Boy Scout Badge through First Class Rank

[JazerNorth]

For the past 3 months I have been working with a few other troops in the council to put together a rank advancement day camp. The purpose of the camp is to help 11-yr old scouts and some older scouts to complete as many rank advancement requirements as they can. I have a little pie in the sky mentality towards this, though I think we will succeed none the less.

The scouts will sign up for 4 to 6 classes for one hour rotations. See BS_to_FC_BSA_Day_Camp_Classes.pdf for the class sections.

The biggest struggle is getting leaders from the different troops to participate. They are coming with their boys, but no one is willing to present the classes. I am calling each leader in each troop individually to ask them to help participate. That seems to be working and I have filled 4 of the 8 classes. 4 more to go, I guess.

I was wondering if anyone else has put on the same type of event and how successful it was or wasn't. Is there any thing I need to watch for? I already understand the Safety First, YPT, etc., so I am more looking for logistic items of concern.

Thanks.

JazerNorth

[ASM-142]

This type of thing is usually done within troops only and/or at summercamp. I know that my troop does this with our scouts during troop and patrol meetings as well as during camping trips.

You may not get involvement from other leaders since they are doing these things for their scouts anyway.

[JazerNorth]

Oh, I guess I need to clarify. The Troops have already committed to coming to the camp with their boys. They are bringing anywhere from 5 to 12 boys each. With them coming, I would like a leader from each Troop to help with the classes.

[commish3]

I think if you use the event to teach the skill as it is presented in the Boy Scout Handbook then that's great. You can even offer the opportunity to practice it , that's fine too. Where I see these events going wrong, and this includes summer camp programs, is that they should not test the skill at the same time.

The application or testing phase should be done in the troop or patrol setting under conditions of actual need for the skill.

For instance if you teach how to how to tie the basic knots and then have the scout mimic them while sitting at a table and then you sign them off the scout has not really learned anything of value. Where the learning needs to happen is in the patrol or troop site and the scout is asked to put up a clothes line between two trees. If you come back and he has selected the proper knots and line stays up then he has shown that he has learned. Now you sign the requirement off.

Too often summer camp has become a sit ,watch, and mimic, class and that is what schools do, it is not what scouting is supposed to do.

The point of learning knots is not to learn knots. The point is to be be able to look at a situation and determine a solution using the correct scout skill and applying them properly. Good decision making is the goal of scouting not just to be able to tie a square knot.

[Mick Scouter]

I agree commish. Ask a student the multiplication tables in second, third, forth grade and watch them grow. Proving that you can do somthing without reinforcement is not teaching. I like the forums where you instruct but learning that skill is only the beginning.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

I agree with Commish as well.

Why the need for 11 year olds or even older scouts, to be able to pass as many requirements as possible for advancement in one day? The notion that a new scout should be even thinking about 1st or 2nd class is something that bothers me. Advancement is not a race and frankly I don't like when adults make advancement happen for the scouts.

[JazerNorth]

I can see how people would get confused and think this is a way for the boys to pass off everything at once. Technically they will only pass off a few requirements. Hopefully, they are the requirements that the Troop struggles in getting completed (ie Orienteering & 5 mile hike), or CPR, or knots and lashings.

I don't know about anyone else's troop, but if it isn't done in the training part of the Troop meeting, then the boy doesn't get it done. We completely run out of time to train the boys. Also, each boy is on different levels that it is hard to train one when the other 6 don't need it. This just gives the Troops the opportunity to have seperate training for each boy. Then the boy doesn't have to wait for the Scoutmaster or ASM to train them.

I also know that many of you probably have better ideas on how to help the boys advance. This is the best I knew how to get it done. We have some boys who are 14 and still Tenderfoot. They like scouting, but just don't do the earlier rank requirements. They have many merit badges, but can't get their Star because they haven't done the earlier ranks. If I remember right, the BSA would like all boys to have their First Class in their First Year. This requires a lot of specific attention by the boy and leader to help them make it there. The day camp is one of those items that will help the boy acheive that goal.

JazerNorth

[ICanCanoeCanU]

What does your troop do on campouts? As this is where most of the requirements are done for our troop. Also, a boy doesn't need to learn these things by his adult leaders - it should be the older boys teaching and leading these activities for advancement with the adults there as supervisors if help is needed.

Lots of times on campouts we have scheduled activities that cover a few larger requirements and during down time at camp, several pairs of scouts, one older and one younger are gathered around working on individual advancement items needed for the younger scouts.

[ASM-142]

My troop also uses campouts and older scouts for teaching skills to the younger scouts.

The younger scouts seem to learn better from the older scouts.

[Billiken]

The biggest struggle is getting leaders from the different troops to participate. They are coming with their boys, but no one is willing to present the classes. I am calling each leader in each troop individually to ask them to help participate. That seems to be working and I have filled 4 of the 8 classes. 4 more to go, I guess.

Could you get older scouts to teach and thereby possibly complete the training requirement for Communications MB???

[Lynda J]

IMHO these ranks advancements SHOULD be done within the troop. Most can be earned very easily if the troop has a well planned program. Most are earned on troop camping trips.
So many talk about Merit Badge Colleges being Badge Mills. This sounds to my like a Rank Mill.
I feel strongly that rank advancement should be done in and at troop activities.
This sounds a little like some SMs are not having their PLC use the program planning guide to set a program. In that planning guide there is a complete program to use. It gives each rank requirement and how it should be worked into the program. Rank advancement should be a learning process of advancing skills. Skills improved and polished over a period of time. Not jumped into and done in a day or two.
Remember the point isn't how fast you can get a boy to 1st Class but how much fun he can have making the journey.

