SCOUT WAYS
Scouts Join for Fun
Fun, fun and more fun! That's why boys join Scouting. When and if Scouting
ceases to be fun and thus satisfy their interest they quit the Troop. Wouldn't
you? This need for fun, then, must be met, and Troop leaders supply it through
games and Scout ways for teaching requirements, and Scoutcraft.
Scout Ways Defined
Scout ways are recreational methods of teaching and reviewing Scouting
requirements, ideals and principles by means of games, competitions, stunts,
dramatics, etc. Some Scout ways are games, others are devices for teaching and
practicing Scout requirements.
Scout Ways Stimulate Advancement
Naturally, Scouts like to advance, but all too frequently what happens
instead? Many Scouts fail to plan, their intense initial interest gradually
cools to lukewarm, they fail to work diligently and advancement comes to a
standstill. Try to combat this tendency. Do everything possible to take the
sting out of work and some of the drudgery out of study. How? By using Scout
ways you can develop joyousness in both work and play. Trust a Scout with a
definite responsibility and, if necessary, keep after him You will discover that
the more he loves play the more vigorously he tackles the job, if only to get it
over with, so that he has time for his much desired fun.
Cooperation of Scoutmaster and Scout
Scoutmasters sometimes frown on Scout ways of teaching. Unconsciously they
lean toward the old idea that medicine must be bitter to be effective, but
Scouts, naturally, want some of the sweet along with the bitter. This is not
meant to suggest a sugar-coated diet as the remedy, for the solution is a
program which instead of overlooking work, balances it with play.
A Lesson from Cub Scout Advancement
Advancement in Cub Scout Packs, where parents cooperate with Pack leaders is
gratifyingly rapid. But visit a Troop where the Scoutmaster is working
practically alone and is the one adult source of motivation and inspiration in
the Troop. Doesn't he look discouraged as he tells you advancement is slow? If
outside help, then, seems indispensable to success, be a progressive
Scoutmaster. Secure help. Secure it in the following ways:
- Hold an annual "Open House";
- Secure all possible parent cooperation;
- Do all you can to check a Scout's outside work in home and home Patrol
meetings. And give that work recognition;
- Use a point system, progress charts, and trophies recommended in Tool 4,
HSM (Handbook for Scoutmasters);
- Use fathers and Committeemen in Troop Boards of Review.
Following Up on Scout Ways
When using Scout ways concentrate on major subjects for at least one month at
both indoor and outdoor meetings. Don't be misled, Scouts can play games
relating to such subjects as ideals, knots, first aid, nature, signaling, etc.,
but this does not complete the subject. It's only the beginning, for no Scout
way is all sufficient. But lose no time in building on this foundation, on this
interest which Scout ways will create.
Things to Do
- Use Charts. When preparing to work for a month or more on first aid make a
Troop chart, listing all required first aid subjects for First and Second Class
requirements. Pass the chart around the Patrols at each Troop meeting, and have
Scouts check the various items as soon as they think they are prepared to pass
them. This plan will spur on both the indifferent and the ambitious Scout, and
will keep both Scoutmaster and Patrol Leaders informed. They will know the
extent to which every Scout is working on first aid.
- Get proficient Scouts, Explorers, Dads, Committeemen and Assistants to
instruct and conduct preliminary examinations.
- To help backward and indifferent members interview them personally.
- Have a meeting of older Scouts. Explain the idea of Scout ways. Get them
to agree months in advance that they will help you teach, coach and review
younger Scouts. Assign favorite subjects of their own choice to each of them.
Post their names and their subjects in a conspicuous place. When their subjects
come up announce their names and their willingness to help individuals either at
home or in Patrol meetings.
- Get older Scouts and those who have completed a subject to make dates with
both the indifferent and backward members.
- Stimulate parents to help their own sons. Let them know periodically how
their sons are progressing and suggest ways in which the parents might help them
further. It will help tremendously if you capture the interest of parents during
the time their sons are learning their Tenderfoot Requirements. This is
especially true of parents of former Cub Scouts.
