Re: COST OF OUTINGS
Kirk Barley (kbarley@EROLS.COM)
Fri, 27 Sep 1996 17:29:46 -0700
I missed the origional post, but agree with Bob.
I started the first New Boy Patrol in our troop and made them live by
the same rules as our more senior patrols. They had more trouble
collecting and planning than did the other patrols for one or two camp
outs, but they got the hang of it due to the efforts of their assigned
ASM and Guide (or inspite of them) and surpassed the other patrols.
Boys learn more from failure, with follow on guidance, than they do from
having things done for them or imposed policies. A hungry (not
starving) or wet (not hypothermic) boy has a lasting incentive to plan
and pack correctly. Boys always respond better to their peers pressure
for money than they do to adults.
Meal money was the most common complaint that I had as Scoutmaster, but
these went away after I explained our system. The break down usually
was the buying boy's weak efforts at collecting the money from his
patrol members, no so much their reluctance to pay. This is another
learning opportunity for parents to work with their boys to teach them
how to collect money, a life long skill. There is nothing wrong with
the committee setting guidlines for meal costs and payments, but they
should be to handle boys (or their parents) who won't conform, not for
routine activities. Let the boys learn by handling it.
Kirk Barley
ASM Troop 121
MCB Quantico, VA
SE-574
Bob Myers wrote:
>
> Come on folks. Some of the posts in this thread sound like we are straying a
> bit from the patrol method. There is no reason a patrol, other than a new Sco
ut
> patrol in the first few months, can't plan, budget, buy, and cook their own
> meals. In fact, the game requires it. This is not new.
>
> There is also no reason for any adults or troop leaders to be dealing with
> patrol food money, either by collect and disbursing it or by setting strict
> troop rules. These are not safety issues. We should be counselling and
> training, but adults should not be dictating what the patrols should do or not
> do in this area. The PLC should give the patrols some latitude to either succe
ed
> or fail/learn/succeed.
>
> YIS,
>
> Bob Myers, ASM, Troop 575, Dan Beard Council, Cincinnati, Ohio
> rmyers@one.net
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