Re: checking out scout troops
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Tue, 15 Oct 1996 11:48:07 -0600
On Tue, 15 Oct 1996, Kim Moye wrote:
> What made the boys decide they did not want to join this troop was the fact
> that boys get "demerits" for misconduct. If they get x number of demerits,
> they are not allowed to participate in the upcoming troop events such as
> camping, field trips, etc.
This seems to be a holdover "negative reinforcement philosophy" from
"days gone by" that a few troop leaders seem to still embrace. More
"enlightened" contemporary troops have replaced this
with a positive approach, and I think you will find that those are the
troops that your Scouts will enjoy the most. If you treat Scouts like
colleagues and give them the message that they are expected to behave
appropriately because they are Scouts, they will rise to the occasion.
Unfortunately, young folks still get plenty of negative reinforcement in
schools, and other settings, as well as at home in some cases, so a good
Scout unit may make a big difference for them.
They may be "little people" but they are also very intelligent and respond
well to being trusted, challenged and encouraged to succeed...and Scouting
is one of the few youth groups that really provide this opportunity.
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
