Topic
What it takes to lead a troop week after week. Scoutmasters and assistant Scoutmasters wrote openly about vision, patience, mentoring youth leaders and the occasional rainy campout.
200 posts · 2007–2020
Showing 151–200 of 200 posts
Here's an exchange from Ask Andy : Hi Andy, I'm a relatively new Assistant Scoutmaster. I've been instructed that Scouts seeking ranks beyond First Class, in this troop, are required to complete a "Scoutmaster Conference Worksheet" before their actual conversation with the Scoutmaster, which they then submit for their board of review.
The Scoutmaster Minute has now hit the big time.. errr.. well maybe not the big big time.. but at least 2009 and Twitter! I have been on twitter for some time now, but until recently have not really used it "to it's potential" as they say.
1 Vote On Idea We are in the process of offering Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training. I've noticed there is some information in it that is inaccurate or needing updating because of updates to the program in the last few years and the updates coming in the future.
Troop Leadership Training is happening in November for our troop (more here ). In a very timely email, this link appeared from the email ether: Troop Positions of Responsibility The following leadership positions count toward Boy Scout advancement. For more information, see the Senior Patrol Leader Handbook (#32501) and Patrol Leader Handbook (#32502A).
There have not been many feature films about Scouting made during the decades. Most people involved with Scouting have heard of a little film by Walt Disney called Follow Me Boys , but I bet most people would be hard pressed to name another five movies that include Scouting as a major part of the plot.
I have started a new Mini Podcast. These podcasts will be tips, recipes, and Scoutmaster Shorts. This podcast is not replacing the Scoutmaster Minute Podcast, but a way that I can get short tips and stuff out for people to enjoy.
Here's an exchange from Ask Andy (an online column from a long-time Scouter and Unit Commissioner) about Eagle Projects. There's a couple of levels of information going on in this exchange. First of all Andy does a good job of clarifying what actual policy is regarding Eagle Projects.
In this show Scoutmaster Jerry tackles a couple great topics. First, we talk about when Scouting Manifests itself in our Scouts. Then we talk about Podcasting and Social Media, we wrap it up with where the heck has Scoutmaster Jerry been?
In this show Scoutmaster Jerry tackles a couple great topics. First, we talk about when Scouting Manifests itself in our Scouts. Then we talk about Podcasting and Social Media, we wrap it up with where the heck has Scoutmaster Jerry been?
The book The Scoutmaster Minute by Ron Wendel is subtitled "Your handbook for inspiring moments". The first thing you notice is that the subtitle seems pretty accurate. It's a tiny book size that easily fits into a pants pocket. The 128 pages are filled with 155 short stories, poems, and historical references that can be…
Sergeant Major Vern Wilfinger was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for his volunteer service to the civilian community while serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 27 in East Peoria. Sergeant Major Wilfinger has been a member of Troop 27 since April 1999.
As you all know I am a huge fan of backpacking and camping in general! This month the Scoutmaster minute Visitors have a chance to win a $25 coupon code for TrailStop.com , which includes free FedEx Ground Shipping! About the Prize: The good folks over at TrailStop.com have offered up this month's prize which is…
In this show we wrap up a great discussion on gear. Join Scoutmaster Jerry and his Assistant Scoutmasters as they continue a discussion on gear. In this show we talk about our camp kitchens, raingear, clothing, and much, much, more. Join the forum discussion on this post - (8) Posts Share and Enjoy:
The Scoutmaster Blog is nearly four years old. I have published just over eight hundred posts viewed by about 500 readers on an average day. Starting in August I will also be offering a bi-weekly email newsletter that will feature posts from the Scoutmaster Blog, information for Scoutmasters and others involved with Scouting and an…
A healthy Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) is the heart of a youth led Troop. It should gather often to discuss and plan the Troop's program. The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) chairs the PLC, the Scribe keeps minutes and the meeting is open to Patrol Leaders (PL) and any other youth leaders.
6 Vote On Idea I've been working on a special summer session of our normal merit badge classes here at the museum. I ran into some issues this past week with scouts wanting to take the Personal Management class that is this Saturday.
