October 2015

Purpose  The purpose of this presentation is to help parents empower their scouts as the scout and the family transitions from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  We’ll first go over several key scouting methods that are different in Boy Scouts than in Cub Scouts.  Then we’ll look at 4 typical issues that new scouts face and outline the role of the scout, the scout trek leader, the adult trek leader and the parent.  This presentation does not cover ‘Youth Protection” issues or situations. 2October 2015

Key Points  We are a “boy driven” troop.  Scouts learn how to lead and how to make decisions.  They make mistakes, and that’s okay!  They do not and cannot “fail” – they learn.  We use the “patrol method’.  Scouts learn how to work together to achieve goals.  Sometimes this works very well, sometimes it doesn’t work so well. It can look like chaos- but it’s really not.  Key goals for the adult leader are to:  Keep the scouts safe.  Teach/advise from the “top down” – we advise the scout trek leader/SPL/instructors on how to lead and how to work with the scouts.  Teach/sign-off basic skills and requirements. 3October 2015

#1 Scout Doesn’t Get Along with Tent Mate  The issues aren’t dangerous (such as bullying). It’s:  Tent organization, cleanliness, tenting with a “non-friend”, space  What the scout should do:  Try to work out the issues with the tent mate first.  Go to the scout trek leader to ask for assistance.  If the scout goes to an adult first, the scout will be sent back to work it out, and then the scout will be sent to the scout trek leader.  Adults may “shadow” and listen and may provide suggestions directly or thru the trek leader.  What should the parent do:  Reinforce how the problem should be solved.  Ask the scout what he will do differently next time. 4October 2015

#2 Scout Is Having a “Toileting” Issue While on a Backpacking Trek  The issues are typically not immediately serious, but could be if ignored. Some scouts can be too embarrassed to talk about it.  Examples:  Scout has never gone to the bathroom “in the outdoors” before.  Scout has lose bowels (due to trail diet), or diarrhea, or a rash.  Scout is constipated because he does not want to go “in the outdoors” or in the trail “bathrooms”. (true story here…)  What the scout should do - let an adult trek leader know. It’s really okay!  Adults and scout trek leaders do training on general toileting issues, so the overall topic is brought up.  What the parent should do BEFORE a first trek, or anytime if needed:  Let the scout know it’s really okay to ask for help or ask questions about this.  If they are ill, in pain, and need help, to please let someone know asap.  If you want to learn more about this topic, please ask me! 5October 2015

#3 Gear on a Backpacking Trek  Before the first backpacking trek (in November) there will be a session for parents on gear.  Gear will be discussed in depth at this meeting, so I’m not covering it here.  Important tips for parents:  Be sure to attend the session for parents.  There will be a pack check for new scouts (1 week before)  Be sure your scout attends and brings everything he expects to take.  Pack weight (with food, water, crew gear) should not exceed 1/3 of body weight  There will be an adjusted pack list for smaller scouts.  For the first pack check and for the first trek, help your scout pack.  Go over each item on the checklist.  Then weigh the final pack, and make sure there is “weight left” for crew gear, water, and food.  For each subsequent trek, do less and less. Soon, do not do anything about packing! Let him do it all. 6October 2015

#4 Food - Overview! IssueResponsibilities/Details Food AllergiesParent to complete medical form and to inform adults. Scout to inform trek patrol during meal planning. Scout may bring own food as needed. Religious Requirements, Personal Preferences (Vegetarian, Vegan, etc.) Scout to inform trek patrol during meal planning. Troop Trek (1 -2 nights)Scout to work with trek patrol during meal planning; Scout will have responsibility for some portion of the meals, or of the patrol gear (stove, etc.). Adult trek leaders monitor cooking but do not manage details of food, cooking, eating. (First Class cooking is the exception.) Staffed campAdult trek leader will inform camp of food allergies and religious requirements, etc. Scout needs to make use of optional food choices. Adults may ask scout about food choices, but cannot require a scout to eat. 7October 2015

What Goes Wrong With Food/Meals on a Trek These are not “someone else’s problem”. These problems impact all scouts in a patrol.  Someone forgets to bring something.  Someone drops out (often at the last moment) and does not contact patrol/trek leader, nor has any one bring their food (stove, cook kit, chef kit or tent) to the departure point.  Not all of the scouts show up to the patrol planning meeting before the trek (1 to 2 meetings before the trek).  If a scout misses meal planning he should contact others in his patrol, or the scout trek leader asap.  The patrol leader should also contact missing patrol members.  Someone changes the menu at the last moment.  Some scouts forget to mention their food preferences.  The patrol leader and cooks are suppose to ask.  Cooking goes awry – spill the food, burn the food, etc. 8October 2015

Cooking On An Overnight Trek – What I Look For*  Stove safety - #1 Concern  Is anyone sitting too close to the stove, especially when there is a pot of boiling water on top of the stove?  Is the stove stable? (level, not on a wobbly table, in a safe location)  Are there flammable objects near the stove? (bags, clothes, etc.)  Knives – are all scouts following safety rules?  Scouts  Is everyone involved in the meal (preparing, cooking, cleaning, eating). Is anyone missing?  Food  Do the scouts know how to adequately/correctly prepare the meal?  Does it look like the scouts planned well (amount of food, etc.)?  If something is “odd”, I’ll ask “Are you sure you want to do that?” * There are additional steps for First Class cooking 9October 2015

What Should Parents Do?  If the scout has a food allergy –be sure that the adults know asap, and this allergy is clearly listed on the medical forms.  If the scout has a religious preference or similar – tell the scout that he must let his patrol know as soon as meal planning begins.  Be sure scout gets to the planning meeting.  If the scout has meal ideas, or meal issues (doesn’t like something), tell your scout that he needs to tell his patrol, or volunteer to manage the meals in question.  When the meal planning is done, ask your scout about each meal – what does the scout need to bring?  If your scout can’t answer, have him contact the patrol or scout trek leader immediately.  If the patrol plans an “odd” meal, it’s their meal, let them give it a try (and possibly send more snacks!). If your son is the cook, let him practice at home. 10October 2015

Summary  These are only a few of the situations that a new scout will encounter.  The general rules of thumb are to:  Encourage your scout to ‘figure out the problem’.  Encourage him to work with his patrol, or the patrol leaders.  Ask him general questions, and if the scout doesn’t seem to know the answers, encourage him to approach an adult.  Learn from mistakes and prevent future problems.  Our sons have made mistakes, had some problems, but they figured out what to do and what not to do.  They survived and thrived.  They are confident, strong and independent young men who were greatly influenced and guided by these scouting methods. 11October 2015