BOY SCOUT ADULT LEADERSHIP TRAINING / IDEAS

Transcription

1 BOY SCOUT ADULT LEADERSHIP TRAINING / IDEAS This manual is compiled from a few sources over the past years. The ideas presented here should be very useful, not only for the new scout leader, but the seasoned one also. In most cases, the WEBELOS in your unit will be advancing directly into your 11 Yr Old Scout Patrol. (Be sure to check out other Cub Packs in your area that may not yet have a Boy Scout Troop for their Webelos to advance into.) You should keep track of when these young boys will be graduating into your patrol. Both the WEBELOS Leader and the Scout Leader for the 11 year old scouts can plan together (with input from their boys) a few joint Scout/WEBELOS activities. This will help the WEBELOS gear up for Boy Scouts, and give the 11 year old scouts opportunities to serve/help the WEBELOS! Take time to train your boys in leadership, offering suggestions where appropriate when plans are being formalized then get out of their way and let them lead by running their own patrol! (Read the section on the subject of patrol leadership) As Joseph Smith so aptly stated: I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves. Also realize that each young man needs to feel important and appreciated. How you interact with each of them has a tremendous impact on how they feel about themselves and whether they will be able to exercise faith in themselves... and know that they are, indeed, a child of God. BE the example you want them to follow by following the greatest example we all have -- Jesus Christ.

2 CHARACTERISTICS OF 8-11 YEAR OLD BOYS Boys at this age do not like to be made fun of or made to look silly. They worry a lot about what people think of them. They might appear not to listen to you the first time because they are testing you to see if you mean what you say. They are big on rules. If you tell them what the rules are, they will try to obey them. They know when they have misbehaved and will expect you to say something. They want to be independent. They want to try things for themselves. They want to belong to a group so the boys in their den/patrol will become their friends. They read at different levels. One boy may read well and understand what is in his Scout book. Another boy may be a poor reader and will need help. Do not embarrass the poor readers. They will not all be able to express themselves well. Some boys will talk more easily with you than other boys. They want to be active and to do physical things like running, jumping, and climbing. They have lots of energy and need good ways to use it. They will try to keep themselves neat and clean if you ask them. They need to be praised and made to feel good about things they have done. They can be asked to do things and be expected to get the job done. They love to compete with each other. If they lose or fail at something, they may need a little comforting. Their feelings are hurt easily. They love to talk about things they have done. They like to play action games with boys their own age. They are beginning to be interested in hobbies, in collecting things. They are close to their parents and care a lot about what their family thinks of them. They like their parents and family to do things with them.

3 Scouting for the 11-Year-Old Scouting is fun and has an important purpose! Woven through all the fun is an inspired program that really works. Scouting is about learning and living the gospel. Scouting can reinforce positive character values and leadership skills that are taught in the home. Scouting prepares boys to become righteous men who hold and honor the priesthood of God. Scout leaders have the responsibility to help each boy connect what he is learning in Scouting to his priesthood preparation and his future as a covenant keeping missionary, husband, and father. Cheryl C. Lant, Primary General President The work of scouting is accomplished through weekday activities that are designed to help boys practice skills and learn the practical application of principles taught during Sunday Primary (see Scouting Handbook, 4). The Leader of 11-Year Old Scouts The Primary teacher of 11-year-old boys may serve as the group s Scout leader, or another capable adult (man or woman) may be called to assume this role. A newly called leader of the 11-year-old Scouts should begin by prayerfully coming to understand the importance of this calling within the ward Primary and Scouting organizations and the significance this service can have in the life of a boy. The leader of the 11-year-old Scouts should: Register with the Boy Scouts of America, through the local council, as an assistant Scoutmaster. Study the Church-published Scouting Handbook (35814) and then participate in Basic Training. To supplement training from local priesthood leaders, the Scout leader may enroll in additional classes to help learn Scouting methods and skills (see Scouting Handbook, 1). Serve under the direction of a member of the Primary presidency, meeting together regularly to discuss the Scouting program and each boy s progress. Attend ward Primary leadership meetings. Supervise patrol meetings and Scouting activities for the 11-year-old Scouts, encourage each boy to advance in Scouting, and keep an accurate record of his progress. See that each Scout has an opportunity to participate in a day camp and help plan it if requested (see A Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts, 31374). Consult with the ward Primary presidency and the bishopric adviser to the Primary when organizing each overnight camping experience. Review the Scouting Handbook for additional information concerning the responsibilities of the Scout leader. The 11-Year-Old Boy A boy enters the Boy Scout program when he turns 11 years old. He becomes a member of the troop but participates in a separate patrol for 11-year-old Scouts. Eleven-year-old boys meet separately from the Aaronic Priesthood-age Scouts because they are not yet part of a quorum (Scouting Handbook, 4). Scout leaders should study the Scoutmaster Handbook and Teaching, No Greater Call to better understand the age characteristics of an eleven-year-old boy.