It is official I have just recently completed my adult leader basic training. Basic training was super easy for me because I have basically lived and breathed scouting for the past 12 years. Basic leader training for the position of Assistant Scoutmaster includes the following three courses: New Leader Essentials or This is Scout Training…
The sixth episode of Around The Scouting Campfire is now available. It is time to join Scoutmaster Steve and Buttons, the radical Boy Scout, for another 20 minutes of fun and reflection on Scouting. During this show we discover what advancement rank Buttons holds in Scouting as he and Scoutmaster Steve talk about his upcoming…
It is finally officially after completing the paperwork hurdle I have finally become a assistant scoutmaster. Becoming a assistant scoutmaster in my Troop is very important for two very different reasons. The first reason is to be able to continue to serve my Troop in a official leadership position capacity which will allow me to…
Tonight at our Troop Committee meeting I reminded the Committee that we are in need of a 5th Assistant Scoutmaster. It prompted the discussion of roles of the ASM's. We have had this discussion before, but in light of the size of the Troop it was worth bringing up again.
When, Who, Cost & Refund for Adult Participants What is a World Jamboree? A great outdoor adventure conducted by a host member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Thousands of youth and leaders from around the world camp together and participate in many exciting activities.
2 Vote On Idea Over my careers I have served many troops with numerous Assistant Scoutmasters. There are times it would be nice to know who is the second in command after the Scoutmaster. Can we develop a new position code for the First Assistant Scoutmaster as an optional leadership position for those troops who…
About a month ago we discussed in this space the National Eagle Scout Association. We were introducing you to the new NESA Life Membership Award . You remember, of course. What we didn't tell you then is that when NESA first started in 1972, another knot was available for leaders: the NESA Scoutmaster Award.
He was a small tenth grader. Many of the eighth graders were as big or bigger then he was. When he received his drivers license at 16 years old he was 5'-2" and weighed only 88 pounds. He was the weak skinny kid who would get pinned during wrestling in phy ed in less then…
Eymard Orth, assistant scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 68 in Melrose Minnesota, was recently recognized by the Minnesota House for his twenty years of service to the troop. The local newspaper, the Melrose Beacon Beacon, reports: "State Rep. Paul Anderson (left), R-Starbuck, presents Eymard Orth, Melrose, with a certificate of recognition for Orth's 20 years…
Camp Cooking .? In this show Scoutmaster Jerry invites you all to sit around the Jetboil and listen in on a conversation with his Assistant Scoutmasters. We talk about Wood Badge, Lightening up our packs, cooking, and some awesome Clam chowder.
The Ten Essentials of Scoutmastership penned by William 'Green Bar' Hillcourt were part of the Scoutmaster's Handbook for many years. 6. A steadfastness of purpose to carry out a planned program with energy and perseverance, patience and good humor. The adolescent world is uncertain, unpredictable and capricious.
Being a Scoutmaster is a great privilege, and one that I do not take lightly. At a recent Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster training event I was talking with a group of soon to be Scoutmasters and ASMs. We were talking about our roles as they apply to activities out side of Scouting.
The Ten Essentials of Scoutmastership penned by William 'Green Bar' Hillcourt were part of the Scoutmaster's Handbook for many years. 5. A knowledge that to your boys you are Scouting. "What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say!"
Saturday was a terrific day of Scouting, let me recap it for you. The day started with Training. Our District holds "Super Saturday Training" about 3 or 4 times a year, depending on what the Council activities look like. Super Saturday training allows leaders to get their training done in one day (Expect Scoutmasters and…
It will soon be time for the 2010 National Jamboree . Boy Scouts have begun making their plans to attend, and save money to make those payments. Adult leaders are in training to become the scoutmasters and assistants for this huge event.
Eymard Orth, assistant scoutmaster of Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68, recently was recognized by Troop 68 for his twenty years of service. Eymard become an assistant scoutmaster when his son, Peter, was a member of the troop in 1988. Since then, Eymard has attended hundreds of troop meetings and weekend activities.
