{"id":1505,"date":"2015-12-02T10:22:36","date_gmt":"2015-12-02T18:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/?p=1505"},"modified":"2015-12-02T10:50:56","modified_gmt":"2015-12-02T18:50:56","slug":"is-troop-100-seattle-truly-boy-led","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/?p=1505","title":{"rendered":"Is Troop 100 Seattle Truly a Boy-Led Troop?"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Troop 100, we continually emphasize that we are “boy-led”, but are we? I came across a fantastic article written as a University of Scouting Arts Ph.D. Thesis by Paul H. Scudder, Troop 50 Sarasota, Florida 2009<\/a> regarding Boy-Led Troops. This should be required reading for Parents and Adult Leaders of Troop 100. \u00a0I think it’s an important question to continually challenge ourselves. The link to the article is above or you can read a copy of it below.\u00a0Reading this, I realize that I have myself been guilty of some “adult-led” actions. Can you find any of yours?<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h4>\n

Welcome!\u00a0 Whether you have just crossed over with your son from Cub Scouts or just joined Boy Scouts, we appreciate your enthusiasm and encourage your participation in the troop.<\/p>\n

The three Aims of Boy Scouting are character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness.\u00a0 To accomplish these aims, Scouting employs eight Methods: the ideals, the patrol method, the outdoors, advancement, association with adults, personal growth, leadership development, and the uniform.\u00a0 We encourage you to take the Boy Scout training to find out what we are trying to accomplish and how you can help.<\/p>\n

One of the major differences between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts is the very important Method:\u00a0 leadership development.\u00a0 In order to teach leadership, you have to let the boys actually, really lead.\u00a0 In fact, one of the more vigorous debates you can have in Scouting is over the feasibility of a boy-led troop.\u00a0 Some adult leaders will argue that while a boy-led troop is the BSA ideal, it is not possible in their particular troop for any or all of the following reasons: the boys are too young, too lazy, too irresponsible, immature or just not interested.<\/p>\n

A boy-led troop is more work for the adult leadership, and therein is the problem, and our need for your cooperation and help.\u00a0 It is so much easier for the adults to just take charge themselves than to teach the necessary leadership skills to teenagers.<\/p>\n

All Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are taught the basics of a boy-led troop and patrol as one part of Scoutmaster Specifics<\/a>.\u00a0 However, putting that training into practice is often difficult without a mentor in the troop.\u00a0 This guide will hopefully bridge the gap between theory and practice.\u00a0 The importance of a boy-led troop and the Patrol Method is emphasized in two chapters of the Scoutmaster\u2019s Handbook (replaced by Troop Leader Guidebook<\/a> [12\/2\/2015 update]; chapter 3 \u201cThe Boy-Led Troop\u201d starts with this strong statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cEmpowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. The boys themselves develop a troop program, set goals and then take responsibility for figuring out how they will achieve their goals.\u00a0 One of our most important challenges is to train boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching and support.\u00a0 The boys will make mistakes now and then and will rely upon the Scoutmaster and his Assistant\u00a0 Scoutmasters to guide them.\u00a0 But only through real hands-on\u00a0 experience as leaders can boys learn to really lead.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As mentioned before, perhaps the most common reason for the existence of adult-led troops is that it is easier for the adults to run things; they still may not run things well but it will be easier for the adults and that is what they care about most.\u00a0 This is typical of the so-called \u201ccamping clubs\u201d.\u00a0 Teaching leadership to boys is not easy and so the adults take the easy way out.\u00a0 A second common reason is that the adult leaders may be afraid of failure; more than giving the boys a chance to learn to lead the adults may prefer a smooth-running troop.\u00a0 A boy-led project will occasionally falter, even fall flat on its face, and adults may feel it necessary to take over to ensure success.\u00a0 There is little or no learning when adults do things for the boys.\u00a0 A third reason is that the troop may have adult leaders that do not delegate well, and do not wish to give up control.\u00a0 In fact, many agree the main barriers to a<\/u> boy-led troop come from the attitudes within the adults around them<\/u>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ideally, the Uniformed Leaders and enthusiastic parents work together<\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Always Rigidly Flexible<\/h5>\n

This guide is meant more as guidelines than actual rules.\u00a0 Just as every troop, scout, adult leader, and parent is different, what works best is not always the same.\u00a0 Also what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow.\u00a0 We do not want change for the sake of change, but to meet the changing needs of the troop (i.e., the scouts).<\/p>\n

