The aim of the Joey Scout program is to contribute to the education of young people in achieving their full potential—physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. We foster this growth through hands-on activities that cover six areas of personal development, known as the SPICES:

• Social Development: Building relationships and a sense of belonging with others in the Mob and the wider community.
• Physical Development: Getting active, being healthy, trying out adventurous activities in the outdoors, and learning to take safe risks.
• Intellectual Development: Acquiring new information, showing initiative, and problem-solving through play.
• Character Development: Developing a personal identity, autonomy, and demonstrating commitment to an activity.
• Emotional Development: Learning to be emotionally aware, express feelings, and show respect to everyone.
• Spiritual Development: Exploring their own beliefs, reflecting on experiences, and having respect for others.

The Joey Scout program is designed to deliver a balanced and exciting experience through four Key Program Areas (KPAs) that build confidence and essential life skills:

• Outdoors: Joeys Discover Adventure by getting outside! We get an introduction to core skills that stay with them for life through the Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS). This includes bushwalking and cycling adventures, overnight camping and campfires, paddling and sailing, alpine and vertical experiences.
• Personal Growth: Joeys learn to be their best self. We use the simple yet powerful Plan-Do-Review (P-D-R) cycle to help them reflect on what they did, how it went, and what they learned. They also work towards their section’s peak award, the Joey Scout Promise Challenge, by taking on new activities and practising simple leadership roles.
• Creativity: This is where their imagination flourishes! Joeys use their creativity for storytelling, drama, building projects, and hands-on activities that encourage invention, expression, and problem-solving through play.
• Community: Joeys are encouraged to be an active and present part of their community. This includes taking part in community service projects and learning about local history. Importantly, Joeys also connect with hundreds of other Joeys at fantastic territory-wide events like Hoporee, Joey Jaunt, and Mob Riot, fostering an incredible sense of belonging.

The Joey Scout program is active and dynamic, built on the core principle of the Scouting Method: Learning by Doing. This means our Joeys learn new skills and gain resilience by actively engaging, building, and moving, rather than just observing. This is how they Discover Adventure for themselves.

It is also the beginning of the Youth Leading, Adult Supporting philosophy, where Joey Leaders provide encouragement, coaching, and a safe space for youth members to try things out and even lead simple activities.