Re: How to make Bored Scouts Do

This is not an uncommon theme; and here are a few things we did to work on
the problem to help solve it, and most seemed to work very well. The
"symptoms" you pose are common with many older Scouts who have "been
there, done that" and aren't challenged with meaningful activities
suitable for their age group. The "roughousing" with younger Scouts is
often symptomatic of frustration and a lack of direction and opportunity
for the senior Scouts. They need respect, direction, challenge, and an
opportunity to be recognized for positive contributions. Most of all they
need to have FUN and to look forward to each meeting or activity.

The next step is to get all the Scouts together on a meeting night, or
even better at a "retreat" setting in a "fun" place where they can do
other things after the session. This might be a rec center, a Scout camp,
or whatever they like. If they know they will get to go swimming, climb a
rock wall, shoot some hoops, play racquetball, etc., afterwards, they will
be eager participants. FUN is the watchword. Don't make it like a
"classroom" session.

Be SURE to serve food/snacks, ice cream, beverages, pizza,etc.. This is
literally a proven group dynamics
catalyst that stimulates participation and improves positive attitudes of
the group immensely, especially with "two-legged incinerators" of the
Scout persuasion, and leaders as well.

The sessions consist of "brainstorming" ideas about selected topics. Pick
a leader, or even better a sharp older Scout or Eagle who is well
liked and respected by the Scouts and who is dynamic and enthusiastic to
moderate the session. If he is unfamiliar with the techniques of
brainstorming, give him some advanced training on how to do the session.
Be sure to keep things positive; no personal attacks or criticism, only
constructive critiques, no names, no personalities; talk about things in
general and if someone has a complaint, they should also have a suggestion
for how to "fix" it positively.

A good way to do it is have Scouts line up around the room in front of
sheets of newsprint, attached to easels or taped to the wall, and put
topic headers at the beginning of each page (such as
campout ideas, mini-adventures, high adventures, advancement,
community-service opportunities, and fun-stuff
events. Give them colored large "felt-tip marker pens" to record the
information.

Have them "record" the ideas as the moderator goes around the room
and asks each Scout to contribute an idea. If someone doesn't have an
idea, have them say "pass" and quickly go on to the next person. Keep the
session lively and fast moving. When it appears that everyone is "running
out of ideas," end the session and go with what you have to the next
step. Adults may participate if the Scouts agree, but be careful not to
have more than just a few leaders do this if so.

Ask the "hard questions" first:

1. What don't you like about troop meetings and activities?; what should
the role of older Scouts be as leaders? Are they doing what you would like
them to? Are they helping you? What do the older Scouts see their role
as? What changes would make things better for everyone?

2. What do you like about what we are doing now.

3. What would you like to see changed to make Scouts more fun for you.

Then move into program development phase of brainstorming. Ask them:

What would YOU like to see the troop do in the way of activities at:

1. Meetings

2. Campouts

3. Other "fun" events.

The only rule is *there are NO bad ideas!* everyone should say whatever
they think and not be afraid of being ridiculed or humiliated by others.
Some of the very best ideas come from seemingly "impossible" or "off the
wall" suggestions, which when examined, become very feasible and fun
events.

Don't let anybody, especially adults, say "YES, BUT..." because this is an
immediate "turn off" for the Scouts, and suppresses creativity.

If any one makes a disparaging comment, Scout or adult, the moderator
should politely rule them "out of order."

Don't make this too long, as attention spans are short (adults just hide
it better, nod knowingly, and are "somewhere else"). Intersperse food
and fun between planning sessions. If you can't do a retreat, and have to
do the sessions at meetings, do a little at each meeting; this lets folks
think about things and come up with still more ideas..

When you get a good range of ideas, have the Scouts "vote" on each idea to
give a "straw poll" of which ones they like best. They can vote as many
times and as often as they want for each item of interest.

You will probably have enough stuff to last several years, so keep your
newsprint ideas; then go to the third phase which is implementation.

Be very careful that the folks who are charting the ideas don't abbreviate
them too much or change the intent of the idea. Many good ideas are lost
when not enough detail is listed about the idea, and then when you go back
to it, no one can remember exactly what was intended. The moderator
should watch this and if it looks like there is a problem, help the Scout
who is charting, with a little more detail to record the information
accurately.

You will be amazed at how much input you will get from the Scouts if they
are encouraged to speak freely, and some great ideas will come of it. If
they are empowered to develop and plan the program they want, they will
support and participate in the events.

Then, have them put their plans into action. Show them how to select and
calendar the activities they want to do for at least three to six months,
or even a year if you can. Use an activity planning form such as
Exploring Activity Planner (from Explorer Leader Guidebook) and give small
groups of Scouts, or a Patrol, the task of planning a specific activity
with an older Scout and a Leader as consultants.

This process then becomes truly a "boy-run" program, and gives them a
sense of responsibility and accountability for operating the programs they
have selected and support.

Finally, the "Senior" Scouts (14 & up) need their own program. We started
an Explorer Post in connection with the troop, which allows the Older
Scouts to be concurrently registered as Explorers and to have their own
more challenging activities that they choose and conduct. They wear the
dark green Explorer Shirts, and serve as Troop Leaders. Our Explorers
very much enjoy their leadership positions with the troop and are great
role models and teachers for the younger Scouts who think they are "ten
feet tall." The younger Scouts really look forward to being old enough
to join Explorers when they turn 14, so membership retention is very high.
Our Post has female members and many come from area Girl Scout Troops who
concurrently become Explorers. With dynamic and fun events, both programs
will complement and support each other, and you will not be wanting for
older Scout youth leaders to keep your Troop viable and active.

Get motivated adult leaders to be Patrol Advisors to work with each Scout
Patrol, and similarly for the older Scouts and/or Explorer Post. Make
sure they are trained in their responsibilities.

Don't forget about Junior Leader Training. We send as many of our Scouts
as we can to the "Bighorn" Junior Leader Training program operated by
Denver Area Council. This program embraces the concept of youth leaders
training youth leaders and really pays off when they come back to the
troop and assume leadership roles. For Explorers, the Advanced Leadership
Development Workshop is great and really teaches them how to lead and plan
a post program effectively.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need more information about the
Exploring side of the program for Senior Scouts.

Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO

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