SCOUTS-L
----------
PATROL METHOD
AND 
RELATED
SUBJECTS

  Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 13:38:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@capaccess.org>
Subject: PATROL v. DINING HALL COOKING
To: SCOUTS-L Youth Groups Discussion List <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

In successive Summers not so long ago I was the Program Director of a camp
that used the patrol cooking method exclusively and then Program Director
of a camp that used the dining hall approach exclusively.  Both camps
were in Northern Indiana with Scouts from similar socio-economic
backgrounds with a wide variety of Troop sizes and experience levels. In
both places we kept statistics for the Councils on advancement and merit
badges.  In both places the results were so close that there really was
not any significant difference.  In both places larger experienced Troops
averaged about three merit badges per boy (some getting as many as six or
seven and as few as one) with about 80% of Scouts under First Class
finishing rank requirements.  Small and less experienced Troops averaged
slightly less in each category - closer to two and a half merit badges and
about 70% rank advancement under First Class.  Provisional units were
slightly under the small units.

The only difference was in Scoutmaster perceptions.  In the patrol site
cooking camp about half the Scoutmasters felt that Patrol Cooking
detracted from advancement and merit badge opportunities and in the
Dining Hall camp about half the Scoutmasters felt that the absence of
Patrol Cooking helped advancement.  The results were not significantly
different - only the perceptions.

Why the difference in perceptions???

It is real easy to see that the Scouts have to collect food (usually at a
commissary, sometimes dropped nearby), that they spend time cooking, that
they take time to eat and that they agonize at clean-up.  

It isn't as easy to see that the Scouts would spend the same amount of
time walking to the dining hall, setting up tables, eating, having group
songs, skits, announcements, staff antics, milling about, flag ceremonies,
etc. and then spend time on the way stopping off at the trading post, etc.
on the way back.  Net result was about the same amount of time spent.

Which is better?

Patrol method encourages teamwork, leadership skills, shared
responsibility, Scoutcraft skills, etc.

Dining hall method encourages group fellowship, Scout spirit, making new
friends outside the Troop, etc.

In both situations I found my self eating excellent meals as well as
terrible meals - yes Dining hall cooks can replicate the worst a Scout can
do at a campsite and Scouts can add little touches that best group
cooking. 

My thought is that there really isn't a "best for everybody" answer.  It
depends on what you think your Scouts need the most.  If your Troop is on
the road every month with a very active camping program, then the Dining
Hall camps make a lot of sense to develop fellowship and spirit.  If your
Troop doesn't have that kind of opportunity a Patrol Cooking camp offers a
great chance to learn skills missed throughout the year.  Also if you have
a lot of Webelos just turned Boy Scouts, the Patrol Cooking can make the
rest of your outings a lot easier during the year - more successful.  They
learn the basic and then each of your Outings goes with fewer hitches and
less of them dropout.  

>From my experience as a Scout camper (six years), a camp staffer (eleven
years) and an in camp leader (both Webelos and Scouts) at nine different
camps I'd be hard pressed to say that one method is better than another. 
Both offer great opportunities - just depends on what you want and what
you like - more imporantly on what the Scouts want and like!

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Prof. Beaver, Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG

From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Wed Dec  6 12:16:31 1995
Subject: Re: Opinions needed-New SM plans

To remain healthy a Boy Scout Troop needs to be run by the youth leaders 
via the Patrol Leaders Council and they need to meet on a regular basis; 
e.g. weekly.  I would encourage you to work with the committee to support 
the idea of a PLC run troop and to back the PLC in whatever it feels it 
wants to do.  This new concept should not even be considered unless the 
PLC has agreed to the idea.  And I doubt they'll go for it.  

This new SM may well be remembering only part of his youth 
experience without a grasp of the big picture. Sounds like he needs an 
immediate immersion in fast start training and to get signed up for 
Scoutmaster Fundamentals to learn how to balance ideas.  

I was a Scout in 1963 too and then there seemed to be more emphasis on 
Patrol Meetings.  We had them once every two weeks at the patrol leader's 
house and planned patrol activities, including patrol campouts.  But we 
also met with the Troop every week without fail.  In some months we had a 
patrol campout and a Troop campout.  But, this was in an area that was 
mostly rural with little else to do on a weekend and no competition from 
sports, etc.  Your chap seems to need to do a little catching up with the 
times and to clear his memory.  For both Scouts and parents, time seems 
to be real premium and full of competition for attention.  This is why 
most Troops are lucky to have a good Troop program let alone separate 
patrol programs.  

No don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong about having patrols meet 
separately.  After all this is how B-P started things.  And if they have 
the time and energy to do special activities in addition to those of the 
Troop so much the better.

The bottomline is that this is a resource management problem - time and 
leadership availability.  It is also a question of who runs the Troop.  
My vote is definitely for the PLC to make the calls on what they would 
like to do with the committee and SM giving as much support as possible.

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
DDC-Training, GW Dist. Nat Capital Area Council mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG

Date:         Thu, 14 Dec 1995 09:37:20 -0800
From: Dean Hayes <dhayes@BVU-LADS.LORAL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Where is it written

I responded to Paul in more detail but For those looking for a reference
in the literature to a "boy run program".  This is what I've found.

