Last week, I introduced a new series on Scouting Rediscovered called, "The Wilderness of Scouting." In this series, I want to explore what the wilderness is and what its role in Scouting is. I would also like to explore how technology fits into that picture.

To start out with, it is very important to have a good understanding of what is meant by "the wilderness". Just about everyone knows that camping and outdoor activities have been held in very high regard throughout Scouting's history. But as time went on, people in Scouting started to get different pictures of what this looks like. To some, camping in the wilderness is hiking into camp, cooking over a fire, and getting along without any comforts of civilization. To others, there is no need to take such an extreme minimalism. As backpacking and camping have grown in popularity, there are numerous gadgets and high tech equipment that make camping in comfort a lot easier.

So how did there get to be such a diverse view of what camping in the wilderness looks like? Well, one explanation could be in the origin of camping as a recreation. Originally, camping was something that was mainly limited to either soldiers or wilderness explorers. While they used whatever equipment they could to further their goals, technology hadn't advanced to the point of being able to specially aid them in making camping easier.

As time went on and the explorers of the human race continued to push into more hostile environments where unexplored territory remained, 20th century technology caught up and was able to aid them. For example: synthetic apparel and portable gas powered stoves came into use. However, there was also a new and growing portion of the population (Boy Scouts among them) who saw various benefits of backwoods camping and started to turn it into a recreational activity. The technological advancements that aided the 'authentic' explorers could now be profitably marketed to the average consumer.

Many (if not most) recreational campers readily adopted these improvements to the comfort and enjoyableness of their hobby. Some others, however, began to contend that these "improvements" actually lessened the benefits of the outdoor camps. These "traditionalists" for the most part became the minority. But one group that was slow to change was the Boy Scouts. It was here that the traditional mode of camping was preserved.

That is… until the 1970s. A top-down modernization was implemented in the BSA. Along with many other changes aimed at making Scouting more relevant and modern, Camping itself was no longer required to earn Eagle. However, the decisions of a few didn't change the mindset of the many. Between 1972 and 1978 the BSA lost over one third of its membership.

Things were definitely not looking bright for the BSA unless they turned things around quickly. So a veteran and respected Scouting traditionalist, William Hillcourt, came out of retirement and single-handedly rewrote the entire Boy Scout Handbook. Many of you might recognize his pen name: "Green Bar Bill". Along with his work on earlier Scoutmaster handbooks, Mr. Hillcourt was probably most well known for his frequent contributions to the "Boys' Life" Magazine.

Mr. Hillcourt was a personal friend of the late Baden-Powell and in the new edition of the handbook, he brought back many of the traditional requirements and spirit of the original handbooks. Back came all of the traditional backcountry skills as requirements.

It is certain that many, many Scouts and Scouters found something so important in traditional camping that it was worth it to them to divide over the issue. At any rate, it is very fortunate for us all that things did not continue the downward trend. Once these traditional aspects were returned, Scouting started to grow again and continued to do so until today.

Now today, the vast majority will acknowledge the general benefit of keeping Camping in the Scouting program. However, we still have the controversy as to what that camping should like like. Traditionalists will argue that added comforts and other ways of 'watering it down' will greatly decrease the benefits of camping in Scouting. How do we know if they are right?

Well, in order to know what camping should look like, we need to know very specifically and clearly what exactly is the benefit of camping in Scouting. What is so beneficial about bivouacking in the woods that it was worth it to thousands of Scouts and Scouters to divide over the issue?

That is what I intend to cover thoroughly in the next post of this series!

I hope you enjoyed this post! And I definitely hope you will hang around to hear the next part of this series. This is an issue that is very important to the long-term survival of Scouting, and I would love it if you would explore this topic a little more deeply with me! Do you have any thoughts or comments? Please leave them in the comment box below!

You can make sure you don't miss the next post in this series by subscribing via email using the box to the right. You can unsubscribe at any time and your email is kept confidential.

If you liked what you read here, please take a moment to share this post with your friends! This blog means a lot to me and I want to reach as many Scouts and Scouters as possible. Thank you again for reading!

Scout On!

It was the last day, and I was a bit bummed. After coming all this way, I barely felt like I got the opportunity to experience the beautiful West Texas landscape. I wanted to go on just one more hike before we packed up and headed home, so I tried to stir up some interest among the other Scouts. To my disappointment, most decided that they wanted to hang around camp until it was time to go. There were, however, a couple of more-or-less enthusiastic volunteers that wanted to go with me. So we grabbed our hiking staffs and water bottles and headed off.

This time, I didn't want to follow any hiking trails or paths. The other Scouts and I agreed up a very compelling mountain peak some ways off, and decided to try our luck in that direction. We didn't regret the decision. That last hike was the highlight of the camp for us. We got to scale bright red canyon cliffs, we scrambled over large boulders, and we followed the winding paths of dry creek beds.

We never made it to the peak we had set out to climb, be we discovered lots of cool spots tucked away among the rock. There was one spot in particular that made it all worth-while. It was a flat patch of sand about ten feet square which was nestled high up into the side of an enormous canyon wall. Upon reaching that spot, we took a short break. Turning around, we could see the rugged landscape which we had just traversed stretched out before us like a picture. Miles and miles of patterns of red and brown and green mixed together like brushstrokes upon a canvas and delighted our vision and imagination.

I felt as if I could stay there all day, but the camp was coming to a close. So we reluctantly made our way back down to help load up the vehicles. That night, I slept in my own warm and safe bed at home, but I was just imagining how beautiful the stars would've looked if I were still up there on that cliff, sleeping with nothing but fresh air and the open sky above me.

Throughout the history of Scouting, the outdoors has been considered a vitally important part of the whole program. While most Scouters these days would agree with me when I emphasize how important camping and outdoor activity is, I find that the way most Scouts consider outdoor camping to look like is very different from the picture that is painted for me by the writings of Scouting's founders.

Inflatable air mattresses are laid down upon soil that is packed down hard by the hundreds who have traversed it before. Fires are giving way steadily to the 'safer' propane camping stoves. Compass and map exploration is being replaced by GPS's and marked hiking trails.

I could continue this list for some time, but I think it is clear where I'm headed. This topic definitely isn't a stranger to the circles of Scouters world-wide. But instead of making progress on the subject of technology in Scouting, I see the definitions becoming cloudier and more muddled, and the true wilderness in Scouting is becoming a thing of the past.

