ScouterStan - Scout Leader Podcast

Safety is job one for us adult leaders. A big part of safety is Youth Protection Training (YPT). This is done online and can be printed out from there. Committee Chairman, Scoutmasters, and cub Masters can also lookup other leaders' status and get printouts from the website.  Check your YPT status now. Do you remember “The Sweet Sixteen’s” of Scout Safety? Here is a quick reminder of safety c...

Happy New Year! Let's make this year one of the best for Scouting. There are five ways to make sure that we start off the year in a good way.  #1 is to make sure that your Youth Protection Training is up to date. It's OK to do it annually even though it's good for two years, and this will help avoid rechartering issues down the road.  #2 Download and distribute the Journey To Excellence...

What is the oldest leadership corps in Scouting? The oldest leadership role in Scouting is the Commissioner corps. “Gray Tabs” or I like to tell the story about the "duct tape tabs". There is a National shortage of Unit Commissioners in America. This is the adult leader, outside of the unit connecting it with the District and Council. They help the Key Three of the unit be successful. Ideally, a U...

Adult leaders and parents are NOT exempt from the Scout Law. Have you ever really thought about it. Also the number one question we should ask all Scouts. Definition as to there meaning:   Friendly – A Scout is friends to all. Scouts are a brother to other Scouts. Scouts offer their friendship to people of all races, religions, and nations and respect them even if their beliefs and customs ar...

Historically, a BSA service project is a special Good Turn that puts Scout spirit into action.  Good Turns take many forms such as  • aid during emergencies and natural disasters  • recycling • conservation projects  • Scouting for Food    ~~~ Possibilities are nearly unlimited. ~~~   Significant and important enhancements have been made for JTE Service Hour...

All troops should expect every adult to take on some kind of leadership role. One that’s often overlooked is Merit Badge Counselor (MBC). Merit Badge Counselor can be designated as troop only or open to the council use.  Adult Cub Scout leaders are also qualified to be Merit Badge Counselors. This is a good way to start the bridging process to a troop.  Requirements : Must have or comple...

Thair is an actual complaint form for parents. That national has a 100% guaranty on. More info later, let's jump into this. We are talking about disagreements and not actual safety or YPT issues. Parents get mad or upset for many reasons.  Personality or cultural differences  A preserved unfairness  Confronted with something that they don’t want  It’s just your turn… Self-resol...

Now that the ties of Brotherhood are upon you, what’s next? ✔ Get into your chapter/lodge activity weekends! Inductions Weekend – In the South, this is done during the winter. Up North, it may be done in warmer times of the year, including at Summer Camp. Spring Conclave – Let’s have fun. Service Weekend – Let’s help camp get ready for summer and have fun doing it. Fall Fellowship – Let’s have fun...

First time on their own.  2nd or 3rd night at summer camp – Most new Scouts develop self-imposed anxiety or homesickness when a routine has been established and the scout is not occupied with activities. Adult leaders need to be ready for this eventuality. Remember a Scout IS Friendly, Courteous, and Kind and that holds true for the adult leaders too. Symptoms : Sad, crying, irritable, overse...

There are 31,000,000 YouTube Channels and only 76,179* have more than 1K Subscribers. That represents about 0.2457% of channels on YouTube. 2,000 channels have more than 1 Million Subscribers. 🏆 THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING TO OUR CHANNEL! *ScouterStan stated in the video "67,179". According to posting research, this is 10K less of the actual reported numbers today, but the percentage was correct wi...

Training of the elected youth leaders of your unit is the unit's responsibilities. Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) Activities encountered by a troop’s youth leaders might include; Assigning responsibility to others Planning, organizing, and leading activities and meetings Planning menus and figuring out food costs  Encouraging advancement Guiding a troop’s involvement in p...

Scouting cannot happen without fundraising. All too often parents tend to be relied on for funding their youth through the program. The scout should be allowed to do fundraising for their own program. This teaches valuable life lessons that the youth should not rely 100% on family funding. This also gives the scout opportunity to learn the meaning of thrifty and helpful. This video is intended to...

