A Scout Is... "Obedient"

We at Troop Quotes are now working on a new series of posts entitled "A Scout Is...". This series will be released weekly on Sundays, until all points on the Scout Law are covered. So for the next twelve weeks, please enjoy and share our well thought out articles of "A Scout Is...".

Obedient -- 7

Obedient. When looking at this word in the scout law, people will generally say the same thing. "You are to obey your leaders, both adult and youth, you are to obey your parents, and you are to obey the laws of the land." However, like all the points in the Scout Law, the is a deeper meaning to the word "obedient".

Some people wonder why we have so many similar words in the Law, such as obedient and loyal. Well, there is a distinction between the two. To stick with the topic of being obedient, the seventh point means to not only obey, but respect the ones and the rules they set, "they" being the ones who are leading and guiding you in both your scouting and non-scouting life; whether it be teachers, parents, preachers, or government leaders. When you obey someone, you do as they tell you, but when you respect, you extend your obedience to when your not even directed. When you respect, you are to show that you understand the importance of following the expectations they have, and that you see that they are doing their best, even when you may not like what they are doing.

These may be great ways for a scout to be obedient, but what about adult leaders? Adult leaders are obedient by putting the boy before him. This is a selfless act that shows that you are obedient to the ideals of scouting, realizing it is for the boy and not for you. However, you show your authority when necessary, though not overly dramatic about it.

If you have any questions about any situation, however specific or general, about this point in the Scout Law, please e-mail us at troopquotes@gmail.com

Uniforms and Scouts

Why are full uniforms in scouting so important? Here is a list of reasons why scouts should wear their uniform loud and proud!

1) A scout troop is like a team. You wouldn't even be allowed to play a sport if you didn't have your jersey with you. Even high school bowling teams have their own uniforms, and they all must be followed.

2) It shows respect for the scouting program. It shows that boy scouts have an honor to keep, that their legacy lives on through every single scout, and that we are all unified by a uniform that represents the ideals of scouting.

3) It shows others who we are. If your scout troop, crew, or patrol is traveling or is at, say, Six Flags, it lets people know that your scouts, and they usually think more of you than just being a group of boys running around.

There are plenty more reasons why a uniform is important, but this is just few on why we should be so proud to call it ours.

Memorial Day

This weekend, scout troops all over the nation will be honoring those who fallen heroically in our nation's fight for freedom. We here at Troop Quotes would like to say thank you to all those who died fighting in our military, and a thank you to all the scouts who honor those who have served and passed on. God Bless America!!

Activities: Patrol Cook-off

Ever looking for ideas for something to do during the meeting/campout?? Well, why not have a little fun with a patrol competition. A patrol cook-off would be a really fun thing to do, both for the scouts and the adults. And this one has a twist Here's what to do:

Here's what you'll need:
1) Set up two or more stations (depending on how many teams there are) with

• Camp Stove
• Pan
• Knives
• Plates
• Pot
• Ingredients
• Choose anything you deem neccassary to make a good meal.
• Any thing else you can thing of.

Here's the twist:

You will give them a mystery box with 4-6 ingredients, very eccentric, that HAVE to be used in the meal. They have to make a meal with the entree and a side. They only have 20 minutes to make it. And the SPL, ASPL, and SM are the judges.

SPL and Adult Leadership Pt. II

After getting some letters from scouts, we have seen a pattern in some of the e-mails received. This is why we would like to cover the SPL and adult leadership topic one more time to cover some things not covered in the last article. This is one that will hopefully help your troop run more like a scout troop should.

Boy Scouts is a boy-led organization. The YOUTH should be voting to choose their SPL and Patrol Leaders, who then choose their ASPL and APL respectively, then followed by the SPL choosing Quartermaster, Scribe, etc. The SM has NO RIGHT to appoint a SPL or PL.

For further questions, please e-mail or tweet to us @TroopQuotes

We're Back!

After getting some things together, we would like to OFFICIALLY announce that we are in full operation as of today. Keep checking every day for new posts and e-mail us your ideas at troopquotes@gmail.com!

New Posts Coming!!

We are glad to say our popularity is growing rapidly, and we are going to "shut down" for a few days until May 17th, 2012. All that means is that we won't be updating. But after that, check out the new Troop Quotes

Cell Phones and Scouts

Most scout troops will NOT allow cell phones and iPods when camping or at meetings. That is probably the best things, but there are some pluses to having one scout have a cell phone (I never thought I would say it either).

