Options for Young Adults

[pipestone1991]

I'm still pretty far away from my 18th (Sept. '09) but I know there are some scouts who are very close I thought a thread on options for young adults would be helpful. I have some ideas and of course questions:

Awards

1. Work on Scout Leader's Training Award
-How do we obtain this training?
-Is it all online from wagion's links?
2. Adult religous Award
-How do these work?
3.Wood Badge
-Is this as hard as it seems?

Positions

1. Assistant Scoutmaster

2. Be in a Venture Crew.

[pipestone1991]

Also, what about the Hornaday awards/knot?

[hops_scout]

The best advice I can give you is continue to be a role model (or start ) and begin to make a transition toward being a more background person. Remember, it should be YOUTH lead so once you're 18, you shouldn't be in charge anymore. I think it's great if you can get a head start a little bit early and transition away from being the "go-to" guy and let the younger Scouts take that lead.

Don't worry about awards at this point. Worry about being a leader who is there to help the boys to the best of your ability in your new role.

After my term as SPL ended shortly after Jambo 2005, I began to take on a different leadership role. I was JASM and I was tasked with outdoor skills as needed, leadership training for the other youth leaders, and working with the SPL but I was a BACKGROUND person at that point. I'd sneak up on people and whisper things in their ears whenever possible rather than loudly making corrections. I was also a liason between the SM and ASMs and the youth of the troop. The adults and I would talk about specific things that the SPL and PLs weren't tasked with and then I dealt with it. This included, to an extent, dealing with some discipline corrections as well as home-sickness issues.

The transition is hard not just for the youth, but also for the adult leaders. They will sometimes request you do something that a youth leader should be doing and you just got to tell them that you're an adult leader now too They forget sometimes.

[Nuts4Scouts]

An 18 year old is still considered a youth in OA and can hold any youth leadership position.

Assistant Scoutmaster is not the only leadership position you can hold at 18. You can register in any "assistant" position. Asst Cubmaster, Asst Den Leader, Asst Varsity Scout Coach, and Asst Scoutmaster can all be held by an 18 year old.

You can also be a Merit Badge Counselor.

The awards for adult Scouters are NOT like youth awards. Adult awards recognize significant, long term commitment to giving BSA youth a quality program.

Adult training is NOT all online, although some of it can be taken there. Training is offered by your Council's Training Staff (all volunteer adult Scouters) during the year. Training is an ongoing process which does not stop when you finish your basics.

Religious awards for adults are determined strictly by the religious organization. Adults are usually nominated after many years of working with the religious organizations youth.

Hops is right, concentrate on doing the best in your position and making sure the boys get the best possible program.

As an adult, you are there for the youth. If you are there for any other reason (ie: awards and recognition for yourself) then maybe you should look for something different to do with your time.

[jr56]

Very well said. Yes, adult awards represent long term dedication to your individual position. They are also a good benchmark to assure yourself that you're doing what you're supposed to be doing in your position.
Check the training schedules on your local councils website. You will find out when the appropriate training you will need is available.
You can also hold youth positions in the OA, and work on Venturing Advancement until you are 21.

[WeeWillie]

FIRST - Take the Youth Protection Training that is offered in class or on-line. Your Council website should have a link to Training. You can probably take it now. Although you are still a youth in Scouting, legally you are an Adult. YPT not only protects youth, but it protects adults from doing things that could get them in trouble. There are things that you can get away with as a youth, that you can't as an adult. Language and goofing around with the younger Scouts are what get most young leaders in trouble.

Then work on the remaining requirements to earn the Trained Patch. Every Scout deserves a trained leader whether the leader is 18 or some of us members of the Old Goat Patrol. Your Council web site should have the requirements and when the specific classes are offered. Contact your council, you may be able to take some or all of the Adult Training before you are 18.

BSA Lifeguard would allow your unit to do more aquatic activities.