Anything is possible

Adventure is a state of mind as much as an activity or expedition. Helen Johnson introduces some ideas that you can incorporate into your programme to build confidence and help young people face up to new challenges

John Amatt knows a thing or two about overcoming obstacles – and big ones at that. As the organiser and participant in Canada’s first successful expedition to the summit of Mount Everest, he’s uniquely qualified: ‘Adventure isn’t hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. It’s an attitude that we must apply to the day-to-day obstacles of life – facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and, in the process, discovering our own unique potential.’
Some people relish new challenges; others prefer to stick with what they know. But we all have moments in our life when we need a bit of a boost to take the next step, whether that’s an Explorer Scout 20 metres off the ground about to take a leap of faith to the trapeze, or a Cub Scout walking through the door to their first Pack meeting.

Start small and work up

When it comes to new adventures, it’s a good idea to start small and work up. If the high ropes are too high, try medium ropes instead; bouldering is a good step up to climbing, and the Cotswolds are a good step up to the Lake District. It’s all about progressive learning.
Be realistic and set yourself achievable goals. Once you’ve tackled the small things, you can move on to bigger adventures. This is the basis of the Balanced Programme, and one of the things that makes Scouting special. Everyone can move at their own pace, and their achievements can be recognised and celebrated.

Conquering your fears

If you’re nervous about challenge, try tapping into a time when you felt on top of the world. We’ve all had a situation when we have felt supremely confident; focus on that feeling and let it build. Picture yourself in the situation where you want to be more confident, whether that’s in a job interview or at the bottom of a climbing wall. Now increase that feeling of confidence even more.

Climb a mountain, take on the world!

What have you achieved that you’re most proud of? Most of us have had moments, even for a short time, when we’ve felt on top of the world; that we could do anything we wanted. Use those times and feelings when you are feeling less confident. Ask all the young people in your Section to decorate an old CD and write on it a time when they felt full of confidence. String the CDs together and use them to decorate your Meeting Place.

Building confidence

There are other exercises you can try. Build trust by leaning back, or on rope trails. Do things that everyone can achieve, so no one feels left out, but don’t stop trying to push people further. Most importantly, promote the message: ‘don’t be afraid to fail’.
There are plenty of things that you can do to help boost the confidence of the young people in your Section: compliment people, be positive yourself, give people responsibility and be enthusiastic.
Why not make a selection of mixed CDs to listen to for those occasions when you are about to try something new? Play them when you’re in the minibus on the way to camp or on the way to a college or job interview; it should give you the boost you need!