4 The Program The Patrol A patrol is a group of six to eight boys who plan, learn, and work together in Scouting. The leader of the 11-year-old Scouts attends the patrol meeting. Troop Activities Occasionally, special daytime activities for Aaronic Priesthood-age Scouts may include the patrol for 11-year-old Scouts (Scouting Handbook, #4). Meeting Times Eleven-year-old Scouts preferably meet in the daytime, but if evening meetings are necessary, arrangements should be made to ensure that these boys are not away from their homes late at night and that they are carefully supervised until they arrive home (Scouting Handbook, 4). Boy Leadership One of the goals of Scouting is to help the boys develop leadership skills. Each boy in the patrol should be given leadership responsibilities. Troop Guide: In consultation with the ward Primary president and the ward leader for the 11-year-old Scouts, the Scoutmaster may appoint an older Scout to be the troop guide. The troop guide should have a First Class or higher rank and work under the direct leadership of the leader of 11-year-old Scouts. Responsibilities of the troop guide: 1. Serve as an instructor for basic Scouting skills. 2. Prevent harassment from older Scouts. 3. Work closely with new Scouts to acquaint them with troop procedures. Patrol Leader: In consultation with the ward Primary presidency and the leader for 11-year-old Scouts, the bishopric appoints an 11-year-old boy to serve as the patrol leader for the 11-year-old Scouts. The patrol leader should, with adult leader assistance, choose his own assistant patrol leader and assign other duties in the patrol as needed. The Boy Scouts of America publishes information describing the duties of these youth leaders and the qualifications for their service. This information is available through local Boy Scouts of America Council offices (Scouting Handbook, 4). Camping for 11-Year-Old Scouts One-Night Camps: Eleven-year-old Scouts may participate in a one-night camp three times each year. No other Scout-sponsored overnight camping should be planned for eleven-year-old Scouts. Each boy participating in an overnight outing should have learned and practiced the required skills before the camping experience (Scouting Handbook, 4). Camping for Women Leaders: Overnight camping trips should not include mixed groups of men and women, whether adults or youth, unless it is a family camp (Scouting Handbook, 1). Women Scout leaders do not participate in overnight camping with the boys. The bishopric adviser to the Primary or another qualified male adult should be invited to supervise the overnight camping experience when the leader of the 11-year-old Scouts is a woman. Day Camps: For information on day camps for 11-year-old Scouts, see Scouting Handbook, page 4, and Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts.

5 Sabbath Day Observance and Scouting Church leaders should not participate in Scout training such as Basic Training or Wood Badge on the Sabbath, nor should they plan Sunday hiking or camping trips for Scouts. (Scouting Handbook, 1) Advancement and Awards Advancement is one of the most exciting parts of the Scouting program because it means the boys are learning and progressing. It also means that they are being recognized for their achievements. Every 11-year-old Scout should attend and participate in a court of honor when he is ready to advance. The 11-year-old Scout advances by: 1. Taking part in the patrol activities. 2. Occasionally participating in appropriate troop activities. 3. Working on his own. Eleven-year-old Scouts are encouraged to attain First Class rank within their first year. See The Boy Scout Handbook for current Tenderfoot through First Class requirements. The On My Honor Adult Recognition may be given to adult Scout leaders, including Cub Scout leaders. Requirements for the recognition and suggestions for presenting it are outlined on the application card. Resources: 1. Scouting Handbook (35814) 2. "Primary," section 5 of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (35705) 3. Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts (31374) 4. Teaching, No Greater Call (36123) 5. Faith in God guidebook (36812 for boys; for girls) 6. On My Honor Application Card (31530 adult) 7. The Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA) 8. The Boy Scout Handbook (BSA) 9. Eleven-Year-Old Scout Primary Chart (PDF file) Related Topics... Helping Boys Prepare to Receive the Aaronic Priesthood (

