Scouting Ahead

Is Jamboree Training Mandatory?

2012-06-21T23:49:00.002-04:00

At tonight's council Jamboree committee meeting - which I'm a member of - one of the committee policies was put to the test. We have a shakedown event scheduled for next year prior to the actual National Jamboree. This training weekend will provide vital training time for units to practice what day-to-day life is going to feel like at the Summit. It's important. So important that the council committee's policy is that missing it for anything other than emergency or death-in-the-family reasons is unacceptable and may get you removed from attending the Jamboree itself.

We've already seen this policy tested. Two of our 3rd Assistant Scoutmasters have withdrawn because the shakedown coincides with a school sporting event. Other leaders and youth are likely to grapple with the date as something else surfaces on their calendar. It's been proposed by some adults that such a strong stance is going to force scouts into challenging decisions.

CC Image courtesy of Wilfred Paulse of Flickr

But I think the committee is going to continue to hold this position. For one reason, the shakedown is the dress rehearsal. Have you ever been in a musical or theater performance? There's a dress rehearsal for every performance. A simulation. A dry run. It's the only true practice that the council units will have while preparing for the Jamboree. Missing it would be like missing the only practice before the big game. How can a coach put you on the field if he's never seen you play? The same is true for Scoutmasters bringing young men and women on a week-long trip 8 hours away from home.

To those who argue that forcing a scout to choose between his non-scouting thing and the shakedown is harsh - scouts are going to be forced into making all sorts of challenging decisions. Why shouldn't this be one of them? Scouting teaches all sorts of skills. Perhaps some internal reflection about one's own priorities should be part of that skill set.

Yes. It's a strong line. Absolutely, some are going to be upset and disagree. But making the only group training event optional doesn't ensure a safe and healthy Jamboree.

--

By the way, if you haven't registered for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree you should totally do so! I went in 2010 and cannot say enough about it.

The Wee Skit

2012-06-19T09:56:00.000-04:00

At our last campout the scouts held an impromptu campfire program. It was a fun time. Once the weekend was over, I started thinking about skits from my childhood that I haven't seen in a while and I remembered one of my favorites: the wee skit. (I don't know it's real name - that's just how I remember it.) It's a little grey, but I'd label it safe for most Boy Scouts. Of course, use your own judgement and know your audience. Here it is:

Two scouts appear to be hiking together. One is "Papa" and the other is "Son." Papa is a larger scout and Son is probably best to be smaller. Enter together from side. Stop at center stage.

Son: Papa!

Papa: Yes son?

Son: Papa, can we stop? I need to wee. (Son displays some physical strain)

Papa: No, not yet. Let's go just a little further.

The two exit the other side and re-enter. Stop at center stage.

Son: Papa! I really need to wee. Can we stop yet? (Son displays a little more physical strain)

Papa: Comon' son, we just stopped a few minutes ago. Can't it wait?

Son: Not much longer!

The two exit again, re-enter, and stop at center stage.

Son: Papa! Please! Can we stop and wee?! (Son displays more dire physical strain)

Papa: (sighs) Alright. We can stop.

Son: Oh thank you!

Papa and Son lock arms by hugging Son from behind under Son's arms. Papa swings Son around in circles and Son's feet lift off the ground.

Son: WEEE!!! WEEE!!! WEEE!!!!

Papa lets Son down safely.

Son: Thanks Papa! I'm better now.

Papa: Great. Let's get moving.

Exit off stage.

The Night a Campfire Program Broke Out

2012-06-13T12:30:00.000-04:00

We were out camping last weekend with a few new scouts. One of the scouts dad and younger Cub Scout brother also stayed out with us. The young Cub Scout was full of energy (as they usually are) and I think he really enjoyed it. Future Boy Scout, for sure!

In the evening the scouts put together a fire and then promptly huddled around a table and lamp to play cards leaving the leaders to tend the fire. This isn't an uncommon occurrence unfortunately. The adults don't mind too much. We get closer access to the warmth and it's generally quieter.