Adults are there for the Boys<\/h5>\n

The adults need to keep in mind that we are here for the Scouts.\u00a0 In Scouting parents will meet others with similar values and goals for their children. Parents will build good friendships with the others and they can provide support and parenting suggestions.\u00a0 Scouting is a way to become a better parent through association with and the help of like-minded adults.\u00a0 However, adults should keep in mind that they are there for the boys and should try to not let socializing dominate.<\/p>\n

The Scoutmaster is in charge of the Troop – – but only to an extent<\/h5>\n

All parents should understand the structure of the troop.\u00a0 There is a \u201cchain of command\u201d within the youth leadership and also within the adult leadership.\u00a0 Parents must not interfere \u2013 or \u201chelp\u201d \u2013 with the youth chain of command.\u00a0 The whole point of<\/u> Boy Scouting is that the boys in positions of responsibility are the ones who run the<\/u> troop.<\/u><\/p>\n

The Scoutmaster has to have a final say as the ultimate adult leader of the troop, especially when it comes to matters of safety and the content and quality of the troop\u2019s scouting program.\u00a0 He needs to work together with his Assistants and certain other adults on the Troop Committee toward the boy-led goal.\u00a0 Parents who choose not to undertake the requisite training and wear the uniform should not question or contradict the Scoutmaster or one of his Assistants in front of the boys; or try to direct the boys or assign tasks to them, regardless whether or not the Scoutmaster or one\u00a0 of his Assistants is present.\u00a0 Guiding the boys is the job of the uniformed leaders who are committed to the boy-led goal.\u00a0 Planning, organizing, assigning tasks and<\/u> delegating is what the boy leaders do, not the parents.<\/u><\/p>\n

The well-intentioned but often misguided efforts by uninformed parents to help often break the youth chain of command; and undercuts the authority of the youth(s) who is responsible for assigning tasks and following up to see that they get done.<\/p>\n

The boys should understand that they have only as much authority as allowed by the uniformed adult leaders, especially the Scoutmaster; and need to show the appropriate respect for the adults in their lives.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Parent Involvement<\/h5>\n

Parent support and involvement is essential.\u00a0 Unlike the full parent involvement in Cub Scouts, parents are asked to become much less involved with their own child and more within the structure of the troop as a committee member or, better yet, an Assistant Scoutmaster.\u00a0 Very few parents come in to Boy Scouting with even a basic understanding of the program.\u00a0 To get all the parents on the same page and working toward the goals of Scouting, the Committee Chairman should ask them to take the on-line This is Scouting<\/strong> and Boy Scout Leader<\/strong> Fast Start training<\/strong>.\u00a0 Parents who desire direct involvement with the boys (such as going on a campout with the troop) must also take Youth Protection training <\/strong>to understand the behavior and commitment to protecting the boys, emotionally and physically, that the BSA requires of all Adults dealing with youths–whether or not they wear the uniform.<\/p>\n

Committee members should take the Troop Committee Challenge<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It may be useful for the Scoutmaster to occasionally meet with ALL parents to share his vision for a successful troop.\u00a0 The Troop Committee Chairman should actively seek to involve the parents in accomplishing the troop\u2019s goals so long as those parents understand it is not about their own child\u2014it is all about the troop.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Troop Committee<\/h5>\n

From Fast Start<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you haven’t been involved in Scouting, you may think that the whole organization is the Scoutmaster and the youth members.\u00a0 The truth is, the success of the troop depends on a lot of adult volunteers who work behind the scenes to make it all happen.\u00a0 The troop committee is like a steering committee\u2014 other adult volunteers who actually handle the business end of running the troop.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the Scoutmaster Handbook:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important responsibility of a troop committee is recruiting qualified adult leaders for the troop.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cThe Scoutmaster should be able to turn to the committee at any time for assistance, support, and encouragement.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The troop committee must step back and not try to run the troop.\u00a0 That is for the Scoutmaster (and his Assistants) to train the boys to do.
\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adult-led symptoms and impacts<\/h4>\n
Adults loudly asserting authority<\/h5>\n

Adults yelling at the boys in front of the troop is one characteristic of an adultled troop where the adults have not transferred authority to the youth. Yelling at the boys has a toxic effect on the supportive atmosphere we want to nurture in a troop.\u00a0 Scouting is a put-down free zone<\/u>.\u00a0 We use the Scout hand sign as a silent way to bring the troop to order for this very reason.<\/p>\n

