bnelon44

I like the idea of focusing more on the patrols and not metioning the SM and SPL ... thinking maybe I could make the first 1/2 or more just about the patrols and get into the troop, SM, SPL later when talking about training. Should really be 2 presentations, and may cut it in 1/2 and make 2. Not sure I have time to do that though, we will see how the day progresses. Now I need to go to Home Depot

The drawing is of a troop meeting. The Scouts were doing the training. Nothing really for a SM to do except watch until the SM minute time period

Actually, the advertised presentation was: Patrol method and Teaching youth leadership So I do need to keep that part in. Sorry I didn't explain that before. Also need to change the title slide to show the whole scope of the presentation. I have 2 hours. With questions, and discussion, I suspect the number of slides are about right but you may be right and there are too many topics trying to be covered during that period. I am presenting to such a very wide range of people. The key thing about them is that they are all adults who are very interested in their troops and willing to spend a Saturday morning bringing Scouts to a merit badge day. They have the option to sit in my class or read a book or work on their computers or whatever else they want to do. So the ones attending the class are interested in the topic. The triangle stays. It shows that amount of direction the adult leaders contribute at different stages and more mature the group the less direction is needed. The idea is to phase it out, not go cold turkey on 11 year olds and tell them that the PM doesn't work because they don't know by instinct how to pack a patrol box. I know there are SMs out there that think you don't have to do any direction at all, even with new Scouts, but that isn't what the BSA teaches. Yea, I am the "by the book" type. Anyway, it is time for me to rehearse it and see how long it really is. I do appreciate the input. It is much better to have an honest critique than to struggle through an ill prepared presentation the day of the class. Don't get me started on the Trainer's EDGE class. (This message has been edited by bnelon44)

OK, made some changes based upon the feedback

Thanks, I will take your advice to heart. The people who will be sitting in front of me will have a wide variety of experience in Scouting (and some agendas) Many will have taken some training already.

Thank you very much, that is the kind of input I need. I have updated the PPT and included more pics also moved some of the verbage to the notes sections to retain the information.

Thanks for the input! The Patrol Method PDF is what I hand out when I teach SM Specific. I talk about the Patrol Method and hand that out and the Patrol Method Checklist for the students to read at their leasure. We only have something like 45 min during SM Specific to discuss specifically what the Patrol Method is. This slide show is for a class I will give on the Patrol Method and teaching Jr. Leaders. I have 2 hours for the class. That is why there are so many slides. And yea, not a lot of pictures. If you have a presentation on the Patrol Method, I would be interested in seeing it.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Don't know about what Green Bar Bill would have thought about it. After all, he wrote a 1,000 page SM Handbook to introduce the Patrol Method Not doing it for a ticket. We offer a class at merit badge days and University of Scouting on the subject. That prompted the creation of the slides. Challenging the Scouts to experiment with organizational changes might work. Might not. Haven't tried it. Not sure I would recommend something I hadn't tried.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Scoutstuff.org has a note Item is temporarily unavailable Anticipated in-stock: 5/11/2011 Since it is past that date, I assume it will be available soon. When this happens it normally means a new printing... maybe some changes.

I have created a new Patrol Method Training Presentation here: http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/Patrol_Method.ppt'>http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/Patrol_Method.ppt Comments welcome The other patrol method tools are here: http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod (This message has been edited by bnelon44)(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

