Re: bit of this & that

On Fri, 31 May 1996, Joe Wallace wrote:
>
> Now for the real question,
> We have been having a problem in our troop recently with parents who go with
> the troop leaders on campouts. The problem is worst when the boy scout
> camps out with his parent, this can have devistating effects on the patrol
> system. Even when the parent hangs with the scouters, they're not involved
> in supporting the troop activity. It's as if they figure that cooking their
> meals and drinking coffee around the fire is as much as they are willing to
> do. At the last troop committee meeting we discussed this concern and are
> wondering whether we need to develop a policy that clearly deliniates the
> role of parents on troop events. We have enthusiastic parents and want to
> use that enthusiasm to strengthen our outdoor program.

What do the registered scouters do on campouts? The scouts should've
planned and prepared for the campout themselves (under some supervision
of the adults, of course), under their own leadership. The campout
should be conducted the same way: under the leadership of the scouts.
They should be instructing one another, etc.

Without a good understanding of what is expected of them, I would hope
that supernumerary adults have the good sense to sit by the fire (or
lake) and leave the program to the scouts. If they get involved, they're
likely to be doing some scout's job for him.

Adults are like dogs. With one, you're always "exercising" him. Two or
more can keep themselves occupied. They can compare fishing trips, or
size of MLM "downlines," or something. Leave the scouts to run their
program.

Paul H. Brown, UC, GW District, National Capital Area Council, BSA
phbrown@capaccess.org

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