After The Meeting

After the meeting is over, have no disorder about the meeting place before the boys go home. The boys should understand that the Troop headquarters is made available as a Good Turn by the institution, and that proper care of the place must therefore be the Troop's first responsibility.

Some boys will linger after the meeting to ask numerous questions. A few of these with their possible answers are given here.

"When can we get Uniforms?" "You are permitted to wear them as soon as you are Tenderfoot Scouts and the Troop is registered at headquarters." "When do we pay Troop dues?" (Your answer will depend upon whether you prefer to have them paid at five or ten cents a meeting; this can be settled a little later.) "When are we going on a hike?" "As soon as possible after you become Tenderfoot Scouts." "When do we get our badges?" "About four weeks from now at the public installation meeting if you meet your Tenderfoot Requirements promptly."

If you are unable to answer a question, frankly admit it by saying, "I don't know, but I'll find out and tell you next week." In the meantime consult your Handbook, or ask for help from the Local Council office.

Meeting 2. Objects

1. Practice of Tenderfoot Requirements.

2. Collection of application blanks and registration fees.

3. Building up Scouting interest already manifested.

The great day arrives. The Application Blank is given the boy to take home and have it signed by the parents.

Equipment

1. Handbook for Boys.

2. Hopes for knot-tying.

3. Flag of the United States of America.

4. Application blanks.

Program

Assembly and Drill-15 minutes.

a. Pledge of Allegiance.

b. Review of Scout Drill practiced previous week, with possibility of an addition of two or three new movements.

c. Roll Call-by the newly appointed Scribe. (Later on when Patrols are permanently organized, the Patrol Leaders will report the attendance.)

Knot-Tying-20 minutes.

a. Review all the knots learned the previous week, and teach additional Tenderfoot knots with a clear demonstration of their use. Let the boys who have learned some of the less common knots demonstrate them to the rest.

b. Use competition, as before.

c. Patrol knot-tying relay race.

Have each Patrol line up in a single file at one end of the room. At the opposite end have a chair for each Patrol with a rope laid down upon it and a scorer standing by. At the starting signal, the first boys in each Patrol will run to a chair, tie any knot called for by the scorer, and then untie it and run back to his line to tag the next boy who may then run, and so on; the first Patrol finished wins. Some knots will be called for that the boy can't tie, but the average will even up.

Inter-Patrol Quiz on Scout Oath and Law. History and Respect Due The Flag. Meaning of Scout Badge and Uniform-20 minutes.

a. Separate the Troop into Patrol groups and see that each Patrol is provide" with a Handbook. Give them ten minutes to study the first and second Tenderfoot Requirements.

b. Call the Patrols together (use "Council Formation", page 363) and have a snappy "spell-down" on the Requirements they have been studying. In asking questions alternate between the Patrols and have those who miss fall out. Eliminate all who fail until only one Patrol has any left.

c. Announce that every boy will be expected to have his Tenderfoot Requirements completed at the second following meeting. Arrange for Patrol meetings at the boys' homes or yours for study and practice during the week.

Games-15 minutes. Play several good action games, using the Patrol groups as teams, such as the following, from Gilcraft's Book of Games:

Under and Over Relay: Teams in file; front player has a ball or some larger object which he passes over his head, using both hands, to the player behind him, and so on down the line. When the last player gets the ball he runs to the front and passes it between his legs back down the line. Next time over the head, and so on. It must be passed, not thrown. First team to regain its original order wins.

Variation: Front player always passes over and the next under, and so on alternately.

Fill the Gap: Players in circle, facing in, one runs around outside and taps another on the back. Both then race around the circle in opposite directions, and whoever fails to get back first and fill the gap carries on.

Final Ceremonies-10 minutes.

(a) Assembly and repetition of announcements.

(b) Collection of membership application and fees, if not already done.

The Scout Motto, and a Troop or Scout Yell.

The Personal Contact

During the following week, you will be talking with the boys, individually or in twos, probably at your own home, about the Scout Oath and Law. Deal thoroughly with the more difficult points and let the boys feel the seriousness of becoming Scouts. Make your talks all simple discussions. Never quiz. Try to learn the boys' own conception of the meaning of the Oath and Law. Tell them yours. You'll probably hear queer ideas about duty to country, bravery, obedience, keeping morally straight, etc. Let the boys understand that they will add to their understanding of the Scout principles as they grow older. Work especially with Patrol Leaders and let them know you expect them to be responsible for the conduct of their own group and their understanding of the Oath and Law.

