bullied. My son was. So I wrote I AM JACK.
SCOUTS & Gervay join forces in anti-bullying.
1600 Cub SCOUTS lead anti bullying
Kids for Positive Action against Bullying
Gervay is a social justice advocate for Kids through books.
About us:
About Scouts
NSW Scouts Australia NSW provides young Aussies from all different backgrounds, aged 5 to 25 years, with fun and challenging opportunities to grow through adventure. With more than 17,000 youth and adult members from various cultural and faith-based backgrounds and with varying abilities, Scouts is one of the largest and most successful youth organisations in the state. Today’s Joey Scouts (aged 5-8), Cub Scouts (aged 8-11), Scouts (aged 11-14), Venturer Scouts (aged 14-17), and Rover Scouts (aged 18-25) can take part in an extraordinary variety of outdoor activities, from “traditional Scouting skills” such as camping and bush craft, through to more extreme challenges such as abseiling, overnight hiking, rafting, canoeing, canyoning, snow activities, rock climbing, sailing and even flying! Scouts also have the opportunity to become involved in performing arts, leadership development, community service, amateur radio operation, environmental projects, large-scale Australian events such as Cuborees, Jamborees and Ventures, international events and service projects in developing countries. Scouts Australia NSW puts the needs of young people first – Scouts NSW’s youth led, adult supported approach ensures Scouts are always at the forefront of our program and gives them the platform to take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. nsw.scouts.com.au/about/about-us