The Boy Scout Handbook

  Chapter 23.  Your Scout Patrol and Troop

    Page 539 describes the job of the Patrol Leader.
    Page 543 describes the patrol leader's council.

        "The activities of your troop are planned by a patrol leader's council
      made up of your patrol leaders, senior patrol leader, and Scoutmaster.
      Other troop leaders may attend if their help is needed.

The Scoutmaster Handbook

  Chapter 2 - The Troop Makeup

                        The Patrols (The 99 words)

        Every Boy Scout troop, we said earlier, is made up of patrols,
      groupings of six to eight boys who work together as a team.  Each
      patrol elects its own leader.  The patrol leaders, with an elected
      senior patrol leader as their head, form the patrol leader's
      council.  It is this council's job to plan and run the troop
                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
      program.
      ^^^^^^^^

        Each patrol leader represents his patrol on the council, and
      interprets to his patrol the plans and decisions the council makes.
      Patrols have their own meeting, elect their own officers, and plan
                                                                ^^^^^^^^
      and carry out their own patrol activities.
      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Chapter 3, "All About Patrols" and Chapter 4, "Using Junior Leaders" reinforce
the 99 words (I was going to add specific quotes from this area but I think
the 99 words pretty much stands on its own.)

--
Dean Hayes
Scoutmaster, Troop 491,
Snoqualmie, WA

From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Thu Dec 21 00:40:56 1995
To: Pat <pmp643@vera.nwscc.sea06.navy.mil>
Subject: Re: your mail

Pat,

Sounds to me like your campout was a surprising success.  Yep. Success. 
With all that didn't go as well as it might have, you and your boys 
learned a bit more that will go a long way towards making each successive 
campout better.  

By now you've realized that part of the problem was that you feel 
responsible for the planning.  Yes, you have to lend a hand and guide, 
but ultimately the SPL and the older lads are the ones who should be 
moving into the planning responsibility.  Ask them what went wrong.  How 
do we fix it.  What can you do SPL?  What can you do QM??  etc.  Tell 
that obviously, if they rely on you and you are holding down two jobs, it 
may be a bit touch and go.  We can do better can't we?  So where do we 
start for the next time?  Who should be doing what?    If you play it 
carefully, they may well remember this for the changes it brought and 
their memories of you will soar later in life. :-)  Works that way.  It 
is hard to trust them to do the job, but they are capable and can do it.  
Let them try.  Help by guiding from the background, always keenly 
interested, but not in charge.  You will be surprised - they'll get over 
the shock and do well.  I suspect that your SPL already has a bunch of ideas.
Just a few thoughts from a chap that was once an SM too, though many 
years back.  

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 03:03:18 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Patrol Method

Brian,

The idea of a "new-scout" patrol is not new or novel.  From the beginning 
the idea was to have Scouts form into patrols with their friends - a gang 
with a purpose.  Putting all of the new Scouts together, especially when 
they are friends and have already worked together has many advantages and 
may help retention.  In the Troop I was in as a boy this is how it was 
done and our retention rate was tremendous.  Almost every boy stayed with 
the Troop 3 or 4 years.  In other Troops I have observed this method 
working well in some cases and poorly in others.  I could say the same 
for mixed patrols.  It seems to me that the key is to work with the youth 
leadership of the Troop to select the method that will work best for them 
and have them participate in determine how patrols are organized.  
Usually they will do a fairly good job of grouping friends together and 
picking groups that will foster retention.  If a Scout is in a patrol 
with friends, he will probably have more fun and stay longer.  For some 
Scouts this will mean an age-group patrol and for others one with guys 
that have similar interests and activities.  Which is to say there 
probably isn't a universal right answer. So listen to what the Scouts 
have to say and let them exercise leadership/ownership.

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 19:49:48 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
Subject: Re: New vs Mixed Patrols

Kevin,

Enjoyed you posting and observations.  Funny how when the Scouts form a 
patrol with friends they seem to do better, have more fun, and get more 
enthused than when their Scoutmaster organizes things and they have 
trouble learning to be a team.  You are absolutely right though to be 
concerned about the one or two Scouts that might not be picked.  One way 
to handle this is to allow the new Scouts to drift in a holding position 
visiting patrols for a few weeks and have them let the SPL know which 
patrol(s) they would like to join.  Then decisions could be made in the 
PLC by the youth leaders on how best to meet these desires with a little 
guidance as requested from the Scoutmaster.  

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date:         Thu, 21 Mar 1996 12:26:59 -0500
From: Bob Myers <rmyers@ONE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Patrol Competition & Patrol Spirit
To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>

Ben Alford wrote:  "I would like some suggestions from folks who have
good patrol spirit and patrol competition."

This is an important and tough question.  I think the answer will vary
widely depending on the particulars of the Scouts, the patrols, the
troop, etc.  There are two things that seem to have worked for us
recently.

First, well planned and executed interpatrol competitions near the end
of most meetings are important.  Two games that worked great for us
recently, generating enthusiastic competition between our 2 patrol, are
the Reactor Transport and Chariot Race (see Woods Wisdom).  These were
done in a gym with fairly large patrols. The competition was intense
with no reward other than the thrill of winning.

