Sirjimmyg

I don't think involvement should be too much of an issue, but my idea was to make it voluntary. So that "another meeting" feeling shouldn't be that big of an issue. Am I being naive?

My first thought was to invite a few SPLs from other troops that I met to share ideas, but I think it'd be better if I could get it to be a district-wide event.

That leads me to my other question, should it be district or council-wide? Also, how would I present the idea to a committee? Would I just show up for a meeting?

This is just a thought I had.

During NYJLT and the SPL meetings at Summer Camp, I realized the benefits of gathering the boy leaders of different troops throughout the area. Wed compare methods of dealing with troop issues, favorite camping spots, etc. (Sort of like this forum)

These meetings were for reasons besides our conversations, so we didnt get time for anything too in-depth. So, I thought it would be cool, if SPLs (and their ASPLs maybe), had a meeting specifically for these types of conversations. Leading a troop is learned through experience; why not learn through the experiences of others?

My idea would be to pretty much get all these boy leaders (district, or maybe even council) in a room to discuss things, in a format similar to a PLC. Troops could even coordinate trips together there. It might even be an opportunity to extend boy leadership to levels beyond the troop; we could share our opinion on how the district and council is being run.

What does everybody think? Im not sure if this idea is any good, or even possible, so let me know.

Scotiacat,

I'm from the Pioneer Valley Council, Knox Trail District. Isn't it confusing how that have both KT District and Council?

Moses is a good camp and I would recommend it; we go there for summer camp. I wouldn't mind camping there for a troop campout, but it's also where our camporees are. We will probably go to Summer Camp there also.

We've thought about the Falcons scout night, but all the boys did it in cubs (multiple times). I've haven't heard about that speedway though; free is always a good thing.

Thanks again.

Thanks again guys. I was going to say I was suprised by your helpfulness, but then I remembered I was in a scouting forum (A scout is helpful).

johndaigler,

Thank you, but you're way too kind. Your experience (648 posts) shows that you probably have more posting knowledge than I do. (Then again, the idea of posting knowledge sounds sort of ridiculous)

Anyways, your suggestions were great, but the attitude of your post reminded me of something more important. Enthusiasm is contagious. If I go to the PLC with even half of your enthusiasm, I will probably have no trouble getting ideas from them.

scotiacat,

I tried the same thing; maybe I'll have to call them. I did find plenty of other campsites there. All this information should help though.

Thanks everybody. Scoutingagain, our troop is of moderate backpacking skill. We have a few of our more senior scouts who did a 50 miler (actually more like 60, due to a certain ASM's map reading error), on the Appalachian Trail last year, but also a lot of first and second year scouts. Your suggestion sounds great though, especially for an earlier in the year trip. I was wondering how I'd go about getting a campsite though, I am trying the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation website; although it shows Mt. Washington State Forest; it doesn't show where I can camp there. If anyone else can help me out, the website is: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/mwas.htm

As far as I know, OA sashes are usually only worn for OA events. Our troop has always handled the cross-overs, so nobody wears sashes. At least, as far as I can remember. The only situation I can think of where an arrowman would wear the sash at a non-OA function is if he was representing the OA, but I'm not sure.

Thank you. I think I'll be able to use most of your suggestions in your troop. I think I now pretty much know how to run the planning meeting itself, but I was wondering if any of you had some original ideas for program content. I know the PLC will be able to plan a good program; I'd just like some ideas to get the ball rolling.

I feared I might sound arrogant when I wrote my post, but the old SPL has himself admitted that he wanted the job only to feel superior. It's a bit hard to condense a situation which had taken several years to happen in one post. This SPL would demand scouts to eat pine needles. Although he was often ignored in these situations, his outbursts of rage afterwards often drove some to obey. I once had a conversation with him where he likened the scout troop to a kingdom and the boys to his army. Perhaps I did exaggerate a bit by saying "stupid egomaniac" etc. so ,but I am still angry that anyone could cause so much trouble for the troop only to make himself feel powerful. Thanks for humbling me.

I laughed when you called me a go-getter, however. I was sort of pushed in to the job as SPL. I was surprised at my election because my opponent (not the old SPL) was campaigning a lot, whereas I was just focusing on keeping things running smoothly until the election. Wow, I've rambled on. All of this stuff really doesn't matter any more, but I thought it might help you understand the situation.

