Keeping Older Scouts Engaged
Retaining older Scouts, handling the transition to independence, and keeping 14–17 year olds active.
B.P.'s Blog - Retention of Older Scouts
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters.
Ten Practices for Retaining Older Scouts
Put a few Scoutmasters in a room and eventually the talk will turn to retaining older boys.
B-P's Blog - Transition
During his lifetime Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scouting movement, wrote many books and articles directed to Scouters.
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.
Fun
“We want to make our program fun.
Scoutmaster Minute - Fuzzy or Focused?
Here’s a Scoutmaster minute idea for your notebook: If you visit the archery range at camp this summer (and you should!) you’ll get the opportunity to shoot an arrow at a target.
Webelos to Scouts
Successfully transitioning Webelos into a Scout Troop is a perennial process that merits some discussion.
Webelos Visits to Troop Meetings
When Webelos and their parents visit one of our meetings we send the Webelos to our Senior Patrol leader who sees that they are welcomed and join in the activities.
Webelos Retention
Webelos, or any boy for that matter, who join a Troop may leave within the first year for any number of reasons.
Webelos Crossover - Every Scoutmaster Should Read This
This email about one Webelos crossover to a troop needs little introduction or explanation, but one part bears repeating; Clarke – I recently stumbled across your podcast and blog.
Keeping Older Scouts Active
Scoutmasters wring their hands over losing older Scouts and many troops do have a problem keeping them around.
Webelos Bridge Crossing Ceremony
A good discussion of most common questions about Webelos to Scouts transition at Ask Andy: The Webelos bridge crossing ceremony is to publicly show the transition, or crossing over, from a Cub Scout pack to a Boy Scout troop.
Should I Make My Son Stay in Scouts?
Many Scouts will, at some point, resist going any further in Scouting.
Podcast Clips
Episode 371 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Anonymous experienced leader frustrated that a survey and subcommittee on older scout disengagement changed nothing; Clarke explains the structural and cultural roots of the problem — Cub Scout volunteer cycles, inadequate training, and adults crowding out scout-led activity — plus a candid rant on BSA's separate-unit model for integrating girls.
Episode 370 — OLDER SCOUTS
Extended teaching segment on understanding and working with Scouts aged 14–17: what they want, what Scouters want from them, how to balance authority with approachability, and why the 'bread and circuses' approach to engagement fails.
Episode 347 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Anonymous sender asks about re-registering inactive longtime troop associates; Steven Smith asks how to build teamwork without older experienced scouts; George Cloud asks for Eagle project proposal review tips; Steve Cottrell asks about annual program planning with the PLC.
Episode 344 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Paul Geisler asks what to do when most of a patrol can't attend an outing; anonymous Scoutmaster asks how to engage older Scouts losing interest and transition to youth-led model; Timo Sopeta asks about the quarterly program plan with advance permission slips; Kevin Ames asks how best to use the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster position.
Episode 311 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Multiple email questions answered: Eric Flesher (troop 309, Orange Village OH) on re-engaging older scouts who have drifted away; Jacques Goulet (troop 473, Fort Pierce FL) on structuring leadership for a brand-new eight-scout troop; Paul Thiel (troop 825, Houston TX) on what qualifies as a scouting campout for merit badge purposes; and an anonymous former Scoutmaster on handling an overstepping advancement committee chair.
Episode 295 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Two emails answered: (1) an anonymous writer asking whether a scout who aged out without Eagle had a wasted Scouting career compared to a 13-year-old Eagle Scout — Clarke argues both comparisons are 'apples and oranges' and that scouts should measure themselves against themselves per the Scout Oath; (2) Brian Kerner asks whether a scout can hold the same position of responsibility from First Class through Life rank — Clarke explains the requirements contain no such restriction.
Episode 241 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Mike Bailey (Shoreview, MN, Webelos pack 9626) asks how to re-engage burned-out second-year Webelos and their parents before the crossover to Boy Scouts. Clarke responds with advice on youth-driven activities and a soapbox discussion on the organizational divide between cub packs and scout troops. Additional emails cover OA lodge vs. troop scheduling conflicts and managing disruptive older scouts.
Episode 155 — SCOUTMASTERSHIP in 7 MINUTES
Hosting a Webelos den visit using scouts of varying tenure as spokespersons to parents, then ten strategies for retaining older scouts including giving them real independent responsibility, accepting mistakes, allowing individuality, and not mandating uniform wear.
Episode 75 — SCOUTMASTER'S MINUTE
The older-boy retention 'problem' — Clarke argues it is solved by two steps: use the patrol method so older scouts lead the troop, and allow older boys to set their own level of participation without penalizing outside interests.
Episode 56 — LISTENERS EMAIL
Jason Pettis, Scoutmaster of Troop 130 in Golden, CO, asks how to integrate 16-20 new Webelos crossing over into a troop of 30; Clarke advises preparing youth leaders, orienting new adult leaders, and establishing a strong parent orientation.
Episode 17 — SCOUTMASTERSHIP in 7 MINUTES
Ways to retain older Scouts: real responsibility, respectful distance from adults, accepting teenage quirks, positive peer pressure, and fostering a safe and accepting troop culture.