Lot's of New Scouts

[vpalango]

All....

The troop I'm involved with recently had a very successful year recruiting Webelos into the troop. The troop went through several lean years, and as a result, the new boys outnumber the older boys (9 older, 11 new) Of the older boys 3 turn 18 within the next 6 months.

We're doing OK. We aren't using the new scout patrol method exactly, instead we have mixed patrols, with 2-3 older scouts, mixed with all new scouts. We're emphasizing the patrol method, and really working on getting the scouts integrated into patrols as a unit. (The upcomming first camping trip will be.... a trip!) Note: the "older" scouts aren't substantially older (1-2 years).

So, any thoughts on techniques/ideas on making this work well. Right now we've got the following plans...

1) Our ASPL (who turns 18 in July) will become an ASM. He's a Senior next year, so he'll be with us for the year. Our plan is to use him as a kind of "super" troop guide. Not precicely the ASM-New Scouts, but more a hybrid JASM/Guide.

2) Our SPL candidates for next year are all fairly young, first class scouts. We are going to be giving them extensive JLT work, and guiding them along.

What I'd like feedback on is how we might maintain the balance of boy-run, with the higher level of guidance the adults will probably be giving this year. We want to make sure we continue to have the PLC decide on the program. What we're struggling with is to what extent we should micro-manage.

For instance, at a recent PLC we were trying to get the current PL's to start working/thinking like SPLs. The problem is that we're being forced to give them alot of detailed isntructions about how to do their jobs, and we (SMs & committee) have found ourselves inserting ourselves into the program planning a bit more.

Suggestions? This is a new situation for the troop, and while we feel we are doing well with the new scouts, I'd be greatful for the experiences/suggestions of others on this one.

[commish3]

Hi vpalango

If you would consider entertaining a different approach. Consider making two new scout patrols, let two older scouts who were going to be blended in anyway be their troop guides. Take your new 18 year old adult leader and make him the ASM for the New Scout Patrols. The remaining older scouts become an SPL, an ASPL, Troop QM, Troop instructor or the like.
Not only will this help you retain more scouts this year but put you in an excellent position to have a Venture Patrol, two experienced patrols and your next wave of new Scout patrols by next years recruitment.

[DPuck]

Here is something we do:

We have evaluations, 4 times a year. Since our PL serve a 6 month term they will have 2 evals that term.

Myself and other SMs and commitee members get together and discuss the leaders and evaluate their skills and progress. Some of the things we look at are accountability, focus, patience, orginization, creativity, scout spirit, teaching ability and so on. Its written up and we meet with the scouts. They discuss their thoughts on how they are doing, are presented with our, in which they are free to disagree with, agree with, add, subtract... An open exchange is done and in the end, when both parties are satisfied with the final evaluation it is signed by the scout and scoutmaster. after a few months they doit again and see how they are progressing.

You would be amazed at how accountable these young men can be and its a great way to document how far they have come.

[Lynda J]

This happened last year when my boys moved up. Suddenly the new boys outnumbered the older boys. And it started showing up in elections.

The older boys did some teasing and a couple of them pretty much ignored the younger boys. When it came time for OA elections. and tapouts, two of the older boys who gave the younger boys the most trouble weren't elected. They were upset. The SM explained to them that they needed to understand that the new patrol had the control vote and they needed to make a effort to work with them. Guess what. They suddenly started really working as a team. When it came time this year for elections both of those and two others were elected. Now with this group of new scouts coming up from Webs the boys that are 1st class have paired off with one of them to help them complete Scout and start on Tenderfoot.

[diamondbackAPL]

vpalango, tha is almost eaxactly like our troop. half the boys just moved up, we have mixed patrols, the oldest scout, who is the SPL, is 16ish, and the second oldest scout is 14.

most of the Patrol leaders are good leaders, and even though the adult leaders want the troop to be completly boy run they still do a lot of it.

[KB1KOI]

Join the club. Troop 11 has a good deal of crossovers. back in 04, we had about 20, and this year about 20. Having 60 boys total, this is a good deal of young scouts.