The Troop Guide

Steve Myers, Scoutmaster, Troop One, Old Portage District

• The Troop Guide is responsible for a new Scout’s first experience
• Appointed by Scoutmaster with advice of Asst. SM for New Scouts
• Trained by Assistant Scoutmaster for New Scouts using pages from the Junior Leader Training Kit
• Older Scout, knows the ropes, remembers what its like to be new in the troop
• At least a First Class Scout
• Mature enough to work with the new scouts

New Scout Patrol

• usually not yet 12 nor entered 7^th grade
• often former Webelos
• has a Patrol Leader elected for short term

Duties

• Introduces New Scouts to Troop Operations
• Guides new Scouts through early scouting activities
• Shields new Scouts from harassment from older scouts
• Gets New Scouts to First Class in one year
• Teaches basic Scout skills
• Trains New Scout Patrol Leader
• Attends PLC with New Scout Patrol Leader
• Works with Assistant Scoutmaster for New Scouts
• Meet monthly with Asst. SM
• Provides special encouragement for discouraged scouts
• Does First Class Tracking with Assistant Scoutmaster for New Scouts
• Sets the example
• Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law
• Shows Scout spirit

Learning to Be a Leader

• Know how to get and give information
• Know how to counsel a patrol leader on how to represent his patrol at the patrol leader’s council meeting
• Know how to teach
• Know how to plan
• Know what you want to do
• Know what equipment you are going to need
• Consider several ways you can accomplish your goal
• Take some action to get it going
• Know how to control the patrol

Training the New Scout Patrol Leader

• Use pages from Junior Leader Training Kit
• continuous since New Scout PL changes often
• TG wants the patrol to look at the PL as the leader, not the TG
• never teach the PL in front of the scouts
• criticize in private, praise in public