Also, the boys never learn to lead if the adults dominate.\u00a0 The only time an adult should step in is if there is an immediate safety threat.\u00a0 Otherwise, there is time to work through the youth leadership chain of command.\u00a0 The only way for boys to learn leadership is to actually hand them the reins of power, with plenty of instruction of course.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adults jumping in with more enthusiasm than patience<\/h5>\n

Volunteers who take charge are usually a good thing except when they preempt the boys’ responsibilities.\u00a0 Of course it is hard to wait for a boy to do something that you could do better in much less time.\u00a0 However if you do something for someone, they will not learn the skill.\u00a0 Adults already know how (maybe); boys still need to learn.\u00a0 Scout meetings and outings should provide a hassle-free environment in which to learn and practice real leadership.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adults operating in Cub Pack mode<\/h5>\n

Parents crossing over with their boys can often feel more comfortable modifying slightly the structure they know from Cub Scouts than to adopt the changes demanded by a true boy-led Boy Scout program.\u00a0 They continue the parent-child authority structure and don\u2019t hand power over to the boys.\u00a0 They may pretend to involve the scouts but in fact try to manipulate the boys\u2019 decisions to match the parents\u2019 own goals rather than to what the boys wish.\u00a0 This leads to an extension of the parent-child relationship into the teen years when the youth should be starting the transition to independence.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adults enabling co-dependency<\/h5>\n

Parents of scouting age boys are often comfortable with the roles they have established with their young children; and they feel they have control to a measurable extent and do not wish that dynamic to change.\u00a0 They organize the program and the boys follow along.\u00a0 But the boys remain in a dependent role. Very young Scouts may be comfortable with a dependent role for a while.\u00a0 Adults feel useful and boys don’t have to put out much effort; in the short-term it is convenient for both.\u00a0 In these cases the troop probably operates like an adult-run camping club.\u00a0 But as the boys grow older, their lack of control of what is supposed to be their program begins to chafe.\u00a0 Inevitably they will turn away to other interests where they feel they have more freedom or more of a say.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adults contributing to older boy attrition<\/h5>\n

Boys can stay as dependents only so long before they rebel from imposed adult authority.\u00a0 Adults giving the boys more control over activities and outings can help solve an older boy attrition problem.\u00a0 Venture patrols or similar older boy patrols allow them to plan high adventure outings that increase retention.<\/p>\n

Scouting trains boys in life skills.\u00a0 Removing \u201cboy-led\u201d from the program removes an extremely important aspect of Scouting:\u00a0 leadership and teamwork.\u00a0 Boys need to practice team leadership in the safe environment that Scouting provides.\u00a0 Without this practice, they are less prepared to enter \u201creal life\u201d where mistakes may have significant consequences.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boy-led advantages\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Boys learn critical planning and organizational skills<\/h5>\n

Boys need to learn how to set achievable goals.\u00a0 For example, planning a canoe trip can start with \u201cSafety Afloat\u201d training<\/a> by an adult as an outline to make the boys aware of safety concerns.\u00a0 Including the boys in the process of planning the outing allows the adults to teach the logistics of planning: setting goals and objectives; breaking the project into smaller tasks and determine deadlines when they need to get done; assigning responsibilities to individual team members; putting the plan into action and tracking progress; evaluating the outcome and modifying the plan.\u00a0 There is always the need to check in with others on the project to see if all is going well.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boys learn to lead in a safe environment. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Leadership is not only knowing what you need to do to succeed but also knowing what to do if things go wrong.\u00a0 Before each boy-led activity, an adult leader should sit down with the boy leadership and go over their plan, to make sure that the boys are not set up for abject failure.\u00a0 The adult leaders are responsible for maintaining a non-confrontational environment by letting the boys know the adults support them, and will be available if needed.\u00a0 Adults minimize the fear of failure by maintaining a supportive environment.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boys learn from mistakes<\/h5>\n

It is hard to watch a process get done poorly, but if a boy-led troop meeting does not go as planned, there is no great loss.\u00a0 If a meal on a camp-out does not work out, it becomes a learning experience, a teachable moment to show how one responds to mistakes and still shows respect for others.\u00a0 It is very important to meet after each activity and outing with the boy leadership to help them conduct a [See Communication Skills Checklist, added by Troop 100 Seattle]\u00a0(SPL Handbook p. 97<\/a>).\u00a0 How could this activity have been done better?\u00a0 Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from learning from your mistakes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boys learn to lead others and work in teams. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Working well with others is perhaps the most important life skill that youth can learn.\u00a0 Boys gain confidence by being entrusted with power and in leading their peers.\u00a0 Section Six in the Senior Patrol Leader\u2019s Handbook talks about leadership styles and developing your team.\u00a0 The youth leader learns that their leadership style needs to change from Explaining, to Demonstrating, to Guiding, and finally to Enabling as the group develops into a working team (the Leading EDGE in SPL Handbook page 88-89).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boys learn respect when treated with respect<\/h5>\n