This is the time to find out the intimate things about each boy that you can't ask in public; you will establish the beginnings of strong friendships based on mutual respect and confidence. These talks are vital, and you will enjoy them immensely. You will be surprised at the readiness with which most boys will discuss their problems of conduct, and a little patient friendliness will draw out the few who are reticent.

Meeting 3. Objects

1. Further work on the Tenderfoot Requirements.

2. Final steps in Troop organization.

Equipment

1. Handbook for Boys.

2. Ropes.

3. Flag of the United States of America.

4. Membership Application Blanks.

Program

Assembly-15 minutes.

a. Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag.

b. Practice Scout drill (page 362).

c. Roll Call. Check up to see whether everyone has filled out an application blank and paid the registration fee.

The open hand of friendship to all the world. To the brotherhood of Scouts everywhere the left hand is extended.

"Be Prepared" Quiz-10 minutes. Go through the main points of the Scout Law and Flag Requirements. Ask different boys questions at random and explain the points on which they seem doubtful.

Patrol Period-20 minutes. Send the Patrol groups to their corners in charge of their leaders, to study the rest of the Tenderfoot Requirements. You and your assistants should lend a helping hand with the groups.

"Champnit" Knot-tying-10 minutes. Every boy being provided with a rope at the command "Tie" they start tying a certain knot announced by the Scoutmaster, and dropping the knot to the floor as soon as completed. When most have finished, command "Stop."

All who have tied the knot correctly drop out, and the rest go through the same process again with another knot. This is repeated with time out to show how a knot should be tied, until only one boy is left, who is declared the "Troop Champnit."

The Scout Law and Good Turn Idea-15 minutes.

a. Have the boys, in chorus, repeat the twelve points of the Scout Law.

b. Go through all or a part of the twelve points asking some boy to explain each in his own words, having the whole Troop vote which explanation is best.

c. Explain briefly but forcefully the Good Turn idea, asking each Scout to keep a record (for himself) of the Good Turns he does during the coming week.

Games-15 minutes. Repeat one of the games already played, and select one or two new ones from the Handbooks.

Closing Ceremonies-10 minutes.

a. Announce when you (or your assistant) will be "at home" during the week for any boy who is prepared to pass his Tenderfoot Requirements, and that all will be expected to complete them by the next meeting.

b. Close by singing one verse of "America the Beautiful."

Giving The Tenderfoot Reviews

If you can take the boys one or two at a time, the final check-up on their Requirements can be entirely verbal. Written "exams" are to be avoided in Scouting as much as possible.

Be careful to make an exact serious inquiry of each Scout personally as to his understanding of the meaning of the Oath and Law, and also as to the Badge and Uniform, the History of The Flag, and the forms of respect to it.

Meeting 4. Program

Assembly-15 minutes.

a. Roll Call.

b. Scout Drill practice. Run through half a dozen signals snappily, followed by drill in the "Do This- Do That" manner. See Chat 31, Vol. II.

Games-15 minutes. Use one or two lively games as suggested before. "Swat 'Em" or "Seize the Bacon," for example.

Knot-tying Review-15 minutes. Make a list of the boys' names, and see that each boy ties nine knots correctly, including the square knot. Your assistant or a visiting Scout can help with this check-up.

Final Check-Up on Law, Flag, Etc.-25 minutes. With the rest of the Troop engaged in games under the direction of one of the Patrol Leaders, take aside each boy who has not already fulfilled his Tenderfoot Requirements and as you talk with him, question him further upon any points on which he has seemed weak. Above all, be sure that he has a clear idea of the meaning of the Scout Oath and Law.

Announcements and Closing-15 minutes.

a. If any boys have failed to meet all the Tenderfoot Requirements, ask them to see you immediately after the closing to iron out the difficulties which may prevent their being installed in the Troop at the next meeting.

b. Remind the boys to bring their parents and friends to the installation ceremony.

c. Close with the Scoutmaster's benediction: "May the Great Master of all good Scouts be with us 'til we meet again."

Seeking Out The "Slower" Boys

In your closing announcements you have asked boys who have not completed their Tenderfoot Requirements to see you. It is well to keep in mind that those very boys are probably the slower and more timid ones, who need Scouting, but who may become discouraged and "drop out." Bolster their morale by seeking them out yourself after the meeting and during the following week. Give them the extra encouragement- the extra help-that will mean so much to them.