From the CNN website: A 12-year-old Boy Scout missing for four days in North Carolina’s wilderness wandered away from his campsite because he was homesick and planned to hitchhike home, the boy’s father said Tuesday. Michael told his father he slept in tree branches during the night, drank river water and prayed he wouldn’t get sick. He said he […]
Scout Leader Skills
Positive Peer Pressure
During a visit from a Webelos Den at our last Troop meeting one of my Scouts was available to speak with the parents of the visiting boys. We were in our second week of disabilities awareness merit badge; the older scouts were leading a discussion with our younger scouts about the badge. One of the […]
1913 Scoutmaster’s Handbook
The 1913 proof edition of the Handbook for Scout Masters is available at Google Books. This draft was distributed for comment to perfect the final edition. Here’s a (rather large) PDF version of the 1913 Proof of Scoutmaster Handbook To be an effective Scouter we ought to continually assess our understanding of first principles, and there’s much food for thought in […]
The Role of Scouting Parents
Scouting works in concert with the parents of our Scouts to achieve the main aim, and we rely on parents who become Scouters to support the Scout’s program. How do we define this role so the scouts are able to do what they need to accomplish with this much-needed support yet without undue interference? The […]
Bullies in Scouting
Bullying is a tough nut to crack. Bullying behavior satisfies a bully’s needs on a primal, instinctual level; a level so basic that they often do not realize they are bullying. Bullies can’t necessarily be talked or shamed out of bullying, may not respond for long to regular disciplinary measures (denial of privileges or activities); […]
Resolving A Scouting Argument
Anyone who spends several years as a Scoutmaster will end up arguing with a fellow Scouter, committee member, or parent. While these conflicts aren’t inevitable they are unfortunately probable. What follows is plain-spoken advice from Ask Andy, a fantastic resource for Scouters with questions or difficulties. Having weathered several of these conflicts I can assure you […]
Teenage Brain
For most of us adolescence is a difficult, chaotic and confusing process. Whether we are going through it ourselves or watching it unfold in others relatively new research on adolescent brain growth sheds light on an otherwise mysterious set of circumstances. It is now understood that our brains undergo significant physical changes in adolescence that […]
Scouting Fundamentals
Andy the net commissioner asks “Are we really that smart?” or are we smart enough to change scouting fundamentals? … before we start changing things around to suit ourselves, we’d better be asking ourselves, “Have we really come up with a better way of doing things, or have we just violated or depleted something that’s fundamental […]
Unit Leader Award of Merit
The Unit Leader Award of Merit may be earned by Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Varsity Team Coaches, and Venturing Crew Advisors. Requirements 1. Be a currently registered Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, or Advisor who has served in that position at least 18 continuous months. 2. Meet the training requirements for the registered position. 3. Distribute a printed or electronic annual […]
One Minute Scoutmaster
Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson’s bestselling book The One Minute Manager concentrates on brief, focused management through goal setting, encouragement and correction. One minute methods work well for Scoutmasters: (adapted from an essay by Winston R. Davis, author of Men of Schiff) There was a bright young man looking for a really good Scoutmaster. He wanted […]
The Other Scout Promise
We know about the Scout promise (or oath), but what about the promises made to Scouts? The 11th edition of he Scout Handbook begins with these promises: Scouting promises you the great outdoors. As a scout you can learn how to camp and hike without a trace and how to take care of the land. […]
What Type of Scouter Are You?
Scouters should maintain an ongoing awareness of how well they are applying the patrol method. The questions below, from the White Stag website is intended to evaluate how well we are doing our job. Give it an honest try, if you have more A’s than B’s your are headed in the right direction; otherwise it is time to work […]
1928 Principles of Scoutmastership
Published in 1928 “Principles of Scoutmastership In Relation To Boy Development” begins by defining the development we seek for our Scouts, how Scouts think, how they develop, what Scouting does to effect that development and what the Scoutmaster can do to further the process. This nearly 80 year-old advice is a sound now as the day […]
Maintain Inefficiency!
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. Merit […]
Troop Organization Chart
Scout troops are built on patrols, and patrols are built on the natural way boys for a gang of friends, that small group is where Scouting happens. We have categorized and complicated this simple principle with overlays of military discipline, management science, job descriptions and flow charts that put the Scoutmaster at the top and the boys […]
What is Scouting Fun?
We can all agree that Scouting is fun, right? What is Scouting fun, and what isn’t? Young people are in Scouting because they crave an honest challenge. They don’t need any more “bread and circuses” (benefits or entertainments intended to placate discontent or distract attention). Scouts love to learn, but don’t like to be educated; Scouts like to work […]
Seton’s Fire Within
One of the B.S.A.’s founders, Ernest Thompson-Seton, was visiting a camp he founded near his New Jersey home. Seton had invited several important local businessmen to join him on this particular visit to interest them in supporting the camp. During their stay they watched with great interest as some of the boys tried to light […]
Scouter Mission Statement
What’s your Scouter Mission Statement? Mission statements are a reference point, an expression of intentions and goals, they are useful reminders to stay the course. Here’s a starting point; Scouter Mission Statement As a Scouter I will; Create and nurture an environment for learning leadership and developing a sense of direction. Value the decisions and […]
Good Scout or Trouble?
As a scoutmaster I often remind myself that more often than not it’s only little boys carrying plates and they need something other than a drill sargent policing the ranks.
Hazing
Haze \Haze\, v. t. 1. To harass by exacting unnecessary, disagreeable, or difficult work. 2. To harass or annoy by playing abusive or shameful tricks upon; to humiliate by practical jokes; — used esp. of college students; as, the sophomores hazed a freshman A Scoutmaster will do no greater service to his troop than to drive out every […]
Prodigal Scouts
I have known a troop who has a sign posted in their meeting place that reads “make good or make way”. They send letters to scouts who don’t attend regularly threatening them with removal from the troop. Part of Scouting is dealing with our prodigal Scouts who disappear from time to time without any explanation. […]
Exclusive or Inclusive Scouting
A good friend in scouting who served as a scoutmaster and camp director for almost thirty years once pointed out to me that Scouting was inclusive, not exclusive. His point was that if 100 boys showed up on your doorstep wanting to join Scouts in the spirit of inclusive Scouting one welcomes them and then […]
Why Scouting?
Scouting is something young people do naturally, it will always remain relevant. Scouting happens instinctively. Look at any group of young people anywhere in the world, anytime in history, and observe how they organize themselves. They form groups, adopt uniforms, establish standards, develop a credo, and create initiatory challenges. Classrooms often got to battle with […]
