Games And Contests. Contests

Contests are usually planned by the Troop Leaders' Council and announced in advance in order to give each Patrol an opportunity to prepare itself at regular Patrol meetings. Surprise contests may be planned by a leader designated for this purpose by the Troop Leaders' Council. Such contests, naturally, are not previously announced, but are "sprung" upon the Patrols at the beginning of the meeting during which they will be held. Another type of contest which has gained great favor is the "challenge." A Patrol with a Scoutcraft specialty challenges the other Patrols to a contest in that subject. Rules are prepared by impartial non-participants (usually the Junior Leaders) and sufficient time is allowed for necessary training. Fun or strength challenges, on the other hand, may be put on the meeting program without previous preparations.

Make the Patrol the unit always in games and contest and watch Patrol spirit develop.

For further suggestions on contest subjects see Chat 31.

Cooperation

The Scoutmaster should bear in mind that unless he is very cautious the outcome of contests is not unselfishness. The Boy Scouts of America is working for team play and community spirit. To a certain extent nationalism—patriotism—all of these are based on cooperation. Cooperation means unselfishness which is one of the fundamentals of Scouting—the thing we are all of us working for. In order that there may be no misunderstanding about this, the Scoutmaster should read carefully the official policy of the Boy Scouts of America with reference to competitive events as stated in The Rally Book.

Competitive Events

Scouting is a group Movement. The first group is the Patrol. Immediately we introduce contests geared up to individual glory, we destroy this essential quality in competitive events in Scouting. Let the Patrol share the success of each member of it, and let the Troop share in the success of each Patrol. Allow no spirit of antagonism between Troops or Patrols.

The aim in Scout competitions is always to set the Scout in competition with his own record. Not his Troop or Patrol "beating" another, but excelling itself. Showing an average advance per member, a higher standing as a Troop, or as a Patrol. It might be possible to adopt the method in use in some of our public schools, where the average record of a group (in athletics), is taken, rather than the highest record of a member of that group. That, at any rate, is the principle in Scout contests. Competition aims at better Troops, not at individual records.

Council Fire Period

After the physical activities of the game and contest periods the Troop settles down for the quietude —if not quietness—of the indoor council fire. A few Troops are able to squat down in front of a real log fire in the permanent fire place of their meeting room, others form a circle around an artificial camp fire built of logs and provided with the illumination of a red electric bulb, while still others get along by simply seating themselves in circle formation.

And then starts a period of fun, fellowship and inspiration as song follows song, interspersed with yells, stories and stunts.

Possibly the council fire period is of greater importance than any other part of the Troop Meeting for inculcating in the Scouts the spirit and ideals of Scouting. Under the right leadership a mood may be created which will make the boys sensitive to the expressions —in words and deeds—of their surroundings. It is all important, therefore, that the program of the council fire period be as fine as possible.

Singing

The council fire is the ideal time for getting the boys to sing. Boys love to sing, provided a natural provocation presents itself. The fellowship of the council fire —although this be artificial—provides this, so get them to sing and get them to learn new songs.

It isn't necessary for the Scoutmaster to be a singer, or even a song leader. In any Troop there is apt to be at least one natural leader. Find him and let him lead.

Make the Patrols song-conscious. Encourage them to select or develop their own songs. Have singing contests between the Patrols, and help them in building a taste for and a repertoire of good songs.

Create a natural council fire spirit by starting out with humorous songs, solo and chorus songs, rounds or the like. Shift into peppy, lively songs of higher sentiment and proceed from those toward the closing of the period to the old, soft, familiar songs.

You will find many suggestions for songs and hints on song leading in Songs Scouts Sing, published by the Boy Scouts of America, and in Chat 20 of this Handbook for Scoutmasters.

Yells

Yells—by Patrols or by the whole Troop—may be fitted in between the songs, particularly in the early part of the period. Also they may be used as applause following particular features of the program. See Handbook for Patrol Leaders for suggestions.

Stunts

Stunts by Patrols or by individuals should form a part of every council fire period. These stunts may be impromptu, dramatics, Scoutcraft demonstrations, Indian ceremonies or dances, or even camp fire challenge games.

