Scouts Strengthen Self-Worth and Community
| What do Christian scouts actually do and why is the neckerchief so important? Scout Jonas explains this in the podcast “echt gefragt”. |
Jonas tells me in our conversation that recognition has always been important in his life – it was and still is incredibly important to him. With the scouts, he found this recognition, and without being judged or performance pressure. Here he knows that he is accepted, no matter how he’s doing.
His mother sent him to the scouts at the age of eight. At first, it was “a bit lame” for him, he says in the podcast “echt gefragt - der Talk mit Lotte”. But that changes quickly: He finds connection and enjoys the games. With a smile, he says: “Scouting is an absolute nerd hobby.”
Why the Scout Neckerchief is More Than Just a Piece of Cloth
When Jonas comes to the podcast appointment, he’s wearing his neckerchief, which already looks a bit worn. It quickly becomes clear: This neckerchief is valuable. Not only because it has experienced a lot, but also because it is traditionally awarded. Because with Christian scouts, after a few years, you commit to the group and make a scout promise.
“Trusting in God’s help, I promise to be a Christian scout and to live with you according to our rules.”
- Promise in the german Verband Christlicher Pfadfinder*innen
Only after that do they receive their neckerchief. In the podcast, Jonas explains the exact background and also why it’s already his second neckerchief. Feel free to listen in.
How Scouting Strengthens Self-Worth
Jonas says he blossomed through scouting. He was entrusted with small tasks early on. Examples of such tasks: reading a map during a car ride or getting pasta for all the children.
At the same time, children were trusted with real responsibility. Jonas remembers a camp where he, as a ten-year-old, was supposed to watch the campfire together with a friend. Such experiences have made him grow and also strengthened his self-worth.
In the podcast “echt gefragt” he repeatedly emphasizes the joint formulation of rules. This being allowed to have a say did him particularly good. The values he learned with the scouts still shape him today - also in his start-up, which he leads.
So children go through several stages in scouting: from playfully learning rules to leadership tasks that already begin at the age of 14. Today, Jonas actually works in a leadership position and learned the first knowledge about it as a teenager.
For Jonas, camps are still a place of peace today. Otherwise, he says, he’s always very active in everyday life and finds it hard to find peace. In a tent with friends, after an exhausting hike, he would find it and feel very comfortable and secure.
“Moments in which I can perceive nature and creation are really wonderful.”
Here it becomes clear how valuable scouting is for Jonas and how much it grounds him. In addition, he also found his great love through the community. The couple lives near Marburg, has recently married, and is planning a big scout wedding in 2026.
Scouts traditionally wish each other “Gut Pfad!” (Be Prepared!) when saying goodbye. A wish for a safe camps, and communal success. Like with Jonas and his community - it’s about the own path, but also about not walking it alone.
This article was written by Charlotte Mattes and was first published on Indeon.