Second, we had our best campout ever last month in terms of patrol
spirit.  The primary event took place Friday night from 10pm-1am.  It
consisted of a 2 mile night hike in a small, 200 acre county park.
There were 11 activity stations and the theme was Baden-Powells defense
of Mafeking (1899-1900).

Each patrol had to navigate the course in quitely using map and compass.
 The patrols were space 15 minutes apart and 6-7 adults were used as
"advanced scouts" to run the events.  Most adults covered 2 stations.
Events included:
- team building: the patrol had to cross a 100 foot mud puddle (mine
field) carrying all their required gear by using two sets of 8 foot 2x4s
with ropes
- trust event: the patrol split into pairs to tie bowlines around their
waist with 6 foot ropes, the their rope to their partner's, and lean
back to test the knots
- ladder building (see Scouting magazine from several months ago): using
their Scout staves and rope they brought with them to build a ladder to
get the entire patrol out of an actual 5 foot deep ravine
- silent observation: scout a circa 1820 pioneer village
- mapping: map the village based on the memories of the patrol
- observation: Kim's game
- first aid: treat two gunshot wound, build a stretcher (blanket was
part of required equipment), carry patient over rough terrain with and
egg under his head
- measurement: measure height, width, depth of wooden stage (old fort)
- silent march: although the entire event was to be done quietly, this
part of the trail was monitored for noise
- fire building: burn the string
- orienteering: small 12 point course and build north arrow without
compass using staves (stars were out)

Each event took no more than 15 minutes and the patrols were monitored
virtually the entire way by a silent "spy" that snuk (or was that
sneaked?) around and hung out in trees; observing all along the trail to
assure everyone's safety.  We had hot soup and hot chocolate ready for
them when they got back to the cabin a little after 1:00am. They were
cold and tired, but were so pumped that no one went to sleep for more
than an hour.  The next day they slept till 10am, had brunch, worked on
advancement, and prepared a huge banquet for Saturday supper.

Our "spy" , ASM Terry Eby, did a tremendous amount of creative
preparation for the Mafeking event, but it took very little preparation
work by the other adults.  Terry prepared specific binders for each
adult with all the information for their event(s).  Each patrol was
given an orienteering based course description, but were given their
"orders" for each station only when they arrived.  These orders were
given only to the patrol leader who was then required to communicate
them to his patrol.

For me, standing out in the woods for more than an hour at night in
absolute darkness with 50 degree (F) temperatures and 30 MPH howling
winds was quite an experience.  All the adults had just as much fun as
the Scouts.  It was a great success and patrol spirit has never been
higher.

YiS,

Bob Myers, SM Troop 575, Cincinnati, Ohio
rmyers@one.net

Date:         Sun, 7 Apr 1996 10:58:06 -0400
From: OPTIMIST <Optimist@cris.com>
Subject:      Re: Teaching the Patrol Method

On Sat, 6 Apr 1996, Lew Orans wrote:

> Dean:
>
> At 07:40 PM 4/4/96 -0800, you wrote:
> >Has anybody developed an in-troop program for teaching the patrol
> >method?
> >
> >We would like to implement the concepts in a tangible way such as role
> >playing, demonstration, and/or skits.
>
[...deletions...]
>
> Start with B-P -- "Scouting is a Game with a Purpose."  Play the Game as it
> was meant to be played.  Organize the troop and patrols as suggested in the
> BSA literature.  Elect your PLs and SPLs. Use the Patrol Leaders' Council to
> plan, plan, plan.  Train them according to the SM JLT Kit including the
> "Continuing Opportunities" section. And -- USE THE PATROL METHOD.  Let the
> Boys do their best. Let their leaders do their best. Coach and Guide the
> leaders. Have the Boy Leaders (SPL, ASPL, etc.) help.  Use the resources
> already available -- Woods Wisdom is a key.  Then let the boys lead, let
> them stumble, support and use patrols in all things. When you think of the
> troop for any reason (health included) check the patrols first.
>
[...more deletions...]

There is a little known BSA program which actually encourages Scouts to
have better patrols.  It is called the Baden-Powell Patrol Award.  There
are eight requirements having to do with Patrol functions and Patrol
Spirit.  These are completed over three months.  Successful completion
results in the Scouts being able to were a star directly underneath their
patrol patch on their uniform.

Depending on who you talk to, this program is said to be defunct.
However, it continues to show up in new BSA literature and the stars are
still sold (at least at my Scout Shop).  Even if it is no longer an
official part of the program, it can have a positive impact on your
troop's program.