The young Cub Scout declared that we should do skits for the campfire. What a great idea! We suggested he go ask the boys to join in and put a few skits together, but the older boys were entrenched into their card game and declined. I wasn't particularly surprised. The boys don't seem to like skits very much. It's hard enough just to get them to enthusiastically perform their patrol cheer!

However, the little Bear Scout was not deterred. He tried to perform a skit or two on his own for the adults around the fire. Of course, being supportive, we watched attentively and applauded and cheered for him at the end. Something must have perked the boys attention because a few of them began to wander back over to the fire. The group of scouts stepped away, plotted, and planned a skit, and came back to the fire to perform one of their favorites. Then another. And another. Before we knew it a full campfire program had started up!

It was great to see the scouts that performed push their boundaries a little bit. It was a really fun evening. I even got in on one of my favorite skits ("Boulevard"). But what I really enjoyed was how it all started with one little scout with a lot of enthusiasm and determination to have a good time.

"When do I move into that other patrol?"

2012-06-08T09:51:00.002-04:00

At last night's meeting one of our new scouts asked me when he would move into another patrol with older scouts. He was placed into a new patrol with all of the other Scouts who crossed over from Cub Scouts earlier this year. I completely understood his confusion. He was thinking that this patrol of young, new scouts was a punishment he had to serve out until he had reached some milestone or age.

I explained to him that while his patrol was new that he'd probably be in this patrol for a while. In a few years his patrol will be performing like all of the others (hopefully better!). He'll have learned and practiced more skills. The patrol will have bonded and will be performing well together. And there will be other new boys in his shoes now asking the same question - wishing they were part of the other patrols.

I wanted to reinforce some patrol unity at the end of the meeting so I made a big deal about some scouts who had finished a requirement or two from the new scout patrol. I even got them to perform their patrol cheer - something our scouts don't generally enjoy. Way to go scouts!

A New Experiment - The Scoutmasters' Patrol

2012-06-02T00:34:00.001-04:00

This year the average age of the troop has gone down. A number of our older Scouts have aged out or dropped off the charter and we've seen a surge of new, younger Scouts. This is not an uncommon problem.

With a generally younger troop, the Scoutmasters are finding it harder to guide and enable the Scouts and spend a lot more time explaining and demonstrating things. (See what I did there? I fit a reference to the EDGE method in.) That sort of direct instruction works well with concrete tasks like setting up a tent, building a fire, or using a map and compass, but it's more difficult with abstract concepts. How can you explain or demonstrate to a group of Scouts how a patrol works?

The experiment we're going to try is to create a new patrol made of adult volunteers. We're going to do our best to function like a patrol: elect a leader, create a flag, show patrol spirit. I'm not sure we'll be able to compete in all of the inter-patrol games, but for as much as possible we hope to model a functional patrol to our new Scouts.

We're just starting this idea so I'm sure we haven't identified all of the pitfalls. Hopefully this helps more than it causes any headaches.

I know this concept isn't unheard of. I'm not claiming it to be unique. Have you tried running this in your troop? What worked, or didn't?

ScoutSigns: Troop Leadership Training: Patrol Positions of Responsibility

2009-11-04T14:28:00.002-05:00

I came across an interesting article about Troop Leadership Training. (ScoutSigns: Troop Leadership Training: Patrol Positions of Responsibility) While I respect the decisions made by other troops - I'm sure they have their reason - I have a hard time agreeing with scrubbing an entire month's of meetings to perform training.

Please don't misunderstand. Training is very important in Boy Scouts. But I have a problem with holding training instead of regular meetings for a few reasons.

First, TLT is generally designed for Scouts currently or soon-to-be in a leadership role. What do the patrol members do for the month? Perhaps they could participate in the training, but without knowing that the skills are going to be applied soon I suspect many boys will lose interest. Additionally, the youngest boys probably won't fully appreciate the material in the first place!