When on a camp-out and the boys are going off as a group without an adult leader, give the SPL or other trusted scout a cell phone (walkie-talkies work just as well, plus you don't have to worry about service). That way, if there is an emergency, a scout can call for help. Just remember to make sure to give it to a trusted scout.

 -- Richard Nashville, Tennessee


If you have an idea or tip for scouts or adult leaders, or fun projects, please e-mail it to troopquotes@gmail.com 

Communication: Keeping Parents Informed

When most Scoutmasters are asked what the worst problem in their troop is, majority of them will be lack of communication. This communication problem can be between scouts, adults, scouts and adults, or most common, parents and the troop. Now, while this may be the most common, the communication within the troop is probably tied with it. However, sticking on the subject of parents, there are many things you can do to have a good line of communication between parents and the troop.

Here is a list of some ideas that you can do as a Scoutmaster:

• Make a Facebook fan page, blog/website, or Facebook group -- These are perfect tools for communication. Almost everyone is connected to the web now-a-days, so if you have one of these tools, they can provide easy access to information. TIP: The Boy Scouts now have a position as Webmaster, so have the SM e-mail him the information, and have him put it on there (or you could have the scribe do it). One more thing, while it's nice to have a Facebook page, try making a blog, saying as some people don't have Facebook. Along with that, keep a group open for the boys in the troop specifically for easy communication.
• Give out a monthly newsletter -- The monthly news letter can be made by the Webmaster or Scribe, just have the SM e-mail the information he wants on there. Include information from the PLC's, the meeting notes, and upcoming events. This is a great way for both the boys and parents to know what's going on.
• Have a parent meeting night -- Instead of doing it at a Court of Honor, have a :"Parent Meeting" on the night of a meeting. Have everyone bring a dish to pass and cook up some hot dogs, and just talk about what's going on. Have the SPL lead the boys in a fun activity, and it is a good way to get to close the gap between the troop and parents.

The Perfect Spring Camp-out

Being from a troop that camps every month, or even more, I know that the first Spring camp-out can be a bit of a hassle. It's always with the new Webelos that you just recruited, and it's probably done at a District Camporee at a public park or Scouting campsite. Also, it can be hard to get back in the groove of camping if you didn't go camping all winter.

There are some things that can make your first Spring camp-out easy, however. You can try a District Camporee, but try one that's a little relaxed. Some Camporees are a little over structured, which isn't optimal for your first Spring camp-out. The first spring camp-out should be something that is relaxed for the boys, to let them enjoy the cool, sunny (or rainy) weather, and yet still let them have activities to do. If you can't find a Spring Camporee to go to, make one just for your troop.

What you will need to do is make a schedule. Make it have a balanced amount of set activities and free-time. Maybe let the boys plan the activities. For instance, have maybe 2-3 major "fun" games, and then about 1-2 "classes."

Along with these activities and free time, you should have some quick bursts of advancement for Tenderfoot through First Class. It's hard to do all the requirements at meetings (most of them require camping), and it's easier than going to a first-year camper program at a Summer Camp (however, I am a big supported of first-year programs when run the right way, so use your own judgement).

These are just some ideas for a spring camp-out. The main reasons to remember are 1. Keep in relaxed and simple, and 2. Keep it fun.

How to Make a Survival Bracelet

In an emergency, you can use paracord for lashings, tourniquets, shoelaces, snares, tying splints, or, if you tease out the threads, even fishing lines and sewing threads. This bracelet lets you carry a useful amount at all times. 

Check how to make one here!

SPL and Adult Leadership

Do you ever wish your troop was more "boy run?" It doesn't matter if you are an adult or a boy, most people want a troop or crew to be more boy lead. Sticking with a troop, however, the boy in charge is known as the SPL, and there are some things that you may do to make sure your troop is running as smooth as possible, all while being boy lead.

For instance, some troops have problems with adults interrupting during the meeting, or butting in to take over a task that is trying to be led by scouts. Well, the solution may sound harsh adults, but from years of observation I can tell you what works best. ADULTS: during the meeting, you are not allowed to talk to any of the boys. That is, unless you are the Scoutmaster (not Assistant Scoutmaster), you can give direction to the SPL, who then gives the orders to the boys.

Now, time for the SPL. If boy scouts is supposed to be boy led, then make it that way. However, I remember when I was SPL, I tried to do way too many things at once. I will admit, I didn't believe in the Patrol Method for a long time, but after being a SPL several times, I realized I couldn't do it all. Have the Patrol leaders take over for you, let them lead some things, and don't have all the boys ask you questions. Have them ask their Patrol Leaders, who can then ask you or your ASPL for further question.