See also: Scout Games
Some of the games at the Troop meeting should be for fun, to provide physical exercise and to give an outlet for the boys' boundless energy.
An inexperienced Scoutmaster may try to hold the Troop together by giving the boys "plenty of games" of the fun type. As the games grow stale, the leakage starts. He may make a desperate effort to keep the boys by providing "games he knows they want" - basketball, softball and the like. The leakage stops for a moment, then accelerates: Boys don't come to Scout meetings week after week for games they play daily on playgrounds or in school gymnasium.
The important thing is to strike a proper balance between games of physical action and general fun with games related to the Scoutcraft theme of the month. Scouts want both. They tire as readily of a game menu that is all one thing as of one that is all the other.
As a general rule, the recreational games of the Troop meeting should not be the same games the boys play in the playground. They should be "different" - more scouty and with rules changed to fit the set-up of the Troop.
The Patrols are the game teams. If two teams are needed, make them as even as possible without breaking up the Patrols. Most relay games can be run by natural Patrols, even if they are of different size: If a Patrol has five members, three of its Scouts run twice, to make up for the full number of the Patrol that has eight members.
RECREATIONAL GAME IDEAS - (1) Occasionally have a "Hit Parade" of games. At the beginning of the meeting, give out ballot sheets for the boys to vote for their most popular game. During game period, run the four most popular games, beginning with No. 4, ending with No. 1.
(2) During Patrol Corners have each Patrol choose its two favorite games. Each Patrol then leads its favorite during the game period. (The reason for picking two is second choices if two Patrols pick the same game as their favorite.)
3) Run the Troop's favorite games in the dark as a new thrill.
See Games.
The Scout
Movement has a full program of its own. It does not depend on activities borrowed from
gymnasium or ball field. Boys join the Troop to get Scouting Give It to them. Boys can get
their Interest in ball playing satisfied by belonging to a ball club. while keeping up
their Scout membership.
See: Council Fire Period
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