Troop Leadership Training should also be done outside of regular troop meetings because it completely disrupts the monthly program. Is there an overnight that month? If so, who's planning it while the boys are busy training? It would be even worse not to hold an overnight for a month because the troop is training!

Finally, consider the audience for Troop Leadership Training. These are the leaders of the troop. They've been elected or appointed to perform the responsibilities of their role. One of those responsibilities should be attending leadership training - despite the additional time needed to attend it.

No. Let's not forget what Troop Leadership Training is designed to be: an introduction to leadership skills - not a master course. Training needs to be quick and simple and equip the leader with some basic skills. True mastery comes only through practice ... at troop meetings!

Additionally, Troop Leadership Training doesn't need to be a chore! It can be an overnight or held at a fun location. Bring some good food along. These new and returning leaders will spend a lot of time and energy serving the troop. It's best to reward them early and give them a positive first step down their journey.

“Never do anything a boy can do.”

2009-03-08T04:58:00.001-04:00

As a Scoutmaster, it’s no surprise that I desire to have the most well trained group of young men possible leading our troop. So I was pretty happy to have conducted a long overdue Troop Leadership Training course this weekend. Four boys completed their basic training.

At the beginning of the course are three quotes that I quite liked; especially the last one:

“Never do anything a boy can do.” – Lord Robert Baden-Powell

At first glance, the phrase is short and simple. It’s a pretty clear message that Scouting is boy-led. Yep. Right. I got it.

Now read the first three words again. Never. do. anything. It’s fairly common for low-functioning troops to have adult leaders *do* everything. In these troops adult leaders may plan and execute camping events, hikes, community service projects, and special meetings. Trained adults would already recognize that’s not the ideal. That’s just an easy call.

But consider this interpretation of “Never do anything.” Suppose your troop’s PLC has decided to go camping. They’ve decided where they’re going camping, what they’ll do, and what they’ll need. The only thing they’ve missed is deciding what they’ll eat. Simple enough, but here’s the rub: does an adult leadership bridge the gap and decide on food or do the boys starve?

Quickly thinking about the situation I tend to think the boys would be responsible for the last-minute arrangements or perhaps rescheduling the event. It seems like poor oversight by Scoutmasters to allow a trip be planned without meals, but I wonder what sort of example is set when the “always mindful” adult leadership saves the day and makes last-minute arrangements. I guess I would argue that it might not be poor oversight, but a deliberate decision by the Scoutmasters to allow Scouts to fail safely. Adult leaders certainly are not going to let Scouts starve for a weekend, but perhaps the initial surprise of being unprepared will be the proper lesson to remind Scouts to plan accordingly next time.

Troop Hobby Fair

2009-02-27T00:49:00.001-05:00

Tonight was our first ever troop hobby show. The PLC had taken the idea from the "Hobbies" program features. The event went swimmingly!

Fifteen Scouts each displayed their own personal hobby. I saw instruments, stamp and coin collections, pets, games, and sports memorabilia. It was very enlightening to see the boys' interests out for display. We gave each boy half of a 6-foot table to use and required that each Scout submit their hobby for approval early (just to avoid any embarrassing moments).

To make things more interesting, three secret judges were roaming around the audience. They scored Scouts' presentations on how unique, informative, and entertaining it was. The committee sponsored the event with three $30 gift certificates to Gander Mountain for Scouts selected in each of those categories. That really lit a fire for the Scouts!

council program launch

2008-06-15T10:55:00.001-04:00

It’s telling (but not intentional) that I became Scoutmaster March 8th and my last blog post was March 9th. It’s been a great ride for the past few months as I’m starting to get my bearings. Hopefully I’ll be able to come back to this blog more often now.

Yesterday was the Hudson Valley Council Program Launch. It’s an event we hold where all of our districts get together to share information and ideas regarding our Scouting program. I was there representing the council’s National Jamboree 2010 Committee, so I did my best to promote the event to adults. I believe it went well – we had several units sign up for unit presentations and a few submitted information forms.

