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| Boys may join Boy Scouts of America as a continuation of their boy scout trail from cub scouts - this is where the majority of boy scouts come from. But, the age of 11 is a great time for a new boy to begin scouting! The Boy Scout program is a big change from cub scouting, the biggest change being that it is scout-led instead of adult led. If you have boys crossing over from Webelos and joining a boy scout troop, challenge them to invite at least one non-scouting friend to join them. Since 3/4 of Scouting is 'outing', boys that didn't care for the crafts and projects of cub scouts may be interested in camping, hiking, and the outdoors that Boy Scouts offers. Boy Scouts is for boys aged 11 through 17. When the 18th birthday is reached, he can no longer be a boy scout, but he can continue to support a troop in an adult leader role, or continue in a Venture Crew. As a scout grows in skill, he takes on responsibility and moves from being a learner to being a leader. |
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How to Join:
- Go to BeAScout.org
- Click the 'Boy Scouts' tab.
- Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
- Click on a Troop near you to see its contact info so you can call the Troop or your local Council about joining.
- Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Scoutmaster of the Troop you choose.
The Boy Scout program has a Boy Scouts of America Organizational Structure that puts scouts into groups called Patrols with recommended size of from 6 to 8 scouts. Patrols of scouts in a community form a Troop which is part of a District. Districts combine to make a Council - see this page for organization details.
A new boy first earns the Scout badge showing that he has joined and is participating in the program. As he enjoys outings with his patrol and demonstrates his expanding skill base, he naturally gains the Tenderfoot rank, followed by Second Class and First Class ranks. At this point, a scout has learned skills enough to handle himself in the outdoors and begin teaching new scouts. Once a First Class rank is reached, the scout continues his trail by performing service deeds and earning merit badges in topics that interest him or that he has decided to explore to reach a higher rank.
Summer Camp is the highlight of the year for many scouts. Our troop has attended Many Point Scout Camp every year since the troop was formed. Each year, scouts receive a camp patch and you can see them on my Many Point Scout Camp page.
These pages contain information for each specific rank:
Scout Info - basic scout knowledge
Tenderfoot Info - safety
Second Class Info - camping
First Class Info - self-sufficiency
Star Info - service
Life Info - leadership
Eagle Info - ultimate scouting
More Boy Scout Information to Use:
Merit Badges - requirements and aids
Boy Scout Activities - great scout activity ideas
Boy Scout Awards - see what awards are available to Boy Scouts
Boy Scout Ceremonies - a few ceremony ideas
Boy Scout Games - patrol or troop games
Boy Scout Graces - fun meal graces
Boy Scout Jokes - funny, gross, and silly jokes for scouts
Boy Scout Projects - community projects for Boy Scout patrols or troops
Boy Scout Recipes - tasty food recipes for scout camping
Boy Scout Skits - skits that Boy Scouts like to do
Boy Scout Songs - songs for scouts
Boy Scout Stories - stories that Boy Scouts will enjoy and understand
Boy Scout Uniform - make sure you put all those badges and patches in the right spots
Boy Scout Tests - online tests for Boy Scouts to test their knowledge
Boy Scout Schedule - sample schedule to reach First Class rank in 12-18 months
Eagle Scout Schedule - sample schedule to reach Eagle Scout
Boy Scout Monthly Themes
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Comments:
Feb 26, 2014 - Julia Murray
If you're not using the patrol method in Scouting, you're doing it wrong. Simple as that.
It's hard to believe someone would choose this path if they have been through training. No one in scouting should be "walking on eggshells".
You could contact the district executive or district commissioner to explain the situation, and ask if they could have the assigned unit commissioner help out. You could talk with your charter organization rep.
You recognize that your son and the other scouts are not experiencing the Boy Scout program. They deserve better, but they won't get it without adult volunteers able to follow the program. Someone that acknowledges a problem and lets it remain is not living up to the Scout Oath and Law.
Thanks for your help. It seems there has been a pattern of complaints, then complainer withdraws, then peace for a time in this Troop. I feel these boys are going to be cross when they find out later on what Scouting can be.
"A Scout is brave" ...right?
If all else fails, as a last resort, you can always have him removed from his position. Not that it's ideal, though if someone has been a SM for years, there needs to be a change. However then you also face who will replace him.
Good luck with your efforts! There are many resources around you though as Paul pointed out, both district and council. Though it sounds like he's just been in his position far too long and hasn't had the proper training that's required.
Thank you all for the encouragement. I have initiated contact with the District Commissioner. I am sure he will say to "work it out" with the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee. This has happened with other parents who have done the same thing. Troop Committee in this Troop does not meet, ever.
Updating here. I have been in contact with the District Commissioner and the Unit Commissioner in my Council. They suggested I contact the chartering organization's contact person. I do not think that this issue would interest him. The Council has been very helpful to those among us who want to form a whole new troop. They will do a great job, but it's sad to break up one troop in two.
A Board of Review can be held to chat with scouts that are not advancing. See this page.
I do hope the Scoutmaster is aware of, and supportive of, your plan. A Board of Review might be more useful since no scoutmaster staff would be present and scouts may open to discussing barriers in that area.
It doesn't seem to me that a special form is needed since each scout conversation should be unique to that scout. If you have a list of canned questions, that sounds more like a survey you could just hand out to everyone.
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