The Patrol Leaders Talk It Over

"Well, what did you think of the meeting, fellows? You didn't like the forester. What was the matter? Oh, he talked too much. That is the trouble with some of them? Do you think you want any speakers? 'If they are good.' Well, that is what everybody says. You would like to have somebody that actually heard him speak before. I guess you will have to form an investigating committee and go out and hear these fellows before they come over. Actually, how many of you fellows would like to have this plan continued of having a monthly speaker? You liked that fellow on Aviation, didn't you? He was good. You just think you got a tough break this month.

"What about the rest of the meeting? Yes, I thought it went very well, and we were all in Uniform tonight weren't we? Good.

"What activities and games have you decided upon for next week? Who will be in charge? Well, that should make a good program.

"Now we had reports from Miss Williams up at school last week that there have been two or three fellows in this Troop cussing. Who has any fellows in his Patrol who swear? You have. What are you going to do about it? Fine, I hope it will work.

"Has anybody else anything to say about your Scouts' conduct? How about that fellow we had up before the Troop Leaders' Council two weeks ago? Has he straightened out any more? He has? Well, that is great. You have all the fellows working on him. I mean the timid boy that would jump whenever you looked at him. You get the fellows in the Patrol to make him think he is a good Scout and that will help.

"Oh, you have a new member to bring in. Sponsored by the 'Robins,' eh? What is his name? Do you fellows know him? All right, Mac, make a little speech about the boy. (Mac makes it). Well, you heard Mac. Do you want to take this fellow in the Troop? The 'Robins' sponsor him and have a place for him. All those in favor? He's in.

"Is he here? I want to see him, you know. Bring him next week and we will be all ready for him. Well, it's our closing time. Good night, boys."

And so we leave the Troop thoughtfully. Here was a Scoutmaster who knew how to let the boys play their game of Scouting.

Sometime the eyes of all Scoutmasters may be opened. May the day not be far off!

Troop Meeting Ideas

Period

Activity

Opening Exercises 10 Min.

Patrol Reports—Patrol Leaders explain the advancement status of their Patrols. Inspection—by Scoutmaster and Assistants. Troop Scribe accompanies the inspecting Scouters to record points for Patrol standing. Opening Ceremony. Announcements.

Presentation 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Special demonstration on "Knifecraft" to introduce subject. Correct method of sharpening. Demonstration of "fuzz-stick" making, paper knives. Display of various pieces of knife handicraft.

Patrol Period I 15 Min.

Patrol Handicraft Contest—in Patrol corners. Each boy is given a piece of soft wood, 1" x 2" x 12" from which to make a paper knife (or "fuzz stick"). The Patrols have been notified in advance to have each boy bring Scout knife. When period is up, paper knives are immediately collected by Patrols and turned over to knifecraft instructor for judging.

Games 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Any kind of amusing game. See Chat 31.

Patrol Period II 10 Min. (15 Min.)

A Patrol contest featuring songs and one yell from each Patrol is announced. The Patrols go to their corners and prepare themselves quietly for the event by an orderly training, under direction of the Patrol Leader.

Council Fire 20 Min.

Patrol Contest in songs and yells. Originality and the way in which the yells are rendered count in the judging. Trick story—by Scoutmaster. The SM tells a story of a made-up hike. While telling it he brings in accounts of accidents, nature, signaling, cooking, etc., but purposely makes errors in his description of the subjects. If the errors are allowed to pass, he stops, corrects them himself, and scores a point. If errors are discovered by a Scout, the Troop scores a point. Creates a lot of fun and attentive listening.

Closing Exercises 5 Min.

Announcements of knifecraft winners, etc. Closing Ceremony.

"Half-Meeting" of Troop Leaders' Council.

Period

Activity

Opening Exercises 10 Min.

Patrol Scribes read the minutes of the last meeting of their respective Patrols. Judged by Troop Leaders, and best report re-read and commented upon. Short inspection by special boy committee made up of the youngest boy from each Patrol. Opening Ceremony. Announcements.

Presentation 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Special discourse on "Preparing for Camp" —what an expert camper takes with him to camp; experiences on the trail and in camp. Demonstration of camping equipment and correct packing of pack-sack.

Contest 10 Min.

Quick action contest: All Scouts are sent from room. Peanuts are placed around room. Troop is called in. A Scout locating a peanut, points at it with his nose and gives Patrol Call. Only Patrol Leaders are permitted to pick up peanuts. Patrol with most wins.

