Scout Spirit - Here we go again

[scoutldr]

Studying B-P's original writings is interesting...I like to do it, too. But that's not the program we are charged with delivering.

 

 

[Kudu]

scoutldr writes:

 

Studying B-P's original writings is interesting...I like to do it, too.

 

Why on earth would you study B-P's original writings if you did not believe that you could gain some practical insight into your own program?

 

But that's not the program we are charged with delivering.

 

That sentence has no real meaning, scoutldr, does it?

 

My point is that Baden-Powell's Game of Scouting does not require that Scouts have their "Spirit" examined by subjective adults, and that a close reading of the "Scout Spirit" requirements of "the program we are charged with delivering" does not require adults who emulate Baden-Powell's faith in human nature and the transformative power of Scouting to do so either.

 

See:

 

http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/spirit/directions.htm

 

Kudu

 

 

 

[Eamonn]

Kudu,

While I'm not keen on the Worksheet Idea, I do like the thinking behind it.

I like to think that I as a leader go out of my way to find interesting and fun ways to pass on skills to the Scouts I serve.

Of course it doesn't always work!! But I like to think at least I tried!!

Having a Scout learn a skill to meet a requirement at the end of the day comes down to can he meet what is required or can't he?

Has he the time required or not?

In most cases a simple yes or no is all that is required.

As a Scouter I find it really hard (Please I'm now talking about my personal feelings -nothing else. So there is no right or wrong!!) to evaluate what "Do My best" really means.

We have one Lad in the Ship who if he were to stop clowning around could do just about anything he wanted.

I know that at times he wants to stop clowning around but just doesn't seem able.

Yet all the clowning around prevents him from doing what he is able to do.

When I talk with him about this he tells me that he just can't help clowning around.

As it happens he is a nice kid and while at times his clowning can be a nuisance, it is never harmful. He will in time have to learn that he needs to control it.

From my point of view, I see his potential, I also see his actions (the clowning) but I have no real idea if he really is doing his best to control his actions.

His "Best" is his. The only person who will ever know if he really is giving his best is him.

Eamonn.

 

[scoutldr]

We had a discussion here once a few years ago in which a poster said that "Do your Best" is the Cub Scout motto. In Boy Scouting, you either meet the requirement, or not. For most things there is little room for interpretation.

 

For instance, I have a scout who was stalled for 2 years at 2nd class because he could/would not pass the Swimmer test. (he does not have a disability, so an alternate requirement was not considered). He would jump in, take 2-3 strokes and come up sputtering because he didn't like his face being wet. Being a BSA Lifeguard counsellor, and former WSI, I offered to spend extra time in the pool with him, and even suggested private lessons over the winter at the City Rec Center. He just wasn't interested. "Water is not my thing", he said. So, did he do his "best" or did he just do all that he was willing to do? Finally, this past summer, he passed the test and that evening we scheduled a BOR at camp and he was immediately advanced. He was very proud of his accomplishment, and will probably remember that the rest of his life. What would he remember if we had simply said, "Ok, that's good enough, you passed."

 

Water is still not his thing, and he may not ever be an Olympic swimmer. But he reached for a goal and eventually achieved it, overcoming his personal barriers. That's what it's about...not seeing how fast you can accumulate cloth badges.

[Eamonn]

I have no problem reading what is on the page.

As I posted meeting a requirement where is a skill has to be shown is easy -You can do it or you can't.

However when it comes to Scout Spirit -Living by the Scout Oath and Law; who sets the standard? Is there a standard?

I think this is where the "Do my best" comes into play.

Lord knows we all fail to live by the oath and law.

Some of us have a harder time than others living the oath and law.

But the oath doesn't say I will it states I will do my best.

Surely at the end of the day only the person who has ownership of his best knows if he really has given it?

Eamonn.

[Kudu]

Eamonn,

 

We have a similar disruptive Scout in our Troop. He simply can't help but point out the humor in every situation. He does this not only in Scouts but school as well. Consequently he spends a lot of time in after-school detention.

 

I discovered at summer camp that he is also a talented writer and gifted at expressing serious ideas in writing.

 

So, I talked him into channeling his talent into taking Public Speaking Merit Badge with me. I warned him that the BSA considers "A Scout is Cheerful" to be very serious business because they have a Scout Spirit requirement for every rank. Obviously that means that if he doesn't make me and the entire Troop howl with laughter while fulfilling his Public Speaking Merit Badge talk and speech requirements, not only will he not earn the Merit Badge but he will never pass a "Scout Spirit" requirement again for the rest of his life!

 

No Pressure.

 

He is the Patrol Leader of The Dragons, our Troop's class clown Patrol. Three of his Dragon buddies also spend time in detention after school for their inappropriate humor. That made the competition fierce but he was able to win his Patrol's popularity contest and become Patrol Leader.

 

Humor is an important aspect of Leadership Development. Just ask John Kerry. If you can't tell a joke correctly you end up in Iraq.

 

Kudu