Adults should show respect by not interrupting or criticizing the youth leadership during a troop meeting, no matter how badly things may be going. Instead, the adults should praise youth leaders in public when they do well, which helps boost both their confidence and the troop\u2019s faith in them.\u00a0 If the troop believes in their Senior Patrol Leader, they will treat him with respect and listen to him more readily, which in turn makes the troop run more smoothly.\u00a0 The time for critique is after the meeting, in private.\u00a0 Sadly, it is much more difficult to build up confidence in others than to tear it down.\u00a0 The adults will earn the respect of the boys by their actions and example, not by demand.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Role of the Adult Leaders in a Boy-led Troop\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Follow the lead of the Scoutmaster<\/h5>\n

Just as the Scouts need to know that their SPL is in charge of the troop, and the members of a Patrol need to look to their Patrol Leader for guidance and direction, all adults need to know that the Scoutmaster is in charge!\u00a0 Scouts will follow the example of the adults, good or bad.\u00a0 Please criticize only when you can give a suggestion to correct the problem, i.e., a practical solution consistent with the goal of a boy-led troop.\u00a0 Otherwise it is nothing more than whining.\u00a0 This is crucial for the adults to follow as well as the Scouts.\u00a0 Adults should stand behind the Scoutmaster, not in front of him.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Train the Patrol Leader<\/h5>\n

This is especially necessary if the troop does not participate in District or Council youth training.\u00a0 The boys need to know what is expected of them.\u00a0 Often a troop will do BSA\u2019s Troop Leadership Training <\/strong>(BSA publication #34306A<\/a>) which has four sections.\u00a0 First is a section on how the Scoutmaster should train the Senior Patrol Leader.\u00a0 Then, ideally, the Scoutmaster and the SPL jointly train the rest of the boy leadership in three modules:<\/p>\n

Module One<\/strong> – Introduction to Troop Leadership (Know<\/strong>).\u00a0 The boy-led troop and boy-led patrol chapters in the Scoutmaster Handbook is discussed.\u00a0 The troop organization and overview of each position is next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Module Two<\/strong> – How to Do Your Job (Be<\/strong>).\u00a0 The Scoutmaster shares his vision of success.\u00a0 This is followed by a discussion of the teaching EDGE (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable) as the method used for teaching skills.\u00a0 Finally a troop progress discussion is held using the Start, Stop, Continue assessment tool.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Module Three<\/strong> – What is Expected of me (Do<\/strong>).\u00a0 This section focuses first on the position descriptions and expectations.\u00a0 The Scoutmaster then leads a discussion on Servant Leadership.\u00a0 It closes with defining success in your position, the scout setting between 3 and 5 mutually-agreed personal goals and, eventually, a Scoutmaster Conference during which the scout\u2019s leadership is discussed and assessed.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mentor the Patrol Leader<\/h5>\n

Leadership mentoring must continue beyond the initial training.\u00a0 An important rule to remember is to praise publicly and criticize privately.\u00a0 It is best to start with simple leadership tasks first, so the boys are not set up to fail.\u00a0 An adult should always meet with the Patrol Leader before the activity to go over preparation.\u00a0 The youth leadership should be able to rely on the adults to provide the skills and resources for them to succeed.\u00a0 The Senior Patrol Leader Handbook and the Patrol Leader Handbook are excellent resources.
\nRobert Baden-Powell in the Scoutmaster Handbook said,<\/p>\n

\u201cTraining boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster\u2019s most important job.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Back up youth authority<\/h5>\n

Your youth leaders will have to learn how to deal with problem people (SPL Handbook p. 95-96).\u00a0 Managing conflict is an extremely valuable skill for both youth and adults to master.\u00a0 Managing conflict is a core topic in both National Youth Leadership Training and Wood Badge.\u00a0 If the Patrol Leader can’t resolve the issue then it goes to the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and the Senior Patrol Leader.\u00a0 In a well-run boy-led troop, if the disciplinary problem has to be brought to the adult leadership, some feel that it is serious enough that the offending boy should go home.<\/p>\n

