The current question at Scouting Magazine’s Front Line Stuff
How Would You Manage Rapid Growth in Your Troop?
Over the past few years our troop has doubled in size due to good
programming and good promotion by our committee chair. Although this is
a great problem to have, it’s hard to keep youth and adult leaders in
step with changes required by the larger numbers. What should we do to
manage our rapid growth?
Scoutmaster G.P.
Merrill, Wis.
When logistics get complex keeping the focus on the goals of Scouting becomes more challenging. I’d suggest that G.P. keep these goals in front of his youth and adult leaders constantly as a measure of success in meeting the needs of their Troop. This will help focus their efforts on the Scouts themselves rather than just the logistics of rapid growth.
Most of the time the best source for evaluating and modifying the way things are done is the youth leaders. I find that when the Adult leadership is confounded the youth leaders often have the answer. This is a great opportunity for G.P. and his fellow Adult leaders to invest more responsibility in the youth leadership.
Ask them for some guidance on how to manage these challenges, you won’t be disappointed!