A great article from Scouting Magazine, worth posting in its entirety; Scouting Magazine - January-February 2009 Let Your Scouts Lead By Mark Ray Want to achieve a youth-led unit? Find the balancing point between helping them succeed and letting them flounder.
The Ten Essentials of Scoutmastership penned by William 'Green Bar' Hillcourt were part of the Scoutmaster's Handbook for many years. 3. An immense faith in Scouting as the program that will best serve to mold our youth into fine men.
The Ten Essentials of Scoutmastership penned by William 'Green Bar' Hillcourt were part of the Scoutmaster's Handbook for many years. 2. A zeal focused upon one point - the boy's happiness through his formative years - "A happy boy is a good boy, a good boy is a good citizen."
One of the leadership positions that is rarely used or if used it is commonly misused is that of the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster or JASM. The JASM is a youth leader in the Troop that has the primary purpose of serving as the youth leader and scout advisor.
The Ten Essentials of Scoutmastership penned by William 'Green Bar' Hillcourt were part of the Scoutmaster's Handbook for many years. A belief in boys that will make you want to invest yourself and your time on their behalf. As Plato said " Of all the animals , the boy is the most unmanageable ".
Here are some excerpts from a reply to a letter from a frustrated Scoutmaster over at Ask Andy Usually, the single most important thing adult leaders can do to improve delivery of the Boy Scout program is to step back.
If I could speak to myself 25 years ago when I became a Scoutmaster here is what I would say: Learn as much as you can from training and reading. Study these invaluable references: Guide to Safe Scouting , Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures Manual , Insignia Guide , Scoutmaster's Handbook and Baden Powell's Aids to Scoutmastership .
The Scoutmaster conference is the principle contact with between Scout and Scoutmaster: Why does the Scoutmaster engage in this one-on-one review? The relationship between a Scout and his Scoutmaster is important for the troop's health and for the Scout's success.
The Thanksgiving Holiday has once again come to those of us in the United States. As I prepare to join my family in the annual turkey dinner I look back on my years in Scouting and discover there are a lot of things to be thankful for over the last three decades with the troop.
1. Making things more efficient Changes that compromise the responsibility of the scouts to do for themselves may make things more efficient, but they are inimical to the spirit of what we want to accomplish. Inefficiency 2. Applying uniform standards "Our standard for badge earning—as I have frequently said—is not to attain a certain level…
Our district held its fall Camporee this past weekend and efficiently combined the outdoor skills portion of Scoutmaster Specific Training into the agenda. The idea being that adult leaders will be there with their troops anyway and the day of training would require minimal time away from family or troop.
Recently in the PTCmedia forums a Scouter posted a new topic. It caught my eye, as leadership always does. His post asked several questions: "Who makes up your unit's leadership? Is it current parents? the Old Goat or rocking chair Patrol of people that are retired or semiretired?
Keith Monroe was a longtime contributor to Scouting magazine and Boys' Life . His book, Be Prepared , an account of his joys and struggles as a Scoutmaster, was published in 1952 under the pen name Rice E. Cochran. Here is an excerpt concerning Scoutmaster's dividends: The biggest dividends...
Aquatic activites are a huge part of Boy Scouting, at least here in the land of 10,000 lakes. The aquatics beach at summer camp is probably the busiest area of the camp. You will find Boy Scouts swimming, sailing, rowing, canoeing, and snorkeling.
This will be the last Opportunity Knocks for 2007. I just wanted to take this opportunity to send all of you out there in the extended Troop 26 family, a note of thanks for what you have provided for me personally.
This will be the last Opportunity Knocks for 2007. I just wanted to take this opportunity to send all of you out there in the extended Troop 26 family, a note of thanks for what you have provided for me personally.
It's been awhile. Things just kept coming up. I so apologize to all those who wait religiously each week for the Opportunity Knocks to come out. And for those who worry that I have died or become incapacitated, that hasn't happened yet.
It's been a couple of weeks since I've written an Opportunity Knocks. Things just kept popping up. I do write these at work and there are times that I just can't get to it. Thanks for all your E-mails asking what happened.
