Here at Troop 11, we just finished up Junior Leader Training (JLT) with a work weekend at our new Council Camp, Bayport Scout Reservation. The boys separated mattresses and cleaned up work areas, while a few of us lucky adults built a Yurt. Many may be asking “What is a Yurt?” Well trust me on this, find out BEFORE you volunteer to help build one. I am told it is a Mongolian Hut, in our case it is a Junior Staff Lounge area, a rather LARGE, round, tall lounge area. Perhaps they said “mongrel-ian” hut?? At any rate, it is up so drop by the Staff Village sometime and impress your friends by saying, “That’s a Yurt!”
For the three weeks leading up to this weekend we held JLT classes following the “new and improved” JLT syllabus along with the addition of “The Eleven Key Essentials of Leadership” as well as several group dynamic exercises. It all made for a very interesting and informative JLT thanks to ASM’s Bunn and Keneipp, JASM Eagle Scout Tim and SPL Ethan.Â
One new activity in JLT is “The Vision of Success” where the Scoutmaster and SPL prepare and present their personal Vision of Troop Success. SPL Ethan did a great job incorporating his vision of a boy-led troop planning great program and providing leadership and guidance to fellow scouts. I chose to prepare my vision in the form of an affirmation statement and thought it appropriate to share my vision on the blog. So, here it is.
“Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. Two. Troop at ease. You may be seated.”
As I look across the room I see boys, some young men actually, smartly dressed in their Class A’s all listening attentively to the announcements given by their Senior Patrol Leader. Tonight is Rank Advancement Night and the monthly Patrol Leaders’ Council meeting and they will soon disburse into separate groups. Adults Leaders are present but are primarily for support and for of course the occasional announcement regarding an upcoming event.
This is Troop 11 this is a “scout” troop.
As the PLC heads off to discuss past and future program and the needs of the troop and its members, the others get ready for Rank Advancement Night. The Patrol Leaders’ know “who needs what” in their patrol and have given assignments to their Adult Advisors and Eagle Guides. They are confident that while in PLC, their fellow patrol members are receiving necessary guidance in order to advance in rank. Some boys are assisting in the process while others are meeting with merit badge counselors to complete partial merit badges.
This is Troop 11 this is a “scout” troop.
Fast Forward to the Klondike. Over the past month, permission slips and payments have been submitted. In their respective Patrol Meetings, menus have been planned and duty rosters are set. Troop Meeting program has been focusing on Winter Camping and Klondike Events and Prep. The Troop and Patrol Quartermasters have ensured that everything needed is on the trailer, in proper working order and inventory has been taken. Grubmasters have purchased and packed the food.
The boys are excited about the new chuck boxes, stoves, lanterns and cook sets as well as the new look of the trailer. Still waiting on the spinners, but the new graphics are awesome. As we head out, the boys are prepared to excel in the competitions and above all have a great time! There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that at the Saturday night awards campfire, everyone will know that Troop 11 rules!
Upon arrival everyone knows exactly what to do. Up with the 10 X 20 and the Patrol EZ Ups. Out with the chuck boxes and Patrol gear then onto personal gear and in no time camp is set up. The adults, as is now customary, just stand back and with great pride are shown what a boy-led troop is all about. After the weekend is done and the ribbons have been placed on the Troop flag, packing up is just as efficient: another successful outing for the boys of Troop 11.
This is Troop 11 this is a “scout” troop.
And so it goes with this group of young boys growing into men with each passing day. From the Annual Planning Meeting to Troop Elections, through Webelos Transition to Summer Camp and on to High Adventure. They continually show us their best, have grown from their experiences and are having the time of their life. Regardless of their final rank, each and every one of them knows that they were part of something great. They each leave the troop with a lifetime of memories and friendships. They have each touched lives and strive to make the world a better place.
As they mature they will realize what this time in scouting really meant to them and to their future lives. Many will become scout leaders themselves and have scouts of their own. One day, many will dust off an old cardboard box in their parent’s attic labeled “Scout Stuff”. As they open it the smells of an open campfire will return, the sounds of laughter will return and each merit badge on that faded and folded olive drab sash will remind them of great days and grand times. As they look back into what once was, perhaps a tear or two may sneak its way down their cheek as they remember.
That was Troop 11 that was a “scout ” troop.