Putting Youth in Charge on ScoutmasterCG Archive

Patrol Method in Practice - Making It Happen

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is post number four in this four part series on the patrol method

The Character School ,
The Adult Role ,
Objections , The first post in this series about the patrol method paints a picture of the patrol as the central unit of Scouting, next we discussed the adult role followed by discussing the usual objections that arise when we put the patrol method into practice.

Trying to work with patrols as though it were 1910 instead of 2013 is like sending a telegram in the age of email. We have to tweak our application of the patrol method because things have changed over the last century. A century ago patrols were the neighborhood gang, the Scouts could walk to each other’s homes; organized youth sports leagues, youth clubs, and other activities were not all that common.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Nine

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is the ninth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER NINE

The first night of my first camping trip as a Scoutmaster was going well. The Scouts had set up camp and gathered around our campfire. “Jake,” I asked, turning to our senior patrol leader, “what time is lights out and all quiet tonight?” Jake looked at his cell phone, “It’s [9:45] , what time do we have to get up in the morning?” “Sounds like an excellent question for the patrol leader’s council,” I replied, “why don’t you send the Scouts off to their campsites, get your patrol leader’s council together, make a few decisions about times, and come talk to me when you are done.” “Right,” Jake replied.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Seven

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is the seventh of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER SEVEN My committee chair called the next day, “Rob Borgatti was awfully upset, he says you were complaining about what he’s done for us and bossing him around, I am afraid he’s really quit this time.” “Well, John,” I sighed, “I don’t know what to tell you other than what I’ve already said.

Ten Ways to Frustrate a Youth Leader

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

How do I know what frustrates a youth leader?

I have been guilty of each of these ten things at one time or another.

People who volunteer to work with Scouts are generally good-hearted, well-meaning folks who want to do their best to guide Scouts towards growing into useful, good hearted people themselves. But this goodwill is not enough, we have to strive to develop our skills as adult volunteers. We develop character in individual Scouts; there is no formulaic, step-by-step approach. Each challenge is an individual challenge.

Lucky? Not Really.

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Saw this comment today: “He’s got a bunch of older Scouts who run his troop for him, he’s lucky!”

Lucky? Not at all, that’s how Scouting works. “He’s got a bunch of older Scouts…” Yes, we have a bunch of older Scouts, when I think “older” I think about any Scout over thirteen.

Younger Scouts are often just as capable, they just need someone to believe in them. “… who run his troop for him …” There’s a couple of problems with that.

A New Scoutmaster in the Volcano

Thu, 18 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000

I received this email from a new Scoutmaster a day or two ago: I was presented with the opportunity to take over as our new Scoutmaster some months ago and asked your advice.

I had some concerns about the level of adult involvement in what should be a boy-led troop. In your response you suggested I define my vision of the patrol method clearly, present that vision and (if the other adults involved didn’t agree with that vision) be prepared to walk away.

What is a "Boy-Led Troop"?

Thu, 18 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Many Scouters claim; “We have a boy-led (or youth-led, or Scout-led) Troop,” but what does that really mean?

Official literature mentions this sort of thing often , but how is do we really define “boy-led”? We’d like to think what the Scouts do and how they do it defines “boy-led”, but it doesn’t.

Young people lead themselves all the time, it comes quite naturally to them. What adults do is just as important to a boy-led troop as what adults don’t do.

A Troop Revolution

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Vilhelm Hans Bjerregaard Jensen was a Danish Scout who became a Scoutmaster during the early years of the Scouting Movement . He decided to see something of Scouting around the world, worked his way through Europe and England, arrived in the United States in February 1926 and took a job with the national headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America.

James West (the BSA’s first National Executive) solicited Vilhelm’s thoughts on Scouting. He replied with an 18-page memo describing the lack of patrol structure and leadership suggesting the BSA publish a handbook for patrol leaders written by someone who had been both a patrol leader and a Scoutmaster. West hired him as a writer and editor and Vilhelm’s anglicized name, Bill Hllcourt, started appearing in Scouting Magazine shortly thereafter. Bill would go on to write the first Handbook for Patrol Leaders published in 1929, and serve the BSA for many years to come.

Troop Rules or Resolutions?

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

If we respond to problems by instituting troop rules or policies we become enforcers. Few rules don’t have legitimate exceptions, so we also become judges. When rules are broken there must be a penalty, so we end up having to dole out punishment. As the matrix of rules and policies grow most of our time is spent enforcing, judging, and punishing. A system of enforcement, judgement, and punishment obscures the aspirations embodied in the Scout Oath and Law, and our aim of building character by examining those aspirations.

Transition from Adult to Youth Leadership - Asking Questions

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Now that you are an observer rather than a participant, a listener rather than a talker, a coach rather than a player your observations will reveal strengths and weaknesses in the way things are done and those that are doing them. The way you share this information is vitally important. Most of us default to telling others what we think. This economical, direct and effective way to communicate ideas or directions is important but it is not always the most beneficial method for Scoutmasters. Our job is to encourage critical thinking, to sharpen the skills of our Scouts and to encourage them to lead.

