A ripping good yarn from John Thurman’s Patrol Leader’s Handbook was aimed at helping the Scouts of 1950 catch the spirit of their work as patrol leaders. I offer it here to spark your imagination, and to answer the question ‘why do we have Scoutmasters?’; In the early days of Scouting boys from all over the country, […]
Patrol Method
… the more things remain the same.
Feeling alone? Frustrated with your youth leadership? Does it seem as though every effort to get them motivated falls short? Wish for ‘the good old days’ when ‘Scouting really meant something’ and boys were able to think for themselves? See if you don’t share some of the frustrations expressed by this Scoutmaster: We are continually […]
Five Patrol Method Fundamentals
Patrols are much more than a convenient way to divide a large group of Scouts into smaller, more manageable groups. Patrols are the single unique feature of Scouting and the indispensable method for achieving the aims of Scouting. Most of us became Scouters as Cub Leaders. During the Cub Scout years the program depends on […]
How to Fix Scout Patrol Problems
Here’s a question I recently received asking how to fix Scout patrol problems: 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 […]
Are You Sharing Too Much Information?
Information educates the mind, experience develops skill. Too much information can be paralyzing. We live in the information age. Our Scouts get plenty of information, much more than they can do anything with. What they really need is experience. Scouting is an educational movement, but it’s not educational in the traditional sense. Scouting is a […]
Troop Program Death Spiral!
Perhaps “Troop Program Death Spiral” is a gratuitously dramatic title but it describes something that does happen. Got your attention, though, didn’t I? How and why do troops get off track and lose Scouts? There’s a predictable sequence of events that spiral down into a crash. Scouts are never the problem, it’s the way we work with them that causes problems. […]
Patrol System Survey
How well are we applying the patrol system? I often ask myself this question and I am constantly looking for ways to improve the experience for our Scouts. I’ve set up a patrol system survey to see how the patrol system is used in other troops, ( there aren’t any ‘right’ answers). The Survey is […]
Three Leadership Motives
As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate. …When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’ – Lao Tzu How do we lead? Lao Tzu describes […]
The One Essential Feature of Scouting Explained
How is the one essential feature of Scouting explained? We are all familiar with this quote form the founder of Scouting; The Patrol System is the one essential feature in which Scout training differs from that of all other organizations, and where the System is properly applied, it is absolutely bound to bring success. It cannot help itself! Baden-Powell […]
Adult and Youth Leadership Ratios on Scout Outings
When we talk about boys planning, preparing and leading Scout outings some folks reply “Good grief, how can you leave the Scouts in charge when the troop is going on a strenuous hike to Jones Mountain and they have no experience? As Scoutmaster, isn’t it my responsibility to be closely involved in each Scout’s preparation […]
The Patrol Leader’s Real Power and Authority
A new patrol leader may think, at first, their position is one of great power and authority. Truth be told patrol leaders do have great power and authority but it’s not aimed at bossing people around or commanding their respect. The patrol leader’s real power is the example they set for their fellow Scouts. A patrol will follow […]
The Patrol Leader’s Council and Planning
When we think about a patrol leader’s council we form a picture of Scouts sitting around a table talking and making plans but what’s really going on? The Senior patrol leader is in charge, the patrol leaders are assembled , the scribe is ready, the Scoutmaster is on hand to advise… what happens next? More importantly what’s happened […]
Patrol Method in Practice – Making It Happen
This is post number four in this four part series on the patrol method 1. The Character School, 2. The Adult Role, 3. 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 […]
Patrol Method in Practice – Objections
This is post number three in this four part series on the patrol method 1. The Character School, 2. The Adult Role, 4. Making it happen Our first post in this series establishes the patrol method as the character school of Scouting, that real self-government makes the Scout Oath and law more relevant than a bunch of concepts preached by adults. That Scouts find meaning […]
Patrol Method in Practice – The Adult Role
This is post number two in this four part series on the patrol method 1. The Character School, 3. Objections, 4. Making it happen Imagine a bus tour of some important city where, seated in the air-conditioned comfort of a motor coach, we listen to the guide explain each landmark in detail so we won’t miss anything. The guide […]
Patrol Method in Practice – The Character School
This is post number one in this four part series on the patrol method 2. The Adult Role, 3. Objections, 4. Making it happen The patrol system is not one method in which Scouting for boys can be carried on. It is the only method. It is not the slightest use to preach the Scout Law or to give it out as orders to […]
Ladder of Youth Leadership Infographic
Youth leadership goes through developmental stages. As youth become more capable and adults more comfortable with these capabilities higher levels of youth leadership are possible. Can you find your troop on the ladder? Where would you like to be? What do you need to do to get there? Scouting places the responsibility and authority to lead on the Scouts […]
Adultism in Scouting
‘Adultism’ can be a loaded term but I think it would be useful to consider it in the context of our work in Scouting. Adultism is the broadly defined as valuing the ideas, initiatives and direction of adults over that of youth. If Scouting is to stay true to its foundational principles we ought to make an effort to […]
Troubleshooting the Patrol Method
This is a self assessment tool to help gauge how well a troop applies the patrol method. It may be a good idea to have several adults and youth troop members complete the assessment and discuss the results. This is not very scientific but it will at least give you an idea of where you […]
Scout Youth Leader Training – Part Three
In the first installment in this series I asserted that youth leaders develop when they are doing, not watching. Our best Scout youth leader training is an active process of discovery. In part two I outlined the relationships and environment most conducive to development. What specific practices aid developing leadership? How do we actually make this happen? Don’t […]
Scout Youth Leader Training – Part Two
What are the most promising approaches for youth leader development? In the first installment in this series we discussed some key concepts about the relationship between Scouts and leadership positions and the way they develop as leaders. Training events like NYLT (National Youth Leader Training) present both experiential and classroom learning. Troop based youth leadership training offers some experiential learning as well. As good […]
Scout Youth Leader Training – Part One
Scout youth leader training is important, we do a lot of training. Some approaches work well and some don’t. I often hear from Scoutmasters who say something like “you know we trained these guys, or sent them to training, and they still, just don’t get it.” At this point a lot of us grow disenchanted […]
Troop Leadership Elections
What’s the best way to hold Troop leadership elections? It’s pretty simple. Here’s all of the references I found in the Scoutmaster’s handbook: Each troop sets its own requirements and schedule of elections, though senior patrol leaders are usually chosen at six- to 12-month intervals and can be reelected. Scoutmaster’s Handbook p. 13 The members of each patrol elect one of their […]
Four Ways to be a Leader
What follows is a first look at one part of a youth leadership training-mentoring program I have been working on. I’ve imposed a few rules on myself – no paperwork, no presentations and no sitting down. In addition the adult role in this will be largely as a silent observer. As I develop the ideas I am […]
