first class in first year
DESCRIPTION
Learn how to develop and implement a Troop program to help new Scouts achieve the First Class rank by the end of their first year.TRANSCRIPT
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First Classin First Year
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First Classin First Year
John Green john-green.net
@johndashgreenfacebook.com/jgreen
First Class in First Year
Is First Class in the First Year a BSA Requirement?
NOBut it is highly encouraged.
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Why is it encouraged?
Statistics
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A Stats based mandate?
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A Stats based mandate?
• Push new scouts through because - that's how it needs to be done
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A Stats based mandate?
• Push new scouts through because - that's how it needs to be done
• Ignore it because it's a numbers game and has nothing to do with the reality of your troop
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A Stats based mandate?
• Push new scouts through because - that's how it needs to be done
• Ignore it because it's a numbers game and has nothing to do with the reality of your troop
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2013 Clarification
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2013 Clarification
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Previous statement:
It is important that the troop committee and the Scoutmaster set an advancement goal for the year. A basic goal should be for each Scout to advance a rank during the year. New Scouts should earn the First Class rank during their first year in the troop. By doing so, these new Scouts become net contributors to the troop and are able to care for themselves and others.
2013 Clarification
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2013 statement:
(Unit advancement coordinators) Assist the unit leader in establishing practices that will provide opportunities for each new Boy Scout to achieve First Class rank within 12 to 18 months of joining, and Star rank soon thereafter.
2013 Clarification
A troop that provides the
opportunity for First Class in the
first year
=
an active, healthy troop
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Signs of an active, healthy troop:
• goes camping regularly
• campouts provide numerous opportunities to learn and use Scouting skills
• follows the Patrol Method
• older Scouts can readily use the EDGE method to instruct new Scouts
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2013 Clarification
A troop that pushes Scouts to advance by creating a plan that moves them along a specific
timeline
=
unhealthy troop
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Signs of an unhealthy troop:
• Pushing a timeline is not fun to most Scouts• Unfulfilled requirements = conclusion they are
falling behind• Too far behind that they will never catch up, and they
leave• Requirement signed off but no skill actually learned• Unskilled older Scouts passing off bad skills• No more requirements to challenge them, and they
leave
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Nature Not Lecture
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Nature Not Lecture
Boys sitting through a lecture to learn new skills isn’t what Scouting is about.
Scouting is supposed to be about “preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” by using the methods of
scouting.
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Methods of Scouting
• Advancement• Ideals• Patrols• Outdoors• Adult Association• Personal Growth• Leadership Development• Uniform
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Nature Not Lecture
An active healthy program fulfills requirements in the background
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Nature Not Lecture
Naturally, in the course of these activities, they
are building skills.
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Nature Not Lecture
Tent cleanliness lecture?
Let the nightly visits by the
skunks do it for you!
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Nature Not Secret
People with goals succeed because they know where they are going.
Keep Scouts up to date on where they stand and ask them where they want to go.
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First Class in First Year
Can you expect every new Scout to do it?
NO
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First Class in First Year
NO
• Competition for time and attention.
• Seasonal Scouts• No Parent/Guardian
support• No patrol method
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First Class in First Year
Should Scouts earn First class in the first year?
YES
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How Do We Do It?
Use a specific, time driven plan?
NO
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How Do We Do It?
• Defines monthly themes for a Troop Program
• Does not provide opportunities for new Scouts to achieve all the requirements
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First Year Programs Found Online
• Most run March through March of the following year
• Most fall into the same trap of
LECTURE NOT
NATURE
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Develop Your Program
Make It Personal
Your plan has to fit with the themes and traditions for your
troop and your specific calendar.
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Develop Your Program
Make It Full Of Opportunities
Have an outing EVERY month.
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Develop Your Program
Make It Knowledgeable Leadership must be aware of the opportunities and
requirements.
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Develop Your Program
Make It Fun
Who wants to sit in a church basement and
hear a lecture on Hiking Safety?!
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Develop Your Program
Make It Count
Learn the skill, not just participate in it at
one campout
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Develop Your Program
Make Hay While The Sun Shines
Make a part of your program working with your Pack's Webelos
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What Really Matters
The important thing is not how fast or
far a Scout advances but who it is they become.
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First Class in First Year
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Lecture Slides: tinyurl.com/firstclassfirstyear