This is a subject which I have pondered for some time now, and I have come to realize that the answer to the disharmony between advancing technology and traditional Scouting can be found by a clear look at Scouting's history and its basic principles.

I have never read this view of things anywhere else on the internet, and I would like to share the results of my studies with the Scouting world through this blog. This is the first introductory post in a series on this subject, and I very much hope that you will follow along this series and even contribute your own thoughts with a comment or two.

Please stay tuned and help me get this message out to as many Scouters as possible by sharing this blog with your friends. I am really excited about this post series, as I think this is one area that is so misunderstood these days yet is related to the life or death of Scouting.

Thank you for reading this post!

Scout On!

Since then, I've always wondered why the Clove Hitch was so poorly explained in Scouting literature. I'm sure many other Scouts out there have dealt with the same frustrations I had with this knot. I believe the information in this post should be standard in the Scout Handbook. The Clove Hitch is such an important knot that it is well worth the time to master its use.

Sometimes the simple knots can be the most difficult to master. This is because there are often many different variations and ways to tie simple knots. The Clove Hitch is one of these. It is one of the standard Scout Knots, and because of its simplicity and versatility, it truly deserves this honor!

Presenting the Clove Hitch in this post is a man much more experienced in Scout pioneering than I: Mr. Larry Green, owner of ScoutPioneering.com. If you haven't yet checked his site out, I highly recommend it! It is the best website I have come across that is specifically devoted to Scout Pioneering.

Mr. Green has kindly consented to let me publish his exposition of the Clove Hitch here on ScoutingRediscovered. As you might have guessed, I am a strong supporter of Scout Pioneering. It is not only a timelessly appealing activity for boys of any age, but it also builds and exercises resourcefulness and ingenuity.

I hope this post will help you to Rediscover the Clove Hitch as the Scouts of the past knew it. So many people know it only as a name or only in its barest form, but there is much more to mastering this knot than meets the eye. Learn it well and share it with other Scouts. It is just one of the many forgotten things that the richness of Scouting has to offer!

The Misunderstood Clove Hitch

by Larry Green

Ah, the clove hitch. It’s a simple way to attach a rope to a pole, it’s side-to-side adjustable and is frequently used to start and finish a variety of lashings. Some folks don’t like it because in various applications, it’s not the most secure or reliable choice. But, in those instances, there are numerous alternatives. See the following photo—all close clove hitch relatives.

The clove hitch is one of the most-frequently-used knots Scouts learn, so common, yet it can also be very elusive, especially when it comes to completing certain lashings. In the knot-tying universe, the clove hitch is a whole lot more prevalent than most of us realize, and it can be tied in a variety of ways and from a variety of different perspectives.

Two Half Hitches. Here’s what John Thurman says in Pioneering Projects: “The first and everlasting thing to remember about the clove hitch is that it is composed of two half hitches. What a very obvious thing to say, but there is hardly one Scout in a hundred who learns what it means. If only we can get Scouts to learn that if you make one half hitch and another half hitch and bring them together they make a clove hitch, what a lot of time the Movement would save in the amount of fiddling and fumbling that goes on when a clove hitch is the order of the day. We would be able to start in the sure knowledge that we can make clove hitches and pass quickly on to better and brighter things.”

Before addressing the various ways to approach tying a clove hitch, did you ever wonder why the basic knot, two half hitches is called ”two half hitches?” (The name “double half hitch” has also been used.) What’s a half hitch anyway? Well, now we know it’s half a clove hitch, but how many of us have realized that in actuality, two half hitches is a clove hitch tied around the rope’s standing part? That’s what it is! On a side note, the very useful taut-line hitch is nothing but a clove hitch started off with a roundturn (called a rolling hitch), which is also tied around the rope’s standing part. As mentioned above, the clove hitch is whole lot more prevalent than most of us realize, and indeed it can be tied in a variety of ways. Here we go:

Open-Ended Clove Hitch. Back in the 60s at Camp Wauwepex, a Scout camp on Long Island, one of the attractions in the Scoutcraft area was a vertical pole about 4 feet tall with a rope attached near the bottom. This was a “Hitching Post.” It was put up so Scouts could see how many half hitches they could throw over the top of the pole as quickly as possible. Watching fellow Scouts who had mastered the simple technique provided enough motivation to learn how to do it too, and it was easy to get quite good at it. As we were throwing hitches over the pole with greater and greater alacrity, we weren’t aware that every two of these hitches was a clove hitch. Nor would we have cared. It was just fun to see how fast we could get.

When preceding from the left, all that needs to be done is:

1. Form a right underhand loop and place it over the pole.

2. Form another right underhand loop and place it over the pole (on top of the previous one).

3. Voila! Clove hitch!

When preceding from the right, instead of right underhand loops, form left underhand loops.

Without being informed, one can just look at two of these half hitches and see they look exactly like a clove hitch. Of course, that’s because these two half hitches are a clove hitch. Throwing two half hitches over the open end of a vertical pole is the hands down, quickest way of tying a clove hitch, After you’ve done it for awhile, it takes about a second. A common way to refer to this approach is to call it an “open-ended clove hitch.” It’s exactly what the doctor ordered when you need to tie a clove hitch over the end of a spar. It’s also the only way to tie a clove hitch in the middle of a long line, like when securing a hand rope on the top of an A-frame during the construction of a double A-frame monkey bridge (unless you want to pull foot after foot of rope through the hitches because you’re using an alternate method, or… you just don’t know any better).

It’s really surprising how many folks, old and young, aren’t familiar with this simple method of tying a clove hitch. Here’s an amusing illustration: A young Scout was competing at a camporee for the best time in completing a Rope-Toss-Log-Lift Challenge. After throwing the rope over the crossbar and tying the end to a log with a timber hitch, the third step is to secure the other end of the rope to a stake in the ground with a clove hitch. Ah! An open ended pole! So, this young Scout completes the first two steps, runs over to the stake and, bam! He ties an open-ended clove hitch over that stake in nothing flat. The jaw of the Scouter conducting the event drops down. With mouth open and a look of bewilderment on his face, he leans down, scratches his head, and examines the knot. Yes, to his surprise, indeed it’s a clove hitch! This skinny, young Scout did something the adult had never seen before, and the old guy was astonished!

