New to the Forum?
Tell us a bit about yourself so we can welcome you to the Virtual Roundtable
1244 topics in this forum
-
- 3 replies
- 1.8k views
-
- 8 replies
- 2.1k views
-
- 17 replies
- 3.9k views
-
- 6 replies
- 2.6k views
-
- 12 replies
- 4.7k views
-
- 12 replies
- 3.1k views
-
- 4 replies
- 2.3k views
-
- 8 replies
- 2.9k views
-
- 3 replies
- 2.4k views
-
- 18 replies
- 4.6k views
-
- 13 replies
- 2.9k views
-
- 7 replies
- 2.3k views
-
- 4 replies
- 1.8k views
-
- 2 replies
- 1.8k views
-
- 8 replies
- 2k views
-
LATEST POSTS
-
By curious_scouter · Posted
Another suggestion is ask the SM if it's okay if you plan and host ILST. They might just be overwhelmed, maybe they are even unaware it needs to be done annually and is a pre-req for scouts wanting to do NYLT. Or that it's their job to do it. I know my first year as a SM was super overwhelming and I had been an adult scouter and ASM for many years before taking on the job. The first year I was SM we didn't have OA elections - I didn't know I was supposed to request them and no one told me lol. Oops! Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ignorance! Make the direct offer with a case. Once they let you do one thing and you do it well, you will find they have no problems letting you do more! Probably. Hopefully! I empathize with your position. It's not an easy spot to be in or to get out of. You seem like a good leader, but sometimes that means feeling lonely and having the weight. This too shall pass and things will gradually get better. Scouting is also generational. It's a blessing and a curse. Next year you'll have new crossovers (probably) with new adults and you may find your people then. Or someone presenting a headwind to you today find themselves busier with work in a few months and their absence means the bad habits they championed also fade a bit. -
From what I can recall as a youth: I had a parent who was also a registered leader. At the troop level, it felt like the program was harder because I had one less adult to sign requirements. Parents were forbidden to approve their own child's requirements or sit in BOR. Neither my brother nor I made it close to Eagle. My father stayed in the program long after my brother and I left it for other activities. Now as an adult, I can speak from both experiences. I started as an adult of a Cub, where I could guide and encourage my young scout from the sidelines. Later on I became a den leader. Then my attention was on the entire den and I had to let go of the focus on my own scout. I feel like it led him astray some, but it also led him to be more self-guided. He is still in the BSA program. I have seen den leaders and their kids "burn-out" and leave. But I think it has to do more with the program, how it changes as the scouts age, and how the kids themselves grow. Not every scout is destined to Eagle. Some kids enjoy the Cub Scout program, but don't like the outdoors program focus in BSA. Some kids find a troop, never been a Cub, and they make excellent scouts. Everybody takes what they need from the program, as long as they find their way into the program to learn and grow. Everyone walks a different path. -
I'll offer my experience/observation at the Cub level, since my boys didn't continue past AOL. I was DL or ADL for both boys during their Cub years. Sometimes I felt bad during some activities due to not always being able to assist my boys while assisting other scouts/parents. I don't think that's the reason neither decided to continue scouting but maybe/might/coulda been a better experience. On the plus side, both boys where always up to date on requirements & never late for meetings or campouts. -
I think it used to be policy to not convoy. Still it is best practice to avoid them. Even if you meet together and travel as a group, make sure each driver has directions and knows where the destination is. Drivers should be focused on the road, not trying to stay together in a convoy. Have a plan to communicate, whether it is by cell phone, walkie-talkie, whatever.
-
I would start talking to the other adults in the room. Do they like the program the way it is? If others think the program can improve they can help you. Do you know the CC succession plan? If I am CC and I have a SM that is absent every other week, I would be concerned. Are there registered ASMs/adults to keep 2-deep leadership? Or, you might have come across a group that thinks this is the way scouting goes, is happy with adults running the show, doesn't care for a strong PLC/patrol method... You will have to figure out if you can lead change in this group, or cut your losses and find a stronger unit.
-
-
Who's Online (See full list)