Teaching EDGE

Question: What is the Scoutmasters most important job?Training Youth LeadersTraining boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmasters most important job.Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.Never do anything a boy can do.Robert Baden-Powell

BLTUPM is an abbreviation for what?BLTUPMScoutmaster Handbook

4FrogsAndys Rule No. 76: You can tell some Scoutmasters there are four billion stars in the universe and he believes you, but tell him the Senior Patrol Leader is supposed to be running the troop meeting and he looks at you like youve just had frogs leap out of your mouth.http://netcommissioner.com/askandy

OutlineLevels of Youth ParticipationMeasure EmpowermentPropose PlayDescribe ResourcesAuthentic Youth ParticipationShared decision making with adultsCollaboration with adultsAdults serve as resourcesand mentors

Ladder of Youth Participation

ManipulationAdults using young people to promote a causeYouth dont understand the causeDecorationYouth perform to promote an adult agendaAim: an emotional response from adults

www.scout.org/en/information_events/library/youth_involvement/youth_involvement_youth_empowermentLadder of Youth Participation

TokenismA youth is scripted to speak to adultsSupposedly representing youthAssigned but informedYouth participation is decided for themUnderstand: AimsUnderstand: Why they were chosen

Ladder of Youth Participation

Consulted and informedProject designed by adultsYouth opinions consultedAdult initiated, Shared decisionsYouth opinions taken seriously in decision making

Ladder of Youth Participation

Assigned but informedConsulted and informedAdult initiated, Shared decisionsYouth initiated and directedRare: adult dont want to give up controlHard to sustain without adult involvement

Ladder of Youth ParticipationYouth initiated, Shared decisionsAdults are involved as facilitators for the goals of young peopleResourcesSkill developmentEvaluation helpEnhances learning for young people, builds a sense of community and ownership, and adults enjoy the enthusiasm of young people

Patrol System Survey ResultsAdults may be overly-involved24% report that planning is largely or wholly accomplished by the adults. Skill instruction happens with direct adult involvement in 73% of the responding Troops. Of these 8% report that adults do all of the instructing.36% report that directions to Scouts are largely given by adults, of this 9% report that directions came almost exclusively from adults.

Patrol System Survey ResultsYouth leaders planning is sometimes compromised.24% report that youth leaders plans are either nonexistent or frequently revised or vetoed by adults.60% report that adults other than the Scoutmaster attend patrol leaders council meetings and 53% speak up and advise Scouts during these meetings on a regular basis.26% of troops report that adults have the primary responsibility for planning meetings and events.Patrol System Survey ResultsPatrols dont appear to have a large measure of independence or continuity45% of patrols are often combined for an activity or event.49% of patrols have 10 minutes or less scheduled at troop meetings, 17% have no time scheduled.41% of troops have inter-patrol competitions less than once a month.87% of troops do not have their patrols set up independent campsites; of these 29% make no differentiation of patrols at all when camping.60% of patrols have no independent meetings or activities.

Walt Kelly The Pogo PapersEmpowermentParticipation is linked to empowermentStrive to make empowerment inclusive

Andys Rule No. 90: The Scouts who show up for every meeting are usually the ones who dont need to.http://netcommissioner.com/askandyParticipation EmpowermentConsider whoHas most of the information?Initiates, sets the agenda?Decides, plans and organizes?Expertise is implemented?Sets up the structure and rules?Evaluates?Has the power?1. Initiation of the method: Whoseidea was it?2. The agenda: Who decides what isdiscussed?3. Decision-making: Who makesdecisions about how toproceed?4. Information: Who holds theinformation necessary fordecision-making?5. Implementation: Who takesaction on decisions?6. Structure of participation: Howformal or informal is it; does itreplicate the adult structure?As with the ladder model, there is no single correct way of involving young people19Rate ParticipationActivity: Adults 5 0 +5Youth ...have most of the info....have most of the info....initiatedset the agenda...plan and organize...plan and organize...make the decisions...make the decisions...expertise is used...expertise is used...set the rulesdecided the structureevaluatedfeedback is actively soughthave the power

are empowered20Rate ParticipationOkpik outing to Northern TierEly Minnesota during Winter, 2006Adults 5 0 +5Youth ...have most of the info.+5...have most of the info....initiated+5set the agenda...plan and organize+5...plan and organize...make the decisions+5...make the decisions...expertise is used+4 ...expertise is used...set the rules0decided the structureevaluated+4 feedback is actively soughthave the power!!!!!are empowered