Maintaining the Integrity of Youth Leadership

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Scouting, by definition is youth led but this does not mean purposeless anarchy – I have seen a few troops were the adults excused poor performance and un-Scout like behavior by claiming “we have a boy led Troop.”

Instead of laying out rules for youth leadership it is easier to describe the role of Scoutmasters and other adults in facilitating a youth led Troop.

Their role is simpler and defines the role of the Scouts. Here are several concepts that can be easily put into place – Maintain Definition and Focus – The definition and focus of Scouting is described in the introduction to the Scout Handbook (a passage we would all do well to commit to memory).

How Not To Know Everything

Sun, 20 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

An experienced Scoutmaster knows a lot. They have seen perhaps ten, perhaps twenty groups of Scouts through their Scouting careers.

Training and experience have virtually turned them into Scouting experts, they can spot difficulties and errors before they are made. Ask them about anything to to with Scouting from how to build a fire to where to wear your veteran unit patch and they have an answer. To them there is nothing new under the sun.

The Pace of Leadership

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

As we have for the past several years our Troop participated in the local Memorial Day parade. As I was walking along the parade route a couple of ideas came to mind that help define our place as Scoutmasters.

Three adults walked behind the Scouts this year. We adults don’t wear our uniforms for this, we wear a troop tee shirt.

Before you tell me why this is wrong allow me to explain; this is one of the most publicly visible things that we do as a Troop and the most common public misconception of Scouting is that adults are in charge. It seemed to us that the Scouts out front in uniform and us in a less visible support role was an accurate public presentation of how the program really works. So there we were, walking behind our Scouts, carrying water for them both literally and figuratively, while they carried the flags forward, called the cadence, and led themselves. An occasional expression of encouragement or advice was all that was needed. We adults wear our uniforms with pride, we are glad to be associated with our Scouts in particular and Scouting in general. We were even more proud to walk behind them as inconspicuously as possible and watch them lead themselves. I’ve quoted Lao Tzu’s thought on leadership several times over the years on the blog but it bears repeating: The Leader is best when people are hardly aware of his existence, Not so good when people praise his government Less good when people stand in fear, Worst, when people are contemptuous. Fail to honor people, and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who speaks little When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, The people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’

Who Makes all the Decisons?

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Every decision in the world is made by the person who has the power to make that decision—not the “right” person, or the “smartest” person, or the “most qualified” person, and in most cases not you . If you influence this decision maker, you will make a positive difference. If you do not influence this person, you will not make a positive difference. Make peace with this. You will have a better life! And, you will make more of a positive difference in your organization and you will be happier. - Marshall Goldsmith Decision making in a Scout Troop is in the hands of the youth leadership; admittedly not the ‘rightest’, ‘smartest’, or ‘most qualified’ decision makers at times.

Let Your Scouts Lead

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

A great article from Scouting Magazine, worth posting in its entirety; Scouting Magazine – January-February 2009 Let Your Scouts Lead By Mark Ray Want to achieve a youth-led unit? Find the balancing point between helping them succeed and letting them flounder. Here’s how. What’s the mark of a good Scoutmaster?

Based on Dave Prestia’s experience, it’s the question mark. As Scoutmaster of Troop 736 in Glen Allen, Va., Prestia spends much of his time asking his senior patrol leader questions.

Providing Opportunities for Scouting

Sat, 21 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Our central work, our focus, as Scout leaders is to create opportunities for Scouting: to create chances, approaches and advantages : OPPORTUNITY: A combination of circumstances favorable for the purpose; a good chance or occasion to advance oneself.

Favorable circumstances: an opening, event, probability, possibility. A suitable time, occasion, moment. CHANCE: The happening of events without apparent cause, or the apparent absence of cause or design, an unpredictable event, a risk or gamble, an advantageous or opportune time or occasion, a possibility or probability. APPROACH: to move close to something, going towards something, a way of dealing with a situation or problem. ADVANTAGE: A beneficial factor or combination of factors, a relatively favorable position; superiority of means.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Four

Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

This is the fourth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER FOUR At the troop meeting three weeks before my first camping trip as Scoutmaster our patrols were meeting and discussing menus.

Ten Common Scoutmaster Mistakes

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Making things more efficient Changes that compromise the responsibility of the scouts to do for themselves may make things more efficient, but they are inimical to the spirit of what we want t accomplish.
Applying uniform standards “Our standard for badge earning—as I have frequently said—is not to attain a certain level of quality of work (as in school), but the AMOUNT OF EFFORT EXERCISED BY THE INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE.”
Applying metrics The answer is not in numbers of camp outs, number of hours or contracts; not snap judgments or fits of temper.