I haven't had the planning meeting yet, but I'm just "doing my homework." The ideas I have so far for campouts are:

-One in-town campout in September

-A canoeing trip

-A deep-sea fishing trip

-A winter tenting or Adirondack shelter

-A cabin winter trip

-Our annual fun and games night

-Running a district camporee

-Going to camporees

-Backpacking, with a possible 50 miler (depending on interest)

I have more ideas, but I'm going to see what the PLC has to offer first.

Outside campouts, I have a few ideas for the yearly program. Most are changes according to things specific to our troop (Patrol formations, Troop equipment etc.) But, I was thinking about trying a month-long patrol competition in September. Each patrol would be awarded points according to performance on campouts and games. Points would also be awarded for scout-like behavior and spirit, points subtracted for un-scoutly behavior. A prize would be awarded at the end of the month. What do you guys think? Has anybody's troop done anything else like this?(This message has been edited by Sirjimmyg)

Please?

I forgot to mention that the pack does put on it's own crossover ceremony during the Blue and Gold banquet, but the ceremony is (for the lack of a better word) boring and adult-centered. I'd like to do something in front of the pack, but the Cubmaster and other adult leaders there haven't been very receptive to the troop's suggesstions before. The adult volunteers in the Cub Scout pack also tend to treat 2yr Webelos as the end of Scouting. They like to treat the pack as a independent body unattached from the troop. I could try doing something with them, but I think the affect of a boy-run ceremony around a roaring fire, on a hill beside a bubbling stream would get the boys a bit more excited about entering a boy-led troop.

Thanks a lot for your ideas, keep them coming! The OA ceremonies team sounds like an option, but the OA lodge in my area is rather unorganized. The old lodge chief who kept everything running became a section chief, and then the region chief, things started falling apart. The troop has sent boys to different OA events recently. They have been chaotic at best, non-existent at worst. About 3 boys went up to the council reservation for a fellowship weekend; when they arrived there was nobody there. After calls to many people involved in the lodge, it was discovered that the event had been canceled due to a lack of planning on the lodge leadership's part. The ceremonies team which has been known to pick roles for Ordeal ceremonies minutes beforehand. Sorry for the rant, but I'm still not sure if I can trust them to even show up.

I can use some of the ideas though. Our ceremony happens in late March, so I might need an alternate indoors ceremony. (I'm in the Northeast, there is still the possibility, although unlikely, of snow)

Cubmaster Jerry, the most important thing you can do for your 2yr Webelos is prepare and excite for Boy Scouts. Point out the differences. Boy Scouts suffers from the reputation of being overgrown cub scouts; 14 year olds doing arts and crafts. We all know this is untrue, but it's important to show the boys a taste of the coming adventure. By the time the boys are 2yr Webelos, they are a little sick of Cub Scouting. If they expect Boy Scouts to be similar to Cub Scouts, why would they join the troop? Give the boys some time in the outdoors, if only for just a few hours, and tell them of all the great times they will have in Boy Scouts. Get them to join the troop after cross-over and your program has been a success.

Our troop does have a few den chiefs, but I think the den leaders and using them more as go-fers than as leaders.

Practice and Planning is part of my plan. In years past, there has been minimal practice. This year, I'm considering creating a Ceremony committee and open it up to all interested. Our troop right now has more willing and capable people than patrol/troop offices, so I figured creating the committee would also be a way of involving some boys who want some more responsibility. The "committee" would also, once the ceremony is set, pick their roles and practice regularly.

As far as actual ceremony specifics, I have a few ideas. We have a campsite in town which I think would work pretty well for a ceremony. There is a winding path across farmland up a hill that leads into woodland. There is a stream that rushes below, so there are some good vantage points. I have a particular cliff-like landform above the stream in mind that I think would work well.

I've looked at a few different ceremonies, but I was thinking of basing the ceremony on building a fire. Starting with the tinder, representing the scouts, un-lit by the fire of scouting but with the potential to flame. Then with kindling, the other boys in the troop, who will keep your spirits high. Then with the smaller fuel, representing outdoor expierences which will teach you lessons that will bring scouting spirit to life. Finally, the logs, the Oath and Law, the ideals which will continue to sustain the flame throughout a scout's lifetime.