The purpose of the Guide to Safe Scouting is to prepare members of the Boy Scouts of America to conduct Scouting activities in a safe and prudent manner. The policies and guidelines have been established because of the real need to protect members from known hazards that have been identified through 100 years of experience. Limitations on certain activities should not be viewed as stumbling blocks; rather, policies and guidelines are best described as stepping-stones toward safe and enjoyable adventures. All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Boy Scouts of America policies and guidelines. The Guide to Safe Scouting provides an overview of Scouting policies and procedures rather than comprehensive, standalone documentation. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities. In situations not specifically covered in this guide, activity planners should evaluate the risk or potential risk of harm, and respond with action plans based on common sense, community standards, the Boy Scout motto, and safety policies and practices commonly prescribed for the activity by experienced providers and practitioners. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx In the past, the Guide to Safe Scouting has been a unit leaders guide for activities. This new version addresses other activities at the council and district levels. While some of the literature provides guidance for district and council activities, the primary focus is for unit leaders conducting unit activities. http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/HealthandSafety/Alerts/Guide%20to%20Safe%20Scouting.aspx The Boy Scouts of America general liability policy provides coverage for a bodily injury or property damage claim that is made and arises out of an Official Scouting Activity. The Guide to Safe Scouting contains a listing of Unauthorized and Restricted Activities. Unauthorized activities are not considered Official Scouting Activities. Volunteers (registered and unregistered), Units, Chartered Organizations and Local Councils are jeopardizing insurance coverage for themselves and their organization by engaging in unauthorized activities. PLEASE DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Alerts/Insurance.aspx

I investigated the ages and a little more info in the list of deaths in the last 5 years. Here is the list of deaths: 1. Ian Joshua Miller, 2010, Coudersport, Pa. Sledding: head injury; age 12 2. Corey Buxton, 2010, Zion National Park, Utah. Hiking: lost, hyperthermia; age 17 3. Anthony Alvin, 2010, Gemini Bridges, Utah. Hiking: trying to leap from one rock formation to another; age 18 4. Michael Sclawy-Adelman, 2009, Big Cypress National Preserve, Fla. Hiking: heatstroke; age 17 5. Timothy Nunn, 2009, Philmont Scout Ranch, N.M. Hiking: heart failure; age 14 6. David Campbell, 2009, Arkansas River, Colo. Rafting: drowned; age 49 7. Craig McCuistion, 2009, Snake River, Wyo. Rafting: drowned; age 50 8. Daniel Fadrowski, 2009, Peach Bottom Township, Pa. Scuba diving: Heart attack; age 56 9. Luis Alberto Ramirez Jr., 2008, Yosemite National Park, Calif. Hiking: fall; age 16 10. Payden Sommers, 2008, Tar Hollow State Park, Ohio. Hiking: hyperthermia; age 11 11-14. Aaron Eilerts; age 14, Ben Petrzilka; age 14, Josh Fennen; age 13, Sam Thomsen; age 13, 2008, Little Sioux Scout Ranch, Iowa. Camping: tornado 15. Finn Terry, 2008, Clackamas River, Ore. Canoeing: drowned; age 11 16. Sean Whitley, 2008, Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation, N.J. Camping: burns from campfire; age 17 17. Caleb Williams, 2008, Little Sahra National Recreation Area, Utah. Camping: tunnel collapse; age 12 18. Tyler Shope, 2007, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, Penn. Camping: hit by falling totem pole; age 9 19. Thomas Fogarty, 2006, Portsmouth, N.H. Parade: fell off float; age 9 20. Paul Ostler, 2005, Camp Steiner, Utah. Camping: struck by lightning; age 15 - sleeping 21. Jeffrey Lloyd, 2005, Adams County, Idaho. Camping: fell from zipline; age 17 no harness or helmet 22. Luke Sanburg, 2005, Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. Backpacking: fell into river while attempting to push logs into river, drowned; age 13 23. Chase Hathenbruck 2005, Animas River, N.M. Rafting: drowned; age 15 24-27. Ronald Bitzer; age 58, Mike Lacroix; age 42, Michael Shibe; age 49, Scott Powell; age 57; 2005; Ft. A.P. Hill, Va. Camping: electrocution large tent poll they were setting up hit power line 28-29. Ryan Collins; age 13, Steve McCullagh; age 29 2005, Sequoia National Park, Calif. Backpacking : lightning 30. Kelly Beahan, 2005, Joseph A. Citta Scout Reservation, N.J. Camping: hit by falling tree; age 8 - girl 31. Nicholas Johs, 2005, Atlantic Ocean, N.J. Boating: struck by propeller; age 14 32. Matthew Johnson, 2005, Chugach National Forest, Alaska. Backpacking: hit by falling tree; age 37 - sleeping

IMHO, the old JLT was heavy on team building and leadership skills and light on what the Scouts need to do to do their jobs. The current TLT is heavy on job descriptions and goal setting and light on team building and leadership skills. So why not combine them?