In cub scouting, we focus on good character building. This helps give the cub scout confidence and self-reliance. This skill is necessary for everyone. Merit Badges are a great way of finding talent and interests. If you look into most merit badges you will find a requirement that focuses on career aspects. The 13 Eagle-required merit badges make a Scout a better citizen and a happier employee. Th...

Do you know a successful Pack or Troop? They are the ones that have a gigantic AOL cross-over ceremony. You know the one Troop who has 2 or 3 new Eagle Scouts every year. It’s no secret. Every unit can do it, and it's as simple as reading a map. You don’t need a unit leader with 6 rows of square knots ether. J. T. E. (Journey to Excellence)! The road map for all Scout unit's success is the Journey...

The primary goal with all Scout leaders is Safety. We as adult leaders need to understand that some times we learn more by failing. A Senior Patrol Leader may not have a meeting planned out to the Scoutmasters' satisfaction or liking. That doesn’t give the Scoutmaster license to take over the meeting. Scouting is "highly organized cause" at times. When the meeting ends the Scoutmaster should ask t...

In a Pack, the planning meeting/seminar is usually a subcommittee of adults. In a Troop the planning is done by the youth members, guided by SPL and the Scoutmasters, and approved by the committee. It's recommended to make this an all-day seminar. With brakes and sack lunch. It could be broken up into several meetings however momentum might be lost. Tell participants to come with new ideas and sur...

Baden-Powell is accredited with developing the “patrol method” originally for the British Army shortly after his success at Mafeking. His military career was changing into more of a training officer, shortly before going into the "Scouting Scheme” (as he called it) full time. Baden-Powell's Definition from "Aids To Scoutmastership": “The patrol method is working when the adult acts as a guide, men...

Advancement is one of the eight methods used by Scout leaders to help youth fulfill the aims of the BSA. A new or small unit could use the committee secretary as an advancement person temporarily. Eventually, the advancement team is developed by the parent leaders of the unit. Additional advancement team members will give more opportunities for proper interactions. Scheduling boards of review for...

Mobile phones are a way of life these days. Scout units need to think of setting up rules that will help make them less intrusive. Mobile phones are a way of life these days. Scout units need to think of setting up rules that will help make them less intrusive.  Pocket computers with all the good & bad information on the world internet. Communicator with voice, email, text, and more. Ente...

There are only 7 requirements for this award. Most Scouters have completed it after two years in a unit. Filling out the paperwork and submitting it tends to be the hardest part. Tenure  Complete at least two years of tenure as a registered adult leader in your unit. Training  Complete basic training for your leader position.   Attend a University of Scouting (or equivalent), o...

You have a scout youth that is turning 18 soon. Scout leaders should have a plan worked out for the scout's parents leaving. Most Scouters and parents leave the program with their kids. The young adult can stay involved with your troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Many join Venture Crews.  Eventually, young adults move on to college or start their careers. This will limit the free time availa...

The opening of many meetings is a flag ceremony. Has your unit practiced it? Should an opening prayer come before the flag ceremony? Yes, think about the Scout Oath (“God and Country”). Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Outdoor Code. How many non-scout adults in America know how to properly fold the flag? Only 4 to 5% depending on location. Ask yourself, how many former scouts can s...

In the past, the traditional scout summer camp was defined by overnight tent camping, waterfront swimming, and unusual dining hall experiences. Now living in a post-pandemic time we need to think of summer camp differently. As we go phasing back into the world we must keep sanitation safety in mind. If you're not feeling well you need to stay home. Most camps have paperwork (supplemental risk info...

Scouting is blessed with many founders. Many of the ones throughout history are no longer around to sincerely thank for their service. There are leaders within your unit that should be recognized for their service as a new unit organizer or founder. It is our job to find them and thank them. Many times this is Directly your charter organization. They deserve our appreciation and respect. After all...

All rank advancements beyond First Class Scout require merit badges. Everyone should know the system and the blue card process is a big part of that. Blue Cards or Merit Badge Applications are the documents needed to get merit badges. To start this process the unit leader and Scout should meet and go over the merit badge procedure together. The unit leader and Scout select the merit badge counselo...