Scoutmaster Podcast 62

March 28, 2011 By Clarke Green

In this Podcast:
Can a Troop define what ‘active’ means? How ‘active’ is defined, how we work with that definition and why it makes sense.
No-shows and last minute participants for camping trips. Sometimes Scouts show up for a camping trip without having told anyone that they were going to participate. Sometimes Scouts that said they would be there don’t show up.

Links in this Podcast:
Advancement Committee Guidebook
Official definition of an active Scout

Podcast Music

Listen to this episode (00:30:08)

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About Clarke Green

Clarke has worked with thousands of Scouts and Scouters as a director at his local Scout Camp (Camp Horseshoe), and as a Scoutmaster for 30 years. He is the recipient of a number of awards recognizing his service to Scouting, including the B.S.A.’s Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit, and is a Vigil Honor member of Octoraro Lodge 22. He is author of the blog and podcast at Scoutmastercg.com, The Scouting Journey, and Thoughts on Scouting. An avid outdoorsman and amateur actor, he lives in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania with his wife Teddi.

Comments

sk8erbryan says

April 8, 2011 at 11:04 am

I agree with the advice given on the podcast, if you can make it work then let them come. If you can’t and it’s really an issue with safety because you don’t have equipment or necessary things explain that to them and they will understand if there are specific reasons. Key is they have to be real reasons. If you’re going on a simple over night outing in the summer there really isn’t a ton a boy NEEDS to do to prepare. Winter, extended days, long hikes, boating, well then that’s a different story.

It’s important to remember what you said, “we do it for the boys so we always try to accommodate.” 12 year old boys don’t carry around day planners. They plan their life around what’s fun and interesting to them at the time. My policy is if a boy wants to come and a parent or leader is willing to make sure they are prepared then I will be thrilled to have them along. Personally I’d rather give an unprepared boy my pack and have them come along and enjoy and grow with the other boys and experience it than sit at home because he didn’t give ‘required notice’ or missed a simple pack check.
- clarke says
  
  April 8, 2011 at 11:32 am
  
  Good thoughts Brian – thanks.
  90% of the game is focusing on serving Scouts rather than systems and schedules – and maintaining a perspective of just who we are serving.
Warren says

April 6, 2011 at 1:15 pm

I’m a leader in a Cub Scout Pack which is different than the boy led Boy Scout Troop. But, we contantly have the issue of people ‘deciding’ to go on a trip or activity at the last meeting. We do our best to accomodate but it seems to be the same people each time. No matter how many times we announce at a Pack Meeting, put it on the website, put it in the newletter and e-mail the date of the event and deadline….we still get requests days after the deadline has past. Basically giving the same story, ‘I didn’t know the deadline had past’, ‘My husband/wife told me that we could still sign up’, ‘We forgot to sign up, little Johnny really wants to go’… It’s such a pain but we do it for the boys so we always try to accomodate. Unfortunately, we can’t always make the adjustments at the last minute.

If you can figure this one out, you should be able to earn a patch for sure!