We’ll get back to tying a clove hitch by making two half hitches in a little bit, but first this:

Right and Left Clove Hitch. Now here’s where different perspectives come into play! With a round lashing, shear lashing, or tripod lashing, a clove hitch is tied either from the left side or from the right. It depends which way you’ll be wrapping—from the top to the bottom, or bottom to the top. Also, when finishing these lashings, including the traditional diagonal lashing, the clove hitch is tied from either the right or left, depending on which side the cross spar is. So, right away, it can be seen the clove hitch presents itself from two different perspectives. On a horizontal spar: in a right clove hitch, the standing part precedes from the right, is underneath the outside part of the X, and the running end is coming out from the top. In a left clove hitch, the standing part precedes from the left, is underneath the outside part of the X, and the running end is coming out from the top.

The oft-taught Way. Most of the time, when learning to tie a clove hitch, Scouts are taught the following steps:

1. Take the running end and wrap it around (or over) a spar.

2. Cross the running end over itself (making an X).

3. Wrap the running end around the spar again.

4. Slip the running end under the last wrap.

5. Pull it tight.

Inside the X or Outside the X? Sometimes the clove hitch is simply taught like this: Make an X on top of the spar and slip the running end underneath the X right in the middle. This method can be referred to as “inside the X.” Inside or outside the X, it really just depends which side of the rope’s standing part you’re proceeding from. Both end up the same way when the rope is pulled tight.

Finishing a Lashing with Two Half Hitches. We’re back to tying a clove hitch by first making one half hitch and then another.

Here’s the story: When you learn how to do this, number one, it’s faster. Number two, it’s also easier to securely finish off the frapping turns, because it’s a cinch to snug both half hitches in close and pull them real tight, which is definitely something you want to do.

If there’s any catch at all, it’s purely cosmetic in nature. As can be seen in the photos to the right, when completing the lashing in this manner, the standing part of clove hitch (the part preceding from the lashing) extends out on top of the outside part of the X. By the definition above, the clove hitch tied with the “inside the X” method does form a true “right clove hitch.” Not at all a big deal, because both clove hitches still do the job, which in this instance is to keep the fraps tight and secure and hold the lashing in place.

 

 

 

If you found this post valuable, please pass it on to other Scouts. Got questions or comments? I'd love to hear them! Please post them in the comment box below. Also, definitely visit ScoutPioneering.com if you haven't already. It is well worth your time!

As Always,

Scout On!

The End or the Beginning?

Well, not too long ago, I turned 18. That means that I am 'officially' no longer a 'Boy Scout'. Wow! I can't believe how quickly time has flown! I joined when I was 13, and I still vividly remember so many of those early memories as if they were last year. I've made friends, learned a lot, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. But now a certain era for me has ended.

What does that mean for me? Well, I am still active and involved with my Scout Troop. However, things can't be like they were when I was S.P.L. There is a transition from Boy Scout to Scout Leader, and that is what this post is about. In it, I share some of what I learned about this transition and what it means.

What does this mean for the blog? Well, the great news is that this isn't the end, rather, it is only the beginning! I have so much more that I have learned about Scouting and being a Scout that I want to share with you on this blog. And, you know, being a Scout doesn't end when you leave the 'Boy Scout' stage. Scouting is a set of life principles and an inner spirit, and the applicability to real life only increases the more you learn and grow.

In addition, I'm am still hard at work on the book "Scouting Rediscovered". If you're a long reader of the blog, you'll know I've been working on this for quite a while, but even though it's taken some time, great progress has been made. I am really looking forward to its completion!

Anyway, without further ado, on to the topic of transitioning from a Boy Scout to a Scout Leader!

Once a Scout, Always a Scout

The first thing to remember is that turning 18 isn't some magical switch that changes you in any way. Hopefully, you are continuing to strive to better yourself everyday as a Scout should, but this process is gradual: you'll still have many mistakes mixed in with your successes.

In your relationship with your Scout Troop, try to be as familiar with the Scouts as you were before. Above all, don't 'put on airs' and think yourself too 'old' or 'wise' to talk with the younger Scouts. As an older Scout, they will look up to you because of your age, wear that mantle of maturity as befits a true Scout. Don't lead the younger Scouts to mistakes by setting a bad example. Rather, use the power that you have as an older Scout to set an example that will inspire the younger Scouts to better themselves and their Troop.

Never lose that sense of adventure and service that is natural to the Scout.

From Leading to Training

If you stay active in your Troop (as I hope you will!), your specific role of leadership will need to change. It might be hard to not use all those skills you developed to micro-manage the Troop and make it look polished and perfect, but you must resist the temptation! As you continue to take those managing and leadership skills to the next level in other areas of your life, it is now your responsibility to develop a new set of leadership skills in your Scout Troop.

This set of skills is that of training the Scouts to lead. This is not easy by any means. It can be very hard to motivate others and to communicate what you have learned in a way that is easily understandable. You have to know when to throw in words of helpful guidance, and when to stand firm and let the Scouts feel the weight of responsibility on their own shoulders.

You haven't given up your vision and desire to make the Troop a “perfect Scout Troop”, you simply strive for that vision in a different way. Before, you were trying to manage things yourself, and make the perfect Troop by delegating and planning. Now, you should be making the perfect Troop by teaching the Boy Scout Leaders to lead for themselves. Think about what your Scoutmaster or parents could have done to help you grow your leadership skills, and apply that to the Troop.

Rank and Regalia

Finally, don't forget the opportunities which the Scout organization offers to Scout Leaders. There are courses to take such as Wood Badge. There are also many other opportunities to network with other Scout Leaders and learn from them. Not only can you learn a lot from these activities, you may also make connections which may prove very valuable in the long run.

Also, don't be afraid to take on a formal responsibility in your Troop. There is often a lack of adult leaders with enough time and energy to devote to running a Scout Troop. By becoming an Assistant Scoutmaster or becoming a member of the Unit Committee, you may do much to perpetuate the opportunity that you had and give a healthy Troop to other boys newly joining. You can officially help administer Boards of Review as well. Ask the Scoutmaster or other leaders what you can do to help, I'm sure they will be more than happy to have your assistance.

Conclusion

Depending upon how much you invested into the Troop while you were a Scout, the transition into an 'adult' Scout Leader can be rough. I know it has been difficult for me for a variety of reasons, but the most important thing to remember is this isn't an ending: it's a beginning. The older and more experienced you get, the more responsibility you have to pass that on.

