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>Do we ignore the 8 Methods? Absolutely not, but we have to apply them
>individually and apply them with the object of leading a Scout to the Aims
>in a way that he will follow because he sees this is the right and
>honorable way. When we succeed, that Scout will be a Baden Powell Scout
>for the rest of his life. The 3 and the 12 will be the foundation of his
>character. Regardless of his rank he will be a man we will all be proud
>of. When the Scouts and Leaders of the Troop understand this and seek
>these results, the rest will take care of itself.

Hi Dale, this is how our Troop looks at the program as well and I fully
believe that is how Baden Powell intended it. I have said it before, The
boys can do all of the Eight methods without any adults around except for
one. That is the method of adult role models. Our goal is a Troop run
completely by the Scouts with the adults only drinking coffee. How an adult
lets the Scouts run the program is good role modeling too.

I agree with Dale that uniforms is not an adult problem, it's the Scouts
problem. However, if there is a problem, then the adults have not done
their job well explaining the importance of the uniform. Boys at this age
don't like to do anything that they don't understand. They do like adults
talking with them like they are adults and they will listen to reason, most
of them anyway, but you better have a good reason to wear uniforms other
than it is part of bravery. If they believe uniforms are important to the
Troop, they will take care of the problem. But it requires time and
patience.

I also agree the Oath and the Law are the foundation of a Scout and that
should be the number one emphasis in using the eight methods. When you do
that, I believe you will have more Eagle Scouts because each rank has more
meaning. But more important, I believe every Scout who experiences your
Troop will have the heart and character of the Eagle no mater what his
rank. I look for our Scouts to say "I didn't just earn 25 merit badges, I
became a better person!".

The hardest part about being an adult leader in a Troop is to not act like
the leader of the Troop and allowing the boys to do it their way. I am not
talking boy run, I am talking about letting go. I have this problem
everyday. Think of yourself as an advisor, let the boys go so they can see
the right and wrong ways then advise them to look at another way. Teach
them so that they have a starting point but let them go. The most rewording
experience you will ever have as an adult in the Troop is watch the Scouts
do it right, all by themselves.

When the ground starts getting cold and hard, the food just doesn't taste
that good anymore, you need a good reason to be with the Scouts. Feed on
their success. The success of making the right choices and doing the right
things. The success of the shy Scout who decided to MC a Court of Honor
because he had faith in your faith in him. There isn't any failure really,
just challenges. If you approach building the program that Dale is
describing, you will find the adults learn just as much as the Scouts. But
you have to be willing to learn. I have never been so humbled as I have
been with the Scouts. Thank goodness for the experience of folks here on
Scouts_L who help me through it. What did Adults do before Scouts_L?

I love this Scouting Stuff.

Barry Runnels
Troop 386
Edmond OK

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