Is it the Council President, commissioner, or Scoutmaster? Nope, listen to find out which volunteers Scouting can’t do without, and to answers to email questions about a new Scoutmaster, Scouts who won’t lead, and new Scout patrols. LINKS Bedwetting and Scouts Kandersteg 2016 MUSIC in this podcast By a Campfire on the Trail Sponsored By […]
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Podcast 257- Who Leads Who?
… if we have youth leading Scouts who do we lead? Find out who the Scoutmaster leads and directs in this podcast as well as answers to questions about merit badges, Webelos wearing sashes, and adult supervision of patrol meetings or activities. Links in this podcast Blue Card Infographic The Big Three Resources every Scouter […]
Podcast 256 – Modifying Advancement
What do you think? In this week’s podcast I’ll answer email questions about young Scoutmasters, modifying advancement requirements for Scouts with disabilities, the Alligator River game, Webelos going to Scout events, and a full-year troop program. LINKS Cub Scout Outdoor Program Guidelines Guide to Advancement Alligator River Infographic So Far So Good, a New Scoutmaster’s Story MUSIC […]
Podcast 255 – High Adventure!
… you know you’d like to go! Getting a high adventure trip off the ground sounds difficult, but you can make it happen for your Scouts. This week I’ll discuss some of the things you need to do to set up high adventure, and answer email questions about attendance at outings, and advise a new […]
Podcast 254 – Behavior Problems
Behavior problems can be challenging, but… … understanding the basic principles behind addressing difficult behavior helps us resolve them in the best interest of the Scout. I’ll answer an email about bullying and another about concerns over merit badge counselling. Scoutmaster Training Syllabus – see appendices G and H for information on the Scoutmaster Conference […]
Podcast 253 – Shared Expecations
When a Scout takes on a position of responsibility… … we’ll discuss and agree on a set of shared expectations, and begin what will be an open dialog for their tenure in that position. Reconciling what a Scout did or did not do before a Scoutmaster took on the role is one of the things we’ll […]
Podcast 252 – Merit Badge Books?
What do you think? In this week’s podcast I’ll answer email questions about anxious Scouts, liability insurance, cell phones and whether we should be using merit badge books or unofficial work sheets and workbooks. The Big Three Resources every Scouter should read BSA statement on liability insurance Article on merit badge workbooks and worksheets. Sponsored By […]
Podcast 251 – Make the most of being a Scouter
Once you become a Scouter, what’s next? What five things can you do to make the best of your opportunity as a Scouter? Whether you are just starting out, or have been around for awhile, let’s get the new year off on the right foot by thinking about making the best of our opportunities! This podcast […]
Podcast 250- What is an Eagle Scout?
This questions starts some pretty dramatic conversations! In this week’s podcast I’ll explain my answer to the question ‘What is an Eagle Scout?’ in Scoutmastership in Seven Minutes or Less and answer two email questions about Eagle Scout advancement. Our role is not safeguarding Eagle from the unworthy, or trying to make it something it isn’t, but understanding […]
Podcast 249 – So Far, So Good!
So Far, So Good! Lot’s of catching up to do! It’s nice to be back after a two week hiatus! In this podcast I’ll tell you about my new book, So Far, So Good! and answer email questions about how to keep a vision for all age divisions of Scouting, the program changes coming this year, […]
Twas Our First Night Out Camping…
I’ve had several requests for a print version of the poem I read on Podcast 248. A PDF of the image below is available to download (link at the bottom of this post) and I have included a text version below . ‘Twas our first night out camping, when all through the troop, Every creature was […]
Podcast 248 – Happy Holidays!
Next week is Christmas and the following is new year’s, so for the next two weeks the podcast will be on vacation right along with you as you enjoy the holidays with your friends and family . I’ll return on January 5th with Podcast number 249. You can listen to our archived podcasts here Music on […]
Podcast 247 – Compliance or Obedience?
What’s the difference between demanding compliance and getting voluntary obedience? The answer may have a lot to do with the tone of your voice (literally and figuratively). In this podcast I answer emails about an particular Eagle Scout Board of Review, where it looks like the Eagle Scout candidate may be being set up for an […]
Podcast 246 – Classes, Chow, and More!
Another agonized alliteration! In this podcast I answer emails about merit badge classes, patrols cooking their own chow, a Scoutmaster worried about Scouts who change troops, Scouting’s chimeras (or urban legends), and a little troop leadership election chicanery. Hows that for one jam-packed alliterative podcast? Here’s the first chapter of the narrative: A New Scoutmaster. Here’s the […]
Podcast 245 – The Emperor has no clothes
When the Emperor has no new clothes… it’s sort of embarrassing for everyone isn’t it? Listen to my response to those (thankfully few) troops who decide to create their own requirements. Adding to the requirements is as misguided as subtracting from them, and sends a mixed message to the youth we serve. In the email segment […]
Podcast 244 – Listen to Your Scouts
Listen to your Scouts… and you’ll hear lots of answers! I discuss listening in this week’s “Scoutmaster in Seven Minutes or Less”. In the email segment of this podcast we answer questions about activities that fulfill more than one requirement, how adults can train youth leaders to provide a good, quality program without taking it over themselves, unit leadership elections, the […]
Podcast 243 – What is the Context of Scouting?
What is the context of Scouting, and why does it matter? The game of Scouting has it’s own set of rules, it’s own playing field, or context. I discuss a couple of common questions that are answered by understanding this context. In addition we’ll discuss conflicts of interest for an Eagle board of review, whether […]
Podcast 242 -Campaign, Conduct, Camping, & Content
Campaigning, Conduct, Camping (with Webelos), and Content of troop meetings. Listen to my answer to the question: should we be teaching Scouts conflict resolution? (spoiler- yes and no!) In addition we’ll discuss campaigning for youth leadership elections, what standards apply to Webelos camping with troops, and whether or not merit badge instruction is the right content […]
Podcast 241- Reviewing, Retesting, O.A., and Webelos
Reviewing, Retesting, O.A., and Webelos More questions and answers about the Scoutmaster’s conference and our review process. In addition we’ll discuss Webelos woes; how can we get them excited about being in a Scout troop?, encouraging cooperation between Order of the Arrow and the troop when it looks like O.A. responsibilities may be cutting into Scout’s responsibilities […]
Podcast 240 -Elections, Reviews, & Conferences
Elections, Boards of Review, and Conferences Should a Scout be denied a Scoutmaster’s conference because, horror of horrors, he’s wearing white socks? I hope you know the answer to that already, but in this podcast I answer an email question from a parent whose son is having a problem with getting though a Scoutmaster’s conference […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 239 – Help!
Help! Everyone needs help, right? Most Scouters, at one time or another, find ourselves overwhelmed, discouraged and helpless. Don’t worry, you aren’t alone, and there’s a way out! See if the email answer about getting volunteers to help in this podcast helps you. In addition I’ll offer some advice about how a troop handles Eagle courts of honor, […]
Podcast 238 – Patrol Method 4
What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast the fourth of four installments that discusses how basic ideas to practically apply the patrol method. I also answer email questions on how to have Scouts form patrols, how to address bad […]
Podcast 237 – Patrol Method 3
What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast the third of four installments that discusses the typical objections raised when the patrol method is applied. Three different email questions on the theme of focusing on the individual Scout, one […]
Podcast 236 – Patrol Method 2
What, exactly, is the Patrol Method? Why did our founder emphasize the importance of the patrol method over all else in Scouting? In this week’s podcast the second of four installments that describes te adult role in applying the patrol method. I also answer an email from a Cub Den Leader and parent who is concerned […]
