The Youth-Run & Adult-Guided Troop University of Scouting 2013

Your presenter Dave Byrne Troop 414 Committee Chair Phoenix District

Your presenter Assistant Den Leader (Tiger, Wolf) Bear Den Leader Webelos Den Leader Assistant Scoutmaster (T1333) Scoutmaster (T414) Dec 2010-presentCommittee Chair (T414)

Three types of troops 1. Webelos III troop 2. Troop Method troop 3. Patrol Method troop Q. Which one describes your troop?

Three types of troops Leadership & Decision-Making AdultsBoys Focus Boys Patrols Webelos III Troop Method Patrol Method

Aims of Boy Scouting Character Development Citizenship Training Physical & Mental Fitness

Methods of Boy Scouting 1. The Ideals 2. The Patrol Method 3. The Outdoors 4. Advancement 5. Association with Adults 6. Personal Growth 7. Leadership Development 8. The Uniform

Think you’re using the Patrol method? 1.What is a patrol? 2.How does a Patrol get, grow, and maintain its identity? 3.Who’s in charge? 4.How import is patrol competition? 5.What about the adults? 6.How import are outdoor activities?

The PATROL METHOD is… Scouting is… “A game for boys under the leadership of boys with the wise guidance and counsel of a grown-up who still has the enthusiasm of youth in him. A purposeful game, but a game just the same, a game that develops character by practice, that trains for citizenship through experience in the out-of-doors.” -- William “Green Bar Bill” Hartcourt

What is a Patrol? What do we know about boys? Boys want to be with their friends Boys want fun and adventure Boys need a reason to be where they are

Patrols…some key questions Who decides in which patrol a new scout is assigned? How large should a patrol be? How long should a patrol be together? What about “virtual” patrols?

Who chooses who is in each patrol? Let the boys choose He should want to be in his patrol Boy must believe he is choosing his destiny Q: How should you handle influx of many boys vs. small number of new Scouts?

Are patrols permanent? Mixing of patrols Step backward in patrol unity Patrols should stay together as much and as long as possible!

“Virtual” patrols – good or bad? TWO IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF PATROLS: A troop is a group of patrols, NOT a group of boys. Patrols must be real entities with their own identity

Building Patrol Identity Patrol Name Patrol Symbol Patrol Flag Patrol Yell Patrol Meeting Place Patrol “stuff”

The PATROL METHOD… Scouting is… “A game for boys under the leadership of boys…” “The only way to develop leadership in a boy is to give him a chance to practice it.” -- William “Green Bar Bill” Hartcourt

How are leaders selected? Elected and appointed by BOYS SM should NOT appoint Scouts to POR*, nor should he “force” the vote to get his way Guide and let the boys’ make their own decisions -- for better or worse *POR = Position of Responsibility

Patrol positions of responsibility Elected: Patrol Leader Appointed (by the new PL): Assistant Patrol Leader Scribe Quartermaster Grubmaster Cheermaster

Troop positions of responsibility Elected: Senior Patrol Leader Assistant SPL Scribe Quartermaster Historian LNT Trainer OA Representative Webmaster Librarian Chaplain Aide Instructor Troop Guide Den Chief Have PLC set “minimum” standards if needed Appointed (by the new SPL):

Troop Communication Hierarchy Scoutmaster SPL ASPL (Staff) New Scout PatrolPatrol #1Patrol #2Patrol #3 Patrol Leaders Council Troop Staff Patrol Ldr 1 Patrol Ldr 2 Patrol Ldr 3 Troop Guide Scribe Quarter Master OA Rep Instructor Librarian Historian Chaplain Aide Web Master Bugler LNT Trainer Committee Chair

Q: Who’s in charge of the troop? Patrol is like a state Troop is like the United States PL is like a state governor SPL is like the President Troop officers are SPL’s “cabinet” A: The SPL -- his job is to coordinate the efforts of each patrol for the good of the troop.