- Ask Scouts to let you see everything they make related to Scouting, and
show the better articles to the entire Troop.
- Finally, be liberal with your praise and give each Scout his full measure.
Remember, if a Boy Scout really likes you, you will have a greater influence on
that boy's character.
A Sample Scout Way of Reviewing
Scout ways are used for either teaching or reviewing. A sample of reviewing
follows: Patrols are lined up in relay fashion. A hat is placed in front of each
Patrol. Each hat contains cards upon which the names of Tenderfoot knots are
written, one on each card. In relay fashion, beginning with the Scout at the
head of his Patrol, each Scout runs to the hat takes out a card and ties the
knot named on the card. Then he runs back and touches off the next player, who
repeats the performance, etc.
It is assumed in this type of review that everyone knows the knots and no
time is taken in advance to teach or review them.
How to Use Reviews
1. Apply Scout ways of reviewing to subjects which are reasonably familiar to
all Troop members.
2. When possible give participants a chance to review a subject by announcing
the Scout way at least one week in advance.
A Sample Scout Way of Teaching
Suppose your Troop has decided to devote one month to signaling, and a leader
has been selected (not necessarily the Scoutmaster). At a PLC* meeting the
leader would present a skeleton program for the month and details of the first
meeting. Following this brief discussion he would assume that some of the boy
leaders were not familiar with certain code symbols so he would teach those
letters much as he would expect the Patrol Leaders to teach them to their
Scouts. Next he would demonstrate one or two games just as he expected the
Patrol Leaders to lead them at either a home Patrol meeting or the Troop
meeting.
The PLC Your Most Important Tool
Study the Skeleton Troop Meeting Program in the HSM. Notice that Scout ways,
contests, games, dramatizations and demonstrations are included in seven of the
eleven periods. The last period calls for a PLC meeting after the close of every
Troop meeting. Some Scoutmasters find this difficult and think the PLC meeting
should be held on a separate evening. Here is a suggestion: Immediately after
the closing ceremony of your Troop meeting ask everyone who will attend the PLC
meeting to fall out and hurry to the PLC meeting place - usually a corner of the
room. Then say "Good Night" to the rest of the Scouts and dismiss
them. If any Scout wishes to remain to go home with his friend, a member of the Council, invite
him to attend as a spectator. You will be surprised at how much you can
accomplish in fifteen or twenty minutes.
* Hereafter the abbreviation PLC will be used for Patrol Leaders' Council,
described in HSM - Handbook for Scoutmasters.
Interview Boy Leaders
Keep yourself free during the pre-opening period and check up with the
leaders before the Troop meeting begins. Insist that every Troop leader who is
to have charge of an activity be there early if he needs help from you. If you
fail to check up in advance, be prepared for disappointments.
Introducing Scout Ways
Start with a Scout way of teaching one of your favorite subjects. In the PLC
meeting set a good pattern for your Patrol Leaders to follow. In the Troop
meeting move from Patrol to Patrol helping leaders off to a good start and
retire to the background as the boy leaders improve. The time may come when you
can do most of your leading from behind the scenes in PLC meetings. That's the
ideal.
Use as Few Words as Possible
Beginners frequently use lengthy introductions. Their explanations are
confusing, ending with, "Now, are there any questions?" And the
questions add more confusion. The place for questions is in PLC meetings, where
you encourage boy leaders to ask questions so that they may know the answers.
Get In or Stay Out
If you get into a game, play it for all you are worth and lead it the best
you know how. If someone else is leading, let him lead alone. If you note
errors, discuss them later.
Use Notes
It is no disgrace to use notes. Use them in your PLC meetings and suggest
that Patrol Leaders do likewise in their meetings.
Do Not Overdo
After a Scout way has been used successfully to teach a particular subject,
do not use it again for months, or even for a year.
How to Use This Book
Scout Ways
Tenderfoot Requirements
Scout Knots
2nd Class Knife Axe Fire
2nd Class Wildlife
Compass Treasure Hunts
First Class Wood Love
First Aid Games
Signaling Games
Boy Scout Games
