Chosen to be the Scoutmaster of a new troop

[mashmaster 783]

I'm excited and extremely nervous about being picked to be the Scoutmaster of a brand new troop of 12 boys.  Any sage advice for me in this venture?  I look forward to seeing the boys excel in their scouting adventure.

[Stosh 3452]

You are where I was 4 years ago.  I had 1 boy to start with and so you have a nice head start.  Biggest problem is the lack of leadership of older boys which means you will need to focus on developing a solid basis for leadership at an age that most people tell you it can't be done.  Don't listen to them, it can be done.  Treat the boys like they are 14 year olds and let them step up to the plate,  They can and will do it.

[mashmaster 783]

You are where I was 4 years ago.  I had 1 boy to start with and so you have a nice head start.  Biggest problem is the lack of leadership of older boys which means you will need to focus on developing a solid basis for leadership at an age that most people tell you it can't be done.  Don't listen to them, it can be done.  Treat the boys like they are 14 year olds and let them step up to the plate,  They can and will do it.

Thanks.  The nice thing is that we are starting with a mix of 1st years, 2nd years , and 4th years.  Just a couple from each age group so at least we aren't all 1st years.

 

I have more faith in them than me.  I expect that I will learn a lot.

Edited December 1, 2016 by mashmaster

[fred johnson 936]

Continually recruit.  

Get used to stepping aside so the scouts can run their own program.  ... but support (help, encourage, ...) them to make it a fun interesting program.  

[qwazse 4344]

Get the CC to rally the parents for you.

Commit to training. Tell the boys you expect them to do the same.

You've seen on this blog that there is plenty of good advice for nearly every problem an SM has had.

[krypton_son 32]

Congrats, that's quite an honor.  You'll do great.

[Eagledad 2779]

one thing I found in common with the better Scoutmasters is they read a lot from the founders of scouting. Powell, Hillcourt and so forth.

 

Barry

[David CO 1783]

Do I have any sage advice?  Sure.  Always use sage stuffing with your turkey.

[MattR 2659]

Make time to have fun and tell the scouts when they do a good job. This may sound simple but while you're trying to deal with all the details you can lose the forest in the trees.

[KenD500 77]

Have a plan.  Share it with your ASMs.  If no ASMs, recruit some.

 

Sometimes, you'll do too much.  Sometimes, you'll do too little.  It's a learning process.

 

Freely admit your mistakes to the Scouts.

 

Do your best.

[DadScouts 41]

Best advice I got early on as a head coach.  Young boys will go overboard to please and accept challenges.  Tell them what you want them to do, always ask something just a tad above their perceived ability and they will try like heck to accomplish the task and succeed, for you as much as for them.  SMART goals are never a bad idea.  

[mashmaster 783]

Thanks everyone.  I am feeling a little better today.  My wife didn't kill me when I told her.   Time to put the woodbadge training to use :-)   

[Ankylus 52]

Never been in your shoes. But if I found myself there, I think I would (1) start developing best practices with respect to conduct of troop business, (2) get everyone involved in recruiting, and (3) develop a good, strong calendar well ahead of time so scouts and their families can plan.

 

With respect to (1), this encompasses several things. For example, you need to establish and define the relationship between the SMs and the Committee as well as the troop and the CO. I know that Scouting already has a plan for all that, but sometimes the implementation is difficult to comport with theory because people are involved. You also need to make sure you have a budget, and that the money and the financial records are discussed at every committee meeting. You need to establish procedures for keeping and maintaining all manner records, from financial to troop equipment to advancement. You also need to develop processes for advancement, including expectations.

 

With respect to (3), you can set dates and things, but make sure the youth pick the themes and make the other plans. But it really helps for the scouts and their parents to block out certain weekends for campouts, for example, or high adventure. Don't be afraid to ask others to contribute. This will also force you to think about what activities you want the troop to participate in. District Camporee? Annual Scout Fair? Anything with the OA? Summer Camp? High adventure?

 

I know a lot of this sounds daunting. You might try looking at the websites for some of the larger troops in your area and see how they handle some of these things. You might also visit them and ask questions.

[blw2 433]

This advice isn't sage

but my 2 cents

a couple good reads for any scouter IMHO, both new to get grounded or experienced to get refreshed....

BP's Aids To Scoutmastership

   can be read online here   http://scoutmastercg.com/aids-scoutmastership/

Clarke Green's "So Far So Good"

   https://scoutmastercg.com/get-clarkes-books/

 

and I would really focus on Patrols.... with everything happening at the patrol level

  I like the logic behind what Clarke Green said about one aim one method.... with the aim of building character and the method is the patrol method.    Encourage the scouts to do the stuff that scouts do and shield them from the rest of it....

[Stosh 3452]

The best part of the opportunity is..... wait for it...... nobody ever says, "We've never done it that way before!"

 

AND THAT IS THE BEST PART!