Scoutmaster Podcast

What should Scout parents do if a child want’s to quit Scouts?… This is the first of three podcasts about Scout parents. Just about every child will reach some impasse along the way that will make them reluctant or downright adamant about participating. What Scout parents do next is important. It’s more than likely that this is going to happen to you; don’t be surprised. Your child is probably not much different than the millions of other Scouts all over the world....

I am not thinking about the nature of Scouting activities… When Scouting is happening, when it’s really popping and sizzling along, Scouts are doing things that few, if any of their peers are doing. I am not thinking about the nature of their activities, that’s something we’ve discussed many times before, what I am thinking about is the amount of trust and autonomy they have in carrying out those activities. That’s something few, of any of their peers get to experience....

It’s all about asking the right question… When it comes to Scouts planning activities there are two major threads of observations I hear about: They don’t plan at all, they are incapable OR they plan the same things over and over. People contact me asking what new ideas for activities I may have because they are worried that Scouts will be bored, or that they will lose older Scouts because the program is the same all the time....

What Did John Thurman say to Patrol leaders? Richard Francis “John” Thurman (4 April 1911 – April 1985) became the third Camp Chief at Gilwell Park in 1943 and ably developed Gilwell Park and leader training for 26 years. Author of 15 books on Scouting He made a considerable impact on World Scouting and his influence will live on through his books and through the leaders he trained. We can learn a lot listening in as he addresses patrol leaders in his introduction to his 1950 Patrol Leader’s Handbook....

What do you know about Scouting’s founder? February 22nd is founder’s day, the birthday of Scouting’s founder, born in 1857, 159 years ago, in Paddington, London, England World Thinking Day is celebrated annually on 22 February by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world. It is a day when they think about their fellow Scouts in all the countries of the world. Listen to a narrative about a visit to the National scouting museum from Craig Dickson, Scoutmaster of troop 682 in Poway CA....

How do you decide who ends up in what patrol? Patrols are not about managing Scouts, they are not an artificial construct. If you look at patrols from the perspective of your Scouts there’s the only thing that’s actually important – and that’s what we’ll talk about on this podcast. The real secret is that you don’t have to make patrols, because Scouts do that themselves whether we like it or not....

I’d like to share your Scouting story on the Scoutmaster Podcast, here’s why and how; Why Share? Because your story will help other Scouters. We all share the same challenges and difficulties, the same accomplishments and victories. How did you work out a conflict, overcome an obstacle or resolve an argument? What program ideas worked beyond your expectations, which ones fell flat? Tell us why. As a Scouter what did you discover about Scouting, your Scouts, or yourself that proved to be especially meaningful?...

How would you answer that question? Sure, we have the Scout law but would you add anything? Find out how one Eagle Scout just about to “age out” answered that question in this week’s podcast. In This Podcast Intro [1:05] ] Chris M’s Scout Law [6:45] Email question about Troop treasurer [9:45] ] This podcast is brought to you by our Patrons & Backers Podcast Notes Plandome Troop 71 History Display...

What’s your vision for Scouting? Have you ever taken the time to really examine your Scouting vision, how you picture where you are headed as a Scouter? When I first became a Scoutmaster my vision was defined by what I knew at the time. The pictures in my head were so powerful, it sounds silly now, but they were so powerful I was trying to recreate them without understanding them....

What works, what doesn’t and what’s new? The Scoutmaster blog started with it’s first post in October of 2005, just over ten years ago (it’s titled “Why Scouting?”) The first podcast was published on January 25th 2010 – exactly five years ago today. During 300 episodes I’ve been privileged to connect with Scouters all over the world, and the one thing I know for certain that we all experience the same challenges, achieve the same victories, share the same aim – to help young people....

Are you reactive (like me)? In this podcast I discuss patience and fortitude, two important character traits of successful Scouters. I’ll also answer email questions concerning wearing more than one hat as a volunteer, job descriptions for Scouts, and how much Scouts should be expected to plan. Podcast NotesDoing what Scouts Do Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS Podcast Archive

Do I need to get a new Scout Handbook? When do the new handbooks come out? Do we have to get them? When do we start using the new rank requirements, do they apply to every Scout? Answers to these questions and more in this week’s podcast. Podcast Notes One Aim, One Method PDF New Scout Rank infographic Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS...

Brick Mason, Scoutmaster, Superhero Please enjoy this encore edition while the podcast is on vacation right along with you as you enjoy the holidays with your friends and family. I’ll be back on January 11th with podcast 298. You can listen to our archived podcasts here Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Brick Mason, Scoutmaster, Superhero Please enjoy this encore edition while the podcast is on vacation right along with you as you enjoy the holidays with your friends and family. I’ll be back on January 11th with podcast 298. You can listen to our archived podcasts here Sponsored By ScoutmasterCG.com Backers Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

My greeting card to you this holiday season. Tweet This Please enjoy this encore edition while the podcast is on vacation right along with you as you enjoy the holidays with your friends and family. I’ll be back on January 11th with podcast 298. You can listen to our archived podcasts here Get a copy of “twas our first night out camping” here Music on this week’s encore podcast by the Pine Street String Band Banjo Christmas...

Wait just a darn minute, one aim one method, I thought there were more? Well, yes, we commonly hear about multiple aims and methods employed in Scouting, but I think you can reduce them to one each. Understand I am not suggesting we change things, but just presenting a (hopefully) better way of understanding our role as Scouters. Listen to this podcast and tell me what you think. This is the last “live” podcast for 2015....

How do you decide who is right for the job? I think it’s a mistake to select a new Scoutmaster as you would hire an employee with interviews, applications, etc. This is something very, very different. I wouldn’t choose a new Scoutmaster based on knowledge of the outdoors, training, or experience because those are very insignificant aspects of the work. There are lots of trained, experienced, meritorious volunteers who may or may not get the spirit of the work or be particularly well suited to the role....

Apples and oranges – I love a good idiom! A lot of us get caught making “apples and oranges” comparisons between our Scouts. It may be useful to remember there are no comparisons in the Scout oath – only personal pronouns; on my honor I will do my best. Scouts are individuals, and we can only build character in individuals. Will there be similarities? Of course, but comparing one Scout to another is like… well you see where I am going, right?...

What if you aren’t running the show? Not every Scouter is in a key position to effect change, not every scouter shares your exact understanding of the ‘right’ way to do things, so how do you volunteer cooperatively? The answer isn’t all that complicated, it’s one you likely remind your Scouts of all the time. Volunteering is challenging enough without the trouble created by those who can’t work cooperatively together with others....

Peace Scouting is nothing new, and it’s very simple… In this podcast I’ll share some thoughts about peace Scouting as described in an address Baden-Powell made to what would later become the World Organization of the Scouting movement in Paris in 1922. Your opportunity as a Scouter is a profound one. Take a moment today and think about that. We join hands with millions of fellow Scouters around the world working for love in the place of fear; and we all still have plenty of work to do....