smtroop445 Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I am a new Scoutmaster and following a recent campout that I wasn't able to attend, I had an Assistant Scoutmaster give me a long dissertation on the poor behavior of one patrol of our scouts. The behavior was not a safety issue in my opinion but the leader who is a great contributor to our troop would not rest until he knew these boys had experienced some form of discipline. This whole incident is now driving quite a bit of conflict among our leaders and I am concerned that in a short time a good troop organization could fall apart over such a minor incident. My philosophy is that expectations of behavior hadn't been reinforced in quite some time, also I am not sure the leaders expectations were reasonable either. Is there a standard set of conduct/behavior guidelines for troop activities that most troops follow/adopt. I think we are getting past this slowly but I want to be prepared when the next occurance happens which it inevitably will. These are boys we are talking about! Thanks for the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperParatus Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Just the Scout Law. Scouts say it enough, its our job as leaders to reinforce it, model it, discuss it, help them to understand it and apply it. I would get the list of grievances from the ASM and then sit down with the patrol and talk about the application of the Scout Law, in a conversational, non-threatening manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneHour Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 As Semper pointed out, the standards that most and all troops should follow are the Scout Oath and Scout Laws. Some troops have their own set in addtion, including ours (namely dealing the swearing, fighting, etc.). Here is my question, if it isn't envolved safety, health, YPT, or G2SS, why is the ASM got bent out of shape? Shouldn't the ASM bring the issue to the SPL and let him and his staff deal with it? If they couldn't, that's when the adult leaders step in. Also, as you pointed it out, wasn't there a set expectation before the campout? For example, one of our campout was a backpack trip to a rock in West Texas. At the end of the planning session, we (the adult leaders) set out the expectation that all horsing around will not be tolerated on the rock. We explained the reason. We noted that the consequence will be that their parents will be called to come and pick them up no exceptions. After 10 hours trip, they will not be happy. Every boy understood. What was the incident if I may ask? This could shed some light.(This message has been edited by OneHour) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarchist Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 gosh, sounds like an ASM got duct taped to his cot!?! were the kids loud? were the kids not washing behind their ears? were they forgetting to turn their underwear inside out on odd numbered days? Did they forget to brush their teeth? did they eat too many candy bars? what was the crime? Does the ASM want them to be shot or will a simple flogging do? Sorry to be flip but without knowing what the monsters did,its hard to address what should be done. However, sort a like ..ART...don't KNOW how to describe it but I know it when I see it...bad behavior should not be routine. I am worried when you say 'expectations of behavior hadn't been reinforced in quite some time..." They are Boy Scouts not wild indians (sorry grandfather) and if the behavior tarnishes the image of scouting and is not in keeping with the Oath and the Law steps should be taken...what happened?...(hint sometimes kids are stupid?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smtroop445 Posted February 23, 2005 Author Share Posted February 23, 2005 OK, here are some of the specifics I know of: - Went into other Patrol campsites and did some practical joking (sprayed cheez whiz on their chuckbox) - Refused to participate in an advancement activity - Refused to assist ASM in teaching an advancement activity - Generally disrespectful to him. What do you say now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleInKY Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I would first sit down with the PL and the SPL. I'd talk to him (PL) about how his patrol acted. What parts of the Scout Law were they upholding? What points were they breaking? Is there anything in the Scout Oath that addresses what they did? After that conversation, I'd work with them to decide what actions needed to be taken. Maybe the whole patrol needs to have this conversation... Maybe it's just one boy that is an instigator... Whatever the case, I would make sure they all understood that this was not what Scouting is about. I'd probably wrap it up with them apologizing to the other patrol and the ASM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarchist Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 smtroop445, now thats more information.... these your oldest boys by any chance??? As SM I would have a meeting with all the boys, not just the green bars, either give yourself a full half hour before the regular meeting or on a different day altogether...you need lots of time to shake this cat out... I would ask them to tell you what went on, in their words, making no comments just asking questions to 'pull the whole story out'... assumming they did screw up I would sit there just looking at them for a long few minutes just to see who breaks the silence...hopefully they will all be uncomfortable by this time. Ask them to show you in the Scout oath or Law where they find being disrespectful, unhelpful, unkind, etc. I would ask them what needs to be done to make it up to the troop and to the ASM...who, after all, was there to help them... Then I would give them some kind of duty, service patrol for the next month or so...k-p duty for the new scouts on the next two campouts...something... and here is the kicker and I know it will create howls from some of the brethren...I would inform this patrol in writing that a future 'repeat' will result in a dismantling of the patrol. They will be dispersed to the other patrols... Hate to say it but in a few rare occaisions, a patrol can become disfunctional...I have seen it twice. A certain 'mix' of just the right boys and all they want to do is be disruptive...they seem to have fun but they are damaging to the troop and to their own progress...we broke a group of these guys up and they went on to become troop leaders...two are currently patrol leaders and two are now troop guides...all good kids but for some reason... together... they just couldn't be good scouts. I would also let them know that the next 'refusal of any reasonable request' by an adult leader will get their little butts hustled home from the troop activity...We have called parents from summer camp to come get junior,(and a four hour ride home is no fun....) In this case some form of 'flogging' seems appropriate...see what they suggest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperParatus Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Hooooooowwwwwwwllllllllll! Dismantle the patrol?!? Me thinks that may be a bit rash. If you don't deal with the behavior on an individual basis, moving misbehavin' scouts to other patrols may only serve to taint the other patrols. Here's another idea - ask the offended ASM to serve as patrol advisor to the out-of-control-patrol...they will get to know each other much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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