Re: a question of supervison
Berk Moss (mossfam@TELEPORT.COM)
Wed, 6 Nov 1996 16:17:26 -0800
You did the right thing. I've taken a boy to the hospital 40 miles from
camp because of an axe accident and a few words from some defensive adults
are better to take than the blood, pain, and scars that can be left from an
axe!
May I add my $0.02 worth of experience?
We might look at two issues:
1) Restoring the boys to safety.
2) Teaching correct use of the axe.
Without a doubt, the correct thing was done to stop the unsafe use of fire
and the axe. Any Scouter or any older scout should have attempted to stop
what was going on. Boys must not be allowed to "play at the fire" or to use
an axe in such a dangerous way. Anyone objecting is just being defensive.
BUT=8A once the situation is stable, there might have been some alternative
courses.
If the boys were part of my Troop, I'd involve their leaders (Senior Patrol
Leader, Patrol Leader) in teaching them correct use of fire and the axe.
If the boys were not part of the troop, I'd look at the adult present and
ask if he was with them. If so, I'd ask him to provide instruction and
supervision.
If he was unwilling, I'd want to accompany them to the leaders of thier
troop for instruction.
Now, all this is second guessing. Your actions on the spot were what you
could do at the time. I'm only suggesting another way of looking at
similiar situations. Let things cool off. Then ask if the Scoutmaster will
engage in problem solving and help avoid such unsupervised boys in the
future. Why were they not with their patrols? Could their Patrol Leader
give them a way to contribute to the group rather than geting into trouble.
Is there anything we should say to parents as they start in scouting about
collective supervision and "raising each others kids?"
What an opportunity for growth!
YiS
| Berk Moss
||||/ \ Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 427
oooo\_/ Multnomah Village, Portland Oregon
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/ \
/ \ Pioneer District Advancement Committee
\ | Cascade-Pacific Council
\ / O/A Brotherhood
\ / Bear Patrol Woodbadge WEM 492-1-94
\ /
--- e mail: mossfam@teleport.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