However, I don't mean to say every Scout should try to become a Scoutmaster upon reaching 18. If you've read much of this blog, you know I strongly believe that Scouting is by no means restricted to the activities of a Scout Troop. So you are now 18, but although you're technically not a “Boy Scout”, you are still a Scout. There are many horizons to chase, there are many mountains to climb, there are many wildernesses that need to be explored. And it is your foremost responsibility as a Scout to find those horizons, to climb those mountains according to your own gifts and abilities.

If doing that includes volunteering with a Scouting Troop, all the better! But maybe that will involve focusing your energies somewhere else for a while. Whatever you do, though, always remember that you are a Scout. Wear that proudly, and never settle for less than what a Scout should stand for and strive after.

Have you recently become a Scout Leader? Or did you have a Scout in your Troop who made the transition? I would love to hear how the transition went. Have any advice, tips, or questions? Leave a comment in the box below!

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Thank you for reading this article! Your reading and sharing this blog can help me make a difference in Scouting and help Scouting become even more valuable to future generations!

Scout On!

What were Merit Badges like in 1913?

Today I'd like to present to you a great article I discovered from an 1913 edition of Boys' Life Magazine. The topic is on Merit Badges, specifically, an introduction to what Merit Badges are all about. What makes this article so valuable is that it gives us an insight as to how Merit Badges were looked upon back at the very beginning of Scouting. It became clear to me upon reading this article that the general attitude with which Merit Badges were approached was much different in 1913 then what I have seen contemporarily. Don't take my word for it, though! Read the following article and see for yourself:

Boy Scout Merit Badge Tests and How to Pass Them

by Samuel A. Moffat

Boys' Life Magazine, January 1913 edition, pg. 16

"The slogan of the Boy Scout is “Be Prepared.” It means that he is ready for service when opportunity comes. Because of the special training and information which a Boy Scout has, everybody expects more of him than of an ordinary boy. This motto is proving an incentive to thousands of First Class scouts to prepare themselves in special scouting activities. Already hundreds of scouts are wearing the merit badges. These are the real scouts who know how to do things. They can be depended upon as the minute men for community service.

To secure a merit badge a scout must pass the examination in the subject before a committee of men appointed by the Local Council, known as the Court of Honor. The members of this committee are selected because of their knowledge of the various Scoutcraft activities. It sometimes occurs, however, that a scout makes an application for an examination in a subject with which the members of this committee are not familiar. When this happens the Court of Honor usually finds some man in the community who is an expert in this subject and invites him to help them in giving the examination.

In most cases, the examination for a merit badge may be made up of a written test and a practical demonstration. The latter part of the examination is by all means the more important, and should be conducted in such a way as to give the committee an opportunity to see that the Scout can actually do these things.

When the Court of Honor is satisfied that the Scout can actually pass the requirements, a report is made out stating that he has successfully met the requirements as set forth in the Official Handbook, and requesting that a merit badge be awarded him. This is forwarded to National Headquarters. Upon its receipt the Court of Honor of the National Council at its first regular monthly meeting, review the report, and if satisfied that the conditions for the award of this badge have been satisfactorily complied with, the application is approved and the badge is forwarded to the Scout Commissioner for presentation.

In towns of villages where a Local Council has not been organized the Scoutmaster of a troop is required to organize a committee similar to the Court of Honor for the purpose of giving these examinations.

A boy who wears a Merit Badge should be able to do the thing the badge stands for. This will enable him to be of real service whenever the opportunity comes. Of course almost any boy can commit to memory in a very short time a lot of facts regarding a given subject so as to be able to repeat these answers in “parrot-like” fashion to the satisfaction of an examining committee, but such a boy would only be a sham Scout – an imitation of the real Scout who can show others the way to do things.

Scouts are boys of actions. The only knowledge they seek is that knowledge of a subject which will make them “doers.” In the interpretation, therefore, of any of the requirement s it should be constantly borne in mind that this is the stand of requirements."

A Merit Badge Should be a Respected symbol!

A couple of things really stood out to me when I read this. First, there was the way the author held in respect the recipient of the Merit Badge. He says of them: "They can be depended upon as the minute men for community service." This line brings to my mind the image of many inconspicuous guardians mixing with the community, ready to spring to action and perform some valuable service the moment it is needed. I wish I had this same image when thinking of the many Scouts I've mixed with in Summer Camps and other events.

The brutally honest fact is that I don't place too much faith in the skills of most Scouts who wear Merit Badges. It pains me to say it, but it must be said. Why is this? It is because I have seen  for myself many fellow Scouts earn Merit Badges by simply sitting through a few lectures. Many of their skills are not tested; many of their answers are copied verbatim from memory or from an open book. I have done this myself many times in my journey to Eagle.

Putting the 'Merit' back into 'Merit Badge'

This calls my attention to the description this article gives of the process of being approved to wear a Merit Badge. It is quite formidable: a closed-book written test and a rigorous demonstration given before a panel of Leaders who are fluent in the topic. If anything would prove that a Scout has earned special merit in a topic, this certainly would! If a similar system were followed today, there would be far fewer merit badges earned over-all, but each would be special and significant.

Lastly, I was particularly impressed by the way the article described the importance of skills over simple knowledge. This is so often overlooked. I can know everything there is to know about music theory, but if I have never practiced, I could never play anything beautiful on the piano. It is the same with such subjects as: First Aid, Orienteering, and etc.. It is easy to memorize the steps involved, it is an entirely different matter to have them down so well you can perform them under pressure and stress in an actual situation. Skills are really just applied knowledge, but the practice in application make all the difference in the world.

"Scouts are boys of actions. The only knowledge they seek is that knowledge of a subject which will make them 'doers'." That quote very eloquently captures the true Spirit of Scouting. Scouts should always, always be active: active in self-improvement, active in service, and active in adventure and discovery.

Times have changed, can we go back?

So what do you think? The system described in the article is certainly not well adapted to the current structure of the BSA. How could some of this value be rediscovered in the Merit Badges of today? Does the Merit Badge system need to be rethought with quality over quantity in mind? Or is the best approach what is currently being followed? I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Please contribute to the conversation and leave a comment in the box below!

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Thank you for reading this article! I hope that this Blog can help make a difference in Scouting and help Scouting become even more valuable to future generations!

Scout On!