6 11-Year-Old Scout Patrol Adult Leadership 1. Register with the BSA and take their Scoutmaster Basic Training. 2. Take the BSA Child Protection Training (This is MANDATORY). 3. Give Parents of all 10 & 11 yr old boys (as of January 1) Information Sheet at Beginning of the year (This includes information about the Primary Class as well as the Scout Program, along with the Patrol Calendar with dates for hikes and campouts). During the year, give this to Parents of New Webelos (i.e. when son Turns 10), Move-Ins, & Non-LDS who Join the Patrol). 4. Plan AHEAD!!! Get with the Webelos Leader to Review Ward Calendar to make up a joint Patrol/Webelos Activity Calendar (hikes/campouts [usually on 3 rd Wkend] & Webelos Activities) for the entire year; then have the Primary President get these dates OK d in Ward Correlation Meeting in December. Usually, we don t have an Outing those Months a Saturday Primary Activity is planned. We are Allowed Only 3 Campouts per year, as an 11-Year-Old Scout Patrol, to be able to satisfy the First Class Requirements. One is usually joint with the Webelos for their Annual Webelos Campout and another may be with the Older (over 12) Scouts (coord with Scoutmaster). Have Patrol Meetings Planned Three Months in Advance, with Detailed Plans One Month in Advance. The Boys will be/stay Enthusiastic as long as they have Exciting things they have Helped Plan and can Look Forward To Each Month! 5. Action & Participation in Meetings & Activities (Campouts, Hikes, Etc). Each Patrol Member should have a Responsibility (Gamemaster, Hikemaster, Grubmaster, Etc. see Patrol Leader s Notebook). (The Grubmaster rotates, depending who needs to pass off the Cooking Requirement for 1 st Class). 6. Keep in touch with PARENTS. Keep them INFORMED of Activities and, especially, how they can help their son ADVANCE especially memorizing Scout Oath & Law and doing the Exercises for Tenderfoot (requirements 10a & 10b) 7. With rare exceptions, each Patrol Meeting, Hike, & Campout should involve Scout Advancement and plenty of Physical ACTIVITY (always FUN, often Advancement Oriented). 8. Older Scouts occasionally teach New Scouts (Keeps Older Scouts Involved and Reinforces what they Already Learned; Helps New Scouts Advance). Many requirements the Older Scouts need can be passed off simultaneously by the Newer Scouts (even though it will be for a higher rank). Help New Scouts pass off Tenderfoot, then Second Class, as soon as possible (Goal: 1 st Class in One Year). 9. Have Patrol Leader call Active Scouts before each patrol meeting. You call Inactive Scouts (and the active ones periodically). Personally visit Inactives & Their Families. 10. Arrange TRANSPORTATION well in ADVANCE (give Annual Calendar of meetings, hikes, campouts and service Projects to Scouts and Parents). Inasmuch as possible, get commitment 2-3 months in advance (1month minimum). At every outing, there MUST be at Least TWO Adults and TWO (preferably 3) Scouts. 11. Scouts should wear their full Uniform at All Patrol Meetings and Outings (Set the Example). 12. Submit Trip forms for campouts at Scout Headquarters (BSA Requirement). 13. Ceremony for Webelos becoming Boy Scouts (Webelos Leader should Do this You attend [normally this is at a pack meeting i.e. 4 th Wed]) 14. Webelos Leader should initiate registering graduating Webelos as a Boy Scout (before you get them). 15. If/When you select a Patrol Leader, he will use his Patrol Notebook to keep a Record of Meeting Plans and the Attendance & Advancement of each individual scout (You also keep this record and be sure to mark everyone s Scout Handbooks as they pass off Rank Requirements). Review the contents of the notebook with him and train him in his responsibilities. Before Patrol Meetings & Outings, He should call Patrol Members to remind them of their assignments (and You call Him [& the Parents]). 16. Monthly BSA Round Table

