What We Want to Hear

Here’s a couple of recent things I have heard within the Troop that I found encouraging indications we are on the right track. Our SPL is working on Camp Staff this summer so the ASPL is required to step up and lead the Troop through our summer meetings and a week at summer camp. We meet outdoors at the local park during the summer months and rain was threatening this week’s meeting.

I was monitoring the situation and planning to call the ASPL to confer about canceling the meeting (it was going to rain, it had been raining all day) when the phone rang and there he was. As I carefully (too carefully) explained that two out of three patrol leaders were out of town and just how I would handle getting the word out he said “I’ll handle it” and our conversation ended quickly. That was just what I wanted to hear. This ASPL knows his stuff, camp is going to be a breeze! On a spring campout we welcomed several new scouts and one new father on his first outing as an Assistant Scoutmaster.

Adults often find it more difficult making the transition from Webelos to a Scout Troop than do boys.

Webelos leaders are more directly involved and working with a patrol system and youth leadership represents a big change. Like most our new ASM’s son was used to dad solving some of his problems and giving him direction on campouts. When he came around the adult’s campsite (especially at meal time) my time-tested method of putting him back on track is to ask “where is your patrol?”.

Invariably the scout points to his patrol campsite and says “over there” and I than say “I think they need you”.

After the second or third time this happens most new scouts get it and they head off to their patrol when I first ask the question.

I had this exchange within earshot of the new ASM three or four times in the course of the weekend. When Sunday breakfast rolled around the new ASM’s son found his way over to our part of he campsite again and started inquiring after his fathers breakfast. The new ASM looked at him and asked “where is your patrol?” the boy grimaced a little bit and headed off to join his fellow scouts without a word. That was just what I wanted to hear. The new ASM got a hearty handshake and I welcomed him to the troop.