I LOVE IT!!!

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Parent Category: TUOCS District

Created on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 19:43

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 September 2012 18:48

Published on Tuesday, 22 March 2011 20:43

Written by Trainer Rob

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I'll tell ya, I'm really enjoying these new scout conferences! My favorite question is - "So, what do you think you'll be doing this summer in Boy Scouts?"

I love the oversized, still-creased, half-untucked, patchless uniform shirt. I love hearing the debates about what patrol name is best - Scorpions vs. Black Widows right now. I love hearing "... physically strong, morally awake, and mentally straight" and watching the gears turn as he decides if "Be Prepared" is the motto or slogan. I love seeing a square knot tied right, whether it's the first or fiftyith time he tried it. I love seeing fidgety fingers and swinging feet gradually slow down as the scout and I get to know each other a little and he realizes I'm not like a principal or drill sargeant.

Most of all, I love wondering how this pipsqueak of a kid sitting here is going to grow over the next six years and how I can help make his Scouting experience the best it can be.

The scoutmaster of one of those ex-pipsqueaks from a previous troop I was with wrote me this afternoon, getting him ready for his Eagle board of review. He'll be graduating in a couple months and heading off to the Air Force Academy a couple weeks later. He'll be a Falcon then, but he'll still be an Eagle.

Carrot and Sticks

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Parent Category: TUOCS District

Created on Tuesday, 01 March 2011 15:32

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 September 2012 18:48

Published on Tuesday, 01 March 2011 15:31

Written by Trainer Rob

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When’s the last time your boss said to you, or you said to an employee or staff member, “Hey, show up on Saturday morning and there’ll be a ‘kicker’ in it for you,” or “If you take on this special assignment, you can plan on a nice bonus,” or “Do this and there’ll be a promotion for you when you’re done.”  Never?  Really…?  Why not?  After all, isn’t this just what we tell our Scouts…

“Show up for this project and you’ll get service hour credit.”  “Go on this hike and you’ll complete requirement 7.”  “Come to this event and you’ll get a special patch.”  Don’t we pretty much do this all the time?

Are you seeing a disparity here?  You bet!  And it’s a big one.

The stuff in Scouting that’s comparable to what life’s made up of, like doing something because it’s fun, or it’s challenge, or it’s in keeping with one of our principle of helping others, is pretty rare these days. Somehow, we think that dangling carrots, like credit for hours or completing a requirement, or getting a patch or badge, is the only way to motivate boys.

Wrong.

Fun motivates boys.  Challenge and adventure motivate boys.  A sense of accomplishment motivates boys.

“But how will they advance, if we don’t tell ‘em they need to do this or that to complete requirements?” you ask.  B-P, more than a hundred years ago but no less true today, put it this way: “Advancement is like a sun tan… It’s something that happens naturally when you’re having fun in the out-of-doors.”

There’s no way I can top that!  But I can take a quiet moment to remind myself that, if we dangle carrots for every little thing, we’re teaching our sons to never think about doing anything for simply the sheer love of doing it.  I think I’d like my son to think differently from this.  How about you?

Retaining Older Scouts - Some Tips

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Parent Category: TUOCS District

Created on Thursday, 03 March 2011 21:20

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 September 2012 18:48

Published on Thursday, 03 March 2011 21:20

Written by Robert Schleich

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Boys join Scouting because of the promise offered in the opening paragraphs of the Boy Scout Handbook. Scouts will stay in a troop that delivers on that promise.  In a few short paragraphs, a boy is invited to a world of hiking along trails, canoeing across misty lakes, learning how to take care of himself in the wilderness, being prepared during emergencies and being a leader.  It is reasonable to assume that he expects he will be doing more of these things during the year than going to troop meetings. A program designed by and for your older scouts will keep them coming back.  Older scouts are busy.  They are being pulled from every direction.  Jobs, school, homework, band, drama, athletics and dating fill up their time, unlike your younger scouts.  Basically, they have to make a decision each troop meeting whether or not to attend or do something else.