It’s about communication “Have you asked your Patrol Leader?” Patrol member Patrol Leader Senior Patrol Leader Troop staff Via ASPL

It’s about communication Patrol member Patrol Leader Senior Patrol Leader PLC Weekly! SPL, ASPL, PL, TG, & Scribe

The PLC & The Patrol Method Boy planned, run, and executed Let’s hear it for the SPL! Where are the adults? “Close but separate”

Will it always work?     Two steps forward, The most common problem… “If you only give partial responsibility you will only get partial results.” Remember the goal: Boys working together as patrols under leaders they selected. The adults one step back

Leaders need jobs to do! Regularly occurring Complex Meaningful Challenging To learn to lead, Patrols need tasks that are… For example…

Some friendly competition… Use friendly, well-spirited competition between leaders Great for PL, Troop Guides, Instructors, QMs, and Grubmasters! Use to encourage desired behavior and promote teamwork

Scouting is… “A game for boys under the leadership of boys with the wise guidance and counsel of a grown-up…” -- William “Green Bar Bill” Hartcourt

Are you crazy?! “Boy-led” doesn’t mean “Boys left alone”

OUR job Create opportunities for safe fun and new adventures.  AND in the process the boys... Learn practical citizenship Experience new levels of teamwork Develop leadership skills Achieve the aims of Scouting

One “simple” goal: Train ‘em, trust ‘em, let them lead! “A Scoutmaster trains boys to be leaders, makes available to them the resources and guidance they need to lead well, and then steps in the background and lets them do their jobs.”

Training the boy leaders Just as every Scout deserves a trained adult leader, every adult leader deserves a trained Scout! TLT NYLT Green Bar Campout Regular POR reviews Transition period POR = Position of Responsibility

Four critical questions 1. How are we doing? 2. What do we need to start doing? 3. What do we need to stop doing? 4. What do we need to change? The boys should be asking… So who initiates the changes?

What about the adults? Advise Enable Empower Voice of experience Sound judgment Bring ideas to PLC SHOULD:SHOULD NOT: Veto arbitrarily “Plan” activities Do a Scout’s job for him Ignore Scouts’ wishes

Simple ways to promote the PM Relay all information via PL & SPL; put them out in front of boys Provide guidance ahead of time – provide success strategies Step out of view Communicating with the troop: …live in the “shadows”

Simple ways to promote the PM Always ask him: “Have you asked you Patrol Leader?” Lead him to the answer with questions -- guide him, don’t grieve him. Communicating with a Scout:

Simple ways to promote the PM Scouts should evaluate activities When the Scouts get an idea just get in mind that it might work Remember: Boys choose, adults support Have a plan A? Make a plan B, too. Enable more, interfere less! Whose idea is best?

Simple ways to promote the PM Go to his Patrol Leader (or SPL) Provide suggestions, then step away Don’t yell or get mad…get disappointed Direct your disappointment to PL or SPL Is he living the Scout Oath & Law? Dealing with behavior issues:

Simple ways to promote the PM SPL should frequently talk with PL about his patrol’s spirit. Recognize great PATROLS more often than individual Scouts. Praise boys whenever they are displaying great patrol teamwork. Encourage patrol spirit!

The “bottom line” If a Scout can do it, adults don’t! Now repeat after me…

What about traditions? Is it a boy-run or an adult-run tradition? …Or is it a rut? Traditions worth keeping are the ones that define the troop! Are you afraid of change?

Boy Scouting’s “tradition”… Applying the Patrol Method to camping…this one’s a “no brainer” Each patrol at its own site with its own stuff Set up camp without adult help or input Patrol spirit during the campout Cook & clean by patrol!

The training & sign-off question Scoutmasters Instructor Scouts Troop Guides First Class + Scouts The options:

Boy-run training ASPL The goal: Boys train boys Adults…verify, counsel, stand back, observe Instructor Troop Guide ASM New Scout Patrol via SPL

Boys sign-off on requirements Instructor Scout 1 st Class + Scout ASM/SM Two suggestions: Ready for testing Demonstrated knowledge or mastery

Ten key truths 1.Boys want to be with their friends 2.Boys want fun and adventure 3.Boys need a reason to be where they are 4.Boys learn by doing 5.Boys must be allowed to struggle and fail 6.Boys only learn leadership & responsibility if they have a chance to practice it

Ten key truths 7.Boys need real, meaningful tasks and projects to perform 8.If a boy can do it, adults don’t! 9.Boys need encouragement and praise 10. Boy leaders run the troop; adults enable and keep the program aligned toward the vision and purpose.

Baden-Powell on the Patrol Method “The strength of the Boy Scout program is its ability to satisfy the boy’s own wants and at the same time direct those wants into social channels. But the reason for our using the Patrol Method in Scouting is not alone because it fits in with the boy’s nature and his desires. The remarkable thing is that it fits equally well with the adult leader’s aims and purposes.”

You’re using the PM if… WORKSHEET: Characteristics of a troop using the Patrol Method: #2, 5, 6, 8, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30