All things are taught best by example.\u00a0 Just as there is a chain of command in the Scouts, there is a chain of command with adults.\u00a0 The better we follow this chain of command, the better example the boys have to follow.\u00a0 We can not expect the boys to follow a chain of command if what they witness with adults is chaotic and controversial.\u00a0 The adult chain of command should be similar to the Scout chain of command.\u00a0 This is why it is crucial that the Senior Patrol Leader be the leader of the youth and the Scoutmaster be the leader of the other uniformed adult leaders and the Committee Chairman the leader of the non-uniformed parents.<\/p>\n

Everyone has a defined role and should stick to it.\u00a0 Parents who do not take training or who insist on directing things are the responsibility of the Committee Chairman and other members of the Committee, never the uniformed leaders.\u00a0 However well-intentioned it may be, it is the responsibility of the troop committee to insulate the leadership and protect the boys from such interference.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Step back and delegate<\/h5>\n

Often an adult will get asked a question from a boy in a patrol because the adult is viewed as the authority.\u00a0 It is best if the adult does not give the answer. One of the most important things an adult can say is “Did you ask your Patrol Leader?”\u00a0 By respecting the chain of command in this simple manner, you build the authority of your boy leaders.<\/p>\n

Two relevant quotes from Robert Baden-Powell in the Scoutmaster Handbook are,<\/p>\n

\u201cTrain Scouts to do a job, then let them do it<\/strong>.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

and<\/p>\n

\u201cNever do anything a boy can do<\/strong>.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Set the supportive tone<\/h5>\n

Adults should not be yelling at kids, except in safety emergencies.\u00a0 A major part of creating a supportive environment is training the adults<\/u> how to respond to the youth with patience and respect.\u00a0 The boys need to know that they will not be yelled at if they fail.\u00a0 Notice one way we set the tone is by silently raising the Scout sign and patiently waiting when we want order, rather than losing our patience and yelling for them to \u201cshut up.\u201d\u00a0 Adult behavior should follow the Scout Oath and Law: teach good behavior by example.\u00a0 The adults need to know how to operate within themselves before they can function with the Scouts.\u00a0 Every adult should refer back to the Scout<\/u> chain of command whenever possible<\/u>.\u00a0 If the adults do not know how to operate within their own chain of command, they will not know how to respond to the boys appropriately.<\/p>\n

Encourage the Patrol Method<\/h5>\n

The Scoutmaster Handbook states, \u201cPatrols are the building blocks of a Boy Scout troop.\u201d It quotes Robert Baden-Powell: \u201cThe Patrol Method is not a <\/em>way to operate a Boy Scout troop, it is the only<\/u> <\/em>way.\u00a0 Unless the patrol method is in operation you don\u2019t really have a Boy Scout troop.\u201d
\nThe patrol is the team that you train your patrol leader to build.\u00a0 This may be that Patrol Leader\u2019s first leadership experience, so he will need plenty of training and coaching.\u00a0 Patrol spirit, respect, and cooperation will help build that team.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Make sure the rules and regulations are followed<\/h5>\n

Safety is the primary adult responsibility.\u00a0 Uniformed adult leaders are responsible for the troop following the rules found in the Guide to Safe Scouting and in the Youth Protection training.\u00a0 The adult leadership takes numerous training regimens on a wide variety of topics and in turn trains the youth leadership to stay within the boundaries set by BSA, and is ultimately responsible to see the rules are\u00a0 followed.\u00a0 The better the youth understand the reasons for BSA\u2019s safety rules the more likely they are to cooperate and comply.\u00a0 Explain that the safety rules apply to everyone, boys and adults alike.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Transitioning to a Boy-Led Troop\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Watch out for Adult Saboteurs<\/h5>\n

The cooperation of the adults can make or break the troop.\u00a0 The Scoutmaster needs to have all the adults on board with what he is trying to accomplish.\u00a0\u00a0 The safe, nurturing environment that the Scouting program hopes will be established in a troop can be ruined by one cranky adult.\u00a0 One take-charge adult can strip the boy leadership of the opportunity to lead.\u00a0 Basically, the boys can\u2019t lead if the adults are treating them as if they have no power.\u00a0 Even if your Senior Patrol Leader is fully trained, he cannot be effective with the boys unless he is empowered by the adult leadership.\u00a0 Any leader who is denied any actual power is set up to be ignored and eventually fail.<\/p>\n

The Troop Committee is charged with the responsibility to fully support the Scoutmaster and see that no adult(s) attempt to usurp the boys\u2019 opportunities to learn and practice real leadership.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Train the adult leadership<\/h5>\n

