moving on

[bill]

Not changing sections!
From my new viewpoint our troop has been standing still throughout my
period as SL. High spots, yes, but I can't honestly say that the PLs
are better than those I had when I started. Now I'm "the manager" I
can see this more clearly...
Please don't tell me its the change of age range!
The problem as I see it is that we are always appointing PLs who
haven't the ability to do the job, and who regard it as a pure status
symbol.
If we can identify a couple of likely kids for future PL-ness (not the
oldest but those with aptitude) I 'm about to suggest to my successor
that we go back to B-P, and train 'em. Let the others take part in
youth-clubby things in the meanwhile, but we (or rather, he) try to
build a patrol or patrols of keen ones. Instead of a winter camp for
all, we do something for PLs only and try to boost their real status-
make it a challenging weekend not our usual.

Any thoughts very welcome!

TIA

[chris.5th]

Post by bill
Not changing sections!
From my new viewpoint our troop has been standing still throughout my
period as SL.  High spots, yes, but I can't honestly say that the PLs
are better than those I had when I started. Now I'm "the manager" I
can see this more clearly...
Please don't tell me its the change of age range!
The problem as I see it is that we are always appointing PLs who
haven't the ability to do the job, and who regard it as a pure status
symbol.
If we can identify a couple of likely kids for future PL-ness (not the
oldest but those with aptitude) I 'm about to suggest to my successor
that we go back to B-P, and train 'em. Let the others take part in
youth-clubby things in the meanwhile, but we (or rather, he) try to
build a patrol or patrols of keen ones. Instead of a winter camp for
all, we do something for PLs only and try to boost their real status-
make it a challenging weekend not our usual.
Any thoughts very welcome!
TIA

I like some of the idea...

I think we should definitely be training PLs separately. As an
example, this term all my PLs and APLs (the y9s) are doing a full
blown emergency first aid at work course. This is in preparation for
their expedition.

PLs get extra programme items offered, i only took the PLs
narrowboating (for example)

We need to offer different activities to kids who have been in the
section for 3 years. Yes... they will still be sensible and older for
some events but they also want the chance to do bigger and better
stuff. Bigger fires, later bedtimes.

it can be done and it can lead to PLs leading. mums will swear their
kids are useless good-for-nothings but left in a field with only the
promise of a bit of praise from their SL... a group of scruffy
hottentots can prepare a tent for inspection so that it gleams!

this tent was not perfect
Loading Image...
(frying pan unfinished - peg on floor - scarf on floor - cup not in
bowl ... etc) but hey... these guys don't wash up at home, don;t tidy
their own rooms, don't do anything like this anywhere else...

the PL does not enjoy making oiks wash up, he does not enjoy the
stress of nagging 10 yr olds to pick up litter... but if he sticks it
out... he gets to do the extra stuff, the funner stuff... the
expeditions and narrowboating.

I am not a huge fan of training (or rather, i don;t like calling it
'training')... I would suggest that you run an event at which you do
stuff. you do not do map and compass training... you do a hike! you do
not do axe and saw training... you spit roast a chicken!

but yes... your idea is sound... if you still have them at the end of
y7, you should still have them to feed as a cohort to explorers.

[Daniel Smith]

Post by chris.5th

Post by bill
Not changing sections!
From my new viewpoint our troop has been standing still throughout my
period as SL. High spots, yes, but I can't honestly say that the PLs
are better than those I had when I started. Now I'm "the manager" I
can see this more clearly...
Please don't tell me its the change of age range!
The problem as I see it is that we are always appointing PLs who
haven't the ability to do the job, and who regard it as a pure status
symbol.
If we can identify a couple of likely kids for future PL-ness (not the
oldest but those with aptitude) I 'm about to suggest to my successor
that we go back to B-P, and train 'em. Let the others take part in
youth-clubby things in the meanwhile, but we (or rather, he) try to
build a patrol or patrols of keen ones. Instead of a winter camp for
all, we do something for PLs only and try to boost their real status-
make it a challenging weekend not our usual.
Any thoughts very welcome!
TIA

I like some of the idea...
I think we should definitely be training PLs separately. As an
example, this term all my PLs and APLs (the y9s) are doing a full
blown emergency first aid at work course. This is in preparation for
their expedition.
PLs get extra programme items offered, i only took the PLs
narrowboating (for example)
We need to offer different activities to kids who have been in the
section for 3 years. Yes... they will still be sensible and older for
some events but they also want the chance to do bigger and better
stuff. Bigger fires, later bedtimes.
it can be done and it can lead to PLs leading. mums will swear their
kids are useless good-for-nothings but left in a field with only the
promise of a bit of praise from their SL... a group of scruffy
hottentots can prepare a tent for inspection so that it gleams!
this tent was not perfect
http://www.scoutsphotos.com/2010/Scouts/Summer-Camp/DSC01988/963306576_uFPtg-L.jpg
(frying pan unfinished - peg on floor - scarf on floor - cup not in
bowl ... etc) but hey... these guys don't wash up at home, don;t tidy
their own rooms, don't do anything like this anywhere else...
the PL does not enjoy making oiks wash up, he does not enjoy the
stress of nagging 10 yr olds to pick up litter... but if he sticks it
out... he gets to do the extra stuff, the funner stuff... the
expeditions and narrowboating.
I am not a huge fan of training (or rather, i don;t like calling it
'training')... I would suggest that you run an event at which you do
stuff. you do not do map and compass training... you do a hike! you do
not do axe and saw training... you spit roast a chicken!
but yes... your idea is sound... if you still have them at the end of
y7, you should still have them to feed as a cohort to explorers.

(assuming green but generally sensable PLs here)

Make sure you involve them (and the APLS if you only have a few patrols)
in planning and running the troop

bring back the patrol leaders council if you don't allready do this, get
them working on next terms programme, I would just explain the budget
constraints, explain which activities are banned and why, and give them
a badge chart and acsess to a list of requirements for each badge...
then take a step back and let them plan the programme only giving advice
when asked.... then go though what they have with all of them and from
that make somthing workable. (by the second or third time they do this
they will know whats workable too!)

ask them what they think of the other members of their patrol (rule is
what is said in the PL council stays there) what their strengths are and
what their weaknesses are, and what they think would be a good thing to
work on their weaknesses



Also plan in some events just for the PLs and APLs, (weekend greenfield
camp is a good place for this) get a good camp chair for you to sit
round the fire in and let them run it!
set some sort of goal related to the troop...

eg come up with at lest 2 new games that can be played in the hut
and one that can be played on camp.