They should be kept short, wholesome, and lively. See Handbook for Patrol Leaders for ideas.

Story Telling

Stories, by all means!—told, not read, by the Scoutmaster, a member of the Troop or an outsider.

Around the glowing "fire" the Scoutmaster has his chance to give to the Scouts a challenge and a vision of Scouting.

These too should be short and to the point, preferably focusing upon one "hero," one idea, one salient fact in his life. Toward the end of the council fire the boys will be found particularly receptive to the suggestion of a hero tale, simply, briefly told. It will grip them and instill Scout ideals most effectively. Only, be careful to select "live" subjects that appeal to boys. Don't make it too "goody-goody" and DON'T POINT OUT THE MORAL.

Further story telling suggestions and a bibliography of short stories will be found in Chat 20.

The Scoutmaster's Three Minutes

Closing the council fire period, the Scoutmaster should use the opportunity to leave with the Scouts a message and a challenge—a "thought for the week," so to speak—impressing upon them the fact that they are Scouts and therefore are expected to do what Scouts do and be what Scouts are.

This may be done in story form—which will then probably eliminate any other story telling in this last period—or it may be in the form of a short, inspirational talk based upon some point of the Scout Law or Oath.

Make it brief and earnest, and stop short when the idea has been expressed, and proceed quickly to the closing of the meeting.

Other Suggestions For The Council Fire Period

1. Use this period to announce the winners of Troop contests. Yells for and by the lucky Patrol.

2. Try debates on everyday problems involving the Scout Law. Examples: "In a rally your Patrol is all set to win when one of the fellows muffs a knot in the knot-tying event. Your Patrol is disqualified. What would you say to him after the event?" "At camp a Scout in your tent has to go to church very early and leaves his bed unmade, asking you to attend to it for him. This you refuse to do. What mistake have each of you made? What points of the Scout Law are involved?" Other subjects may be suggested by the boys.

3. Start a round-robin story, the Scoutmaster telling the first chapter, leaving the hero facing an "insurmountable" obstacle, the next boy to get him out of it, the following into another difficulty, etc.

4. Which Patrols know and can sing most songs?

5. Scouts to tell: "My most exciting Scout experience."

6. Call for reports of nature study, camp site exploration and the like.

7. Which Patrol can tell the funniest joke?

8. Reading of the week's "Mysterious Letter." Interest a Scout, a leader or a member of the Troop Committee with writing ability to send the Troop a weekly letter, commenting upon the activities, jokingly, seriously, or even critically, signed "The Mystery Man of Troop-." This opens up a means of straightening out many small difficulties in an interesting and exciting manner. Naturally, the identity of the writer must always remain a deep secret.

9. Enlarge the council fire period when called for, into investiture ceremony for new boys.

Closing Exercises

And so we get to the final period of the meeting: The Troop lines up for the closing exercises.

Is it necessary to say that each meeting should end on a high note, that the closing should be the most impressive part of the meeting? The last things the Scouts do, the last impressions, are the ones they carry away with them from the meeting.

Announcements First

In closing, announcements may be necessary. If any are to be made, let them precede a regular closing ceremony. Do not present a fine ceremony then spoil it by making some commonplace remarks or reminders the last item.

And by the way, if announcements as to future events were made at the opening, repeat them at closing, but always before the ceremony. The memory of boys is not very long.

Make all statements definite and clear-cut, so that no mistake is possible. Also, make them yours, the Scoutmaster's. An announcement to the effect that "A rally will be held in the hall Wednesday night. Those who want to attend should be there by 7:30" is not apt to bring out many boys. But compare it with this, stated in the Scoutmaster's words: "We are all invited to attend a rally in the hall Wednesday night. I am going and I will meet you here at Troop headquarters at 7:15 sharp. I hope every Patrol in the Troop will be there in full force." The last statement will create results. The fact that the Troop is going will crystallize the idea into action with those who are inclined to take every proposition negatively.

For safety purposes follow an important announcement with a snappy: "Any questions?" If questions arise, repeat the announcement and clarify any vague points.