Adults need to see the \u201cbig picture\u201d of Scouting and there is no better way to do this than by taking full advantage of the available training.\u00a0 Your troop-level adult leader training can be as simple as a small group working through the Scoutmaster Handbook.\u00a0 A simple Start, Stop, Continue assessment can compare the troop to the ideals set in the Scoutmaster Handbook.\u00a0 If it has been a while since your adult leaders have taken Scoutmaster Specifics<\/strong>, maybe it would be a good for them to sit through this one-day training again.\u00a0 Also check to see if your Council conducts the annual University of Scouting <\/strong>that covers many areas of Scouting.<\/p>\n

By far the best training available for adult leaders and committee members is Wood Badge<\/strong>, which merges some of the best corporate and military leadership training with Scouting.\u00a0 If possible, the Scoutmaster should be Wood Badge trained.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Train the boy leaders<\/h5>\n

This can be as simple as BSA\u2019s Troop Level Training.\u00a0 One of the best boy leader training is NYLT, National Youth Leadership Training<\/strong>.\u00a0 If possible your Senior Patrol Leader should be NYLT trained.\u00a0 However you do training, realize that youth leader training is a continual process.\u00a0 Taking Troop Level Training or NYLT once is not enough.\u00a0 TLT should be taken annually and NYLT at least every other year (if not annually).\u00a0 Often the boys will not succeed the first time they try to lead.\u00a0 Or the second.\u00a0 And maybe not the third time either.\u00a0 The adult leadership may need to continually encourage and remind them until good leadership habits form.\u00a0 Good habits will not form if they aren\u2019t provided with regular opportunities.\u00a0 This continuing training may take quite a while, so the adult leader must have patience with the process.<\/p>\n

Get the adults out of the Patrol Leaders\u2019 Council<\/h5>\n

\u201cThe Patrol Leaders’ Council, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and organizing troop activities.\u201d – Fast Start<\/strong>: Boy Scouting.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Patrol Leader\u2019s Council, or PLC, is run by the Senior Patrol Leader and not the adult leadership. If your PLC has kibitzing adults, try to have a separate meeting for them at the same time, so that the boys can lead their own meeting independent of adult interference and distraction.\u00a0 If there are behavior problems by the boys, the mere presence of just one or at most two uniformed adult leaders should be enough to remind the boys that their Senior Patrol Leader is in charge, and is backed up by the adult leadership.\u00a0 In a nutshell, the only adult that should attend the PLC is the Scoutmaster or his designate!\u00a0 The adult may begin and end a PLC meeting with the boys but should quickly excuse himself and remain nearby, perhaps in an adjacent room within earshot, so the boys can run their own meeting.\u00a0 The Scoutmaster is an advisor and mentor to the PLC.\u00a0 Although he or an Assistant Scoutmaster may be present, he does not run the meeting\u2013that is the job of the Senior Patrol Leader or his ASPL.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check that the boy leaders are prepared. <\/strong><\/p>\n

It is very important that your Senior Patrol Leader or one of the Patrol Leaders make up an agenda for each activity; and a duty roster for each outing.\u00a0 The Scoutmaster should meet before the PLC and the troop meeting to go over their agenda and planning material to make sure the youth leaders are as prepared as they think they are.\u00a0 The Scoutmaster handbook says,<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Senior Patrol Leader or his ASPL is in charge of every troop-level meeting.\u00a0 Help him plan ahead, coach him along the way, but stay in the background and let him be the leader.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Do not expect rapid change<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

It may take 3 or more years before a fully functional boy-led troop is operating.\u00a0 There will always be boy leader turnover and new boys coming in.\u00a0 Every troop election requires a new set of boy leaders to be trained (or whose training needs to be refreshed).\u00a0 One cannot allow setbacks to trigger a reversion to an adult-led troop.\u00a0 Good patrol leaders should be encouraged to move up to troop level leadership as an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL).\u00a0 The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader can be a training position for Senior Patrol Leader, that way each SPL has had 6 months of troop-level leader training as ASPL before taking office and running the whole troop.<\/p>\n

The speed of the change to a fully boy-led troop also greatly depends on how fast the adults can change to a Scoutmaster lead organization!\u00a0 Without this, the boys do not have a proper example to follow.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Treat your Senior Patrol Leader very well<\/h5>\n