YIS

Michael Kauffmann                  optimist@cris.com
Wood Badge 92-35                   http://www.cris.com/~optimist/
Hey Look! I'm a Bobwhite!!         >--\/\/-\/\/-\/\/-->

Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 03:03:18 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Patrol Method

Brian,

The idea of a "new-scout" patrol is not new or novel.  From the beginning 
the idea was to have Scouts form into patrols with their friends - a gang 
with a purpose.  Putting all of the new Scouts together, especially when 
they are friends and have already worked together has many advantages and 
may help retention.  In the Troop I was in as a boy this is how it was 
done and our retention rate was tremendous.  Almost every boy stayed with 
the Troop 3 or 4 years.  In other Troops I have observed this method 
working well in some cases and poorly in others.  I could say the same 
for mixed patrols.  It seems to me that the key is to work with the youth 
leadership of the Troop to select the method that will work best for them 
and have them participate in determine how patrols are organized.  
Usually they will do a fairly good job of grouping friends together and 
picking groups that will foster retention.  If a Scout is in a patrol 
with friends, he will probably have more fun and stay longer.  For some 
Scouts this will mean an age-group patrol and for others one with guys 
that have similar interests and activities.  Which is to say there 
probably isn't a universal right answer. So listen to what the Scouts 
have to say and let them exercise leadership/ownership.

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 19:49:48 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Re: New vs Mixed Patrols

Kevin,

Enjoyed you posting and observations.  Funny how when the Scouts form a 
patrol with friends they seem to do better, have more fun, and get more 
enthused than when their Scoutmaster organizes things and they have 
trouble learning to be a team.  You are absolutely right though to be 
concerned about the one or two Scouts that might not be picked.  One way 
to handle this is to allow the new Scouts to drift in a holding position 
visiting patrols for a few weeks and have them let the SPL know which 
patrol(s) they would like to join.  Then decisions could be made in the 
PLC by the youth leaders on how best to meet these desires with a little 
guidance as requested from the Scoutmaster.  

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date: Thu, 25 Jan 1996 03:10:12 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: 
    Multiple Recipients of the List SCOUTS-L
Subject: Three Little Pigs (fwd)

Recently I received a private e-mail that I thought would be a good 
starting place for some constructive comments on the patrol method in 
Scouting.  As you read the forwarded e-mail you will find that George Hay 
Kain, III <ghkain@cyberia.com> faced a tough committee meeting.  After 
the meeting, George put the situation in focus by using a little humor.
Please take a minute or two to read the message and offer a constructive 
comment, remembering that some of the post was written as humor and that 
the issues pertain to the patrol method and organization of patrols. Enjoy.

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

---------- Forwarded message ----------
snip

The Three Little Pigs - a fable updated for Scouters

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs, and a great many more.  They
lived in a wonderful universe created by B-P called the Wide World of
Scouting.  They lived there with a great many other animals.  The most
respected other animals were the eagles, and little pigs could become eagles
if they followed B-P's way, and did it before they were eighteen years old.
Those little pigs who did not turn into eagles by age eighteen ended up
going to the bacon factory over at Obscurity, a far-away village.  Before
little pigs reached eighteen, many were also eaten by the Wolf of Competing
Activities.

Now the eagles that lived in this wonderful universe tried very hard to help
all the little pigs become eagles too, because they did not want to see
their little friends either become bacon, or be eaten by the wolf.  They did
this also because they had once been little pigs themselves.

As time went by, the animals noticed that little pigs that stood the best
chance of becoming eagles and flying forever over the universe were little
pigs who had been raised as piglets by Akela, the leader of the Pack, and
Baloo, the bear.  Akela and Baloo would raise and nurture little piglets for
up to five years, and when the piglets became eleven years of age, Akela and
Baloo would give each of  them an Arrow of Light in recognition of their
special efforts over the two past years as Webelos pigs, and turn them loose
in the Wide World of  Scouting to fend for themselves.  

Pigs in general knew it was their best interest to build a house to protect
themselves from the Wolf  of Competing Activities until they were strong
enough and experienced enough in the ways of the Wide World of Scouting to
become eagles.  The newly-released former Webelos pigs in our story had all
joined Akela's pack at about the same time five years earlier.  They bonded
together and listened carefully to Akela and Baloo.  When they arrived in
the Wide World of  Scouting, they found there were a few pig houses already
built by pigs who were one, two, and three years older than themselves.  The
houses built by the older pigs appeared to be built largely of soccer balls
and comic books held together by granny knots and bubble gum.

The new group of Webelos pigs had been trained well by Akela and Baloo, and
they set about to build their own house.  In short order they constructed a
pig house of stout scout staves held together by square lashings and
diagonal lashings, wrapped thrice, frapped twice.  The Wolf of Competing
Activities had absolutely no luck in blowing their house down.

The Webelos pigs' house soon become the envy of the older pigs, who were
finding their porcine brethren slowly being eaten one by one by the Wolf or
being sent to the bacon factory at age eighteen without having become an
eagle.  Accordingly, a meeting was called of the senior animals in the world
over the age of twenty-one.  This animal world Committee consisted of a
silly goose, two hens, a few burros, a wise owl, and several old eagles.
Almost all the old eagles just so happened to be the fathers of the little
Webelos pigs whose marvelous pig house had caused all the stir.