Maintain Inefficiency!

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Not the most efficient way to get the job done, but lot’s of fun!

Strive to maintain the “inefficiency” of Scouting . It’s tempting to make things easier (for the adults, usually) and lose track of the goal.

Patrol Cooking It is much more efficient to cook as a troop, but that denies a patrol an active and challenging opportunity for growth and learning. Make things less efficient, encourage patrol responsibility.

3 Rules of Scouting Leadership

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

The three rules of Scouting leadership are simple: delegate delegate delegate.

I’m a Scoutmaster so I concentrate on the work I am supposed to be doing. I don’t do these jobs:

Outdoor Coordinator – he takes care of ALL camping trip logistics, phone calls, online reservations to support the annual plan that the Scouts prepared.

Committee Chairman – I go to committee meetings each month for about 10 minutes. Then I leave and return to the Scout meeting. (I strongly recommend having committee meetings during the regular troop meeting.) Treasurer – I have absolutely nothing to do with the troop funds and I don’t need to.

Observation and Proximity

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Two of the effects physicists describe apply to our work in Scouting: The Observer Effect Changes that the act of observation makes on the phenomenon being observed. A tire pressure gauge releases air from the tire thus changing the pressure we are testing. The Proximity Effect When two atoms come into proximity, the highest energy, or valence, orbitals of the atoms change substantially and the electrons on the two atoms reorganize. When we are working with youth leaders both the observer and proximity effects are in play. because there are two immutable facts about youth leaders:

Trusting Youth Leadership

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Scoutmaster G.B. from Austin, Texas sent me the following: Our troop has a Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) every first Monday. Last Monday the older boys were really acting up.

I asked the senior patrol leader (SPL) to get the meeting under control but neither he nor the assistant senior patrol leader responded to my request. The patrol leaders were on their best behavior but the older Scouts were not. The last thing I wanted to do is take over the meeting, unfortunately I felt I had to. This could be that I am the new Scoutmaster within the past year. To be fair my expectations that the PLC take ownership may be a stretch. The previous Scoutmaster ran the PLC, took all the notes and the boys just agreed or disagreed with the plans.

Walking on Water or Just Walking

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

“The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, swelling in the present moment and feeling truly alive.” – Thich Nhat Hanh I spent a pleasant hour or so last night talking with Scoutmaster Jerry Schleining author of the Scoutmaster Minute blog and podcast. (keep an eye out for our discussion on a future Scoutmaster Minute podcast). One of the recurring themes of our discussion was how little either of our Troops resemble a Norman Rockwell painting and how pleased we are that this is so. Once Scoutmasters discover the tremendous capabilities of their Scouts and let them go to work great things happen.

Benefits of Benign Neglect

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Much is said by older generation about the inadequacies of the younger generation. So it goes.

I cautiously concede that the ratio of controlled-programed activities and free play seems to be increasing. This may be that parents, teachers, coaches and scout leaders feel guilty of neglecting their charges if they do not supply them with constantly varying bread and circuses overseen, measured and evaluated by adults as somehow beneficial to children.

The Benefits of Benign Neglect

Sat, 23 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

It may be that the most difficult thing to get about Scouting is figuring out what it isn’t. It is not a boys club, a baby sitting service, an academic system, an ideology or a program. The Scouting movement was born as a simple response to the inherent need of boys to have some direction and structure to their lives as they go about becoming adults. That the most fundamental ideas of Scouting has been adopted to vastly different cultures and locales witnesses its universality and genius.

What I Wish Every Scout Parent Understood

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

It takes a few years but that gawky 11-year-old becomes a responsible young man when Scout parents cooperate with the process.

I received this email from a Scout parent: I am new to the Boy Scout Program and I am not getting answers to questions . For instance my son is to bring a blue card to a merit badge event for the counselor to sign.

I got a blue card from the Scoutmaster.

How to Fix Scout Patrol Problems

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Here’s a question I recently received asking how to fix Scout patrol problems: Â I’m a Scoutmaster with less than a year under my belt and I’m faced with a ‘good problem’ ; we’re growing. We currently have 4 patrols and we anticipate that we will get about 7 Scouts from the Pack in February; they would be the 5th patrol.

Currently, we have one ‘first year’ patrol, two second year patrols, and one patrol made up of the remaining older boys. This particular patrol is usually woefully understaffed during outings as those Scouts are either committed to other obligations or working.

Finding the Advisor's Voice

Sun, 27 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

If I could change one thing about Scouting I’d do away with the term ‘adult leader’.

Leaders are directive, they tell people what to do and how to do it.

Advisors and mentors , on the other hand, are motivational – they help people develop skills and find the inspiration in their work. The greatest responsibility of an adult working with a Scout Troop or Venture Crew is engaging youth members in leading themselves using the patrol system.

A Scoutmaster's Day At Scout Camp