ASM Advancement Training

[Twocubdad]

With the new Scouts just crossing over with a handful of new ASMs, I'd like to do a quick, 10-15 minute refresher course for our ASMs on how to handle advancement. We're getting better, but I really want our leaders to tighten up on the Scouts' proficiency before passing them on T-2-1 requirement.

 

For example, on of the points I always make is to put some space between instruction and testing. If I teach you a square knot and walk you through it step-by-step, then you immediately parrot it back to me, you know necessarily "know" the skill. If you can come back tomorrow, or next week, and tie the knot, then you know it.

 

What other similar points would you include?

 

 

[Buffalo Skipper]

I think that ASMs should definately have this knowledge. But the most important target of this should be your scouts. They are the ones who should be signing off advancement, so they must know the standard you expect.

[John-in-KC]

Are they current on Scoutmaster Specific and Outdoor Leadership for Scouters?  Is their BSA Swim Test current? If they're going to be looking at lifeguarding skills, is their BSA Lifeguard in order?  Are they absolutely current on every T-2-1 advancement task?

Or even better,

LET THE SPL DECIDE (under your mentorship) WHAT YOUTH WILL SIGN OFF ON T-2-1 ADVANCEMENT.

ASM's can overwatch for quality control.

[Twocubdad]

For right now, only the ASMs and Troop Guides are authorized to sign off on requirements. Although this may be the year we change that. In the past we've just not had the horses to pull it off. I would want to do more detailed training for the youth before going that route, however.

 

The adults, even the new guys, are trained to position and know the skills. This is just a refresher and an effort to raise the bar a bit for acceptable performance standards.

[John-in-KC]

Get the adults out of the business of signing off T-2-1. They can overwatch the Instructors, SPL, ASPL and TGs.

 

The exceptions:

 

Second class 8a:

8a. Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family. Parental signoff imo.

 

First class 5:

5. Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, �principal, teacher) your constitutional rights and obligations as a U.S. citizen. The person with whom the Scout has the discussion (and note, none of these are defined as youth members or unit serving Scouters in their Scouting position) should do the signoff imo.

[dg98adams]

When our Troop was small the SM signed everything.

Now that we have 30-35 Scouts, the SM & 3 of the ASM's sign off.

All the ASM's are familiar with the T-2-1 sequence, and we regularly expect the Troop guides to follow it.

 

We are all trying to be on the same page....and rarely will we instruct/teach a skill and sign it off right after it was demonstrated...unless, it eally did not require 100% instruction. Minor assistance (hands off) in a demonstration is just like the Scout looking in his book. In fact, we all like to see the Scout show another Scout if possible.

 

We remind them all the time to carry the book and use it instead of saying, "I know how I did it, but I don't remember right now".

 

The better answer is, "let me check the book to get a quick refresh".....

 

 

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

[Eagledad]

What ever you teach them, work to make all the instruction consistent between the teachers so that they are role modeling a style of teaching for the scouts. And, since you eventually plan to hand the responsibility over to the scouts, your instruction to the ASMs should be the same one you plan to give the scouts. For example, our troop does something like this for our adults and scout:

 

1.Introduce yourself.

2.Tell them what you are going to teach.

3.Hold up the resource of what you are going to teach so they know where to find it. (Scout handbook, MB book, other)

4.Demonstrate the skill so that they can see it first.

5.Have them follow along with you if they can the second time you demonstrate the skill.

6.Have them practice the skill as you observe.

7.Sign them off when you are convinced they know the skill.

"Important:" Sign off with your full name and dont forget the date.

 

Im not suggesting that use that list, it is only an example of how we teach all our adults and scouts. Try to do something very easy, very basic and very repeatable. Its interesting, but you will find that scouts who have seen this style of teaching repeated through experience will be able to do it themselves when given the opportunity.

 

By the way, we were taught this style back at the old Wood Badge.

 

Barry

 

[John-in-KC]

Funny, when we talked about teaching skills at our WB (and I am 21C, and yes, it was during our own time with our TG), that was the general outline of training we used.

 

BTW, that also is a part of how I was taught to train by Mother Army.