The silly goose spoke up first and said that the hens had been raising Cain
with him about the high mortality rate among the older pigs.  The hens then
chimed in and said they had come up with a perfect plan to save all the pigs
from the bacon factory at Obscurity, and from the Wolf of Competing
Activities.  The hens' plan was to divide the Webelos and  send them to live
with the various older pig groups and take the east wall of the Webelos
pigs' house and give it to the fourteen year old pigs, give the south wall
of the Webelos pigs' house to the thirteen year old pigs, give the west wall
to the twelve year old pigs, and of course, to be fair, the few remaining
Webelos pigs could keep the north wall.  

The burros then nodded in agreement and said this sounded like a marvelous
plan.  The hens bowed, and basked in reflected glory.  As this discussion
proceeded, it was noticed that the feathers on the backs of the old eagles
were starting to stand on end.  Finally the oldest eagle could  take this
nonsense no longer.  He drew himself up into his most imposing posture and
tried to point out the obvious:

1)  that the hens had never been pigs and therefore no hen had ever actually
built a pig house or, for that matter, flown as an eagle;

2)  that the burros only checked in on the pigs once a month a best, whereas
the eagles were flying over the area all the time, and that burros don't
know all that much either about being a pig or an eagle;

3)  that in the beginning, B-P, the Creator, had clearly stated that the pig
house was to be the fundamental home in the Wide World of Scouting for each
group of little pigs, and that it was to be the little pigs' work in
building their own respective pig houses that would train them in the ways
necessary to become an eagle; 

4) finally, that if the Committee directed that the Webelos pig house be
dismantled and major parts of it given to the older pigs, all the pigs, old
and young, would almost certainly fall prey to the Wolf of Competing
Activities or the bacon factory at Oblivion.

Well, to say the least, a ruckus ensured.  One of the hens immediately took
offense and said she was only trying to help, and that even though she was a
hen, she was certainly entitled to her opinions as to how pigs should be
raised.  She stated she was also concerned because her son was one of the
older pigs who was still trying to become an eagle before the Bacon Factory
beckoned.

The old eagles collectively tried to explain to the rest of the animals on
the Committee that it was not a wise idea to tamper with the Creator's Plan.
They pointed out that although it was true that the majority of the sons of
the old eagles were the Webelos pigs with the swell pig house, they as old
eagles also wanted see as many of the remaining other pigs as possible
become eagles too.

Towards that end, the wise old owl observed that although he was not an
eagle, he was a "bird of the same feather"  who had flown through much of
the same Wide World in his youth, once reaching as high as a Star, and yes,
it was true that the old eagles had been offering the older pigs advice and
guidance on house building and had taken them on trips in the forest,
without the Webelos pigs, to search for suitable house building materials
and methods.

The old eagles reminded the wise old owl that the pigs also had something
called the Pig Leaders' Council, or PLC, which consisted of a pig leader
(PL) elected by each pig group, plus a senior pig leader (SPL), and that the
PLC was supposed to run the daily life for the pigs.   The old eagles
reminded everyone that B-P, the Creator, had made it pretty clear that the
PLC was "what made things go" as far as pigs were concerned, and that the
wise old owl and the animal world Committee were really there mainly to
assist the PLC or wield a veto if the PLC tried to do something illegal or
certain to result in serious bodily harm.

The wise old owl allowed as yes, come to think of it, that was true, and
that maybe this discussion should be taking place at the PLC instead of the
animal world Committee.  He and the oldest eagle had spent a whole day
taking all the appropriate pigs through something called the Pig Leader
Training Course.  Who knows, maybe the pigs themselves were better situated
to determine if there really was any problem among the pigs to begin with,
and, if and only if so, to consider ways to fix it.

The oldest eagle was heard to mutter under his feathers that to know these
things, it helps to be an eagle, but even if you can't be an eagle, you can
still take the training courses that the Creator has established to help all
the animals understand the Master Plan.  Now he's trying to figure out a way
to get the owl, the hens, the goose, and the burros to take the necessary
training.  Hopefully, this can be accomplished without the owl getting his
feathers ruffled, the hens laying eggs, and the goose and the burros making
a mess on the lawn.

The end of this story has yet to be written.

Any comments or ideas?  Are the old eagles correct in their understanding of
the Master Plan, or are they off in left-field?  If they are correct, how
can they still help the older pigs escape the bacon factory or the wolf?  

snip

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 11:41:35 -0500
To: "Hutcheson George M" <RX29470@deere.com>, mfbowman@capaccess.org
From: "George Hay Kain, III" <ghkain@cyberia.com>
Subject: Re: Hens and Goose meet the Woodbadge Axe

10:00 AM 1/26/96 GMT, you wrote:

Perhaps the wise old owl or one of the old eagles would have a
Badge of Wood?  For in the Badge of Wood resides an ax which is
an effective tool for dealing with hens and geese.  The Badge of
Wood also has a log.  Now burros are kin to mules and as all Missouri
boys like me know, a mule is the most reasonable and considerate
creature to ever grace the earth - once you break a log over its head
to get its attention!

Seriously, I think you are on the right track.  In your place I'd
wouldn't mess with the younger scouts - they are not the problem.
The older scouts need help to get back on track, not having the
Scouting program twisted to fit their situation.

The program works if we let it.  I agree that your comittee needs to
attend the training courses to understand Scouting.