What do you mean OA Indian ceremonies? I'm only a ordeal member, so I've only seen the ceremonies invovled with the ordeal. I'm not sure if the OA should be a part of ceremony though. I'd like the boys to be excited about the troop and scouting first, so they can earn acceptance to the Order.

This year my troop recieved and retained about 8 cub scouts. After about 5 months they are now fully accepted and participating troop members. However, it took them a while to make the actual transition from a adult-led program to a boy-led program. Some had issues at first with taking directions from other boys and cooking/cleaning for the patrol on campouts. Not that they weren't capable, but because they didn't understand the responsibilities of being a patrol member and a boy scout. They still expected Boy Scouts to be a lot like Cub Scouts. I think part of this was because of a rather slow introduction to the troop. First, my ASPL made a few visits to the pack, but let his father (the SM) do most of the talking (giving the cubs the idea that adults were "in charge") Then, the cubs made visits to the troop, where I greeted them as SPL and tried to get them excited about scouting. During the actual meeting they worked on requirements for Scout. Before their cross-over they participated in our annual fun and games night, which as it sounds is all fun and games. We spend a night in our chartered church playing board games, cards etc. and eating pizza. I think this also led them to believe that adults were in charge, as they ordered and delivered the pizza. (There's not an awful lot of oppurtunity for boy-leadership outside of planning on fun and games night.) I missed the cross-over ceremony due to a family obligation, but my ASPL (the master of ceremonies for the cross-over) admitted it was a mess, where the adults had to step in periodically.

This year, I'd like to change all that. I will start by going to the pack personally and talking to the cubs. When they hear that they are in charge, they do get excited. So, in addition to talking up camping, I'll get them excited about the independence Scouting provides. During their visits to the troop, they will be placed with patrols temporarily and participate as a patrol member. To make the transition to Boy Scouts a more specific event, I want to plan a more formal outdoor ceremony. I have a few things in mind, but I'd like everybody on the forums ideas before I talk to my PLC.

Hello, I am the SPL of a boy-led troop in Western Massachusetts, near the Connecticut border. I have served for about 5 months.

The troop was in decline (general chaos) when I was elected because of a lack of leadership. The core group of older boys were now 17, and starting to spend less time in scouting (as expected). The old SPL was replaced by a young egomaniac who wanted the position without the responsibilty. Our troop suffered losses during his short term, not only in membership, but in dignity. I was never sure whether it was better when he was leading us (even though, he led us to do completely stupid things) or when he was ignoring the troop altogether. I was ASPL during his term and I trained the new PLs (some of them first-year scouts) to lead their patrols, in spite of the SPL's stupidity. In the last weeks of the SPL's term he realized the chaos he was causing and stopped showing up most of the time.

I was elected, by a sizable majority, in the next election. My primary goal after stability was leadership development. During the few weeks afterwards, I restored order to prepare for the up-coming Webelos. We recieved one of the largest groups of new boys we've had in a while, and retained all but one. Our reputation in the council is growing and we are now drawing boys from the collasping troops in our area. We have about 30 members, 20 active, and 3 patrols. We camp monthly. I am now confident in our troop's ability to pull almost anything off, and I am planning on putting together a strong program for 2005. I would like your input.

I once read a quote from Baden Powell, it was something along the lines of 'The Patrol Method isn't just one way of running a scout troop, it is the only way.' If the boys elect a bad leader, they will realize it, and not re-elect that scout. In my troop, we had a decent SPL who ran the troop for many terms. When he became too old, another one was elected because he was the only one the youngest scouts knew who ran. He was an awful leader; within fifteen minutes two-thirds of the troop wanted him to resign (no exaggeration). The situation was calmed down by his ASPL (me). Although I agreed he was an awful leader, he was elected, and there was a lesson to be learned. The SPL stopped showing up for awhile, and when he did come he left his responsibilities to me. When the next election came I was elected with a vast majority. Although our troop suffered a little slump, we have revived and ended up better than before. No one has ever died due to an incompetent SPL, elections are a essential lesson in leadership.