Boy Leader F AST S TART V IEWER G UIDE BE PREPARED A Program With a Purpose To help meet our promise of fun and The Troop Meeting For nearly a century, the Boy Scouts of adventure for Scouts while achieving New Scoutmasters need not worry about America has been dedicated to developing ’s aim of encouraging character planning and conducting troop meetings— character; instilling duty to God, citizenship, growth, moral development, citizenship, they have plenty of help from the troop and patriotism; and promoting physical, and mental and physical fitness, eight committee, the assistant Scoutmaster, and mental, and moral fitness in the youth of fundamental methods are used to deliver the boys themselves. The process begins the United States. By learning new skills the program: each year with the annual program planning and forming lasting friendships through • The ideals conference and continues monthly at patrol the BSA program, generations of Boy Scouts • The patrol method leaders’ council meetings. have grown up to become some of our • The outdoors nation’s most outstanding leaders. • Advancement • Association with adults • Personal growth • Leadership development • The uniform

The Scout troop functions best when all eight methods are employed.

What’s Covered in the Video and Guide The three volumes of Troop Program Features The first thing a contain easy-to-follow outlines that will new leader or parent ensure every meeting is complete. Each of should know is that the seven parts of the troop meeting is there is an abundance assigned as a task to ensure that the meeting of help and resources runs smoothly and is fun and meaningful for out there to give you the Scouts. The seven parts of the troop further information meeting include: on anything you need. • Preopening As new Scout leaders and parents, you are This tape and guide • Opening ceremony joining our Scouting family, and we want you will give you the basics • Skills instruction to understand how the program works. This to get started as a leader in Scouting. • Patrol meetings guide and the accompanying video will help They will cover the following topics: • Interpatrol activity explain. These materials were created as Fast • The seven parts of a troop meeting •Closing Start training—a quick orientation to get • Conducting an outdoor program • After the meeting you ready for your first Boy Scout meeting. • How the troop committee relates Welecome to Scouting! to the troop PREOPENING The preopening activity is designed to keep Each section will be accompanied by a list the Scouts together and occupied while of further training and resources—your next An Overview of Scouting everyone arrives. It is usually a game or step in guiding today’s youth to become Delivering the promise of Scouting doesn’t organized activity, and it could be held tomorrow’s leaders. happen by chance. Scouts are organized into indoors or outdoors. patrols—grouped by age and skill level— and they meet periodically as a troop to OPENING CEREMONY further their experience in the Scouting The opening ceremony brings the troop program. The Boy Scout troop is structured together for the formal start of the meeting. so that it is led by the youth members The senior patrol leader presides over the themselves, with guidance from adult leaders meeting, leading the troop members in the behind the scenes. As a Scout develops the Scout Oath to help remind them of their necessary skills through participation in promise to live by a specific life code. The weekly meetings and outdoor experiences, Oath—as well as the full Scout uniform he moves up the ranks in troop leadership. and the patrol method of operation—are reminders to the youth and adult leaders alike that they set the example for the rest of the troop. PATROL MEETINGS AFTER THE MEETING The Patrol Method After skills instruction, the Scouts break into The weekly meeting is an important tool to their patrols. The patrols are where the real the troop. After the Scouts have been dismissed, Remember that Scouting is a boy-led program. work is done during the troop meetings—the the Scoutmaster, senior patrol leader, patrol The adults work with the youth leaders to provide members plan and prepare for their roles in leaders, and assistant Scoutmasters come guidance and advice. The very essence of upcoming troop activities, pay their dues, and together to discuss what went well, what did Scouting is to train boys to be leaders. take care of other administrative tasks within not, and what plans need to be in place for the their patrols. next meeting. For troop meetings and other activities, the boys are divided into patrols—groups of six to eight boys each. Each patrol elects its leader, who serves on the patrol leaders’ council. Through the patrol method, boys learn to delegate responsibility and the importance of teamwork. Patrols give the boys a purpose and allow each boy to play an important part in the troop function. The Senior Patrol Leader Each patrol has its own identity, including a patrol name, a patrol yell, and a patrol flag The senior patrol leader is elected by the members that are all unique to that group. Having a of the troop to serve a six- to 12-month term. patrol identity helps form a strong bond While in the position, the senior patrol leader FURTHER TRAINING AND RESOURCES among patrol members. presides over troop meetings and patrol leaders’ Taking adult training to the next level council meetings and is responsible for planning enhances youth interaction and makes leading troop meetings and activities, mentoring less- a group of Scouts even easier. New adult SKILLS INSTRUCTION experienced Scouts, and leading the troop leaders and interested parents are provided Scout skills are an integral part of the Boy members under the guidance of the Scoutmaster. formal training on the roles of the Scoutmaster Scout advancement process. The Scouts learn and other adult and youth leaders in the the basics skills in an organized setting like the following courses: troop meeting, and then they are able to apply INTERPATROL ACTIVITY • New Leader Essentials their skills in the outdoors—perhaps on a The interpatrol activity is a short game or • Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster troop campout. Not all Scouts will be at the skills competition between the patrols. The Leader Specific same skills level at any given time, so the troop goal is to help reinforce the Scout skills they Training might need an instructor to teach basic skills have learned. It also teaches the patrol mem- • Introduction to new Scouts—knot tying, for example—and bers how to work together as a team. to Outdoor others to teach older Scouts more advanced Leader Skills skills—lashing or climbing, for example.

