Adult Awards, Leader Knots

This summer I served as an ASM for a JLT course. Our council did not
have enough youth sign up to make a meaningful course. We combined
with two other councils and had a course which included 36 youth, 7
youth staff, and 5 adult staff. It was a very successful course and, I
think, a good experience for youth and adults alike.

Now, to the point. Working in another council, mostly with youth that
I had never met before, I found that the 6 square knots on my uniform
provided a real ice-breaker. Teenagers tend to be rather shy about
approaching strangers even in "easy" situations. But, many of them
approached to ask about various knots, especially the one for the
Explorer Silver Award. It provided great opportunities to start
conversations.

I feel more strongly than ever that adults should wear their awards,
both for the example we set and for openings they can provide in
dealing with the youth of the program.

Fred Rogers <fredrogers@vnet.ibm.com>
Tioga District Advancement Chairman
Baden-Powell Council

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