Adult "Training" for Non-Position-Holding Adults

[swilliams]

In trying to pick up knowledge to help me be an effective leader, I've been scouring this site.  Here's a partial quote that caught my attention, both for myself, but for other adults:

[quote]How to revamp BSA training - I see a very similar problem in the BSA.  There is a lack of depth of knowledge at the unit and district level these days - to your point those senior Scouters who make this all work magically.  You describe that very well and I concur.  In a sense, I wonder how much of the various training efforts around the BSA are really all trying to address this issue.  

I would welcome an advanced unit Scouter course that covers the mechanics of unit level Scouting.  In fact, I could see a small collection of such advanced, in person courses.  A weekend or two for each sounds correct to me.  These are serious courses for serious people.

• leadership development & team building
• advanced Scoutmaster training
• advanced unit mechanics
• advanced district mechanics[/quote]

Our Troop needs adults to camp with us (and that's become harder now that they must be registered).  I've been thinking about "training" for the adults who don't hold official positions within the Troop.  I put "training" in quotes because we have a hard enough time getting parents involved without telling them they need training, lol.  Still, at a minimum I want them to understand what the Patrol Method is and to understand why having their support on camping trips (because that's the specific weak point in our Troop for parents) is crucial. I want to come up with a plan that might help, and the above post seemed relevant in that it lays out areas that seem like they would need to be addressed in order for successfully getting parents involved. (Understanding how things work, and being part of the team that makes the Troop run.)

The very, very basic start to this plan is to first and foremost build a type of agenda/plan to present to the parents in order to tempt/persuade them to come with us.  One dad, who is a landscaper and no stranger to being outdoors told me, "I [curse word] hate camping."  So this is going to be a challenge, but I'm thinking what if a camping trip is advertised not as 'come with us because we need adults', but as a chance for adults to participate in an adventure?  After all, that's much the way that we approach youth. 

What kind of activities do you think would resonate?  I love hiking, backpacking, fire-building, biking, trail running, rafting/kayaking, bird-watching.  I don't love cooking (outdoors or in, lol).  I love sleeping in a tent (but not in January).  I like the solitude of the outdoors more than being around a group, but have been told I'm personable. That's all to say that what I think would make an awesome trip may not be what others think would make an awesome trip.  I DO know that for most of our scouts the time they spend in groups with their peers is one of the biggest draws of going on the trips.  

For those of you who have done training, what resonated and what fell flat?  Are there activities you've done that don't feel like "This is a team-building activity"?  One of the things we were told as parents when my boys first joined our Troop was - come with us; you won't have to do anything.  That felt kind of nice but - for me - doesn't seem like it's enough enticement. 

 

[curious_scouter]

The first thing I do is never stop asking.  The second thing I do is accept camping and being a leader is not for everyone.  If they aren't super interested, you're probably better off letting them find another role.  A disgruntled adult leader who's just super unhappy outdoors brings down everyone.

As I find interested souls, I split adult outdoor support into two groups:

1. ASM-types: Actively engage with Scouts, enjoy outdoor activities already, and spend time out of their chairs while participating in the program. They're involved because they love the activities and the program.

2. Support Adults: Provide a relaxing presence at camp and assist with tasks as needed, like managing meals or running errands, when ASMs are busy with Scouts. They mainly come to ensure the Scouts can camp while enjoying some downtime.

New adults (all) shadow me on their first few outings and learn "the way": Adults are a patrol, staying out of Scout activities unless there's a safety or behavioral concern. Parents often struggle to let Scouts make mistakes or rely on youth leadership, but it's key to fostering independence. Outdoor outings also provide valuable R&R for adults, often filled with campfires, stories, and cooking.

Another thing I've done recently is I ask new leaders to come to meetings in plain clothes for a few weeks.  Watch, listen, learn.  Then come in uniform.  On the first night in uniform, I introduce them to the Scouts.  Who they are.  What they will do.  How to expect to interact with them.  It's really done a lot to improve new leader engagement.  It takes away all the "Who the heck is this person and where do they get off telling me what to do?" aspect.

I think having a slew of activities and training may actually turn adults off.  Entice them with some R&R and fellowship, get to know the person, find the things they may be passionate about and then leverage those things.  Talk about all the downtime they will enjoy, the great food, the camaraderie with the adults.  Then, if they say it's not their thing - take them at their word.  But check in regularly in case it starts to sound more appealing.

[swilliams]

1 hour ago, curious_scouter said:

The first thing I do is never stop asking.  The second thing I do is accept camping and being a leader is not for everyone.  If they aren't super interested, you're probably better off letting them find another role.  A disgruntled adult leader who's just super unhappy outdoors brings down everyone.

As I find interested souls, I split adult outdoor support into two groups:

1. ASM-types: Actively engage with Scouts, enjoy outdoor activities already, and spend time out of their chairs while participating in the program. They're involved because they love the activities and the program.

2. Support Adults: Provide a relaxing presence at camp and assist with tasks as needed, like managing meals or running errands, when ASMs are busy with Scouts. They mainly come to ensure the Scouts can camp while enjoying some downtime.

New adults (all) shadow me on their first few outings and learn "the way": Adults are a patrol, staying out of Scout activities unless there's a safety or behavioral concern. Parents often struggle to let Scouts make mistakes or rely on youth leadership, but it's key to fostering independence. Outdoor outings also provide valuable R&R for adults, often filled with campfires, stories, and cooking.

Another thing I've done recently is I ask new leaders to come to meetings in plain clothes for a few weeks.  Watch, listen, learn.  Then come in uniform.  On the first night in uniform, I introduce them to the Scouts.  Who they are.  What they will do.  How to expect to interact with them.  It's really done a lot to improve new leader engagement.  It takes away all the "Who the heck is this person and where do they get off telling me what to do?" aspect.

I think having a slew of activities and training may actually turn adults off.  Entice them with some R&R and fellowship, get to know the person, find the things they may be passionate about and then leverage those things.  Talk about all the downtime they will enjoy, the great food, the camaraderie with the adults.  Then, if they say it's not their thing - take them at their word.  But check in regularly in case it starts to sound more appealing.

I agree with the bold, particularly training, which is why I stated:

"I put "training" in quotes because we have a hard enough time getting parents involved without telling them they need training, lol.  Still, at a minimum I want them to understand what the Patrol Method is and to understand why having their support on camping trips (because that's the specific weak point in our Troop for parents) is crucial."

The trouble we're having is that we are really struggling with adult participation on trips, and it's been this way for a while.  We've barely managed even finding enough drivers for our last two camping trips, let alone those who will stay.  Our Troop has a policy of minimum three registered YPT adults on a trip in case of an unforeseen event or emergency, though four is preferred.  We have three for our upcoming trip on the 31st. I'm totally okay with, and in favor of, going with just three, but one of the two ASMs attending is expressing concern about having only three adults.  For reference, we typically get 15-20 scouts on a trip.

Willing to accept that offering more adventure/learning for the adults may be the exact wrong thing to do. Trying to brainstorm how to encourage, but maybe I need to be thinking more about how to make it closer to glamping for 'Support Adults'.  LOL.  Our ASM types are already ASMs.