[N.B. This post, which is the last in the series on the "Older Scout Problem" in Scouting, is quite a lengthy one. However, I feel the importance of the subject matter justifies the length. Please read this when you have time to sit down and look at it thoroughly.]

Introduction

Welcome back to “Scouting Rediscovered”! This is the last post in the series on the ‘older Scout problem’ in Scouting. The ‘older Scout problem’ is a rising problem in Scouting where older boys quit Scouting more often and join Scouting less often than before. This is a serious problem. Why? Well, in Part 1 of this series, I explained why older Scouts are vital to a properly run Scout Troop.

You might wonder if this problem is fixable. After all, perhaps the modern teenage boy that our culture produces simply isn’t interested in what Scouting has to offer. I do not think this is entirely so. I do think that what the current culture values does have a negative impact in this issue, but I also believe that deep down, boy nature (like human nature) is a constant that doesn’t change over time. And Scouting is just as appealing on that level as it ever was. Instead, I maintain that a large part of the problem is the degradation of the fundamentals of the Scouting Program in modern times. In Part 2 of this series, I examined in more detail a few of the causes of this problem from my own experience.

Now, I’m on to Part 3. In this post, I want to expound upon practical solutions to this problem that you, whether Scout or Scouter, can put into practice right now in your Troop. I can’t claim to be an expert or to have all the answers; this is a complex and somewhat deep-rooted problem. On the other hand, I hope that I can share with you some of what I have learned through much reading and reflecting combined with practical experience.

The Joys of Scheduling

As a boy gets older and joins High School, he is made more and more aware of how difficult the art of time management and scheduling is. Many different activities are competing for his attention, and even if he loves Scouting, it can sometimes be really difficult to fit it into his schedule. There is the requirement that the older Scout juggle such time-consuming activities such as sports, school band, etc. with Scouting.

As challenging as this can sometimes be for one experienced in managing his schedule, it is especially difficult for a boy who is just starting to become aware of the value of good time-management skills. Unfortunately, time-management isn’t taught in classrooms. All of these things can be more or less difficult to work around depending upon where the Scout is located. Unfortunately, some coaches, band leaders, teachers, etc. can be less than understanding when it comes to Scouting. Split families and other situations can make scheduling even more tricky.

So how can this be fixed? Well, first of all, make sure the Scouts who have difficult schedules don’t get left out of the planning process when it comes to planning for meeting times, activities, and camping trips. Secondly, it is sometimes necessary to remind the Scouts as they plan camping trips to keep good scheduling as a very important consideration.

Another thing that is extremely important is keeping up good communication. Many Scouts don’t speak up about their difficulty in juggling their schedule. With so many adults still struggling with good communication, it is no wonder that communication isn’t a general strong-point in boys! Talk one-on-one with the Scouts in your Troop about their schedules and how to manage their time. As I mentioned before, teaching the skill of time-management is often neglected. It could be that no one but you has thought to give the Scout advice on this matter!

Responsibility! All of your pains in scheduling and teaching time-management will be in vain if the Scout himself doesn’t take responsibility for his schedule. For the most part, he has been relying on his parents to do all of his planning for him. As he gets older, not only does this become more and more impractical, it is also un-Scout-like! How can a Scout be Trustworthy if he is not keeping track of his own schedule?

In summary, when it comes to scheduling, work with your Scouts, communicate with your Scouts, and when necessary, teach your Scouts. Though it can be rough at times, there is very rarely a situation that good planning and communication cannot solve.

Concentrate on the Authentic Scouting Program

Imagine the outcry there would be, if when people bought a ticket to see a movie at the theater, only a ten minute preview was shown! No Scout wants to show up to Scout meetings and events where only a shadow of true Scouting is exercised. And when a Scout gets older, more independent, and more divided in his activities, ‘scouting’ will be the first bit of fat to trim from his schedule if he feels like he is wasting his time.

I can’t spend a ton of time talking about what makes a good Scouting program; it would take too long and there are far too many better resources to learn from than my blog. I will, however, say a few things on that note.

First of all, I cannot stress too strongly that Scouting should be nothing like classroom-type instruction. This was not the way Scouting was designed, this is not enjoyable to the Scouts, and this style of en-mass group instruction isn’t a good way to reach the aims of Scouting. Classroom/lecture instruction is a very efficient way of making Scouting superfluous in the the life of the Scout. Especially when high school comes and school gets tougher and more demanding, the last thing a Scout wants to do is sit through another two hours of classroom-like instruction each week. Scouting should be active, energetic, and adventurous.

Another thing about the Scouting Program that I feel is important to mention is that of making Scouting truly valuable to the Scouts. What do I mean by this? Well, first is to make sure the program isn’t cheapened by low expectations. If expectations are high and ranks and awards are challenging and thorough, then the value of these is raised. Awards which are handed out are hardly enough to bother for. Ranks which are a piece of cake to earn are about as valuable as a piece of cake. You might think that easier requirements would make it better for the busy Scout to stay involved, but the fact is that if Scouting takes little investment, it’s much easier for older Scouts to distance themselves from the program. It’s not so much a lack of time that kills involvement as a lack of motivation.

Thirdly, bolster both the Troop program and the Troop Culture. I talked about good Troop culture in earlier posts in this series and how important it is. The way this Troop culture is made is through many little things. Like John Thurman said, it’s the little things in Scouting that count! All the little traditions of the Troop and the Patrols, all of the camping trip experiences, all of the Troop meeting routines; the words the Scoutmaster says during the Scoutmaster conference, the way a new Scout is welcomed into the Patrol, the way each Patrol has its special pride: all of these things work together to add depth to the Scouting program and make time invested in the Troop well-spent.

Older Patrols, Advanced Activities

There are many different ways to go about the subject of ‘older Scout Patrols’. If you ask around, you will find a great variety of opinions on their advantages, disadvantages, and how to run them. Your specific approach will depend upon your unique situation. One thing is for sure, though, Scouting wasn’t designed where Scouts are doomed to simply repeat the activities they did from Tenderfoot to First Class. As the Scouts and their abilities grow, so should their undertakings. And, like all Scouting activities, these should be done via the Patrol.