The theme for the event was pirates! Leave it to scouts to embrace a theme fully. There were tables completely decorated to appear like old wooden ships. Council members were dressed up as an unsavory crew. I think I even saw a Captain Jack Sparrow walking about.

Needless to say it was a good time. It’s a chance to see some Scouters I haven’t seen in a while. We swapped some stories and ideas. And I even won some popcorn! Not a bad haul.

It's Official

2008-03-09T10:21:00.002-04:00

I'm officially the Scoutmaster of our unit. Last night we held our winter Court of Honor. At the end of the evening we held an installation ceremony for the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair (since I was CC at the time). I had a hand in writing them, and I think they went really well. It was nice to receive a compliment or two on them as well. Since I had trouble finding more than a handful of resources regarding installation services, I thought I'd share what I wrote. This ceremony is inspired by Scouter Liam Morland.

IH/CR:

Before we begin, I would like to review what a Scoutmaster does. To provide this explanation, I now call upon the Leader of this Troop, ***, the Senior Patrol Leader of our Troop.

SPL:

The Scoutmaster works closely with me as I lead the Troop. The Scoutmaster and I manage the program and he insures that I get the training and coaching I need to do my job and to lead other boys in our Troop. He also works with the Troop Committee Chair and members of our Troop Committee to insure that the proper support is given to whatever we as Troop leaders plan -- a camp-out, a day trip, or just a regular Troop meeting. The Scoutmaster is also the visual example for all of us here and works hard to insure that each Scout is guided in the direction toward Eagle and is making good progress toward his goal.

[Senior Patrol Leader may address specific comments about Scoutmaster and wishes him or her well]

IH/CR:

I wish to call upon our Scoutmaster, *** to come forward.

[*** comes forward]

*** accepted the position of Scoutmaster when few others would. His enthusiasm for the hiking and the outdoors has been a strong anchor to our Scouting program. We have enjoyed working with you as Scoutmaster and look forward to your continued contribution as an Assistant Scoutmaster for years to come.

[any words you'd like to add]

[thank *** for his years of service]

***, do you have any words of wisdom wish to leave as Scoutmaster?

SM:

[words of wisdom]

IH/CR:

***, please step forward.

[*** comes forward]

Are you *** who comes to be Scoutmaster of this troop?

***:

I am.

IH/CR:

Are you prepared to dedicate yourself to the betterment of this troop and its members through the Principles and Method of Scouting?

***:

I am.

IH/CR:

Do you come with the necessary Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge to be a Scoutmaster and are you prepared to seek help where these may be lacking?

***:

I do.

IH/CR:

***, I ask that you reaffirm the Oath in front of the Scouts that you will be serving and the Scouters that you will be working with.

***:

[Scout Oath]

IH/CR:

***, I confirm you as the Scoutmaster of Troop ***, ***. I am confident in your abilities, excited about your potential, and I wish you strength and spirit in all your endeavours.

Please join me in congratulating our new Scoutmaster, ***.
[shake hands, *** sits]

Scouting Ahead: the experiment

2008-03-05T19:49:00.002-05:00

I recently decided I would like to comment on my experiences in Scouting. There just doesn't seem to be enough in the digital domain about it! Sure there's some good resources for ceremonies or events, but I think it really just scratches the surface of it all. In addition, as an Eagle Scout and new Scoutmaster I think I have something to add to the conversation. I'm not entirely sure what that addition is, but that may be the point.

I could have simply added a category label to my existing blog and forced readers to sort through the other random thoughts I often write about. However I decided a fresh step out would allow me to better brand this blog.

I'm not sure where this blog will go or how long it will last! But, as I often remind the boys in our troop, it's about the journey - not the destination. If this blog contributes to someone's good program idea or sparks thoughtful conversation or even just entertains a reader with a good camp story I'd call this digital adventure a success.

Scout on!