The Senior Patrol Leader is the leader of a boy-led troop, and you want other boys in the troop to really want that position because it carries status, power and respect.\u00a0 You want the troop to respect and work hard for your SPL.\u00a0 The SPL has the best job in the troop!\u00a0\u00a0 The adult leadership showing respect for the SPL and his decisions and input reinforces his status.\u00a0 If possible defer always to your SPL.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Allow failure to be a learning experience \u2013 up to a point<\/h5>\n

Within the bounds of a safe scouting experience, the adult leadership should allow the boy leadership to make and learn from their mistakes.\u00a0 If the SPL shows up unprepared for the troop meeting, he will have to wing it and do the best he can.\u00a0 The adults should not bail him out by taking over and running the meeting themselves.<\/p>\n

If a boy repeatedly comes unprepared or fails to perform the responsibilities expected of him eventually it may be necessary for the good of the troop or his patrol to have him step aside and take a \u201cbreather\u201d.\u00a0 When the time is right he should be allowed to run for election again; or request he be appointed to a new position.<\/p>\n

To the extent possible the Scoutmaster should let the boys work things out for themselves.\u00a0 In the absence of safety or youth protection issues, until the boys who elected or appointed the scout decide to remove him from his position of<\/p>\n

responsibility the Scoutmaster should follow their lead, not vice versa.\u00a0 Of course, the Scoutmaster has the ultimate say whether a scout has met the requirements and earned credit towards Advancement via his position of responsibility.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plan B is not<\/em> Adult-led<\/strong>.\u00a0 The Patrol Method is the only<\/u> method.<\/p>\n

A teachable moment becomes Plan B.\u00a0 Keep other adults (well-intentioned but ill-advised parents) from interrupting the troop meeting or giving instructions to the boys.\u00a0 No matter how badly the parents think it is going; it is the SPL\u2019s show, not theirs.\u00a0 The Scoutmaster should talk with the boy leader(s) after the activity to evaluate what they can learn from the experience (\u201cWhat went well\u201d?\u00a0 \u201cWhat could be done differently next time to make it better\u201d?).\u00a0 Keep these meetings short and to the point.\u00a0 Set an encouraging tone if something did not go well, and keep the boys from placing blame.\u00a0 Failure often can be a better teacher than success.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Encourage Patrol Activities<\/h5>\n

The only way a Patrol Leader will get experience is if the patrol actually does things that require his leadership.\u00a0 Patrol Leaders should hold two or even three patrol meetings every month. \u00a0There should be an opportunity for one of those patrol meetings to be held within the troop meeting each month.\u00a0 Patrol activities should be planned within troop outings also.\u00a0 Patrols can even plan outings independent of the troop.\u00a0 (See Chapter 4 \u201cThe Boy-Led Patrol\u201d in the Scoutmaster Handbook).\u00a0 It is<\/u> important Patrol Leaders and other scouts in positions of responsibility understand<\/u> they are expected to set goals for themselves and their patrol; and then carry them<\/u> out.\u00a0 A sense of accomplishment only comes from actually accomplishing something.<\/u><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ideas for Mentoring Leadership\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Use The Senior Patrol Leader Handbook<\/h5>\n

The Senior Patrol Leader Handbook should be read by not only your SPL and ASPL but also by the adult leadership.\u00a0 This handbook incorporates important new material from National Youth Leadership Training (and by derivation from Wood Badge) and is updated regularly.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leadership Tips to Get You Started<\/u> <\/strong>(excerpted from SPL Handbook page 20-21) Keep your word<\/strong>.\u00a0 Don\u2019t make promises you can\u2019t keep.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be fair to all<\/strong>.\u00a0 A good leader shows no favorites.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Communicate<\/strong>.\u00a0 A good leader knows how to get and give information so that everyone understands.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be flexible<\/strong>.\u00a0 Meetings, campouts, and other patrol events will not always\u00a0 go as planned.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be organized<\/strong>.\u00a0 Time spent preparing for troop meetings and events will\u00a0 be repaid many times over.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Delegate<\/strong>.\u00a0 Among the greatest strengths of a good leader is the\u00a0 willingness to empower others to accomplish all they can.\u00a0 Delegate but\u00a0 follow-up<\/u>:\u00a0 follow-up to see if the other scout needs help, and to see if he\u00a0 completed the assigned task (partially or at all).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Set the example.\u00a0 <\/strong>Whatever you do, Scouts in the troop are likely to do\u00a0 the same.\u00a0 Be a role model always.<\/p>\n