Patrol Period 15 Min.

Patrols in their corners discuss and make up list of equipment they believe necessary for a three-day Patrol hike based upon demonstration previously given. Lists are submitted and judged.

Games 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Games of vigorous action. See Chat 31.

Council Fire 20 Min. (25 Min.)

Two-minute talks by each Patrol Leader on assigned subjects—"What is the Patrol Method?", "The Ideal Patrol," "How I Plan My Patrol Meetings," and other topics on Patrol Method which may suggest themselves. Solo and chorus songs, interspersed among talks. "Clementine," "Three Good Turns," "Alouette," "Old Black Joe," (Songs Scouts Sing.) Scoutmaster's Big-Idea Talk.

Closing Exercises 5 Min.

Announcements of best judgment lists, etc. Closing Ceremony.

"Half-Meeting" of Troop Leaders' Council.

Period

Activity

Opening Exercises 10 Min.

Patrol formation. Collection of dues, check-up. Patrol Leaders report to SPL, who summarizes quickly and gives final report to SM, as for instance, "Four absent, sir" or "All present, sir." Inspection in Patrol corners by Patrol Leaders assigned to look over a Patrol not their own. Opening Ceremony. Announcements.

Games 15 Min.

"Poison," "Seize the Bacon," etc.

Presentation 15 Min.

Short talk on "The Evening Sky" by a Troop Committeeman or outside expert. He tells of the most important constellations of the season and draws their general appearance on the blackboard.

Patrol Period I 10 Min. (15 Min.)

Contest "Star Game." By the help of checkers or small pieces of white cardboard the Patrols try to arrange on the floor of the Patrol corners the constellations taught them during the demonstration period. Speaker acts as a judge. Points out mistakes. Winning Patrol is announced.

Contest I 10 Min.

Dramatized "Safety First." Send the Patrols outside while the officers make changes in the Troop Meeting room, introducing different danger problems. For example, burning candle "near" curtain, thumb tacks on floor, carpet in front of open fireplace, bottle without cork, marked "Gasoline," etc. The Patrols are called in and given 5 minutes in which to study the layout.

Patrol Period II 10 Min. (15 Min.)

The Patrols go to their corners, discuss the event and write the Patrol reports on mistakes. Patrols choose representatives for Duel Contests announced.

Contest II 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Competitions: Duel contests—Hand Slap, Stick Pull Up, Dog Fight, Indian Hand Wrestling, etc.

Closing Exercises 5 Min.

Announcements. Closing Ceremony.

"Half-Meeting" of Troop Leaders' Council.

StuntTroop Meeting Ideas

Period

Activity

Opening Exercises 10 Min.

Troop Assembly. Patrol Leaders' Report. Opening Ceremony. Flag Parade—Unfurling of the Flag. Salute and one verse of "America the Beautiful." Scoutmaster starts announcements when all lights suddenly go out. Explains that it is done purposely to test ability of Scouts and starts immediately at—

Contest I 10 Min.

Patrol Competition at Signaling in the dark. A buzzer sounds message of approximately sixty letters. Scouts try to remember the message, or if prepared will put it on paper. When message is finished, lights are thrown on for two minutes while Patrols write it down and bring it to the judges. Lights off.

Presentation 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Short lecture on some phase of Scouting illustrated by stereopticon slides.

Game 8 20 Min. (25 Min.)

In the dark. "Where is my shoe?" Boys take off right shoes. Shoes are placed in pile in center of room. At signal Scouts start finding their shoes. Every half minute lights are thrown on for a second. First Patrol to re-shod wins. "Blind Harry." One Scout is "Blind Harry." He tries to catch the others. When he succeeds he asks three questions which must be answered so that he may discover who his prey is. If he guesses correctly, the other becomes "Blind Harry." If wrong, he gets another try.

Contest II 15 Min.

"Kim's Game by the Touch" in the dark. Ten to fifteen different small articles on table. Each Patrol is given two minutes for its boys to find out by touch how many and what articles. Lights are then thrown on while Patrols write down their observations. Lights off.

Council Fire 15 Min. (20 Min.)

Sing-Song in dark. Old Favorites. A few new ones. Short story bv Scoutmaster, based on material in current BOYS' LIFE. Then lights are thrown on for—

Closing Exercises 5 Min.

Announcements. Closing Ceremony.

"Half-Meeting" of Troop Leaders' Council.