Follow
Scoutmaster Podcast 45
A discussion of the board of review.
In This Podcast
Board of Review [8:06]
Podcast Notes
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Listen to this episode (00:20:58)
Get updates to Scoutmastercg.com by email
wow…short term memory fails me again!
Still a great show, whether i pay attention to the details of the jokes or not 🙂
Wil
We do get hung up on the “review” and “test” words sometimes. The only Scoutmaster Conferences, that I can remember, where I have asked a Scout to wait a week or two is when they don’t know the Oath and Law. In every case I can remember they have come back in a week or two having memorized it exactly.
I can only recall three Scouts in 20 years being sent back by a board. The first one was a booboo, was quickly rectified and the Scout did fine and went on to Eagle. The other two were given a specific growth goal and a short time to work on it (in other words, it wasn’t open ended and drug on forever). In each of those two cases they completed the Board of Review, usually in a month, but both Scouts were already on their way out and were gone within a year without advancing another rank. That’s about 38 to 40 Eagles and probably 300 to 600 SM Conferences and Boards. I tried to figure out how many the other day and gave up counting 🙂
I fully agree that not passing a board should be very rare.
Good thoughts Larry!
What we really need is to define the difference between review and test. We also need to consider exactly what would constitute reasons for a Scout failing a board of review.
And the subject of “retesting” comes up again. A lot of people get their feathers all in an uproar and it all spins around again.
It is absolutely essential that Scouts be “tested” on specific scout skills in their Scoutmaster’s Conferences and Boards of Review.
Ok, there I’ve said it. Now I’ll nuance it. No, I’m not saying that we go through all of the requirements for a rank, ask all of the questions again, and fail the Scout if he doesn’t pass.
1. The adult leaders in the Troop cannot know whether the Scout Leaders are performing their leadership duties and preparing their Scouts if they don’t ask specific questions. Can you tie a bowline? What is the difference between hypo/hyperthermia? How do you stop bleeding? How are the Troop Leaders doing teaching skills? Are the Scouts learning? There is only one way to know!
2. If we are going to take Scouts backpacking, canoeing, climbing, etc., then we better be working to prepare them to handle the experiences. We and the boy leaders are responsible to ensure that they have the requisite skills. This is a simple issue of quality control. When I take Scouts outside I’m not too worried about their axe handling (none of my Scouts has an axe), citizenship knowledge, or what he did for his last service hours.
I am very concerned that my Scouts know and understand the Scout Oath, Scout Law, fire safety, safety afloat, basic first aid, basic knots, knife safety and stove and cooking safety and cleanliness. All of these subjects are covered in the Tenderfoot through First Class ranks. I want to know whether they are learning this stuff. And if not, why not.
3. Every specific question that we ask has one of two answers. The Scout can give the right answer and that’s great. If, on the other hand he gives a wrong answer, then the board encourages him to go back and study and practice the skill. He is encouraged to seek out the Troop leaders and gain knowledge. For lower ranks, he is usually shown the exact page number in his Scout book where he can find all he needs to know about that skill. It’s a learning moment for the Scout. The SM Conference and Board of Review become learning situations.
The Scout does not pass or fail the board based on his knowledge of a particular skill. He passes or fails based on his growth in the troop, as you have properly said.
There is a thread running through current educational thought that a child should never “fail”. This is, of course, baloney. Every Scout should be given the opportunity to absolutely fail in his knowledge of a Scout skill in front of a group of adults. He can then be encouraged to master that skill. He can then be instructed in the potential consequences of failing to know and understand a basic skill.
In my experience, most Scouts have great answers to almost every skill question that gets ask. The one that comes back over and over again, however, is the bowline. It’s amazing how many Scouts and adult leaders can’t tie one 🙂
In every Eagle Scout Board of Review that I have been involved in (>40) the Scout has been asked to recite from memory the Scout Oath and Law. He has also been given a length of rope and asked to tie a knot and explain it’s use.
I realize that this is somewhat of a fine line for some people. Some adults feel called to be the ones that administer the Scouting “SAT” or “GRE” at Boards of Review. I realize that we need to prevent that.
Thanks Will!
There were two economist jokes, not accountant jokes.
Two accountant jokes would be out of the question!
Great show Clarke!
I am a big fan of your jokes….but two accountant jokes might just be pushing it 😉
Keep up the great work, I continue to enjoy and learn from you and your email contributors.
Also; I am listening to all of the archive shows, thanks for making those available.
YIS
Wil Henzmann
ASM Troop 355
Sharpes, FL