The very last word.

[Kudu]

Kudu, the games and program plans have just been moved from the SM HB to the Troop Program Features.

 

Yes, 53 of the 964 missing pages are Patrol Games divided into the following categories:

 

SCOUTCRAFT GAMES--which may be used for teaching of or for practice in the various Scout Requirements.

 

RECREATIONAL GAMES--for general fun, recreation and physical action and to provide variety in the game "menu."

 

WIDE GAMES--over wide territory, involving various Scoutcraft features and physical exercise.

 

They were included in the Handbook for Scoutmasters because it was the Scoutmaster's job to know them and to use them!

 

The breakfast listed on page 762 was "developed for the National Jamboree, and included here as an ideal towards which to work."

 

In other words weekend Patrol Cooking is practice for the semi-finals: week-long Patrol Cooking at summer camp with the National Jamboree as the ideal.

 

This is very different from the current Cub Scout practice of Boy Scout summer camp as "a vacation from the Patrol Method"!

 

Wouldn't you agree, Brent?

 

Eamonn writes:

 

A time long before I ever heard mention of Vision and Mission statements or maybe they just weren't trendy at that time? If someone asked me the purpose of Scouting?

 

The only "purpose of Scouting" that counts is the Congressional Charter which mandates that the BSA use the Scoutcraft methods "in common use by Boy Scouts" in 1915.

 

So the "very last word" on the purpose of Scouting can found in BSA publication #57-491: Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America:

 

BYLAWS, ARTICLE I

 

SECTION 2

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is as set forth in the original

certificate of incorporation under the laws of the District of

Columbia, dated February 8, 1910, and restated in the Act of

Incorporation enacted by the Congress of the United States of

America on June 15, 1916, as follows: "That the purpose of this

Corporation shall be to promote, through organization and

cooperation with other agencies, the ability of boys to do things for

themselves and others, to train them in Scoutcraft, and to teach

them patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred virtues, using

the methods which are now in common use by Boy Scouts."

 

If only the Official Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America was as well known and practiced as the so-called "Mission Statement," all conservative Scouters and BSA Executives would be as Traditional as Kudu, wouldn't they?

 

A Wood Badge Staffer might well wonder which has the greater priority, the methods in common use by Boy Scouts in 1915, or the manager methods used by Kenneth Blanchard:

 

SECTION 7.

 

PRIORITIES

 

Clause 1.These Bylaws shall be consistent with the Charter. The

Rules and Regulations shall be consistent with the Charter and the

Bylaws. In the event of any conflicts or inconsistencies, the Charter

shall govern primarily and the Bylaws secondarily.

 

I'm sure there is a moral about "The very last word" in there somewhere

 

Kudu

[BrentAllen]

"This is very different from the current Cub Scout practice of Boy Scout summer camp as "a vacation from the Patrol Method"!

 

Wouldn't you agree, Brent?"

 

Yes, I would agree, which is why our Troop will be cooking by Patrols at Summer Camp, instead of eating in the Dining Hall. Imagine that - a Wood Badge staffer promoting Patrol cooking at Summer Camp! How can this be?? Shouldn't I be brainwashed into the Dining Hall Method? Maybe, just maybe, your criticisms of all WB staffers is off the mark.

 

You only mentioned the games. What about the program planning? In the 3rd Edition, it was planned by the month of the year. In the current Troop Program Features (3 volumes) the program planning is organized by topic - 36 months of program plans vs. 12 months in the 3rd Edition. That's only 23 pages in the old book, but add up to about 400 in the 3 volumes.

[evmori]

Dining halls at summer camp are for Cubs! Why is there a need for a break from the patrol method? Summer camp is a great place to try new things as patrols & to hone your skills!

[Eamonn]

"Eamonn writes:

 

A time long before I ever heard mention of Vision and Mission statements or maybe they just weren't trendy at that time? If someone asked me the purpose of Scouting?

 

The only "purpose of Scouting" that counts is the Congressional Charter which mandates that the BSA use the Scoutcraft methods "in common use by Boy Scouts" in 1915. "

 

As ever I must have rambled a bit!!

The purpose of Scouting that I was talking about was the one used back in the early 1970's back in the UK.

Sorry if I confused anyone.

Ea.

 

[Gold Winger]

Ed,

 

That would be true if getting merit badges wasn't as important as it currently is.

 

If the idea behind summer camp was to have fun, explore and try new things, dining halls wouldn't be needed. However . . .