Be consistent.\u00a0 <\/strong>When the troop members know what to expect from you,\u00a0 they will be more likely to respond positively to your leadership.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Give Praise.\u00a0 <\/strong>Offer honest complements whenever you can.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask for help.\u00a0 <\/strong>Do not be embarrassed to draw on the many resources\u00a0 available to you.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Criticize in private.\u00a0 <\/strong>Pull the Scout aside and quietly explain what he is\u00a0 doing wrong.\u00a0 Add a suggestion on how it should have been done\u00a0 correctly.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have Fun.\u00a0 <\/strong>Most of all, have fun learning to be a leader.\u00a0 Your joy and\u00a0 enthusiasm will spread to other Scouts and will help energize the troop.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Use Scenarios<\/h5>\n

First aid courses like Wilderness First Responder spend a lot of time in running scenarios in addition to lectures.\u00a0 Boy Scouts uses scenarios to teach youth protection.\u00a0 This is primarily because people learn by doing. Leadership can also be taught that way.\u00a0 The National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) <\/strong>at Philmont uses scenarios like search and rescue to teach leadership.\u00a0 Closer to home, the SPL Handbook has five example scenarios (page 90-91) but any seasoned adult leader probably has many more real-life examples to use.\u00a0 Consider taking time with your boy leadership to work through known challenges, so that they will feel prepared if a similar situation arises. Discussing alternatives ahead of time with an adult leader will help build a Youth\u2019s confidence that their responses would be correct.\u00a0 Scenarios can also allow the Scoutmaster to train the adult leadership in the proper responses to boy-led challenges.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h4>\n

Like many things, working on a functional boy-led troop is a journey to be enjoyed and not necessarily a destination that will be achieved.\u00a0 Troop turnover guarantees that it will always be a work in progress.\u00a0 Working toward a boy-led troop will give you a platform to teach leadership and the satisfaction of watching boys mature into good leaders. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Resources:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

In print from BSA: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Senior Patrol Leader\u2019s Handbook<\/p>\n

Patrol Leader\u2019s Handbook<\/p>\n

Scoutmaster\u2019s Handbook<\/p>\n

Troop Leadership Training<\/p>\n

The Boy Scout Handbook<\/p>\n

Guide to Safe Scouting<\/p>\n

Fieldbook<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other books and magazines: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Scouting Magazine<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Scoutmaster\u2019s Other Handbook\u201d by Mark A. Ray<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional training District Roundtable<\/h5>\n

University of Scouting<\/p>\n

Wood Badge<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BSA web-based training:<\/u><\/p>\n

This is Scouting \u2013 required for all new adult leaders entering Boy Scouting<\/p>\n

Fast Start: Boy Scouting – an excellent overview of the Scouting program<\/p>\n

Youth Protection Training \u2013 required for all adults in contact with youths<\/p>\n

Hazardous Weather \u2013 required for SM\/ ASM and Tour Leaders<\/p>\n

Trek Safely \u2013 required for SM\/ ASM and Tour Leaders (any hikes)<\/p>\n

Safety Afloat \u2013 required for SM\/ ASM and Tour Leaders<\/p>\n

(all aquatics\/water activities incl. boating)<\/p>\n

Safe Swim Defense \u2013 required for SM\/ ASM and Tour Leaders<\/p>\n

(all aquatics\/water activities incl. boating)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scouting Magazine article<\/h5>\n

Nov-Dec 2000 \u201cFront Line Stuff\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome strategies for realizing the important goal of boy-led troop Leadership\u201d http:\/\/www.scoutingmagazine.org\/issues\/0011\/d-flin.html<\/u><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Acknowledgements:<\/u> <\/strong><\/p>\n

I would like to thank Col. Red Dog Maynard for giving me material to get started on this project and Mike Labarre, Scoutmaster Troop 50, for reading the draft and making suggestions.\u00a0 I would also like to recognize contributions from my son Matthew, who served twice on NYLT staff, as an SPL for his troop, and is an Eagle Scout.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Written as a University of Scouting Arts Ph.D. Thesis by Paul H. Scudder\u00a0 Troop 50 Sarasota, Florida 2009 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At Troop 100, we continually emphasize that we are “boy-led”, but are we? I came across a fantastic article written as a University of Scouting Arts Ph.D. Thesis by Paul H. Scudder, Troop 50 Sarasota, Florida 2009 regarding Boy-Led Troops. … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1509,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-training"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/IMG_2900.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1505"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1513,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1505\/revisions\/1513"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1509"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/troop100seattle.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}