I remember very clearly the time I first sat down with my new Patrol to choose a Patrol name. We had some suggestions from the Boy Scout Handbook and an old printed list of a couple-dozen creative names. We didn’t think much about what should go into choosing a good Patrol name; we just decided […]
For Youth Leaders
The Patrol’s Journey
Shortly after I became a Patrol Leader my Patrol was enthusiastic, but we quickly discovered that we all had different ideas of what and how we should do things as a Patrol. There were many arguments and disagreements between us. Later on, when I became a Senior Patrol Leader, I saw the same pattern repeat […]
How do YOU Handle Mistakes?
The way I see it there are two ways to react to the consequences of mistakes we’ve made: 1. Deny, blame others, cover up, and hope nobody finds out. 2. Own up and take responsibility for the consequences. Which is the right way? If you are reading this, there’s a pretty good chance you are […]
Defusing Explosive Situations
Have you ever had to deal face-to-face with a fellow Scout who was out of line? If your Patrol and Troop are doing adventurous and challenging things, you will have to deal with a situation like this sooner or later. I remember the hardest time I ever had camping was in the middle of July […]
Choose to Prepare – Strategic Preparation 2
“Be Prepared” is the Scout Motto. If you care enough about something, you’ll prepare. If you don’t care, you won’t bother. In the first part of this series I told a story about Scout Sunday. I had good intentions, but it really didn’t matter because I didn’t prepare. For instance; think how it reflects on yourself […]
Faster than a Text – Strategic Preparation 1
Everywhere you go, people will judge you by what you say, the things you do, and how you conduct yourself. Like it or not that is the plain truth. I remember one instance where this really hit home for me. I was asked to say a few words about Scouting and my Troop at a […]
What a Patrol Leader Does When Things Go Wrong.
What can go wrong: 1. No one shows up to a Patrol Meeting or planned event. As a Patrol Leader one goal I set for myself was regular, separate Patrol Meetings. It was pretty challenging at first. There were times I couldn’t reach some of my Scouts on the phone or they didn’t have a […]
Patrol Spirit and Family Spirit
One Mother’s Day, when I was a Senior Patrol Leader, I sent an email thanking all the mothers for their contribution and expressing appreciation for all they do. I was surprised by the number of appreciative replies I received! As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized more and more how much mothers and fathers do for […]
Wannabe or Real Leader?
You know the difference between a wannabe (want-to-be, get it?) leader and a real leader? Just watch them in action, it’s easy to tell! A wannabe loves giving orders, being in the spotlight, takes all the praise, has all the privileges, and makes everyone else do the tough work. A real leader expects a lot […]
Is Your Patrol a One Man Show or a Team?
“If you want something done right, do it yourself”. Things are easier that way, but it’s not really Scouting is it? As a Patrol Leader, I knew what I wanted; it was easier to do everything myself rather than explaining it to everyone else. At first I felt successful. My Patrol was getting stuff done, […]
The Third Option for Patrol Leaders
When I was a Patrol Leader, Bill (the Senior Patrol Leader) and I weren’t seeing eye to eye. Bill was a good Scout who took his responsibilities seriously, but he ordered us around, picked on little details, and lectured my Patrol if we overlooked something. If we didn’t do it Bill’s way, his displeasure fell […]
Conquer Camp Chores Before They Conquer You!
Once at winter camp the temperature was just above freezing, and the wind blew a sharp drizzle into every contrivable shelter and refuge. I was a young Scout rinsing dishes. There wasn’t a rubber glove in sight, so I was lucky enough to dunk my frozen hands into cold water. It was SUCH FUN!! At […]
The Operations Plan Part 6 – Intentional Friendship
My best friend in my Scout Troop and I had completely opposite personalities. I was serious; he was the ‘class-clown’. He found plenty of ways to pick on me and I looked for the best way to frustrate him. We considered each other the most annoying Scout in the Troop. This all started to change […]
The Operations Plan Part 5 – To Your Corners!
Our Troop split up into Patrols for part of our weekly Troop meetings; we called this “Patrol Corners”. Most of the time we did this to “work on rank advancement” and Patrol Leaders would do little more than having everyone read their books a half hour. Boring! A few Scouts tried to take this seriously […]
The Operations Plan Part 4 – Strive to Serve!
Patrols who build community service in their Operations Plan build Patrol spirit. I’d say that nothing builds Scout spirit quite like service to others! When Scouts do real good in the world, something great happens. When we serve others, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. What Project? You don’t have to look far; […]
Patrol Operations Plan Part 3 – Field Treks
Once your Patrol starts taking on a life of it’s own your Scouts will want to do more ambitious activities. A field trek is hiking adventure with a purpose, and it’s a great thing to do with your Patrol. Make sure field treks are part of your Patrol operations plan. The purpose of the trek […]
Patrol Operations Plan Part 2 – No More “Meetings”!
Every Patrol Operations Plan includes special times to get together outside of the Troop meetings. Whatever you call this time, it’s not going to be a dusty “meeting”. I don’t like the word “meeting”. “Meeting” makes me think of businessmen in suits sitting around a table discussing business for an hour. If you get the […]
Patrol Operations Plan Part 1 – Map the trail to Success
During my first meeting as Senior Patrol Leader I realized something that stopped me dead in my tracks: being a Patrol Leader was a more important job than being Senior Patrol Leader! Leaving the position made me realize the huge chance the Patrol Leader has to make Scouting into a real-life adventure, not just a […]
Into the Wilderness Part 3 – Trial by Fire
Texas isn’t known for cold weather like I described in the last post! It’s known for the heat! I remember vividly the hottest camping trip I’ve ever been on! It was a summer camp a few years ago; the humidity was high and the temperature was over 100 degrees all week long! It was so […]
Into the Wilderness Part 2 – Challenge Accepted!
I clearly remember one early camping trip I went on in the middle of winter. We got into camp after dark and everyone hurried to set up their gear as the cold chilled our fingers to the bone. I was ill-prepared for the cold weather in both clothes and sleeping gear. That night, I was […]
Into the Wilderness Part 1 – Spectatoritis
I never thought I could enjoy a view as much as I did that day! My Patrol and I had just hiked to the top of the tallest mountain in Oklahoma. It wasn’t super tall compared to Colorado standards, but coming from North Texas, it was the tallest I had ever seen! My Troop had […]
Patrol Teamwork Part 6 – The Patrol Fingerprint
Look at your hands right now! Even if you haven’t earned Fingerprinting Merit Badge you know everyone on the face of the earth, even identical twins, have a unique fingerprint unlike anyone else’s. Now think about your Patrol. Every Patrol has its own unique “fingerprint”. Every Patrol has their own way of doing things, their […]
Patrol Teamwork Part 5 – Patrol Burglar?
How can you capitalize on patrol teamwork? In“The Hobbit” the company of Dwarves decides that they need a ‘burglar’. The burglar would be the company’s eyes and ears: scouting out locations along the way. At the recommendation of the wizard Gandalf the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins was chosen to be the burglar. Just as the Dwarves depended on Bilbo to […]
Patrol Teamwork Part 4 – Information Specialist
I wish my Patrol had kept good records when I was a Patrol Leader. I didn’t think it was all that important at the time, but I know better now. I did buy a little notebook and tried to keep it up to date, but I was so busy that I forgot to write stuff […]