CLOSING The Scoutmaster’s Minute is the highlight of the closing. The Scoutmaster addresses the troop, imparting a bit of wisdom to motivate the Scouts until the Skills Instruction Methodology next meeting. Don’t worry; there’s help here, too. A variety All skills instruction should follow the same of Scoutmaster’s Minutes can be methodology: First, the instructor demonstrates found in Troop Program Resources. the skill to the Scout. Then, each participant After the Scoutmaster’s has a chance to try the skill himself. Mastery Minute and any last-minute comes with practice! announcements, the troop members are dismissed. Printed resources that will help new leaders plan SIX STEPS TO OUTDOOR troop meetings and better understand each ACTIVITY PLANNING player’s role include: A great outdoor program doesn’t just happen. • Scouting magazine The following six specific steps will help a troop • Troop Program Resources, No. 33588 plan a safe and exciting trip. • Patrol Leader Handbook, No. 32502A • Senior Patrol Leader Handbook, No. 32501A 1. Establish a purpose for the outing. Decide your • The Scoutmaster Handbook, No. 33009A objective for the trip, whether it is building • Troop Program Features, Volumes I, II, and III; knowledge, completing advancement Nos. 33110, 33111, and 33112 requirements, or using newly learned skills. 2. Select a site. Determine the exact spot for your outing, even if it’s close to home, and make the necessary arrangements to camp there. 3. Build a program of activities. Plan a schedule that will keep the Scouts engaged and enable them to meet their goals for the trip. 4. Provide two-deep leadership. Safety is always the top priority in Scouting. Two or more adults are required for every activity. 5. Take care of physical arrangements. Complete The Outdoor Program a troop program plan, listing the dates and Boys are attracted to Scouting by the fun and responsible adults for the outing, as well adventure if offers. Both are centered in the out- as necessary food, equipment, and door program, which focuses on exciting outdoor transportation. activities like camping and hiking, studying 6. Use the patrol method at the nature and watching wildlife. Scouts learn to campsite. The patrol method Leave No Trace and to care for their environment, is essential in developing and they master new skills while exploring the boys into leaders and outdoors. At the same time they are demonstrat- teaching teamwork, so ing the impact of the outdoor program and the be sure to extend that value of their Scouting experience by demon- leadership training into strating leadership and teamwork. the great outdoors.

Scouting promises boys adventures in the great outdoors. The outdoor program allows Scouts to grow closer to nature while providing an oppor- tunity to better understand their spirituality and to develop a deep appreciation for our country.

Outdoor activities for Scouts can include high- adventure challenges like rafting and climbing in a national park or even sleeping under the stars in their own backyard. No matter what the venue, a well-planned outing can be a fantastic Scouting experience.

FURTHER TRAINING AND RESOURCES The Troop Committee • Committee secretary. Keeps records of New adult leaders can learn more about how There is more to Scouting than the Scout- the troop committee meetings, and to conduct Scouting’s outdoor program by masters and the youth members. Adult works with the Scoutmaster to keep taking the next step in the BSA training volunteers play a pivotal role in the troop’s parents informed of and involved in continuum: Introduction to Outdoor Leader operation. The assembly of adult volunteers troop activities. Skills. This course is designed specifically that support a Scout troop is called the troop • Advancement chair. Ensures the troop to prepare adult leaders with basic outdoor committee; it handles all the paperwork members have the resources needed to camping skills to enable Scouts to experience and the business end of troop operation. meet requirements for advancement and the full value of their camping experiences. Its role is vital to enabling the Scoutmaster merit badges, and makes sure the boys to spend his or her time where it has the are recognized for their accomplishments. The following printed materials will help you greatest impact: working directly with the • Outdoor activities coordinator. Coordinates plan a safe and effective outdoor adventure: youth. The troop committee is formed from adventurous trips into the outdoors, • The Scoutmaster Handbook, No. 33009A the following people: where troop members can put their skills into action. • The Boy Scout Handbook, No. 33105 • Troop committee chair. Responsible for the • Training coordinator. Ensures troop • Fieldbook, No. 33200 total operations of the troop committee leaders and committee leaders receive • Troop Program Features, Volumes I, II, in supporting the Scout troop. opportunities to further their Scouting and III; Nos. 33110, 33111, and 33112 • Treasurer. Ensures the troop budgets leadership skills through training courses. • Troop Program Resources, No. 33588 are adequate and well-followed, and • Chartered organization representative. • Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416C allocates troop resources to fund programs Each troop is operated by an organization • Scouting magazine and activities. that has been granted a charter by the • Finance chair. Handles the troop’s fund- BSA, and that organization appoints raising events, which help support one person to oversee its interests as programs and activities, and procures troop liaison. necessary donations when feasible. • Equipment manager. Ensures the troop FURTHER TRAINING AND RESOURCES has all the necessary equipment when Developing the troop committee into a it embarks on its activities. working team ensures the delivery of a strong Scouting program to youth. New adult leaders can learn more about the troop committee’s role by reviewing the New Leader Essentials course and by participating in the Troop Committee Challenge, the position-specific training for troop committee members.

The following printed materials will further your understanding of how the troop committee functions with the troop: • Troop Committee Guidebook, No. 34505B • Scouting magazine

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