7 BOY LEADERSHIP You re probably asking yourself, What in the world is an article on Boy Leadership doing in this section on Adult Leadership? -- It has everything to do with it! If there is anything you will learn in Wood Badge training for adult scout leaders, it is the scouting concept/ideal that a Boy Scout patrol is just that, a boy scout patrol and being such, is lead by boys, not adults. The role of the adult leader is primarily to train the boys to lead their own patrol (and troop). If/When given appropriate training, like that contained in this online Scout Notebook and Troop Leadership Training program (TLT) for boy leaders (patterned after the adult Wood Badge course), along with the other leadership training now provided by the Boy Scouts of America, the boys can very adeptly, when allowed to do so, provide their own leadership but it cannot be done until the adult leader(s) ensure they get that training and then allow them to do their own thing! Certainly the experience that adult leaders have is helpful (and necessary) in the training of their boy leaders; but once shared, the boys must then be allowed to apply it on their own. One key element in this leadership is effectively planning meetings and outings. This is the whole purpose of the Patrol Planning Game in the Scout Notebook it is to give them guidance in this planning and to make it fun (i.e. make it a game)! Let us now discuss a few helpful planning tools/forms for the game (1) There is the one page in the notebook where attendance at patrol meetings and outings is kept. This will tell which scouts passed off the skills covered in those specific meetings/ outings and, more importantly, who missed out. (2) There is the advancement record page (across from the page listing all advancement requirements thru 1st Class) where the advancement of all scouts in the patrol is recorded. This same record is kept in each scout s personal scout manuals. The advantage of this record is that they can see at a glance what every scout in the patrol has completed. (3) There is the page for Patrol Plans for the Year where, after viewing the above advancement record, the boys can plan from one month to the next what they need to work on both in each month's patrol meetings and also their monthly outings. Troops typically plan for a whole year at one time... we suggest the patrol plan for 3 months at a time; however, ALL outings can/should be scheduled for the year, and these plans shared first with the adult leaders to get their approval, then with all the scouts parents. (4) The Patrol Meeting Plans are for more detailed planning. This is done at the end of one month for the meetings of the coming month. (5) There is the list of local places to hike, campout and swim, as a reference when the scouts decide where they want to go on their monthly outings. Be sure to find out about any non-scouting activities the boys are involved in, and avoid those dates. There may be a month where no outing is planned due to numerous non-scouting activities that month. (6) The rest of the notebook gives overall leadership training and project/game ideas the scouts can refer to and try out.

8 SCOUT RANK REQUIREMENTS BY CATEGORY March 2010 (J=Joining; T=Tenderfoot; 2C=Second Class; 1C=First Class) J 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 T 1, 2, 3, 4c, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10b, 11, 12b, 13, 14, 15 2C 1b, 2, 3g, 4, 5, 6, 7c, 8c, 9b, 10, 11, 12, 13 1C 1, 2, 3, 4e, 5, 6, 7b, 8d, 9c, 10, 11, 12, 13, Personal Morals & Citizenship (Teamwork) White J- 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 T- 6, 7, 8, 13 2C- 3a, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 1C- 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, Hiking, Map & Compass Yellow T- 5 2C- 1ab 1C- 1, 2 3. Camping, Knots & Lashings Brown J- 6 T- 1, 2, 4abc 2C- 2, 3b 1C- 7ab, 8a 4. Cooking, Knife & Ax, Fire Building Orange T- 3 2C- 3cdefg 1C- 4abcde 5. Health, Safety, First Aid Red J- 9 T- 9, 10ab, 11, 12 2C- 7abc, 9ab 1C- 8bcd, Plants & Animals Green 2C- 6 1C Swimming & Boating Blue 2C- 8abc 1C- 9 [This list created by Bob White, scout leader in Troop 23, Chattanooga, TN]