SCOUTER
Feature:
Twenty MORE Tips
for New Scouters
(From the AIS Survey)
by
MaryAnn Gardner
In
their own words, active Scouters speak to adults who are new to Scouting:
(The Leader being quoted is identified by Name or
Initials (if available) and # years as a Scouter. Eagle Scouts are so designated. For
example: M. Smith - 10yrs, Eagle Scout)
1. Get involved.
Make the program work for your sons and other boys. -Dan Smith - 15 yr., Eagle Scout
2. Simple Get involved with your Troop -Ed Scheffner - 18 yr.
3. Stay involved and
attend training -9 yr. Leader
4. Volunteer some of your
time to the Pack and/or Troop. It is a wise investment in the growth of, not only your
child, but others as well. -Frank Wozniak - 10yrs
5. Remember that it should be fun. Learning and discipline
come as second nature after that. -Tom - 5 yr.
6. Be patient. You can't
learn everything overnight. Attend roundtables. Talk with other Scouters. Do a lot of
research. -Carolyn Lare - 4 yr.
7. When Your Son Joins Boy Scouts: First year is often an
awkward transition for both you and your boy. Older Scouts are like older brothers -
they're great but they can be scary, especially for a boy who doesn't have an older
brother at home.
The amount of camping in all
kinds of weather is a BIG increase from Cub Scouts. Your son will need lots of support and
encouragement from home to help with the transition.
Because Troops are boy-run not
adult-run like in Cub Scouting, you'll find the transition awkward, too. Boys will call
your son and Scouters will want to talk to your son, rather than you. When you have a
question about a campout you need to fight the temptation to call a Scouter and instead
help your son call his patrol Leader.
But, we still need LOTS of adult
help at the committee level so don't be shy about stepping forward to assist! -Bob
Geier - 9 yr.
8. Get involved as a
volunteer with the Pack or the Troop. The program is much more fun and rewarding if you
are actively involved as a Scouter. - Michael McClain - 3 yr.
9. Get involved. Scouting
won't work without help from the parents. It's also a lot more fun. - M.S. 3 yr., Eagle
Scout
10. Read the Scout
handbook and follow your son's progress step by step. Vin Grimaldi - 1 yr.
11. Support your son in
all aspects of the Scouting program. Attend all of the court of honors. Dads should go on
as many outings as possible with their son. Don't let your son drive until he gets his
eagle rank. -Greg Morris - 11 yr.
12. Give all the support that you can to the boy and the Troop.
It is an experience they will never forget! -Michael Brumble - 25 yr., Eagle Scout
13. Jump right in. Anyone
can help and have fun. -Steve Lundh - 11yrs
14. Have fun - help the
Pack or Troop -S.M. - 4 yr., Eagle Scout
15. Get involved with the unit.
Don't just drop the boy off. Be involved - even if it's just a little bit -Mike
McElvogue -15 yr.
16. Give lots of
encouragement to the Scout and GET INVOLVED with the Troop! -Paul Bouy Jr - 8 yr.
17. Be committed get involved as much as possible. Be supportive
of your son(s) without being overbearing. The boy must want to do it himself. You can't do
it for him. -Paul Winston, 6 yr., Eagle Scout
18. Don't ever say "I
don't have the time." The most important thing for a parent to do is to make time for
their children. -Michael Adam, 4 yr.
19. Be supportive of the
Troop! It is not a babysitting service. As Leaders we are shaping and teaching your child
as much as their teachers and parents do. We need your guidance and in-put in order to
work together to help our kids grow to sound, responsible adults that may one day be
Society's Leaders. -Jamie Morton - 3YRS
20. Go for it! -Dennis Rogers - 5 yr.
AIS - The Adults in Scouting Survey - First Report
Twenty
Tips for New Scouters
The
AIS
Survey is ongoing.
Please
participate.
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