Re: Adult/Leader Patrols
Michael A. Golrick (mgolrick@SCLC.ORG)
Tue, 2 Dec 1997 10:47:35 -0500
Stephanie Everett wrote:
>I am looking to the collective wisdom of the List for advice regarding adult
>or leader patrols in a boy scout troop. The ASMs and a couple of the more
>active committee members (including me) would like to establish a leaders'
>patrol in our troop in order to (1) teach and lead the boys by example
>rather than trying to direct them from behind, and (2) to help keep the
>adults out of the boys' way so we can become a more boy-led troop. However,
>the SM is reluctant, because he fears we would be "abandoning" the boys,
>especially on campouts.
Yes...Yes...Yes... Do It!
Now that I have calmed down.....reason #2 is the primary reason to do it.
Ask anyone who has been at Wood Badge or even a lot of Troop Leader
Training (formerly Scoutmaster Fundamentals). it works. In both of the
above, my patrol was pretty much left alone to do our stuff (with some
guidance from our wonderful Coach/Counselor in Wood Badge). It is the way
it is supposed to be done.
>Some background... Our troop is mostly young scouts: out of about 25 boys
>only 5 are First Class or above; only 3 are 14 or over. The Troop is 5
>years old, but had always been very small until the year before last; all
>the current members except one have joined the Troop in the last 2 years.
>The sudden growth has been tough on everyone, including the SM. We have 2-4
>adults actively working with each of the 3 patrols (all but 1 (me) are
>trained ASMs; 2 are currently doing their Woodbadge tickets). However, from
>what I observe, the troop has never been truly boy-led. With such a young
>group and so many adults, I fear we're in danger of being a "Cub Scout
>Troop", if you know what I mean.
Of course, you should be available to help. But in "my" troop, it is ONLY
WHEN ASKED!
The troop I am with is about 50+. However, since the last Camporee when we
camped with one of our "feeder Packs" we have been hearing rumbles from
some of the PARENTS about how loose we are, how the adults do not do
anything for the boys, etc. The problem (as I see it) is that the "Cub
Scout Way" and the "Boy Scout Way" are different, and paretns need to be
told that, and it is hard for some to "let go." [That is true for many
troops. We pride ourselves on being boy-led, even though that means that
there are mistakes made. That is part of the learning experience.]
Ask your Wood Badge (2 words) trained parents to help with the Adult Patrol.
Good luck!
Michael Golrick
CC, Troop 68, Trumbull CT
"...and a good old Buffalo, too...."
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