Good luck.  I'm [not?] of any great significance or importance in Scouting
but for what it's worth you have this Eagle's support and vote
of confidence.

YiS
George Hutcheson             Pack 44/Troop 42
rx29470@deere.com            Cedar Falls, Iowa
     http://www.cedarnet.org/pack44
This year - Wood Badge!!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dear George:  You have reaffirmed my faith is Missouri!  Thanks so much for
your help.  With your permission, I'll incorporate your great ideas above
"when the end of the story IS written."  As it is, I have e-mail forwarded
it to the other old eagles on our committe, and to <mfbowman@capaccess.org>
as a gesture of moral support.  Thanks again.

As a token of appreciation, I'd like to share with you a great scouting web
site I just came across for BSA cope courses:

http://cac.psu.edu/~jxm181/cope.html

Enjoy!

YIS
/s/ George Hay Kain, III <ghkain@cyberia.com>
Attorney at Law (Estates & Trusts)
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 25, B.S.A. - The Cyber-Eagle
29 North Queen Street, York, PA 17403-1428
Telephone and Fax: 717-848-3500
"I used to be a Bear, .... but I'll always be an Eagle, and a Silver Beaver,
too."

Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 22:21:08 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: "George Hay Kain, III" <ghkain@cyberia.com>
Subject: Re: Hens and Goose meet the Woodbadge Axe

George,

Thanks for sharing the response to your story.  Couldn't agree more 
myself.  You are definitely on the right track and judging from the 
responses you have inspired others as well.  And as your story is used in 
training in many places, you will continue to inspire and help.  I have 
to hand it to you for creativity in storytelling.  As they say 
in the Navy (my client) "Bravo Zulu."  Well Done.

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

Date:         Fri, 3 May 1996 17:11:43 -0500
From: "Settummanque,              the blackeagle (MAJ) Mike L. Walton"              <blackeagle@HCC-UKY.CAMPUS.MCI.NET>
Subject:      Ceremony for the Baden-Powell Award

Here's the ceremony for the Baden-Powell Patrol Star

Materials needed:

* Baden -Powell Star for each Patrol Member, in
   envelope
* Patrol emblem of B-P Patrol
* single Baden-Powell star
(these two items should be taped to a card, in
the way that they would be worn if on a shirt)
* Eight small candles
* One large candle
* safety pin

Participants:

* Patrol Leader of Baden-Powell Patrol
* Assistant Patrol Leader of Baden-Powell Patrol
* Senior Patrol Leader
* Scoutmaster

The ceremony starts with all lights out, and the large candle
lit.

Scoutmaster:   "Tonight, we recognize the ___________Patrol
for their group efforts toward bettering our Troop and their Patrol.  Will
the Patrol Leader of the ___________Patrol please come forward and bring
your Patrol Flag"

(Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader stands in front of Troop, facing
the candles and the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader.  Assistant Patrol
Leader holds the Patrol Flag.)

Scoutmaster:  "Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, had some ideas on what
kept kids together.  He tried out those ideas at a camp and invited boys to
come and participate in this experiment.  He found that Scouting works
better with a group of eight, and that this group must work and support
each other...not just meet.  This is the principle behind this
special BSA award, which bears his name."

Senior Patrol Leader:  "The Baden-Powell Patrol Star Award
is a PATROL, not Scout, honor.  To earn the Star, the
Patrol must:

(lights first small candle) Have Patrol Spirit.
(lights second small candle) Meet as a Patrol.
(lights third small candle) Have representation at the Patrol
     Leaders' Council.
(lights fourth small candle) and must work as a Patrol.

I have the honor of presenting this award to the ________
Patrol, of Troop ____.  Please bring the patrol flag forward."

(Assistant Patrol Leader brings Patrol Flag forward, and while Scoutmaster
holds flag still, Senior Patrol Leader attaches
the card with the Patrol Emblem and B-P star to the flag.  Assistant Patrol
Leader takes flag back to stand beside Patrol Leader.)

Scoutmaster:  "The Baden-Powell Patrol Star Award is a
GROUP, not individual, honor.  There were some additional
things that the _________ Patrol had to accomphish.  To do
this, it required them to:

(lights fifth small candle) Wear their uniforms correctly with
     pride
(lights sixth small candle) Assist each other in advancing
     upwards on the Scouting trail
(lights seventh small candle) Do Patrol events and activities
(lights eighth candle) and Build their Patrol to EIGHT.

We started out with only one candle...representing the spirit
of Scouting.  From there, this spirit spread to your Patrol
Leader, and in turn, to each and every member of your Patrol.
As we lit additional candles, you began to see more and more
light and looked at the group instead of the individual candles.

Senior Patrol Leader:   As the "light" of Scouting grew in your Patrol,
people in and out of our Troop started to see you not as individuals, but as
a group.  You agreed to work together, to help each other, and to be the
best Patrol you can....just like those boys participating in Brownsea did.

Scoutmaster:  For your efforts, I am proud to present to your Patrol Leader
Baden-Powell stars for each member of his Patrol.  May this encourage you
onward to earn a second, third and as many stars as your Patrol can.
Congratulations, and don't forget to share your experiences with others as
you move onward on the Scouting trail!"

