Popular Post Eagle94-A1 Posted October 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 28, 2019 So for good news from this weekend. We are a small, one patrol troop. The SM had some serious concerns about the patrol as they were your typical Scouts: having fun, not focused on practicing for the events, etc. But he followed Green Bar Bill's adage: "Train 'em. Trust 'em. LET THEM LEAD!" Over the past 2 months as they prepped, he had some major concerns, and thought he was setting them up to fail. Took all of his self control not to step in. And to his credit he did not interfere. At camporee, our Scouts had no adults following them around events. In fact we saw them only at 2 events the entire weekend: the event our adults were running, and the one right next to us. The success or failure of the weekend was all on them. They came in 3rd overall. And that was with one event they were DQed from for safety issues. They built a catapult at camp, using a shovel as part of the arm instead of some type of basket end. Scouts will surprise you , if you let them. 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagledad Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 Adults run the events? Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 37 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said: They built a catapult at camp, using a shovel as part of the arm instead of some type of basket end. That's great! I can imagine it worked better than a basket as sliding off the end of the blade would be better than waiting for the basket to stop. Good for the scouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle94-A1 Posted October 28, 2019 Author Share Posted October 28, 2019 32 minutes ago, Eagledad said: Adults run the events? Barry Yes. Rationale for that is to allow the Scouts to compete and have fun. HOWEVER the ideas for the events are picked by the SPLs. We have a SPL & SM Crackerbarrel Saturday nite that is a Thorns and Rose's session as well as planning session for next year. All of next year's events have already been selected by the SPLs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagledad Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 1 minute ago, Eagle94-A1 said: Yes. Rationale for that is to allow the Scouts to compete and have fun. HOWEVER the ideas for the events are picked by the SPLs. We have a SPL & SM Crackerbarrel Saturday nite that is a Thorns and Rose's session as well as planning session for next year. All of next year's events have already been selected by the SPLs. Ironic I guess with today's discussions, around here the OA organize running the events. At least they used to. The adults probably help OA with organizing, but you wouldn't see them running them. I guess adults are OK, I'm just not used to it. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jameson76 Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 (edited) 39 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said: Yes. Rationale for that is to allow the Scouts to compete and have fun. HOWEVER the ideas for the events are picked by the SPLs. We have a SPL & SM Crackerbarrel Saturday nite that is a Thorns and Rose's session as well as planning session for next year. All of next year's events have already been selected by the SPLs. Sort of the same thing our district did for the winter event. Leaders manned the events, Scouts wandered about camp going (or not) to the stations. Our troop leaders would man the event, basically describe the station, then let the various troops patrols figure it out. We never sent anyone around with the Scouts, figured they had a map, off they go. Usually they came back to the site, especially when it got dark and cold. Edited October 28, 2019 by Jameson76 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAHAWK Posted November 1, 2019 Share Posted November 1, 2019 For almost sixty years, BSA chartered patrols. They should do so again, I think. Become a "troop' when you have enough youth for two or more patrols. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sst3rd Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 Train-em, trust-em,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just got back from our Mountain Man Camporee. Saturday morning our patrol was at the opening on time. Got their score card and took off for their first challenge station. Meanwhile, the scoutmaster whom I've been mentoring, had to go in to work for a couple of hours. Myself and a parent went around taking photos of the various troop campsites (checking out tents and cooking set ups for ideas). This was their first camporee. We checked out all of the 10 stations, but couldn't find our patrol. Went back to camp and there they were. Six scouts were sitting around their campsite, and the two youngest were in their tents taking a nap. I said nothing, but the parent (of a scout) strongly suggested they get back out on the trail. Seriously, when I asked the PL why they came back to camp, he said, "I thought the events were optional." Did I say that this was their first camporee? sst3rd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAHAWK Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 i was asked about "competition" if there is only a patrol. Compete with, camp with, hike with, other patrols whoever their charter organization. Scouting started out as a movement. B-P hoped for brotherhood even across national borders. Bill Hillcourt was "Scoutmaster to the World." Another CO is no great barrier 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RememberSchiff Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 13 hours ago, TAHAWK said: For almost sixty years, BSA chartered patrols. Hmm, I was not aware of this. Interesting idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAHAWK Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 (edited) Edited November 2, 2019 by TAHAWK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle94-A1 Posted November 3, 2019 Author Share Posted November 3, 2019 Sadly we would apply as a neighborhood patrol. Oldest picture we have of the troop is their 1926 trip to DC and the White House. At lease 50 Scouts are in the picture, if not more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAHAWK Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Why a problem ? We have a Patrol Method, not a Troop method. Scout on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle94-A1 Posted November 4, 2019 Author Share Posted November 4, 2019 22 hours ago, TAHAWK said: Why a problem ? We have a Patrol Method, not a Troop method. Scout on. Because we have shrunk so much. 10 years ago, the troop had 4 patrols . Not having a feeder pack is killing us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 @Eagle94-A1, I think a lot of troops are having this problem. I think our district has shrunk by some 40% in the past 10 years or something. The troops don't lose anyone more than before but the packs are failing left and right because nobody will step up to lead. I'm also wondering how many neighborhood kids would be more likely to join scouts if their neighborhood friends were told about it at the same time. Rather than use Facebook to get the word out, use the Nextdoor app. Find a patrol first, then find a troop to plug into. In a way, making the patrol without finding a troop is the GS model. While I think a patrol should be with a troop, this would help bring friends together. A group of friends always makes for a stronger patrol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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