Over the summer three of our Scouts left us to join Explorers as they are now 14. At the same time, we've got six new Scouts joining us from the Cub pack. This means we have had to create a new patrol and three new patrol leaders.
And there lies the problem. We are a young Troop, the oldest members are about 12 and the majority are 10. Some of the Scouts who we have considered for Patrol Leader were those who caused us some problems with their behaviour earlier in the year.
So after a lot of thought, we decided to make some of the 'challenging' Scouts patrol leaders, but on a trial basis. They have until mid November to prove themselves and they are under no illusions that if they prat about, they will lose their position.
I do believe that if they put their minds to it they will all succeed. In fact, one of them decided that there was a specific game he wanted to play last week, so we agreed and he arranged it and told everyone the rules. It went well!
So I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that with the extra responsibility will come a bit of sense and a bit better behaviour and manners.
I do believe it was a British Chap name Baden Powell that once said “if you want responsible boys..give them responsibility”.
Nick I think you are on the right track with this. Give the lads clear expectations and watch them exceed in their tasks.
You will be suprised at what a Scout can do when given opportunities.
Hang in there! And have a Great Scouting Day!
This BP chap, I think I’ve heard of him. Didn’t write a book or something???? 😉
Doesn’t BP mean British Petroleum? Give them the job, if they fail, then find out why they failed…if it’s their attitude, or if they don’t know what to do…