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Volunteering at Scouts is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing to help us reach more young people

Volunteering is changing at Scouts. Read more

Discover what this means

Share your favourite piece of writing

Choose a favourite piece of writing, talk about it with others, then find a way to share it with the world.
Plan a session with this activity

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You’ll need

  • Pens (non-permanent)

Before you begin

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.

Choose your piece of writing

  • Everyone should choose a piece of writing that’s important to them. They can write their own, if they want to.
  • Some people may choose a story, poem, or song lyric for this activity. These may have a purpose or theme. Some may help us feel and express emotions (such as sadness, or excitement), others tell us about history, teach us morals, or remind us of a special memory or person.
  • Some people may choose a prayer, letter or a reading for this activity. These can also have a purpose or a theme, for example, wishing that something will happen, hoping for a better future, saying thank you for the good things in your life, apologising for doing wrong, or committing to doing better.

Share your writing near and far

  1. Everyone should share the piece of writing they’ve chosen, and explain why they like it and what it means to them.
  2. One or two people could share each time you meet (perhaps as part of your introduction or just before you say goodbye), or you could split into small groups so everyone can share at once. You could also choose a special time to share – how about around a campfire?
  3. Ask people to choose their favourite word or line.
  4. Now, find a way to creatively display the word or line, so they can take it with them wherever they go or keep it somewhere special.
  5. Some suggestions are:
    • making a piece of artwork or collage
    • paint it or write it on a flat stone
    • creating a bookmark with it on
    • making a card with it on
    • creating a chalk mural together on paper or on the floor, if allowed by the venue owner and on a safe surface, such as a clean, dry outdoor space

Reflection

This activity was a chance for you to share your favourite piece of writing.

Why did you choose this piece of writing? What makes it special? Did your piece of writing have a purpose or a theme – if so, what was it? Did you enjoy talking to other people about it? Do you feel more confident in yourself now? Which part did you choose to share and why?

This activity may have helped you think about your well-being. How does your piece of writing make you feel? Why do you feel a connection to it?

Are there any times when might your piece of writing be especially important to you? 

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Remember that not everyone will be as comfortable talking about personal things like beliefs.

  • No one has to read their words out loud – someone else could read for them, then they can explain why they like it and what it means to them.
  • People can explain to as many people as they feel comfortable with – it’s OK if this is only two or three people.
  • If anyone isn’t confident writing, they can draw something to represent their word or line instead.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Scouts World Challenge Award