National Jamboree & Drop Outs In reply to 199312311700

> The basic question is, have any of you had these problems? AND,
>clues to "entice" them back. I've got the Life convinced he should complete
>his requirements for Eagle but, does not want ANYTHING to do with camping
>again.

Larry:

I'm not sure why, but I was a Scoutmaster for Jamboree Troop 1828 last summer
and all the boys I have run across since the Jamboree are still in the program
and cranking along. We didn't have a lot of pre-Jambo camping -- just 1
campout as a troop to get to know each other (a fun weekend - adult leaders did
the cooking with activities designed to help the boys get to know each other,
elect the leadership & patrols and do some team building) and the standard
Pre-Jambo training weekend with the other 2 troops that were going from the
council.

As to "burnout" at the Jambo, we tried to manage that by allowing the Scouts to
do what they wanted, though we did "force" them to visit the Conservation area
(which they thought was great because they all got the 3-part patch! -- a real
collector's item) and aquatics (was a far trek that not too many wanted to
make, but were glad they did). We allowed a reasonable amount of "down time"
(just laying around doing nothing) so they could just relax though encouraged
them to stay out of the campsite.

I think what may be at work is that the Scout who attends the Jamboree is
usually the Scout that is being "pushed" already by parents or others who want
him to do everything. Maybe a short haitus from the "Scouting grind" isn't a
bad thing. If the program is good, then the Scout's desire to be with friends
doing something he enjoys will eventually take over and bring him back. Have
you talked with mom and/or dad? Is he also doing sports and other activities?
Maybe the boy just can't handle the balancing act required to juggle all of his
activities and Scouting is usually easier to give up (in his mind he can always
go back ...) than a team sport or school activity. Can you help the Scout with
the balancing act? Maybe just saying you understand that he needs to miss a
few meetings and it's OK. Your obligation would then be to call the Scout
after a few weeks and ask "How's it going?" No pressure. I have found that
just showing that interest in him is still there is enough to
entice them back. I have a senior patrol leader who is a 16 year old Star Scout
who left the troop for about a year. He was called a few months before
recharter and came back. The time was just right for him.

I have no magic answers. Hope it helps. And, yes, FOXES are the best!!

Dale Ward
dward@infi.net

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message
• Previous message