SCOUTING FOR SCOUT LEADERS OF THE LDS CHURCH January 2018
Agenda Our goal The LDS approach Now what?... Get trained! Common pitfalls How do you do things in your Units? This session does NOT replace BSA position specific training.
Who am I? Scout YM President Cubmaster Scoutmaster Non-LDS Unit Kingston, RI LDS Unit Rutland, VT LDS Unit Austin, TX Philmont Trek 2005 Pack 249 LDS Unit Moraga, CA Troop 249 LDS Unit Moraga, CA Philmont Trek 2015 Eagle Scout 1993 Woodbadge 2016 National Jamboree 2017
What s our goal? Help Children. Purposes of Primary 1. Feel Heavenly Father s love for them. 2. Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. 3. Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost. 4. Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants. Purposes of Aaronic Priesthood 1. Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by its teachings. 2. Serve faithfully in priesthood callings and fulfill the responsibilities of priesthood offices. 3. Give meaningful service. 4. Prepare and live worthily to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and temple ordinances. 5. Prepare to serve an honorable full-time mission. 6. Obtain as much education as possible. 7. Prepare to become a worthy husband and father. 8. Give proper respect to women, girls, and children. Source: Handbook 2: Administering the Church - https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church?lang=eng
What s our goal? There is no more significant work in this world than the preparation of boys to become men of capacity, of strength, of integrity, who are qualified to live productive and meaningful lives - Gordon B. Hinckley May you uphold Scouting s tradition, for it can be as a lighthouse beacon in the world of stormy seas, it can be a motivation to prepare for your role in life, it can be a yardstick against which you measure your accomplishments. - Thomas S. Monson
What s our goal? Our goal is people on the path to perfection not perfect programs! Scouting can help young men and boys enhance close relationships with their families and the Church while developing strong and desirable traits of character, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Under priesthood leadership, Scouting should complement the efforts of Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Primary classes in building testimonies in young men and boys. Scouting under Church sponsorship should become an extension of the home, Primary classes, and Aaronic Priesthood quorums. Scouting functions as part of the Church s activity program for boys and young men. Scouting activities should be planned to fulfill gospelcentered purposes. - LDS Scouting Handbook for Church Units in the United States (May 2015), Section 1.1 Source: LDS Scouting Handbook - https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/english/young-men/35814_scout-handbook_eng.pdf?lang=eng
What s our goal? Aims of Scouting Character Development Citizenship Training Personal Fitness Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Source: BSA Website - http://troopleader.org/scoutings-aims-and-methods/
What s different about the LDS approach? LDS BSA 7-10 years old 11-18 years old 14-18 years old 14-21 years old Teacher and Priest Activities 8-10 Primary 11 12-13 14-15 16-17 Young Men
Is the LDS Church dropping Scouting? Source: Press Release - https://www.lds.org/church/news/church-replacing-varsity-and-venturing-scouting-with-new-activities-program?lang=eng Source : Program Description - https://www.lds.org/youth/ymactivities?lang=eng Source : Program Q&A - https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/questions-answers-changes-young-men-program
What s different about the LDS approach? Cub Scouts Service starts AFTER Youth Protection Training has been completed and registration is complete Start Cub Scouts after turning 8 years old 1 Webelos year vs 2 years Transitions are driven by birthdays vs school year No Scout-sponsored overnight camping All meetings should open and close with prayer No Monday night activities Member adult leaders are set apart and sustained and all participants (LDS or not) are expected to uphold Church standards Boy Scouts Service starts AFTER Youth Protection Training has been completed and registration is complete Start Boy Scouts after turning 11 years old 11 year olds meet separately from the Troop and are limited to 3 overnight campouts per year Start meeting with Deacons after turning 12 No Sunday hiking or camping trips including travel to/from Bishopric appoints boy leaders (constitutes an election) 11 year old Patrol Leader Senior Patrol Leader / Quorum President All meetings should open and close with prayer No Monday night activities Member adult leaders are set apart and sustained and all participants (LDS or not) are expected to uphold Church standards Source: LDS Scouting Handbook - https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/english/young-men/35814_scout-handbook_eng.pdf?lang=eng
What s different about the LDS approach? 11 Year Olds Deacons Quorum President Lead in selecting Presidency Lead in selecting Troop leadership Troop leadership comes from Quorum Patrol Positions
