Quote on Outdoor Program from 3rd Handbook for Scoutmasters - 1945

[Forever-A-Scout 10]

New to this forum and my first post, but not to Scouting. Have been throughly enjoying reading about "how it was done" from some 1930s/1940s Scoutmaster Handbook(s). Saw this quote and will be taking it to our Troop and Troop Committee next month:

 

"...the Troop meetings are leading to the climax of each month: the outdoor adventure. The Troop program consists of outings supported by Troop meetings, rather than of Troop meetings with occasional outings thrown in as supplementary features." - Vol. 2 of the "Handbook for Scoutmasters" page 602 (1945)

 

F.A.S.

[SeattlePioneer 144]

The main focus of my program was on the monthly outing, with Troop a troop meeting to recover from the last camping trip and a couple of meeting to get ready for the next one.

 

There were more to the meetings than just outings, but they were a main core purpose of the meetings.

[packsaddle 753]

Yeah, that's the way I remember it too.

But look on the bright side, someday we'll be dead and today's version will be those memories. Have a nice day!

[Eagledad 2777]

Our troop did two annual planning sessions each year where the PLC first picked a theme for each month, then a campsite location for that theme. The whole month is planned around the theme. That is how we taught it at our then Council youth leadership development course, JLTC.

 

Barry

[vol_scouter 365]

That is the modus operandi for my troop as well. Everything centered on the outings.

 

Pack, that is such a cheery comment. Let's hope that there is a BSA and they are still going camping in 50 years.

[desertrat77 1144]

Packsaddle, got a chuckle from your comment....

 

I don't have fond memories about scouting as presented in my first scout handbook, 1974...even as a Tenderfoot, I thought it was pretty light on outdoors stuff. Then I read a couple prior editions and that confirmed it.

 

Next edition, the Green Bar Bill revival, yes, very happy days reading that one. Traditional scouting was back.

[Alabama Scouter 14]

Meetings are chaotic without having an event to plan for, the theme to build on, the work to get ready for it. That is the reason my troop MUST camp every month, otherwise the meetings are boring.

 

I knew this was the case before I read this quote, but it confirms what I've know for 5 years as SM. The outdoor program is the motor of the program. Without it, you're not going anywhere.