Frustrated Scout

>His attendence at meetings is excellent, second best in Troop, my son is
>first. Hard to avoid Dad. His attendence on campouts is not real good.

>I certainly don't want to lose him, but also want to stress the importance
>of the outdoor part of the program. After all that seems to be the place
>where everything seems to fall into place.

Hi Jeff

Sounds like your a great Scoutmaster. I would like to hear more about your
program because it seems to tie the Troop meetings and outdoor program
together very well. Also, I like the compassion you have for the Scout and
his situation. Another good quality of a Scoutmaster.

Have you stepped back and looked at how he is doing in the Aims of
Scouting. We adults use the Eight Methods to promote the Aims, but each
Scout applies them differently. Our Troop puts heavy emphasis on teaching
leadership. Yet, we know that some Scouts are much better leaders than
others so we try to measure what he has learned with the experience. Also,
we are constantly working to find the Scout a niche (job or Troop officer
position) where he can excel. Scouts who feel good about themselves want to
do good things.

Make sure that your not trying to fit him into your mold. Is he learning
self-confidence in your program. Can you see a measurable increase in
participating citizenship, growth in moral strength and character, and
mental and physical development. If you can, than you are accomplishing
your goal and the Scout may not need the outdoor program as much as other
Scouts.

I agree a Scoutmasters conference is the next step and maybe you need to
try to schedule one at his convenience instead of yours, I don't know your
situation. Be open minded about what he says. Then see if you can work out
a solution that satisfies both of you. Set a goal of one campout every two
or three months and at the same time, get one of the older guys to work
with him during other times of the week. I have several older scouts who do
this for us when asked and they get as much out of it as the Scout they
work with.

Finally, after all else fails, maybe your Troop is just not right for him.
Discuss this option with the whole family and work with them to find a
Troop that the scout would like. By working with them, they see your not
dumping him off, you genuinely want the best for the Scout and want him to
stay in Scouts.

Sounds like you have a great Troop. Tell us more about your program. We all
probably could learn something from it.

Have a great week.

Barry Runnels
Troop 386
Edmond OK

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