Now what? Quorum adviser is usually set apart as the Scoutmaster By default, the second counselor in the YM Presidency If the above is true, the Scoutmaster is also an ecclesiastical leader for the boys in the quorum Bishopric has the flexibility to organize differently Assistant quorum advisers may also be called as Assistant Scoutmasters Several capable adults (including fathers and mothers of boys and young men) to serve as committee members As large as is needed! Registration, rechartering, merit badge counselor list, boards of review, support activities as needed
Now what?... Get Trained! Required Service starts AFTER Youth Protection Training has been completed Service starts AFTER registration has been completed Position specific training All leaders including Committee members As soon as is reasonable Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills 11 year old adult leaders Troop adult leaders Optional General Training Awards & Keys University of Scouting / LEAD Wood Badge Monthly Roundtable meetings Guide to Advancement Guide to Safe Scouting ldsbsa.org & scouting.org Activity-Specific Safe Swim Defense Safety Afloat Climb On Safely
Now what?... Get Trained! The 3 Year Plan Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Common Pitfalls Tendency to not read the BSA literature and not use their resources. We tend to rely heavily on past experience which can be dated As parents, we rely heavily on set apart Scout leaders to understand We are quick to measure success by the Eagle Scout standard Tendency to not think about implementing all Scouting methods Tendency to not participate in BSA trainings and not actually become Trained! We tend to isolate ourselves and our units from the greater Scouting community and even from each other!
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform At weekly meetings Flag ceremony and Pledge of Allegiance Scout Oath and Scout Law Include in every Scoutmaster conference Include in every Court of Honor Use Scoutmaster minutes to focus on an ideal Example: A personal favorite of mine when showing the relationship between Duty to God & Country and Duty to Others. And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. Mosiah 2:17
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform Interpatrol competitions Have Patrol leaders get headcount, NOT adult leaders Patrol names, patches and [flags] Baller Babies Emperor Penguins
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform Boys need heroes close by. They need to know some man of towering strength and basic integrity, personally. They need to meet them on the street, to hike and camp with them, to see them in close-to-home, everyday, down-to-earth situations; to feel close enough to them to ask questions and to talk things over man-to-man with them. - Spencer W. Kimball At a minimum, have one counselor in the Ward for every Eagle required merit badge Minimize the number of merit badges for which YOU are the counselor
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform 2017 2018 Outdoor Program Sep: Arroyo Secco Campout Oct: Urban Scavenger Hunt Nov: China Camp Mtn Biking Dec: Cyberchip / Service Project Jan: Ski Trip Campout Feb: Snow Campout Mar: Crabbing / Half Moon Bay Apr: Surfing / Beach Campout May: Stake Aaronic Priesthood May: Joint YW / Whitewater Rafting Jun: Scout Camp (Wolfeboro) Jul: Eagle Projects / Prep Hikes Aug: 50 Miler 2016 2017 Outdoor Program Sep: Caving Sep AdvanceCamp Oct: Tamarancho Mtn Biking Nov: Urban Scavenger Hunt Jan: Ski Trip Campout Feb: Snow Campout Mar: Mt Diablo Scout Olympics Apr: Tree Campout May: Joint YW / Whitewater Rafting Jun: Scout Camp (Chawanakee) Jul: Eagle Projects / Prep Hikes Aug: 50 Miler
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform 11 Year Old 12-13 Year Old Older
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform We can do hard things!
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform It s going to be messy. The mess is, kind of, the point! Monthly PLC / Presidency Meetings Hold min 2 weeks before the monthly outdoor activity F-A-C-T-S : Food, Activity, Communication, Transportation, Spiritual Boys own execution except where they have delegated to adults Leave time to talk about individuals including how we encourage them to be with us Annual Planning Meeting (between 50 miler & school year) Typically lasts ~3 hours Start with leadership training what does it mean to be a leader? Next have Troop leadership training... Abbreviated ILST The boys choose the outdoor program Maintain a list of past years activities as well as all ideas General Tips SPL / DQ President ALWAYS conducts the meeting! Don t give advice. Ask questions instead! Hold meetings at an adult leader s home, if reasonable, and have food!
How do you do things in your units? Ideals Patrols Association with Adults Outdoor Programs Advancement Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform Class A uniforms Scoutmaster conferences Boards of Review Courts of Honor Have a Class B uniform!
THE END Craig Anderson Scoutmaster, Troop 249, Moraga scraig.anderson@gmail.com 512.626.8360