Declining troop membership is a warning that a troop may not be delivering the promise of Scouting. If troop membership is declining, adult leaders need to figure out why.  The first questions to ask are these:

1. Is there a well-planned program with lots of camping and adventure developed with the input of the Scouts themselves?
2. Is this a boy-led troop? 
3. Is the patrol method used all of the time? 
4. Are the eight methods of Scouting being used to the fullest advantage?

Consider a Venture Patrol
A Venture patrol is an optional older-boy patrol within a troop. These boys (ages 13 through 17) have the maturity and experience to plan and take part in more challenging high-adventure outings and sports activities. An assistant Scoutmaster assigned to the Venture patrol can help the Venture patrol leader and other patrol members transform their plans into action.  A special ASM also takes the load off of the Scoutmaster to help organize the special activities.
A Venture patrol can be instrumental in keeping older boys interested and active in Scouting. About half of all troops currently incorporate one or more Venture patrols in their programs. Every troop with older boys should strongly consider establishing a Venture patrol.

Areas to Consider

1. Older Scouts want Troop meetings that cover more than just basic scout skills.    They can be on any topic, as long as the topic is of interest to 11-17 year old boys.  The #1 reason for boys to quit Scouting is boring meetings.  Focus some exotic merit badges that most scouts would never have taken like Aviation (you can actually fly with the EAA), Space Exploration, Cinematography (e.g., make a teaching video on backpacking and publish it on YouTube), Crime Prevention, Auto Mechanics etc.  The boys love it.

2. Outings.    Plan one unique Venture Patrol event at least each quarter.  Making that goal one that requires advance preparation and possibly skill training would give them things to do at troop meetings.  The events don’t have to be super complicated:  an indoor rock climbing night; a night for ice cream sundaes and a good movie like Apollo 13; a Wilderness First Aid course or a hike or backpacking trip just for the Venture Patrol.  Having these events provided a means to build teamwork within the patrol. You can also plan a high adventure activity each summer.  Those are the real carrot.  Go on a Philmont Trek, backpacked thru a National Park, go to The Outer Banks, or kayak the New River.  Use your Venture Patrol meetings to plan out these activities and to train for them.

3. Patrols. Consider having new boy patrols and generally keep them together as they grow older doing more challenging activities.

4.  Esprit de Corps.  Older Scouts leave because they don't have any real responsibility or engagement. They stay when they have real responsibility, they thrive on it; it is what Scouting is all about! Troops will graduate High School Seniors that remained engaged, interested and active since day one because they have a real stake in the success of their Troop.  Focus on Senior Troop Leadership, JASM, OA Leadership, High Adventure, Camp Staff and finishing Eagle.  Cultivate the pride of ownership and challenge them to plan, lead and execute.

5.  Listen.  Listen to the scouts, they’ll tell you what they want, if it comes from them they’ll have a pride of ownership to make it a success.

6.  Recognize.  Issue special awards for accomplishing different feats.  For example, cold weather or snow camping certificates; special troop hiking awards and the like.

Bottom line
Good troops have a program built to meet the needs of all their scouts.  Too often, troops have a program built around the needs and advancement requirements of the younger scouts.  Going to another troop meeting to tie knots isn't going to meet the needs of your older scouts.

2011 Oral History Request

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Parent Category: TUOCS District

Created on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 13:55

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 September 2012 18:48

Published on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 13:55

Written by Gail Mayfield

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Greetings!

 

In 2011 the National Scouting Museum is expanding its efforts to reach people whose lives have been positively influenced by their involvement in the Scouting program.  Whether you are a lifetime scouter or have only been in the program for a short while, we believe you have scouting stories to share!  Please view the attached flyer and if interested, contact me for further information on how to submit your story!  Thank you. J

 

Gail Mayfield |  Assistant Curator

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
National Scouting Museum

1329 West Walnut Hill Lane  
Irving, Texas 75038
P 972.580.2426  |  F 972.580.2020
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

See original Normal Rockwell Scouting Art and rare Scouting artifacts. Hear the audio tour from your cell phone.

Experience the fun and adventure of Scouting. It’s all at the National Scouting Museum.

 

 2011 Oral History (1009.86 kB)