We always say the troop is "scout led", but what does that mean?
- The adults do not lead the troop directly.
- We teach the scouts how to lead.
- We teach the scouts what scouting looks like.
- We do not let the scouts just do whatever they want.
- It is better for a scout to do a C- job himself, than for an adult to do an A+ job.
- Scout leaders need active and persistent adult mentoring and coaching.
- Adult led is not "plan b". Plan B is the scouts figuring out what they can do.
- It's important that the scouts plan and cook the food themselves.
- It's important that the scouts learn and lead the flag ceremony.
- It matters that the scouts elect their own leaders rather than adults choosing the "best" one.
- We may not cover everything on the agenda, it's more important that the senior patrol leader is in charge of the meeting.
- Adults provide a safe, healthy and positive environment for the scouts to learn to lead.
- If a scout can do it, a scout should do it.
- Look for opportunities to teach scouts how to lead more of their troop.
- "Efficient" is a bad word in scouting. Scouts will figure out all the inefficient ways to do things, and that's ok.
- It's important to learn first aid, but also important that a scout teaches first aid.
- Scouts learn by doing. If we take away opportunities for scouts to do things, they will not learn.
- An event must have a designated scout in charge. Otherwise the scouts will start asking the adults what to do.
- "Ask your patrol leader" is a reasonable answer to almost every scout's question.
- We provide a "safe place to fail".
- Practice the "half-mile rule". Let your scouts lead in the wrong direction for a while before you correct them.
- Any group of scouts large enough to be separated into patrol-sized groups should be separated into patrol-sized groups and led by a senior patrol leader.
- Scout-led is harder than adult led.