k3egl

On 6/12/2019 at 9:09 PM, RainShine said:

My son crossed over a year ago. I’m on the Committee and attend meetings and outings. It’s a real nice troop, 80 years old, solid reputation in the district. The Scoutmaster is a fine fellow with deep experience. He has forgotten more than I will ever know. The ASM’s are great and I like them personally. 20-some Scouts, we have a meeting once a week and an outing every month. Good retention, advancement is slow perhaps. Everything is fine. But…

I do not see Patrol method. Now, I have no prior Scouting experience so I wouldn’t know any different except I’ve been reading books and this forum. Apparently B-P said patrol method is not a thing, it’s the thing. I read Working the Patrol Method by Four Eagle Scouts, makes it sound like Patrol method is really significant. I’ve listened to podcasts and read the Troop Leader Guide and the Patrol Leader Guide. It’s one of the eight methods. So I think it’s supposed to be, you know, important.

But I just don’t see it in action. When the troops goes camping the Scouts are all mixed together. Until recently they didn’t know the names of their own patrols. They have to refer to a list at the back of the room to see who is in what patrol. I see young guys pursuing Scout rank get stuck on the Patrol requirement because they don’t know a yell or flag or even the name of their patrol. My sons patrol leader rarely attends meetings, never outings. He is never at the PLC. The SPL is a really impressive kid and certainly the Scouts look up to him. But you could hardly call what he is doing leading in any substantive way.

I brought up my concerns in winter and there was a little progress. At a couple campouts the guys cooked and ate and did KP by patrol. But there are no Patrol activities, no Patrol corner in troop meetings, no Patrol spirit.

I’ve observed that they self-select effortlessly into informal groups. It’s not that I’m that an oracle or something, one merely has to look to see it. It’s easy. My son and his friends hang out together (inside Scouting and outside Scouting). The other fellows - older guys - hang out together. No problem. Like at a Court of Honor, my son and his gang all sat at one table, the other guys at another table. At a recent camping event, my son and his gang all camped together, the other guys all camped together. But those gangs are not our Patrols.

I recently brought up concerns again and was told Yes it’s time for elections. The patrols will be reformed. The system is working. Oh. Okay.

So at the most recent PLC, the Scoutmaster says We should talk about xxxx and so we all started talking about that. The ASM goes to the whiteboard and starts sketching out what needs to happen for the next outing. The SPL has barely said a word. As the meeting is winding down I realize nothing is going to happen. So I whisper to the SPL, “what about elections?” He sits up straight and says out loud, “Oh, what about elections?” The ASM, who is still standing at the whiteboard, looks at us, looks at his notes on the whiteboard, then turns back to us and says, “Well it’s not going to happen right now”.  And that was that.

I thought with summer camp coming up now is the time. Reformulate the patrols, have elections, create flags and yells and skits and songs, get patches. Start creating those patrol identities, all that forming and storming and norming stuff. Just in time for camp, yeah let’s do this.

But apparently not. Shoot.

How is it going now?

On 7/23/2021 at 9:35 PM, le Voyageur said:

Camp Geronimo (Her run amo)has been sold, along with 10 acres  of land from their Heard Scout Pueblo..  Staffed  there in 64 (jr staff).  and went through my Ordeal at Heard. Always wanted to return,  it was an amazing camp located in Arizona’s Mongollon high country near Payson. As Geronimo was a merit badge camp, my focus on directing high adventure programs kept me away.  Maybe next year, provided they do a lease, might see if a Unit is short on the two deep leadership side of the coin...

Geronimo will be open for summer camp in 2022. Sales take a long time

On 11/30/2021 at 8:54 AM, MikeS72 said:

When did you staff at Boxwell?

I attended as a youth from approx. '67 - 71; and staffed at Camp Stahlman in 72, 73, & 74.  Did my Ordeal, Brotherhood, & Vigil there, along with Wood Badge.

Mike, I attended camp there from '75 to '81, staffed Camp Craig as an adult in '91. I was very active in OA; served as Lodge Vice Chief in '81-82.

I had the opportunity to visit the Program area during the recent Boxwell Staff reunion. They had a busy summer camp and participation was good. It was really fun to see the creative way that the staff had built pods for teaching home repair, plumbing, welding, etc. And my heart swelled to see Camp Parnell resurrected and scheduled for further development to support these program offerings!

@Mr Ed T24 there is nothing wrong with coaching the PL on strategies to get everyone to meet the advancement requirement. But beyond that you should wait for requests for further help.

Best of luck in serving these young men!

Scott 

Gentlemen and Ladies,

I want to personally apologize for the difficulties you have described. I have been a member of the OA since 1979 and in 4 different councils and lodges. While I have experienced some variations in both election scripts and call out ceremonies, I have never experienced the level of incompetence you have mentioned.

The organization has evolved over the years and after much reflection I believe all of the changes have been for the better. That  some folks have strayed so far is alarming and require some intervention from the professional staff. Please ask them to become involved.