For those that it would be impractical to remove all of their older Scouts to a separate Patrol, there is perhaps a compromise. The older Scouts could continue to serve in their current capacities in the Troop while simultaneously forming the older Scout Patrol. This may mean that they are members of two Patrols at the same time: the ‘regular’ Patrol and the ‘older’ Patrol, but that would be alright. The older Scout Patrol wouldn’t be on the same level as the regular Patrols. It wouldn’t have to meet as often or as long, yet it could still plan special, advanced activities.

For the best advantage to be gotten from an older Scout Patrol, it must be treated just as uniquely and as importantly as a regular Patrol. It must have it’s own traditions, it’s own expectations, and it’s own symbols. Even creating special privileges might serve to create an air of eliteness which will inspire the younger Scouts and give a sense of Patrol pride to the members.

Conclusion

In summary, Scouting absolutely does not lose relevance as the Scout gets older. There is so much richness and depth to the program that it has much to offer to the older boy. As a matter of fact, Scouting for the older Scout is the pinnacle of what Scouting means. The lessons to be learned and the excitement of Scouting adventures grows as the Scout does.

In this post, I hoped to give some practical solutions to keeping older Scouts involved in Scouting. This is just a brief exposition, and I cannot begin to give advice for every single situation. That is up to you! You know the principles of Scouting, you know the importance of Older Scouts to the health of a Troop. It is up to you, whether Scout or Scouter, to apply these and other solutions to your particular Troop. I hope this post series gave some food for thought and helped in contributing to the understanding of this issue.

If you liked what you read here, please share ScoutingRediscovered on your favorite social media. Also, if you have any thoughts you would like to add, please leave a comment in the box below. Also, don’t forget to check out the many other great articles here on ScoutingRediscovered.

Scout On!

[Edit: Here are links to Part 1 and Part 2 of this series]

Introduction

In Part I of this series, I began the process of looking into the “older Scout problem”. This is where Scout Troops have trouble retaining and recruiting boys from the ages of 15-18. In the last post, I began the discussion by examining just why this is a very important issue and why older Scouts are vital to a well-run Troop. In this post, I would like to continue that discussion by trying to determine just why this problem exists. What are the reasons that Scout Troops have trouble attracting older boys?

Why the Absence of Older Scouts?

I like to start by examining what causes boys who are already Scouts to become inactive upon reaching a certain age. I certainly cannot claim to give an exhaustive list, but I can speak with some authority from my own experiences in Scouting.

Rank Advancement Problem

To begin with, I think there is a certain over-emphasis on rank advancement in Scouting. Don’t misunderstand me! I think that the system of ranks and badges in Scouting is a very important part of the program. However, I think it is emphasized at the expense of other aspects. Let me explain. As I have come to understand more and more about Scouting and read old books, magazines, and pamphlets on Scouting, I have come to the conclusion that there is so much more to Scouting than many people realize today.

As these aspects (which by nature are not very systematized) have been slowly forgotten, the rank advancement system as been used to fill up the void. To a certain extent, rank advancement has become the end (not the means) of Scouting. When this happens, Scouting not only has a clear path, but a clear end as well. Once Eagle has been attained, the Scout is “done”, “arrived”, etc. Too many times have I seen Scouts attain the rank of Eagle, and then become inactive. This is the opposite of what should be the case! This is an indicator of an improper prioritizing: Rank Advancement is given the chief priority.

There is also another problem that can arise from this emphasis. This happens when the only value Scouts see in Scouting is that of passing requirements and attaining ranks. While parents, leaders, etc. may for some time convince them that attaining these ranks and passing off these requirements is very valuable, as other things come into the growing Scouts life, these requirements grow smaller and more insignificant. What is learning first aid compared to getting a driver’s license? What is earning merit badges compared to High School sports? As a purpose or end in themselves, these rank requirements are quite unappealing!

When the richness, depth, and importance of the Scouting program is replaced with a simple goal of completing requirements, it is easy to see why older Scouts leave. Most of the entire collection of Boys’ Life magazines are available online for free. Look at many of the old magazines and read what Scouts did. During the Second World War, Scout Troops raised tons of scrap materials for the war effort, they planted victory gardens, and they assisted the military recruiting effort. In the 1930′s, Scout Troops assisted local police in Search and Rescue missions, they were trusted beyond the average citizen to help with important tasks. They were even allowed to help in some ways that adults were not.

In summary, there is so much to Scouting that is forgotten and simply replaced with the goal of rank advancement. This is both a clear exit path for the new Eagle who has nothing left to do, and a discouragement to the advancing Scout seeking for something more exciting and important.

A Reputation of Trifles

Unfortunately, another reason that older Scouts tend to become inactive is to purposely disassociate themselves from the organization. It seems that the general public’s perception of the Boy Scout has changed over time. Although Scouts have always been subject to negative peer pressure, there was a time when the general respect for Scouts helped serve to counteract this. Now, although Scouting may still be well liked by the general community, I have seen much less respect.

Have you ever seen Pixar’s movie “Up”? One of the main characters is a “wilderness Scout” named Russell. This portrayal is very much the stereotypical view of the modern Scout. Though a likeable character, Russell is much more likely to be seen as “cute” by moms and grandparents rather than be admired by teen and pre-teen boys.

Why does the word “Scout” evoke in peoples’ minds an image closer to a pop-corn selling Cub Scout than a young backwoodsman or astronaut? The original appeal of Scouting to the very first Scouts was a chance to emulate the great Scouts and pioneers that were respected and idolized. As much of the culture today sees Scouting in a “cute”, though dull and unexciting light, it is no wonder that older boys don’t want to associate themselves with this.

No Responsibilities

Another reason which I have observed to be a cause of older Scout disinterest is a lack of responsibilities. In order to make room for younger Scouts to have the positions of leadership in the Troop, many older Scouts are denied positions of leadership and responsibility. They are sometimes restricted to only a certain term. It is very irksome to me to hear about Scouts “taking turns” in leadership positions, these ‘turns’ usually being dictated by adult leadership.

Some Scout leaders may feel that older Scouts will monopolize the positions of leadership and prevent younger Scouts from learning leadership. Well, in a properly run Troop, even individual Scouts in Patrols have responsibilities and get a chance to exercise leadership, but that is another discussion. For now, let me suffice to say that older Scouts will find very little motivation to hang around if they have no responsibilities in the Troop.

No Advanced Activities

One final reason I would like to point out is that of Older Scouts not being permitted to move on to more advanced Scouting activities. I hinted at this earlier when describing the lack of depth in Scouting. Too often older Scouts are stuck doing the exact same activities that the younger Scouts do. No only does this make the older Scout feel that he is going nowhere, it also gives the impression to the younger Scout that there is nothing to look forward to.

