Boy Scout Age Specific Activities?

[Eamonn]

There used to be an ad on TV back when I lived in the UK.

I think it was for chocolate fingers?

The catch phrase was "Brian, my brain hurts!"

 

At the risk of sounding like a dumb bunny.

I have been following the thread about crossing over.

While knowing and understanding that only older Scouts can participate in High Adventure activities.

I have to admit to not in any way limiting everyday, run of the mill Troop Campouts and the like to any specific age group.

In fact I never ever thought about it!!

As a rule we (The PLC along with a few of the adult leaders) met sometime during the summer and worked on an annual plan.

We worked on a plan for the entire Troop. Never taking into account the age of the Scouts.

When the event came along, details were given to one and all and anyone who wanted to sign up was free to do so.

The theme for each camp was planned in advance, but was broken down into what might be called skill levels (Of course I wasn't really aware that we might always be doing it that way!!)

Even if the theme was one thing -Lets say Orienteering, the younger Scouts still had opportunities to work on basic skills like meeting the requirements for sharp tools and cooking. They did this under the watchful eye of an older Scout or a adult who wasn't sleeping (Joke).

I kinda like the idea of us doing more age specific activities.

I'm not sure if we have the time and the man-power?

I do see how older Scouts do find that doing the same old same old does get tedious and I have heard them say as much. In fact they give this as a big reason for joining Sea Scouts.

Many are not really into Sea Scouting as such?? But do want to participate in something that offers new challenges.

I am going to have to give this "New" idea some thought.

Eamonn.(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

[scottteng]

That is why Sea scouts and the other venturing stuff exist is to give the older boys a new challenge of course there are pieces of even the boy scout program that are restricted to 14 and up. There brain probably does not hurt but rather shuts down when they get into a situation that is beyond them. If you have ever seen a boy or adult for that matter freeze when put up in front of a group to speak you are familiar with the condition I am referring to. Is that not what it is all about helping them to overcome the fear and do it anyway.

[Bob White]

This is not just why Venturing exists. this is why the three levels of patrols exist in a troop.

 

[Gunny2862]

Perhaps if enough help were available, and I was as perfect as the book. Our program might run as Bobwhite suggests.

 

But we take everyone on MOST outings. And do skill level appropriate tasks for everyone on every outing. Even on the HA trips some Scouts are more prepared than others. (We try to see our Scouts as people)

 

We do have a couple of specific outings for only the 14 and older or first class and up set. But with only 21 Scouts, running the three tiered program in the way suggested only puts us at danger of losing all of the boys. Because they want to be together in the way we have it running.

 

What we do sounds very much like what Eamonn is saying.

 

The book is great, but it doesn't fit every program.

[Bob White]

You can go the same place but not do the same things. Having a tiered program does not mean you can't meet at the same place. or camp at the same place. Nor does it mean that have to.

[gwd-scouter]

We have a small Troop of 11 Scouts. This is really the first year that we've had the full range of ages and ranks and very distinct skill levels.

 

Everyone is going on a backpack trip this weekend. All will arrive together. Our four older Scouts (ages 14-17) will head off on their own (no adults) to one of the longer, more adventurous and strenuous trails. Our middle group of Scouts and the new Scouts will be working on the 5-mile map/compass hike and nature identification. They've set themselves up into 3 teams with a more experienced Scout helping a new Scout or two.

 

The planning for this trip was done much the same way. Buddy teams were formed (of 2 or 3) and menus made for each group. On the Friday before the trip, the guys will get together and in their teams they will inspect each other's backpacks to make sure they have everything.

 

The group of older Scouts has really outperformed by expectations. They have done all the preparation for their group on their own - even being sure to call the guy that wasn't there Monday to make sure he's OK with the menu they planned.

 

So here's an example of everyone going on the same outing, but having somewhat different activities: more advanced Scouts have a chance to do their own thing, middle group of Scouts are teaching and helping new Scouts.

 

It took us a long time to get here, but I'm very excited about the direction our Troop is taking.

[Eagledad]

>>So here's an example of everyone going on the same outing, but having somewhat different activities: more advanced Scouts have a chance to do their own thing, middle group of Scouts are teaching and helping new Scouts.

[Bob White]

What about the Patrol Method?

 

Would it be correct to assume then that either A) you do not use patrols OR B) You do not keep the Patrol togetheras a unit as the individual scouts work at different skill levels?

[Gunny2862]

gwd-scouter,

Congratulations, way to go!

 

We are still in the process of trying to get our older Scouts (mostly Eagles or right on the cusp) to stay involved and mentor the middle Scouts as they assume more responsibility. Our middle level Scouts are doing a great job of mentoring the First and Second years.

 

Hope we can get to where you are! Although it may be by training the current middle group to keep mentoring the next set rather than by changing the actions of the older Scouts.

It is hard to change things, when they have happened in a certain way before.

