Thelopais

From: Starting and Sustaining high-performing Quality Units http://www.scouting.org/filestore/membership/pdf/522-025_WB.pdf "While organizing and running the recruitment effort is the membership committee’s responsibility, the NUC (New Unit Commissioner) will support the idea that at least 10 youth and five adults are recruited for membership in the unit." Qwazse is correct - it isn't a requirement, but is a recommended number. We had fewer than 10 when we started, yet 10 was the goal. I don't know that I would have wanted to start with more than that, just because of the learning curve the Adults had/have to go through. But then again we didn't have a dedicated New Unit Commissioner.

So we have held the first two meetings, mostly as written. I only changed out some Skill instruction for areas where we are weak. I've already seen a big difference in our meetings. In a couple of meetings that they over estimated how long things would take they pulled items from our training meeting such as the Buddy Slings. One thing I personally have gained a better respect for is their need to be able to visualize or pull on a previous experience to copy or emulate in order to do it on their own. ​After watching their reaction to the Hand Slap or Indian Leg Wrestling games I'm starting to demo a Scoutcraft or recreational game during our post meeting reviews each week to help give them additional items from. Deer stalking (SPL or JASM acting as the deer) is one they have taken a strong liking to. We did discuss Kudu's comments on it being a waste for our older Scout to be a JASM and he would be better as a Patrol Leader listening to their discussion I think they all understood it. I know took me a couple of discussions regarding having independent patrol meetings to fully appreciate it. We haven't made that change though. He is though helping each patrol leader coordinate their own meetings which we hope to have each patrol hold two stand alone meetings next month. We are also talking of modifying their calendar in December to hold independent patrol outings, he wants to go with each patrol to help guide their PL. I am anxious to see how these impact both the patrol spirit as well as the activities that take place during the meetings.

I have contemplated requiring the PL or APL to be present or the whole patrol doesn't go. At the same time I want to see how the Boys respond to their leaders when they don't show up. During our last election one of the Scouts who was running was asked if he was going to start showing up more on outings if he was elected. In some ways I can see that rule having more of an impact on the parents not adjusting their son's priority elsewhere. As well as helping them understand the importance of the PL/APL

I wouldn't consider any of them to be, except for a recent older Scout how transferred in who clearly understands the leadership roles and specifically joined us as he thought he could provide us the most help of the units he was looking at. We are 16 months old. 1-16 year old. 3-13 year olds the rest under 13; I'm most proud of the fact we have had 100% retention so far with really only 1 Scout that lacks regular participation. The 16 year old and a 12 year old are brand new transfers (within the last month). They also come from troops on the opposite end of the boy/adult led spectrums. Both are Star Scouts. All the rest are Tenderfoot or Second Class, I have a couple Scouts who have set goals to complete first class by the end of November. One PL and the SPL should be first class by the end of the year. Currently, we have no ASPL. The 16 year old I have made a JASM tasked with mentoring the PLC and is essentially acting as an ASPL. He has been a PL several times and SPL in his previous troop. I am very glad he joined us. The PL’s (11 & 12) and SPL (12) I would say all fall into the category of caring leaders. The SPL is very much a peace maker and the type nobody dislikes, but not what I’d call a natural leader. They aren't self-focused (that is for 12 year olds), no ADD. They have the ingredients I can easily work with. They have been willing to speak of issues and how to address them. The last PL’s were more self-centered so I was pleased with the choices this time. Though I did speak to all the scouts beforehand to address what they should be looking for when electing a PL. One PL has decent outdoor skills; the other two are quick studies but need more experience outdoors. From day one the adults have camped separately, I currently ask the SPL where they want the adults to camp and we go camp there. I do come around during certain meals where cooking is a concern, though I will say their cooking is usually a strength in both patrols. The Patrols have always camped closer; I wasn't concerned before when we had 6-8 Scouts showing up, they often shared information or watching each other would remind the other patrol to put bleach in the third tub. On recent outings though we have had 12-14 Scouts show up and the closeness of the patrols is showing to undermine the PL's and Patrol spirit.

Thanks - I will try it as listed. When our troop started I did use the 3rd edition SM handbook for the first 4 weeks pretty much as it suggested, and quickly took a hold of the camping at a distance, despite all the fears I heard from parents that first weekend. I feel both of those items worked very well. That said I did fail to train the Scouts on how to lead, I was too afraid of becoming Webelos III and relied only on "Coach 'em, Trust 'em, Let 'em Lead." As a new leader it was difficult to recognize the differences between Training and doing for them as training was often thought of as training the whole group of boys and not just their leaders since they were all essentially starting from the same spot. Putting the distance between adults and Scouts from the first campout was very helpful. As much to train the adults as to get the Scouts to realize this was theirs and they had to make things work. As we have grown the distance between patrols hasn't and the past couple of outings have shown that they need more space between them to not just become a blob of Scouts not doing much of anything.

I wasn’t specifically using that approach but reading it closer I see the approach I was taking was still too close to the modern style and except for the campout was not a hands on situational training. i.e. Rethinking it a bit…I will likely do an initial training session where we meet and do a high level overview/discussion from the older Patrol Leader Handbook (i.e. job descriptions, handling different types of boys, planning a meeting, hike/campout). Then do the monthly "Intensive Training's" at what is currently our second PLC planning meeting of the month. We have a young troop of about 20 Scouts all 13 or under and planning the full month in one sitting has been tough for them to do (Lack of training is part of the problem). For the training described would each of them take on multiple 'roles' as needed in the training ( I have a SPL, 2 PL's) or would the APLs be included as well? (our quartermaster, scribes are just at the Patrol level) What modifications have you made for today’s Scouts? Also what about Training for the Patrol positions (Grubmaster, Treasurer, Cheermaster, etc) is that all on the PL, I was looking at having our committee Treasurer or ASMs training those positions.

Thanks, I have seen that list but was looking for Hillcourt's material specifically. I've been building some of our training around his books and wanted them to have a copy for later reference.

Due to copyrights I doubt there are any but wanted to check anyhow. Does anyone know where I can find a copy of soft copy or any reprints of a 1940's or 1950's Hillcourt Patrol Leaders Handbook. I am looking to provide copies for my Patrol Leaders on an ongoing basis so I am looking for options that they can abuse as opposed to obtaining versions that are 60 years old for them to use.