[Buffalo Bill]

I like it when the boys plan on practicing parts of rank advancement more on campouts than Troop meetings. But both means serve a valuable purpose.

I like well run First Year Camper programs. If properly carried out, the boys get to work on skills in a controlled environment among their peers. They can then get items signed off while they demonstrate their new skills at the campsite. After Camp, many find they have completed many requiremnts needed for up to First Class.

[Chief J]

Going to a District Camporee this weekend that is focusing on Scout Skills that are mostly related to Tenderfoot through First Class. Those Scouts not First Class are being given instruction to aid them in learning the skills.

Older Scouts are having Scoutcraft and pioneering competitions for the weekend.

Even though District folks are putting this on, and they will be evaluating the Scout skills, they are not signing off on any rank advancements. The training folks are keeping their own records on each scout as they progress through the training and will provide a copy to the Troop Scoutmaster so they may have it as an "aid" to show how well each scout performed at that time. It is up to each Scout Leader to Test the skills after the camporee to determine if the Scout can sufficiently perform that skill.

Chief J

[Buffalo Bill]

Sounds like a real nice plan. Best of luck.

[JazerNorth]

Even though District folks are putting this on, and they will be evaluating the Scout skills, they are not signing off on any rank advancements. The training folks are keeping their own records on each scout as they progress through the training and will provide a copy to the Troop Scoutmaster so they may have it as an "aid" to show how well each scout performed at that time. It is up to each Scout Leader to Test the skills after the camporee to determine if the Scout can sufficiently perform that skill.

Ahh, yes. This is better. I knew that other locations did this and that it is done at summer camp. I just didn't put the added item that the requirement will be noted and trained but it is up to the Scoutmaster to sign off the requirement.

Very good and thank you for pointing out that it can still be done and that the Scoutmaster is still ultimately responsible for the sign off.

JazerNorth

[JazerNorth]

Here is an update:

We had the activity today. Quote a few boys came and leanred most of the rank requirements. Leaders with spare time lashed some tripods and drying towel racks. That was fun. The boys really enjoyed spending the time together. We decided, because of the postst here, to only say that the boy participated in the classes and leave it up to the Scoutmaster to verify that the boys learned the requirements needed.

When I do it again, and yes I will do it again, I will do the following:
Keep the time limit to 5 hours or less
Have an activity that the boys can play at lunch
Finish the event with a game type of activity

We had lots of fun. Even the leaders had lots of fun.

Enjoy.

JazerNorth

[Buffalo Bill]

Sounds like you all had a real class act. I've a few questions to put in my bag o' tricks.

Did you have something like a spreadsheet to show which activities were done per scout?

Why the activity during lunch? Trouble with idle hands? What type of activity?

Thanx!

[JazerNorth]

Did you have something like a spreadsheet to show which activities were done per scout?

Yes. I created a sheet for each trainer/presenter and they marked down which requirements they reviewed with the scouts and which scouts were present. I then sent the final results to the scout masters.

Why the activity during lunch? Trouble with idle hands? What type of activity?

We learned well what scouts will do when they don't have anything to do. It wasn't bad, only it could have been better. We ended up with scouts beating trees with sticks, tying other scouts to trees (not hazing, just goofing off), climbing trees and such. Maybe that is best to let them just play, but I think having them play with an activity would have been much more fun for them.

JazerNorth

[Buffalo Bill]

Awesome.

I was lucky enough to serve as Program Director for our Summer Camp way back when I was in the Far East Council. I also served as the FYC director. I made a form with each TF-1st requirement and sign-offs for each taught/tested/reviewed entry. Left it up to the SMs as to whether it was entered in thier books or not.

I've since participated in every FYC program I could as ASM/SM during Summer Camp--great program for new Scouts if run with enough staff per Scout and sufficient materiel.

Unfortunately here, we hear a lot of "Back to Basics" groans from the older guys if we try a Scout skills camporee. I think we could make it work if the older guys are recruited into a semi-staff position to assist with one-on-one training.

[Chief J]

Buffalo Bill wrote:

Unfortunately here, we hear a lot of "Back to Basics" groans from the older guys if we try a Scout skills camporee.

Just finished our District Camporee where the focus was Scoutskills.

In addition to the Trail to First Class for Young Scouts, the stations provided instruction for Merit Badges for the older Scouts. This worked because the stations were staffed by qualified merit badge counselors who were willing to do the instruction.

Way this worked was: Troops organized their Scouts into a new scout patrol and an experienced scout patrol if they are not already organized that way). New scouts focused on trail to first class advancements when they were at the stations. Experienced Scouts worked on merit badge requirements at those stations. Our four stations were: First Aid/CPR, Firebuilding, knots and lashings/ and orienteering.

I wish to reemphasize that the instructors provided the Scoutmaster with feedback on what was trained and it is up to the Scoutmaster to validate the training and sign off for rank advancement. As far as Merit Badge Requirements. Scouts were given the opportunity to meet with the instructors to verify the requirements and have the counselor sign off on the completed requirements on the blue card. Though only one or two of the requirements were signed off, it gave the Scouts a start and perhaps created an interest in the subject.

I must say our District Camping Staff did an outstanding job on this Camporee, it was a great event.

Chief J