(Scoutmaster presents envelope with stars to the Patrol Leader, and shakes
hand with the Scoutmaster.  The Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader
return to their Patrol line or seats.

Hope this helps someone out there needing a simple but
meaningful ceremony to award these emblems by.  You can modify it by
creating a ribbon and attaching the Patrol emblem
and star to it, therefore making it easier for the Patrol to be
recognized.

Settummanque!
(MAJ) Mike L. Walton          (Settummanque, the blackeagle)       (
co-Owner, Blackeagle Services of Kentucky (502.826.7046)            __)_
174 Chapelwood Drive, Henderson, Kentucky  42420-5036             | ** |]
(H) 502.827.9201  (F) 502.826.7046  (W) 888.284.4848   (yea!)   coffee?
anytime!
(Email) blackeagle@hcc-uky.campus.mci.net/kyblkeagle@AOL.COM
(WWW) http://scout.net/~cardinal/index.htm

Date:         Sun, 5 May 1996 20:48:58 -0400
From: Bob Myers <rmyers@ONE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Ceremony for the Baden-Powell Award

start ceremony******************

Baden-Powell Patrol Award Ceremony

SPL lights a gold candle and calls the troop to attention.

SPL:  "Mr Scoutmaster, the __________ Patrol of Troop ____ has proven itself
most worth and has completed all the requirements for the Baden-Powell Patrol
Award."

SM:  "Mr. Senior Patrol Leader, assemble the patrol."

SPL:  "__________ patrol - front and center."  SPL hands an unlit white candle
to each Scout as they assemble.  The patrol forms a line facing the troop with
the SPL and ASPL at the ends.

SM:  "Mr. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, what are the achievements of the Buck
Patrol."

ASPL:  "They have shown patrol spirit and have conducted themselves with great
honor.  They have fulfilled their duty to others through patrol service
projects.  They have had patrol meetings and have planned and carried out patrol
events.  They have helped with the planning and execution of the troop's program
through their participation on the Patrol Leaders Council .  Two of their member
have recently advanced and they routinely present themselves in proper Scout
uniforms."

SPL:  "They have proven themselves worthy of this honor and the Patrol Leaders
Council has confirmed their worthiness.  In remembrance of Lord Baden-Powell,
the founder of Scouting and the creator of the Patrol Method, I recommend that
the Buck Patrol be awarded the Baden-Powell Patrol Award to wear below their
patrol patch as a symbol of their great achievements for all to see."

SM:  "Mr. Senior Patrol Leader, you may present the Baden-Powell Patrol Award
patch to the members of the Buck Patrol."

SPL and ASPL present the patch to each Scout.  The SPL then lights the Patrol
Leader's candle and asks him to light the candle next to him and raise his
candle high until all candles are lit and raised high.

SM:  "May the __________ Patrol continue to light the way for Troop ____ as we
continue down our Scouting path.  __________ Patrol - Be Prepared!"

__________ PATROL AND TROOP:  "We are prepared!"

SPL and SM:  "Congratulations!"

end ceremony********************

YIS,

Bob Myers, SM, Troop 575, Dan Beard Council, Cincinnati, Ohio
rmyers@one.net

Date:         Tue, 7 May 1996 08:50:24 -0600
From: "George Hay Kain, III" <ghkain@CYBERIA.COM>
Subject:      Young ASPL - a response

Manny Villa wrote of a 12 year old Star Scout just elected ASPL who is
temporarily daunted by the task.

Dear Manny:

        My heart goes out to your son.  I see shades of myself many years
ago.  Perhaps you might see fit to share this note with him.

Dear Young ASPL:

        Congratulations on your election to one of the top two youth
leadership positions in your Troop.  You now have some challenges ahead
which, if you meet them successfully, will be among the most valuable
learning experiences you will have in life.  The ultimate challenge is
earning the respect of those who have chosen you to help lead them.  Here
are some thoughts  from someone who also had to "earn respect" from his
peers in Scouting.

        1)  You have to understand what you job IS, and what it ISN'T.  Read
your Junior Leader handbook cover to cover.  Have a talk with the SPL and
the SM, and be sure you understand exactly how they are looking to you to
help support them in their roles in the Troop.

        2)  You have to learn HOW to do your job.  Take Troop-level Junior
Leader Training, and then Council-level Junior Leader Training.  If you
really feel "gung ho" after that, there is even National-level Junior Leader
Training at Philmont.

        3)  Know your Scouting skills cold.  You can't lead from the rear,
and you can't lead if you can't do what you ask your followers to do.  I was
a "young" Eagle scout, and when I went to Philmont for Junior Leader
Instructor Training, the other Scouts in the program were older and, so they
thought, wiser.  However, one cold morning (it does get cold on the desert
at night) none of them could get a fire going.  Finally, they gave me the
chance.  It was a one match, no paper fire, and in short order.  Thereafter,
they gave me the respect I had "earned" by showing them "I knew my stuff."

