Re: bit of this & that
Vicki L. DeVico (vicki@INJERSEY.COM)
Fri, 31 May 1996 08:34:34 -0400
Joe, At 12:31 AM 5/31/96 -0700, you 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. I would be
>interested in hearing from anyone on SCOUTS-L who may have words of advice,
>antecdotes on how to approach this issue, or (dare I hope?) solutions to the
>problem.
In our troop, all parents who go on campouts are given jobs. If someone
doesn't like doing a job as assigned by the Scoutmaster, I guess he or she
just stays home! We have about 10 adults going to summer camp in July.
Each one has specific jobs--I am working with new scouts on Tenderfoot
skills, overseeing the camp improvement project our troop always does at
camp, and taking care of our ice cream party (a Wednesday night treat!).
Each adult has specific jobs and no one grumbles. I suggest you just expect
them to help and let them know what's needed. (We did our planning at an
adult "Summer Camp Planning Meeting" early in May.) Other campouts are the
same on a smaller scale. Adults (scoutmasters and committee members as well
as other parents) are also advisors to scouts who run the meetings, as
planned and assigned by the PLC. In our troop, all participation is "at the
discretion of the Scoutmaster" so if a parent is a real problem, I guess he
"uninvites" that parent to future events.
Vicki DeVico <vicki@injersey.com>
Monmouth Council, NJ: Twin Lights Dist. Memb. Chair, Troop 142 Cmte. Member,
Council Training Cmte. Member.....and a good ole Eagle, too (NE3-119).
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