[gwd-scouter]

BobWhite - with only 11 Scouts, we only have one mixed-age patrol. We do have a patrol leaders council that meets once a month to make plans for the meetings and campout coming up. This includes the SPL (PL really, but they like the sound of SPL), ASPL/APL, Quartermaster, Scribe and a Troop Guide who works specifically with our two newest Scouts that just joined in November.

 

We've worked for several years to turn our troop around from adult-led and I am very proud of our guys and the enthusiasm and initiative they are showing.

 

We are working with three different packs and their Webelos Dens (currently 1st years) and hope to have a good number of crossovers next year. Then we will be able to form at least two patrols.

 

Gunny, a few years ago our older Scouts were much like yours. Figured they had "been there, done that" and didn't need to do anything, especially working with younger Scouts. The current crop of older guys grew up during the changes in our troop over the past three years and learned to become the leaders, then pass that leadership knowledge down to the group just below them (the middle guys), and now those middle guys are growing in leadership by teaching and guiding the newer guys. It's a wonderful thing to see, but it took time to get there.

[Stosh]

I don't buy into the idea that activities be age specific. If the patrols are based on age, then older boys who wish to work with the younger boys won't be able to, they'll have their patrol activities instead.

 

Otherwise, just let the boys design their own patrols, forget about ages, ranks and interests and let the boys all work it out for themselves. If the NSP wants an older PL, it's up to them to recruit someone who is interested in doing just that. If a group of older scouts want to form a VP, great, no problem If someone needs to focus on POR and drops out of the patrol situation and takes on a support level position such as scribe, QM, etc. This way the QM won't be dual focused on VP activities and QM expectations at the same time.

 

Given the dynamics of boy-led patrol-method, this could and should develop naturally on its own. It's only when others get in and start pushing agendas of their own that things begin to break down. If the patrols can't have their own agendas, they will seek out other areas where their agendas are honored.

 

Stosh

[Bob White]

"I don't buy into the idea that activities be age specific. If the patrols are based on age, then older boys who wish to work with the younger boys won't be able to, they'll have their patrol activities instead.

 

That simply isn't true. The older scouts who want to work with the younger ones can ofer their services to the SPL as Troop Guides and Instructors, as well as in other offices that serve all the members of the troop.

 

BW

 

 

 

[Eagledad]

>>That simply isn't true. The older scouts who want to work with the younger ones can ofer their services to the SPL as Troop Guides and Instructors, as well as in other offices that serve all the members of the troop.

[Bob White]

I don't understand what you are say here EagleDad. That the older scouts won't know to think about helping other people? That the PLC doesn't think about the needs of the New Scout Patyrol?

 

Arent' those things that the Scoutmaster should be teaching them through Scoutmaster Minutes, Scoutmaster Coferences, Junior Leader Training?

 

Just because an older scout is seerving in a troop office doesn't mean he can't still do the adventures with his Patrol? Your a trainer, you know that it is specically addressed that in the Scoutmaster Handbook.

 

There is nothing in the BSA Methods of Scouting that keeps a unit from following the age based patrol troop structure and program and not be able to follow the Patrol Method. In fact be structuring the Patrols by age and skill level you can better follow the Patrol Method than by using mixed patrols, and you can keep scouts more active and interested, and in the program longer.

 

(This message has been edited by Bob White)

[Stosh]

Hmmm... Boy #1... 16 years old... in the Venture Patrol... needs POR... takes Instructor because it's easy. First camporee, is he going to be teaching or hanging out with his buddies? Boy #2... 16 years old... has to join the VP to be cool with the others in the group... prefers the company and challenge of working with others... would rather to TG and hang out with the younger boys. Sorry, I stand on my first comment. Age specific activities won't work. to some boys they don't want to babysit when there's a more fun age appropriate option out there. However, there are boys who genuinely would prefer DC, TG, and Inst so they can work directly with the younger boys. They don't necessarily want to hang with the VP. The don't have a problem with servant leadership and working with the troop leadership is sufficient for commradarie. The pseudo-patrol of the troop leadership of service to the younger boys tends to focus their attention away from self and more towards others. I have found these boys are the same ones that take a 2-3 year stint as DC. They in fact make the best troop level officers.

 

I have found it's not the activity itself that draws boys, it's the personal value of the activity as each boy finds it. Not all 16 year olds have the same interest and maturity level and to just provide an age appropriate activity isn't going to work. There are 16 year olds who like to climb rocks and other 16 year olds that like to play chess.

 

For the boys that are motivated by common interest in self-oriented activities for their age group, there's the VP where they can hang with their buddies and kick back more. Rotate the PL position and everyone gets their POR without any problem.

 

So irregardless of how in error some find it necessary to believe, I have found that interest specific activities far out-weigh age specific activities in retaining scouts.

 

I have found that by stating that what someone says isn't true is the equivalent of an attempt to point out that they are lying.

 

Stosh