RUNNING A SENIOR SCOUT TROOP An Official Handbook for Scouters BY MELVILLE BALSILLIE 1964 _____ Published by The Boy Scouts Association 25 Buckingham Palace Road London, S.W.1 Downloaded from: “The Dump” at Scoutscan.com http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/ Editor’s Note: The reader is reminded that these texts have been written a long time ago. Consequently, they may use some terms or express sentiments which were current at the time, regardless of what we may think of them at the beginning of the 21st century. For reasons of historical accuracy they have been preserved in their original form. If you find them offensive, we ask you to please delete this file from your system. This and other traditional Scouting texts may be downloaded from The Dump. (Editor’s Note: This book is formatted in its original form, both in size and layout.) FOREWORD SENIOR SCOUTING goes back to very early days in the Movement, when many large Troops split them into two on an age basis. It was not until 1946 that authority was given for Senior Scouting to be regarded as a separate branch. There was much to learn and much experience to be gained, and there was little value in a Handbook based on theory. Melville Balsillie is not only a very wise man but he has had from the beginning a faith in the value of Senior Scout training. He has experimented and drawn valuable conclusions which are embraced in this book which should be invaluable to all who are starting a new Troop or who are taking over for the first time one that has been established. This age group requires most careful leadership - it is not easy - it is indeed a challenge but when the challenge is met, as it will be if you are guided by the words of this book, you will reap a rich reward. LOOK WIDE. Chief Scout. PREFACE by LAURENCE STRINGER Headquarters Commissioner for Senior Scouts WHEN Melville Balsillie first wrote this book in 1957 he brought all his great experience with the age group for which Senior Scouting caters to its preparation. In doing this he rendered a fine service to the Movement and it is significant that now that the time has arrived to present another edition of the book the major part of the original text is still as applicable as it was when first written. Nonetheless, there have been a number of changes - evidence, surely, that Scouting never stands still and that it is always abreast of modern thought and development - and these changes have been included in this new edition. I would refer you, in particular, to Chapter 19 entitled “Postscript” which has been added to the author’s original book. The Senior Scout Section of the Movement continues to make progress. I am sure that this is due to the development of our training resources both on Scouter and Senior Scout levels. I think, too, that out of experiment and trial we are beginning to find some of the answers in relation to Senior Scouting for which we have been searching. But there is still much to be done and we ought to be retaining more of our senior boys than we are. There is no room for complacency - we cannot stand still. We certainly won’t, and I commend this Handbook with confidence to every member of the Movement who is interested in the boy of from 15 to 18 years of age. It will provide a foundation on which to build your Senior Scout Troop and thus it fulfils its intentions most admirably. I hope that this book will become one of the means of supplying many hours of happy, worthwhile and adventurous Senior Scouting to many thousands of our young men. LAURENCE STRINGER INTRODUCTION THIS is a Handbook for Scout Leaders in charge of Senior Scout Troops or who have Scouts over 15 years old in their charge and for Commissioners whose especial duty is to be responsible for this challenging section of our Movement. Please note I have not called it “How to run a Senior Troop”. I would not dare to tell anybody how to run his Troop. Each one is so different and, because this is so, the best function this little book can assume is to give general advice and leave the rest to the good sense of the Scout Leader. “I would not dare tell anybody how to run his Troop.” I am only too aware of many of the shortcomings of this little book. To include all that should be told would make it far too long and make it far too expensive. I have therefore left out many interesting facets of our training method and have confined myself as strictly as possible to the “bread and butter” part of our job. For this reason I have not sought to cater for the Scout Leaders of Senior Sea Scout Troops or Senior Air Scout Troops. They must each write their own special “gen” book, and in the meantime I hope they will find the broad principles interesting and helpful. I have tried to give the reasons behind much of our training and I hope thereby to have made a small contribution to Senior Scout thought. I had better apologise now for the continual use of the first person throughout this book. You see, I write as I speak and have always done so. I do hope this will not annoy too many people. Although this is an official handbook, you must remember that it has been written by one man and that, therefore, it must not be thought to be infallible. A Prime Minister long ago once commented on the “many – sidedness of truth”, and, although H.Q. have backed this book, I am sure none of us wishes to be too dogmatic. Our Movement has been a wonderful success with boys from eight years old until thirteen or fourteen, but after then we have not been so successful. Neither have any of the other Youth Organisations. Adolescents are difficult to manage and train and still more difficult to understand. They wish to go their own way. They fight shy of any kind of discipline and restraint. In Senior Scouting, however, we have an answer which has been proved a wonderful success whenever it has been properly applied. Be in no doubt, my friends, we are on a good wicket. It is not surprising, therefore, that Senior Scouting is making great progress and that more and more Senior Troops are going from strength to strength both in numbers and achievement. It is a most cheering picture. Long may it continue. “Adolescents are difficult” You will, I know, be as delighted as I am to read the Foreword by our Chief. Under his leadership let us all plunge into the fray and give our Seniors something of the vision and dedication bequeathed to us and them by men like B.-P., Lord Somers, and Lord Rowallan. Good luck to you all. MELVILLE BALSILLIE. Chapter 1 THE SCOUT LEADER’S OWN INITIAL PREPARATION FIRST of all, may I offer you my hearty and sincere congratulations on agreeing to take on a Senior Scout Troop. Don’t believe a word the cynics say about “Letting yourself in for it” or “He’s had it now”. I have been an S.S.L. for many years and, by and large, it is a most refreshing job, - not too complex if a sense of proportion is preserved and one which is of vital importance to the nation. In simple truth, you are taking on a national service. We were told by those who ought to know that the chief failing in young National Servicemen was lack of self- confidence and lack of initiative. Senior Scout training is admitted on all sides to be a jolly effective answer and our methods are being introduced in other youth organisations. It is, therefore, your job now to assimilate Senior Scout training methods and then put that training across to your new Troop in your own way. “Letting yourself in for it.” Scouting does not lend itself to creating types. We encourage Scouters to be themselves and Scouts to develop according to their individual gifts and ability. No Hitler Youth for us. Long ago B.-P. wrote:- “Think most what appeals to the boy and do the rest through the good sense of the Scoutmaster”. The genius of Scouting is its universality. Thus your version of Senior Scouting must really be your own. Think out your plans - in detail and on a broad canvas. Make sure that your background is right and that the mechanics of your proposed training are in line with P.O.R. Then go straight ahead - naturally, humbly, with gaiety, and, of course, with enthusiastic determination. You will soon find that somehow you will have to try to cultivate all these virtues. Make no mistake, in many ways you are a pioneer. “Then go straight ahead. The next chapter is on how actually to start a Senior Troop. But, before you start thinking in terms of Groups, Troops, Scouters, Parents, Clergy, Headquarters and boys, you must get your background canvas completely filled in. This may well take a few weeks and it is time exceedingly well spent and must not be rushed through on any account. You must most certainly read “Scouting for Boys” and, attempting to get back to 1908, seek to absorb (maybe for the 2nd or 102nd time) the spirit and vision which B.-P.