Doesn’t it make sense that as Scouts grow and become more advanced in their skills that they should move on to increasingly challenging activities? Without this, a huge incentive to stay active is lost upon the older Scout.

[I will be continuing this series soon with Part III on how to increase older Scout retention/enlistment. I hope you will stay tuned in! If you like what this site is about, please subscribe via email or your favorite social media and share this post with other Scouts and Scouters that you know. Thank you for reading!

Scout On!]

[Edit: Here are links to Part 1 and Part 3 of this series]

[Note: I originally planned on making this topic one single post. However, I feel it is important and complex enough to deserve a series of posts. So instead of one post, I will be covering this topic in three different posts. The first one is on the importance of older Scouts in a Troop. The Second is why older Scouts are not active/not joining. And the Third post will be devoted to practical solutions to increase older Scout retention/enlistment. This series is still a work-in-progress, so if you have any suggestions or comments, I would love to hear them! Just leave a comment below or on the ScoutingRediscovered Facebook page.]

Introduction

I have heard many Scouters from across the country comment on how difficult it is to retain older Scouts in their Troops. By “older Scouts” I mean roughly the ages between 15-18. In addition to hearing this quite a bit, I also have first-hand experience of this in my own Troop. Although this seems to be a common issue, I haven’t read anything that really went into this issue in depth to my satisfaction.

Some Scouters might come to the conclusion that Scouting as a program is mostly appealing to only younger boys. I don’t think this is correct at all. I am a Scout who has remained very active with my Troop from 13 to 18, and I have always found Scouting as I have come to understand it very appealing to me.

As a young man, I feel that I can helpfully contribute to this discussion. Do I have a solution? Well, that depends. As you will see in this post, there are many different factors involved in this issue. There are many different reasons why older boys leave Scouting or don’t join. There are too many factors involved to claim to have a one-size-fits-all answer, but I hope that some of my observations in this post can help Scouters and Scout Leaders better understand these reasons and help them come up with solutions on a case-by-case basis.

Why are older Scouts are vital to a properly run Troop?

First, it is important to understand why having older Scouts is vital to running a real Scout Troop. In “Scouting for Boys” chapter 1 “Hints to Instructors” section, Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, intimated that the design of Scouting is such that older, more experienced Scouts pass on their knowledge and experience to younger Scouts. This is also in keeping with the notion of a Scout-led Troop. Without older Scouts, the source of constant instruction must come from the Scoutmasters only. This means the teaching and guiding part of leadership isn’t handled by the Scouts themselves.

There is another aspect to this as well. Each Troop develops a certain ‘culture’ as time goes on. What I mean is that each individual Troop has a certain group personality. A thousand little subtleties in the way the individuals conduct themselves depends upon this group attitude or spirit. This phenomenon has been recognized wherever groups of individuals have been studied. Whether you call it ‘Esprit de corps‘ or ‘group culture’, it means the same thing. In Boy Scout Troops, this culture is passed on to the younger Scouts by the older Scouts as the younger Scouts imitate how the older Scouts act.

Helping to develop and maintain a good and mature group culture should be the goal of every leader of a Scout Troop. However, when older Scouts quit upon reaching a certain age, the group culture never really has a chance to mature. Each new Scout that enters a Troop like this is entering an environment that is still not completely formed. There is no heritage that is passed along. There is no standard enforced by tradition. This makes the job of the Scoutmaster much harder as he is in the continual state of creating a team which can never reach maturity.

Perhaps I am oversimplifying this a little, but I believe this principle to be very true. I have observed the workings of it in my own Troop. I was a 16-year-old Scout in the older generation in my Troop, and most of my direct peers had already left. Suddenly, the Troop got an influx of 12 new Webelo crossovers, and I was the Senior Patrol Leader. I had to start basically from scratch in welding these newcomers and a few of the in-between Scouts into a good Troop. I had much difficulty in this as there was no established culture for the boys to fit into. It had to be created.

In addition to my own experience, I have also learned this in studies of group dynamics. Groups go through distinct stages as they grow from being newly formed into maturity. There is a particularly rough phase early on known as “storming”. This phase cannot be skipped, but once the group has past it they are well on their way to maturity. Without older Scouts, there is the danger of a Troop being perpetually stuck in the storming phase. With older Scouts, the continual transition of new Scouts into the Troop can be much easier. Now, on the other hand, this group culture can work in a bad application if the culture formed is a bad one, but this shouldn’t be the case. If it is, there are other issues that need to be dealt with which are beyond the scope of this topic.

Here are some of the reasons why I maintain that a Troop cannot be properly run without older Scouts, I’m sure there are other reasons as well. But now that it is clear that Scouting needs older Scouts, why exactly is it that older Scouts seems to be getting fewer? In the many historical Scouting photographs I’ve seen, there seems to be a very high proportion of boys who look 15+ years old. I don’t see this as much in looking at the Troops around me today. Let’s examine some of the reasons why this is the case.

[I will be continuing this series soon with Part II on why older boys become inactive/don't join. I hope you will stay tuned in! If you like what this site is about, please subscribe via email or your favorite social media and share this post with other Scouts and Scouters that you know. Thank you for reading!

Scout On!]

[Edit: Here are links to Part 2 and Part 3 of this series]

In this post, I’d like to share another Lashing pioneered by John Thurman: The Tourniquet Lashing, from his book,“Pioneering Principles” (1962). This is a particularly useful lashing for demonstrations or anything where a really quick lashing is needed. I have used it myself on the “Ten Minute Tower”, and can testify to its usefulness. So, without further ado, here is John Thurman’s thoughts and instructions on the Tourniquet Lashing!

The Tourniquet Lashing

This will shock the purists, but I am unrepentant.