21Rate ParticipationActivity: 25th AnnualScouting for FoodAdults 5 0 +5Youth ...have most of the info....have most of the info....initiatedset the agenda...plan and organize...plan and organize...make the decisions...make the decisions...expertise is used...expertise is used...set the rulesdecided the structureevaluatedfeedback is actively soughthave the power

are empowered

22Participation EmpowermentConsider how youth canHave most of the informationInitiate and set the agendaDecide, plan, and organizeUse their expertiseUse their structure and rulesReflect on we did it ourselvesHave power1. Initiation of the method: Whoseidea was it?2. The agenda: Who decides what isdiscussed?3. Decision-making: Who makesdecisions about how toproceed?4. Information: Who holds theinformation necessary fordecision-making?5. Implementation: Who takesaction on decisions?6. Structure of participation: Howformal or informal is it; does itreplicate the adult structure?As with the ladder model, there is no single correct way of involving young people23How to foster participationScouting is a game for boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man B-PThat is, adult leaders shouldprovide opportunities for playPlayImpression vs. Expression

Scouting is not soldiering B-P

BLTUPlayMBaden-Powell wrote that play is the first great educator. He also described Scouting as a game full of gusto. Play is often defined as a futile activity of no real importance. It is seen as the opposite of work, which is a serious activity.PlayAction playDevelop sensorimotor skillsUnderstand logical consequencesSymbolic playModeling qualities they want to acquireSocial playMastery; ExpressionRules; Roles; Teams 27Team PlayListening; CommunicatingAgreeing on goals; understanding authorityDealing with differing abilitiesChallenge and ChoiceCollaborate or Compete?Spirit and SupportDecision makingincluding dealing with consequencesOMHIWDMB or Winning, period?Teams: what to do with the less able? Or, if you are the less able-sabotage & sandbagCommunication; agreeing on goalsListening28Offering PlayThe answer is simple: the adult leader should offer as much play as possible, taking into account the capabilities of the young people.Offering as much play as possible means establishing a framework allowing room for initiative while ensuring guidance and security.Goldilocks ProblemOffer a just right framework. Dont limit opportunities by using a framework that is:Too tightToo loose

Example: ChessFramework Too TightDont block opportunity for initiative and exploration. The framework is so tight that there is no longer any play; everything is determined in advance; there is no room for initiative. This is the attitude of authoritarianism and overprotection adopted by some adults.

Framework Too LooseDont refuse to establish any framework or rules. There is no longer any play because there is no longer any confrontation between the dynamism of the individual and reality.Laissez-faire can careen between boredom and terror.

ChessBoard; Rules; Movement

A fun framework!

BLTUPlayMScouting puts the boys into fraternity gangs which is their natural organization whether for games, mischief, or loafing. B-PResourcesThe BSA syllabus for training youth leaders is ILSTwww.scouting.org>Training>Youth

ILST: How to Use GamesBe Prepared!Know how the game is played, what the objectives are, and how its parts lead to learning the objective.Present the GameMake the rules clearStand backLead the ReflectionProject Adventurewww.pa.org

Methods of ScoutingThe idealsThe patrol methodThe outdoorsAdvancementAdult associationPersonal growthLeadership developmentThe uniform

The Universal QuestionWhat can I do to help?

www.people.vcu.edu/~albest/Training/PatrolMethodALBest@vcu.edu(804) 752-7588