SpiralScouts International
Encyclopedia
SpiralScouts International is a youth organization in the United States
for children of neo-pagan faiths (though it is open those of any faith or no faith at all). It was created in 1999 as a loosely organized children's program, at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church
. The Aquarian Tabernacle Church sponsored the program and helped it grow after the Boy Scouts of America
decided not to recognize the religious programs of the Wicca
n faith as part of the BSA religious emblems programs, according to Pete Davis. However, BSA spokesman Gregg Shields said, "There is no national Wiccan organization, so, that's why there is no religious award for Wiccans."
Recently that process includes a provisional proto-circle process that grants formal recognition from the international organization as well as limited access to many of the organizational resources and materials. It also allows access to training and lists the circle on the organization's website. This provisional status lasts for six months and provides a circle number that becomes active when the circle is officially chartered. Proto-circles are not allowed to hold scout meetings or field trips, only organizational meetings. Fund raising and donations are also restricted only to cover the costs of chartering the circle and must be approved.
FireFlies who are aged 3 through 8 and whose Promise is:
I promise to serve the Wise Ones,
To Honor and respect Mother Earth,
To be helpful and understanding toward all people,
And always keep love in my heart.
SpiralScouts who are aged 9 through 13 or 14 and whose Oath is:
A SpiralScout shall:
Respect all living things;
be kind and courteous;
be honorable;
be mindful of his/her words;
seek out knowledge in all forms;
recognize the beauty in all of creation;
offer assistance to others;
value honesty and truth;
honor personal commitments;
and respect the Divine in all things.
PathFinders who are aged 14 through 18 and whose Pledge is:
I pledge myself to the FireFly Promise,
the SpiralScouts's Oath,
the fulfillment of all my commitments,
made to myself as well as others.
I pledge to serve all my brothers and sisters
in every way on our many journeys around the sun together
as I find my way through the world
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for children of neo-pagan faiths (though it is open those of any faith or no faith at all). It was created in 1999 as a loosely organized children's program, at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church
Aquarian Tabernacle Church
The Aquarian Tabernacle Church, abbreviated as ATC, is a Wiccan church located in Index, Washington and is considered the first Wiccan church with full legal status and recognition by major governments, the United States, Canada and Australia. It was founded as a church by Pete "Pathfinder" Davis,...
. The Aquarian Tabernacle Church sponsored the program and helped it grow after the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
decided not to recognize the religious programs of the Wicca
Wicca
Wicca , is a modern Pagan religious movement. Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century, Wicca was popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s by a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald Gardner, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft," and its adherents "the Wica."...
n faith as part of the BSA religious emblems programs, according to Pete Davis. However, BSA spokesman Gregg Shields said, "There is no national Wiccan organization, so, that's why there is no religious award for Wiccans."
History
The program was first created in 1999 as a loosely organized children’s program at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) in Index, Washington. The leader of the first circle was Heather Osterman. As word spread over the internet about the program, Pete Pathfinder Davis, founder of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church and SpiralScouts, implemented a formalized and expanded the program under the guidance of Justine Goodwin, the first International Director, making it available internationally in 2001. With the aid of an internet committee of some 500, the original handbook was developed. Over time, the program has spread across the globe.Philosophy
SpiralScouts is a program where girls and boys of minority faiths can work, grow, and learn together. Pete Davis stated in reference to the group, “There needs to be a group that will include all children and families, regardless of creed, color, gender, or sexual orientation. Boys and girls should learn together, just like in the real world, not segregating little soldiers over here and little homemakers over there”. SpiralScouts International promotes learning, peace, personal and environmental responsibility and service to one's community. Its activities are based on the basic elements of earth, air, fire, water and spirit.Organizational structure
The overall organizational structure is currently mostly informal as a blanket non-profit agreement is pending. The structure is primarily geographically based and includes both formal and informal groups, formal groups benefiting from recognition by the organization as a whole.Tribe
Tribes are the largest regional organizational group within the Spiral Scouts. They consist of a grouping of five or more geographically related clans, circles, or hearths within a state, province, territory, or country. These organizations consist of a coordinator who acts as the primary contact for the Tribe and a Tribal Council consisting of representatives from the various constituent organizations. The council manages most of the operations of the tribe.Clan
Clans are a smaller, local-level grouping. Formal Clans consist of 5 or more circles or hearths usually within a metropolitan area or similar geographical area within the larger Tribe. Formal Clans require a clan council, similar to the tribal level, to be recognized by SpiralScouts International. Clans are more focused on supporting local circles and hearths and with coordinating local activities and goals. Unofficial clans require no approval or organizaed structure. They can consist of any number of circles or hearths in an area or with similar goals.Circle
Circles are similar to the traditional scout 'Troop', consisting of two or more families meeting together for coordinated activities. Within a circle can be multiple hearths, formal or informal, that may meet separately. A formal process exists to recognize formal circles within a Tribe. A recognized circle can form a bank account specifically for its fundraising and donations. Recognition also allows circles to administer badges and conduct scout meetings and field trips under the Spiral Scouts title and to access official scout handbooks.Recently that process includes a provisional proto-circle process that grants formal recognition from the international organization as well as limited access to many of the organizational resources and materials. It also allows access to training and lists the circle on the organization's website. This provisional status lasts for six months and provides a circle number that becomes active when the circle is officially chartered. Proto-circles are not allowed to hold scout meetings or field trips, only organizational meetings. Fund raising and donations are also restricted only to cover the costs of chartering the circle and must be approved.
Hearth
Hearths are the smallest structure within SpiralScouts. They are generally one or two family groups that may meet separately as a result of lack of local interest or distance from larger circles. Hearths can also function as subdivisions within a circle to organize by age, small scale geography, or similar interests. Independent hearths can obtain the same recognition as a circle through the national organization to provide charter benefits to low-access areas.Age groups
Scouts are grouped by age level with varying commitments, goals, and achievements.FireFlies who are aged 3 through 8 and whose Promise is:
I promise to serve the Wise Ones,
To Honor and respect Mother Earth,
To be helpful and understanding toward all people,
And always keep love in my heart.
SpiralScouts who are aged 9 through 13 or 14 and whose Oath is:
A SpiralScout shall:
Respect all living things;
be kind and courteous;
be honorable;
be mindful of his/her words;
seek out knowledge in all forms;
recognize the beauty in all of creation;
offer assistance to others;
value honesty and truth;
honor personal commitments;
and respect the Divine in all things.
PathFinders who are aged 14 through 18 and whose Pledge is:
I pledge myself to the FireFly Promise,
the SpiralScouts's Oath,
the fulfillment of all my commitments,
made to myself as well as others.
I pledge to serve all my brothers and sisters
in every way on our many journeys around the sun together
as I find my way through the world