How does Scout advancement achieve the main aim of Scouting? Todays talk about advancement continues our foundations series. I’ve written extensively in detail about many aspects of Scout advancement, but this is different. In this podcast I ask how Scout advancement fits into the overall game of Scouting. You’ll hear me read from Baden-Powell’s Aids […]
Understanding Advancement
Understanding Advancement is part of the All About Advancement section.
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Scoutmaster Podcast 358 – Scout Advancement Judgement calls
Scout advancement is not adults judging Scouts… … it’s Scouts meeting requirements with the support of adult volunteers – in Scout advancement we are all on the same side. We did not write the requirements. We don’t personally embroider patches to present to them. It’s tiresome and self-defeating to devise our own hoops for Scouts […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 343 – Scout Advancement Questions
Scout advancement questions are often easy to answer … … if you simply take things at face value. It’s actually all pretty easy to understand. Problems arise when Scouters don’t challenge their own assumptions after they have read the requirements or directions and policies in the Guide to Advancement. This week I’ll answer three Scout advancement questions you’ve emailed […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 339 – Service Rank Requirements
Service Rank Requirements are one thing… .. but helping other people at all times is a key concept we hope to build into our Scouts lives. To make that happen we have to look beyond the requirements. Scouts discovering what service means, and the service they perform, are both vitally important building blocks in the […]
Podcast 319 – Scoutmaster Conferences & More
Are Scoutmaster’s Conferences a retest? Can assistant Scoutmasters do them? This week we’ll catch up on listener email by answering these questions and more. When it comes to Scoutmaster conferences they are explained unambiguously in teh Guide to Advancement, so none of this is a matter of opinion or a difference in style, it is very clearly delineated […]
Podcast 316 – Scouting is Discovery
What has a Mesoamerican Step Pyramid got to do with this? Today I want to talk about leadership, but I want to see if I can get you to come along with me and really examine what this means in Scouting. Leadership in Scouting is based on discovery. I have (what I hope is a great) analogy […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 311 – Scout Camping
What constitutes a night of Scout camping? You’ll find the qualifier “under the auspices of Scouting” or something similar in advancement requirements that describe nights of camping. What, exactly, does this mean? I’ll give you my best answer to this and other email questions that we’ll discuss in this podcast. You don’t want to miss […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 301- Your Scouting Vision
What’s your vision for Scouting? Have you ever taken the time to really examine your Scouting vision, how you picture where you are headed as a Scouter? When I first became a Scoutmaster my vision was defined by what I knew at the time. The pictures in my head were so powerful, it sounds silly now, but […]
Transitioning to the New Rank Requirements
Now the new year has come Scouts registered after January 1, 2016 must use the new rank requirements. What about Scouts registered before December 31, 2015? The answer is a little complicated, but not too hard to understand; Here’s the logic chart as a PDF file, and the BSA document I used to make it. […]
Podcast 291- No Time for Scouts?
A lot of our Scouts are subject to many demands on their time… .. and some are under extreme pressure from their parents. What if one of our Scouts wants to quit because they say they have no time for Scouts? Scouting ought to be challenging, but not impossible, nor should it become something stressful […]
Scout Requirements and “Double Dipping”
Can a Scout fulfill more than one requirement with a single activity? The answer is always clear after a careful reading of the Scout requirements and the directions in the Guide to Advancement 2015 – 4.2.3.6 Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With a Single Activity From time to time it may be appropriate for a Scout to apply what […]
Podcast 289 – What is an Active Scout?
How do we decide if a Scout is an active Scout? There are very clear directions about how to determine if a Scout is an active Scout in the Guide to Advancement. Why, then, does this cause so many problems? Put on your choir robe and I’ll do a little preaching! Section 4.2.3.1 Active Participation […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 288 – Yardsticks
Is Scouting a system of measurement? Scouting is more, much, much, more, than a system of measurement, yet it has lots of “yardsticks”. Baden-Powell wrote “Scouting is a game. But sometimes I wonder whether, with all our pamphlets, rules, conferences, and training classes we may not appear to be making of it too serious a […]
Thoughts on Scout Requirements
Are you motivated and inspired by the Scout requirements? What about your Scouts? Are your fellow Scouters inspired to administer them by adopting an encouraging, inspiring tone themselves? Can you smell the wood smoke and feel the warming glow of a campfire against the cold sting of a winter campout when you read them? Ask your Scouts […]
Podcast 283 – Self Organized Learning
“Camp is… the real school of the out-of-doors, where all the best in the future man’s character can be brought out and developed” B-P This week’s podcast departs from our usual format (it’s a long holiday weekend!) to explore an idea that could revolutionize the way you approach your work as a Scouter. Dr. Sugutra Mitra […]
New Star Rank Requirements
This is fifth in a series of posts about the new rank requirements that take effect on January 1, 2016. Scout | Tenderfoot | Second Class | First Class | Star | Life | Eagle Exactly how the new requirements are phased in is explained in this PDF document – Notes on Transitioning to the New Requirements. I found […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 272 Eagle Scout Thoughts
There’s always plenty to talk about when it comes to the Eagle Scout! In this week’s podcast I’ll opine (and preach a little) about our Eagle Scout attitudes and answer email questions about troop meeting chaos and an advancement mistake. The important thing to realize is that once a Scout earns Eagle Rank he begins the lifelong process of […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 268 – Rank Requirements
What do the resources say? Who signs rank requirements? It’s up to the unit leader to select and train those who approve advancement, that’s the short answer! Listen for the longer answer and answers to email questions about troop meetings, terms for positions of responsibility, alcohol stoves, and backpack weight. Links in this podcast Going Camping Go Light! (more […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 267 – Email!
It’s catch-up time! In this week’s podcast I’ll catch up on email questions concerning approving requirements, relationships between Cub Packs and Troops, moving to a new Troop, unit policy manuals, how Scouts address Scouters, and determining what activities best achieve the aims of Scouting. Links in this podcast The Big Three Resources every Scouter should […]
Podcast 262 – The Scale of Scouting
What’s the difference between a patrol and a herd? In this week’s podcast we’ll look at what the founder had to say about the scale of Scouting and I’ll answer email questions about patrols choices and presenting badges. LINKS The Big Three Resources every Scouter should read Music A Boy Scout in Switzerland Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com […]
Podcast 261 – Avoiding the Troop Program Death Spiral
Are you in danger? I know that a title like “troop program death spiral” sounds dramatic, but I got your attention, right? I’ll explain what the dreaded troop program death spiral is and help you avoid it as well as answering email questions about Eagle Scout advancement, Advancement policies instituted by a troop, and “Webelos […]
B.P.’s Blog – Standardization of Badges
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters. Each Sunday I’ll publish a selection from his writings in the hope that you’ll draw inspiration and understanding from his timeless ideas. IN view of a very elaborate curriculum that was recently drawn up by one […]
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 […]
Scoutmaster Podcast 222- Interview with Darnall Daley
Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers In this podcast I am joined by F. Darnell Daley Jr, Author of The Commissioner’s Corner. I am sure you’ll find Darnall’s good cheer and enthusiasm for Scouting inspirational. Here’s Darnall’s website Listen to Scoutmaster Podcast 222 Get The SCOUTMASTERCG APP Podcast Archive Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS […]
