From: Kirk and Nena Barley (kirk-and-nena-barley@EROLS.COM)
Date: Thu Aug 31 2000 - 17:16:43 CDT
I prefer that competitions at larger Boy Scout events focus on
leadership and group cohesion. I usually handle this by presenting
tiered awards based on participation. If you did 9 of 10, had a patrol
flag, and did well on a camp site inspection, you were in the top.
Others followed based on a declining scale. It is often tough to get
the boys to participate in all of the events. They like to socialize
and throw the football. By letting the boys lead and having enough fun
things to do so that there is a little time pressure, this method has
worked well for me. It avoids Scout Masters pressing their kids too
hard to master the event's skills and the age appropriateness challenge
of Webelos participants.
I am not afraid of having the best of the best based on competitive
scores from the events, it leaves me fewer adults to argue with if I
narrow it to those that have successful youth leadership.
I give awards for first on specific events like patrol flags, but make
the criteria clear "kids must have made it."
Doing it this way allows me to reward most Troops, pull out and honor
the truly successful, and still highlight the importance of the key
areas of the Patrol Method and field hygiene.
Kirk
> My question is: TO OFFICIALLY COMPETE, OR NOT? First, Second, and Third
> places, or Participation awards? Or perhaps there is something out there
> that falls in-between that is a nice solution...
>
--
τΏτ
The Barley's
Virginia Beach, VA