        4)  Finally, learn "the difference between 'come on' and 'go on'".
This phrase is the summary of all I learned from my original Patrol Leaders
Handbook.  Followers respond to "come on" and they balk at "go on."  You set
the example.  Suppose the patrol needs to get going with the dishes.  You
might grab the dirtiest pot, wash it, then turn to some other patrol member
and say, "Here, could you finish this up for me? - I have to get our skit
ready for campfire tonight".  This is only a made-up example, but you get
the point.

        Above all, be of good cheer.  Your "constituents" have faith in you,
or they wouldn't have elected you.  Don't let them down.  Above all, don't
let yourself down.  I KNOW you can do it!

        YIS

/s/ George Hay Kain, III <ghkain@cyberia.com>
    Attorney at Law (Estates & Trusts)
    29 North Queen Street, York, PA 17403-1428
    Telephone and Fax: 717-848-3500
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Assistant Scoutmaster for Training, Troop 25, B.S.A. (aka The Cyber-Eagle)
|>>>----->| Tuckahoe Lodge 386 - Ordeal '62 - Brotherhood '65 |>>>----->|
    We invite you to vist Yorkshire Troop 25's Virtual Scout Room at
     http://www.vhm.com/scouts/YorkAdamsCouncilBSA/Troops/Troop25/
I used to be a Bear, but I'll always be an Eagle, and a Silver Beaver, too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Date:         Mon, 22 Apr 1996 13:22:59 -0600
From: Norm Kerr <nkerr1@FREENET.EDMONTON.AB.CA>
Subject:      Re: Back to Gilwell?
X-Status: 

On Sat, 20 Apr 1996, Michael F. Bowman wrote:

> Pat,
>
> Congratulations.   I enjoyed seeing the list of patrol names.  If I
> understand correctly, in the Canadian Wood Badge program each patrol can
> devise its own name.  I've heard of one patrol with the name "We're foxes
> because we couldn't spell orangatangs."  Now that's a mouth full and I'd
> guess it would be fun to hear them sing the Gilwell song with the full name.
> What are some of the other clever patrol names that patrols have picked
> in Canadian Wood Badging?
>
When I took my Wood Badge II training we were literally camping in a
monsoon. I t did not stop raining for 2 weeks. As such two of the patrols
designated themselves:

a. the Drowned Rats
b. the Noah's (as in Noah's ark) - my patrol

We also had the Orion's and the Pacifier's

**************************************************************************
Norman Kerr   <nkerr1@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca>  Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
       "Opinions expressed are mine only, No One else cares"
**************************************************************************

Date: Tue, 7 May 1996 23:18:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Re: patrol camping vs 2 deep leadership

I have not been able to find any requirement in BSA literature that 
mandates that an adult accompany a patrol on a patrol activity.  And I 
suspect that his area has been left vague purposefully.  A patrol should 
be able to do a number of activities on its own; e.g. meet at the Patrol 
Leader's house to plan for a campout.  There may be other situations 
where it would be wise to have adults present; e.g. a hike and overnighter.
Some Council Risk Assessment Committees have established local guidelines 
for this.  Your best bet is to check with your local council's 
professional staff to see whether your council has a policy on this.  If 
not, then you need to exercise judgment as to when the activity can be 
safely conducted by the boys without adults.  I would always advise that 
on any outdoor activity that two adults accompany the patrol, whether it 
is a hike, overnight, or a cookout.

Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org

From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Sun Nov 10 23:56:45 1996
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 1996 23:56:44 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: SCOUTS-L - Youth Groups Discussion List <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Patrol Method

Jason,

You wrote that both patrols were large.  Are they large enough to split 
up into three or four?  What would the PLC say about such a split with 
the "newer" older boys in a separate patrol?  If they were away from the 
others would they be apt to pick up on good camping habits again?

Either way you probably need to encourage the adults to let the Patrol 
Leader's Council wrestle with this problem, even if many of the members 
are the ones who have little interest in patrol duties.  Ask them what 
they think needs to be done to make their camping experience better. Find 
out what they like, don't like, and what kinds of things they'd like to 
do on campouts.  What really sparks their interest?  Are they bored? Have 
they decided its uncool to do the same things as the younger boys?

What suggestions do they have?  What do they think needs to be done?  If 
any solution is to work, they have to have ownership of the ideas. Ask 
them how they plan to teach the younger boys skills if they don't use the 
same skills.  Would they consider it fair that a patrol that didn't 
complete its chores would stay in camp while the others started 
activities? Or do they really believe that everyone should wait for them 
to get into the mood?  

Some dialog with the Scouts may help.  Guided discovery may be your 
starting point.

In the meantime you might huddle with the other leaders and think about 
how to reward the Scouts that are trying hard to use the patrol method 
and make sure that you are not accidently rewarding the undesired 
conduct. Nothing wrong with some subtle behavior modification here.

Above all else be patient and allow the boys to learn from their 
mistakes. Sooner or later just hanging around is going to get old, 
especially if younger Scouts are doing fun things and they aren't. (This 
assumes a fun program planned by the PLC and an understanding of what 
each patrol is expected to do in order to participate.)

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Dep.Dist.Commissioner-Training, G.W.Dist., NCAC, BSA (Virginia)
U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area)
ftp1 or ftp2.scouter.com/usscouts E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org