Oak Tree, As far as I know National never published the requirements. Someone working on the task force published a preliminary version of the requirements to a mailing list, and it was copied a number of times.

jeff-o, These are official merit badges. I think national's position on all official merit badges is that no one can add to or delete from the requirements that national publishes. If National hasn't published requirements, there is no way anyone can earn the badge. Your DE and Council should not have given you the badges yet.

From the comments scouting magazine said a Scout can earn one of these badges in an afternoon. From what I saw of the draft requirements, I agree.

Update: BSA Historic Merit Badge Program You may have heard rumors that the Historic Merit Badge Program has been canceled. Not true. What is true is that the BSA is putting finishing touches on the program now, and the end result will be well worth the wait. The Youth Development team plans to release the program soon, and once that happens, it will consist of much more than just adding Signaling, Tracking, Pathfinding, and Carpentry to 2010's list of available merit badges. The team wants today's Scouts to get a sense of what Scouts in the 1910s experienced. They want Scouts to earn the merit badges in ways similar to those used by Scouts back then. The world has changed drastically in 100 years, but the fundamental lessons of these merit badges have not. In the spirit of being green and making the program accessible, you won't be able to get printed materials for the merit badges. Instead, have your Scouts go to scouting.org. They'll have access to scans of the original pamphlets for each of the four historic merit badges. However, because the language and techniques used in those badges comes from the early 20th century, the BSA has been hard at work crafting supplements that will help put the requirements in a modern context. The site also offers program implementation guide, a camporee guide, a Boy Scout resident camp guide, a training session guide, press releases, and other materials that councils, districts, and units can use to promote the program. From Scouting Magazine: http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/03/update-bsa-historic-merit-badge-program.html

Note: Outdoor Leader Training does not currently teach the Patrol Method and a new syllabus will be coming out this Spring that merges Webelos, Boy Scout, Varsity and Venturing Outdoor Leader Skills Training into one IOLS course. The Patrol Method will *not* be taught in the course because it will be a "one size fits all" course. Note that currently, what happens in a Patrol Meeting and what a Patrol Leader's job is, outside of following what the PLC wants to do, is not covered in SM Specific training.

Engineer61, I have seen a lot of troops that are being run in the Patrol Method where the Patrol Leader sticks around for a year or so in the job. There isn't a lot of turn over. Yea, the SPL and ASPL and other officers might change every 6 months, but the Patrol Leader doesn't. *If* your running your program through, not around, the Patrol Leaders, then you should see less chaos and more organization. That is one difference between the Patrol Method and the so called "Troop Method" and on reason why we should be teaching the Patrol Method to new Scoutmasters, not the "Troop Method." my 2-cents

Hillcourt's Patrol Method checklist for Scoutmasters in the Handbook for Scoutmasters 1936, is here: http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/ThePatrolMethod.pdf

Twocubdad, a Roundtable session would make the most sense. And as a handout to Scoutmasters or perhaps a newsletter article. Barry, the outline was the first step at cutting it down to bullet points. I think your ideas of a checklist is a good one. I will see what we can do. Hillcourt had a few good checklists if I remember correctly maybe they can be updated? Let me look into it.

Barry, Right now both.

Our training staff is looking at ways of teaching the Patrol Method to new Scoutmasters using the existing BSA training materials and manuals. We have developed an outline of supplimental material that we can insert into SM Specific training. We would like some feedback on our efforts. Comments? Teaching the Patrol Method in the Troop - course outline http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/TeachingthePatrolMethodoutline.doc Teaching the Patrol Method in the Troop - handout http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/TeachingthePatrolMethodintheTroop.doc

Suggestions of inexpensive GPS units that work well?

My advice is to take Webelos training and the Webelos Outdoor Leader Skills training or the Outdoor New Leader Skills Training, whichever your district offers. You are going to be a Webelos leader, not a Scoutmaster. Embrace that role. Webelos is an outstanding program for boys your son's age. Utilize it to the fullest and your son and your Den will will love it! When you guys are ready for Boy Scouting (in about 2 years), go to Scoutmaster Specific training. There is plenty of time.