Imagine a big Scout Rally with the main attraction publicized all over the town; “Pioneering Display”. If the publicity has been good along comes the public, the Mayor and Corporation, and the mums and dads. The order is given; the Scouts rush on carrying a tremendous assortment of ropes and spars. Expectation is very great. The Scouts start work with a will and they try very hard, but the minutes and the half-hours pass and all over the arena Scouts of various sizes are putting on square lashings, diagonal lashings, and possibly other lashings as well – and they are probably enjoying doing it. But the audience cannot really see what is happening and the expectation of the crowd subsides gradually into the boredom associated with any English summer afternoon when much has been promised and little is being achieved. The spectators remember pressing engagements, the Mayor begins to look at his watch, the District Commissioner becomes increasingly harassed and runs out of small talk. The Scoutmaster in charge knows that Lashing should not be hurried and yet wants to hurry it. Eventually the project or projects appear, but too late; no one is really interested now but thinking of tea and gardens. They have been kept waiting too long. Not an imaginary picture I assure you – I’ve seen it – I expect you have too.

How can we overcome a situation like this? The thing that is taking the time is the lashing, the most important and the least spectacular part of any enterprise in Pioneering. Well, there can be a certain amount of pre-lashing so that for the final erection of the bridge or the tower a very small number of lashings have to be put on, but even this can take a long time. That is why I commend to you for display work the Tourniquet Lashing. It is my own idea and I don’t think you will find it in any other book. As I said earlier, I am sure it will shock many people, but I hope it may shock some of you into trying it. It does work!

Take a simple strop and then with a mallet handle or the butt of a stave you can fix two spars together by using the process of a tourniquet. Unless you are going to have a Scout holding the strainer of the tourniquet (an unpopular assignment) you must have a loop of rope or a piece of sisal, as shewn in the drawing, to fix it in place after tightening. Use this method for display purposes and I promise you that with a little practice you can put on a Pioneering Display that really does come up to expectations.

A great many valuable commercial discoveries have emanated from the thought of how to use something for a purpose for which it was not intended. Something is invented for one purpose and then ingenuity finds a different use for it. In lashing I cannot offer anything very profound except the tourniquet lashing.

Introduction

As a young man starting out and trying to get on in life, one of the biggest challenges I have to face is that of communicating with others. Communicating with others, by itself, is one of the most subtle and complex tasks we have to do on a day-to-day basis. Even for extroverts, it can be challenging to communicate effectively, but for those natural introverts like myself, it can be downright frustrating at times. It doesn’t have to be though. Fortunately, communicating effectively is a skill that can be learned with some dedicated application of principles. Being a well-rounded Scout necessitates excellence in communication.

For me, the area of communication that has given me the most frustration is that of communicating to the older generations, and I know that many other young men struggle in this area as well. However, these times of communication are often the most important for a young man to get right as they can open doors and set the course for his future. In this area of communication, there are many unique challenges. These can be reduced significantly by applying the right principles. There is not a magic formula; communication is an art that must be practiced for improvement. There are, however, a few simple principles and tips that I have learned which can help you significantly.

1. Respect

In general, we respect things that we can empathize with. This can make it hard to have respect when talking with the older generations because we haven’t experienced many of the things they have gone through. This affects the way we should communicate with them in two ways. The first is to simply give them the benefit of the doubt. If you aren’t sure about a topic, reserve your personal judgement and give them some credence simply because of their life experience. This can be hard if your gut instinct says they are wrong. There is certainly the possibility that they might be wrong, but you will make communication much easier if you give them the benefit of the doubt where possible.

This brings us to the second way respect affects the way we should communicate with the older generations. This has to do with a universal human trait. Nobody likes to be told they are wrong, but it is especially irksome if the person making the correction seems so much more unqualified. If you have younger siblings, you will understand this for sure, but imagine how you would feel if a seven-year-old came up and said you were flat-out wrong in something you thought was quite obviously right. That is a similar feeling to the one you give when you correct someone fifteen, twenty, or thirty years older than you. You can easily imagine what this can do to their willingness to communicate with you!

For this reason, have respect for an elder person’s opinion even if you think you are quite sure that they are wrong. There might be situations where you must correct them, do it in as winsome and gregarious of a way as you can. If correction is necessary, do it as respectfully as possible.

2. Patience

At our age, we often have quite a bit of energy and passion. When communicating with elders, we should always keep in mind that they are often more inclined to be methodical in both speech and action. Many times, they are less inclined to be in a hurry. They desire to think things thoroughly through before acting upon them.

This is where we can often fall into a mistake of communication, especially if we have a sense of urgency about the matter. Patience is the key virtue here. At all costs, we must avoid trying to ‘push’ or ‘hurry’ them to do what we want them to do or make a decision. Many times, this can create a backlash against your original purpose. Keep your cool, and present your argument or proposition calmly.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions

It is a universal rule of communication to not make assumptions, but this is especially important to remember when communicating with elders. With each generation, the culture that man grows up in changes. While there is a certain bond of common experience that ties people of the same generation together, this particular bond doesn’t exist across generations.

In order to avoid miscommunication, take extra care to avoid making assumptions about how older people feel and think. Many times, different values are emphasized in different ways across generations.

Work from common human experience rather that time-specific experience in your arguments, presentations, and examples. If you have the chance, it is even better to talk with them for a while and absorb as much as you can of their values, culture, and particular presuppositions. The further back in time you go, the more likely you will see a difference from today’s culture.

4. Clarity and Openness

For all of the reasons listed above, it is extremely important to seek for an atmosphere of clarity and openness in your conversations with older generations. Be honest and straight-forward. Don’t fulfill the stereotype that many older people have of the younger generation. The generational gap has created a lot of unnecessary frustration for both younger and older people. Don’t fulfill the stereotype that many of them have grown accustomed to seeing.

Show them that instead of resenting authority, you are eager to submit to legitimate authority. Show them that instead of acting completely on impulse, you are rational and prudent in making decisions. Show them that instead of not caring about the past, you are ready to learn from the many mistakes and successes of history.

Conclusion

There were four principles in this post. The first was respect. Respect the experience of elders and give them the benefit of the doubt where possible. The second was patience. Trying to rush someone into something is one of the surest ways to alienate them. The third principle was to not make assumptions. The past was a different world; don’t assume elders will always react in the same way you do. The fourth was to exercise clarity and openness in your conversations. Convey your thoughts as straight-forward as you can, and don’t fulfill the negative stereotypes that too often follow young men.

It is an old saying to “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow”. It is amazing how much we fail to learn important lessons from history. Though conversing with those from previous generations (especially the one directly above us) can seem all to often like a frustrating experience, there is much we can learn and much we can gain from talking with those who came before us. They created the world that we live in today, and the lessons they learned can help immensely with our task of building the world for the generations to come.

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Scout On!