GENERAL INFORMATION

Type: Appointed by the Scoutmaster with the advice of the Assistant Scoutmaster for new Scouts.

Term: 6 months

Reports to: Assistant Scoutmaster for new Scouts

Description: He must be at least a First Class Scout. The Troop Guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable in the troop. He helps them earn their First Class rank in their first year.

Comments: The first year as a Boy Scout is a critical time with new places, new people, new rules, and new activities. The Troop Guide is a friend to the new Scouts and makes their first year fun and successful. He can use Instructors as a resource in working with the new Scouts. This position can be used for Star, Life and Eagle advancement.

SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Introduces new Scouts to troop operations.
• Guides new Scouts through early Scouting activities.
• Shields new Scouts from harassment by older Scouts.
• Helps new Scouts earn First Class in their first year.
• Teaches basic Scout skills.
• Coaches the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol on his duties.
• Works with the patrol leaders at Patrol Leaders' Council meetings.
• Attends Patrol Leaders' Council meetings with the patrol leader of the new Scout patrol.
• Assists the Assistant Scoutmaster with training.
• Counsels individual Scouts on Scouting challenges.
• Sets a good example.
• Enthusiastically wears the Scout uniform correctly.
• Lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
• Shows Scout Spirit.

Consider this new scout's experience. He heard from another scout about the fun at troop meetings. He comes to a few troop meetings. He's seen the Boy Scout Handbook, and been introduced to the fun he should expect. Then someone, maybe an older scout who's used to kidding around with some of the older guys, laughs when the new scout makes a mistake. That can really hurt.

Next, when the SPL calls the troop to attention, and a patrol leader begins to lead the troop in the Scout Oath, the new boy is in trouble again. The patrol leader says "Scout sign." The look on the new boy's face told everyone he didn't know what that meant. They didn't mean to laugh at him, but they did and it hurt.

Finally each patrol was building an "A-frame chariot" using spars and lashings. The excitement was high. The new guy wanted to join in but didn't know how. It was a race. He got pushed aside by on of the older scouts. For the rest of the meeting, he just sat and watched. It wasn't much fun.

It's a pretty sad picture, isn't it? It might be a first impression that could make this the last meeting for this guy. There are plenty of things he can do that are more fun than being laughed at or mocked because he's new and treading on unfamiliar turf.

Nobody wants this to be the experience of a new scout. That's why we have a new Scout patrol (the Quails). This patrol is made up of only new boys joining the troop. Most are not yet 12 years old and have not entered the seventh grade.

This is where the Troop Guide comes in. He's an older scout. He knows the ropes. He understands what it's like to be new in the troop. It's his job to work with the new Scout patrol, helping each scout learn how the troop operates. He's there to explain the difference between what you do when you hear someone say "Scout sign" and when you hear someone say "Sign's up."

The Troop Guide will be at least a First Class scout. The Scoutmaster along with the advice of the Assistant Scoutmaster for the new scout patrol, appoints a junior leader who is mature enough to work with the new scouts. The Scoutmaster expects the Troop Guide to be their friend or "big brother." Right away, as Troop Guide, you'll set out to make certain the older scouts remember what it was like to be the new guy. You'll want them to help you make the new scouts feel welcome and part of the Scouting family. This means no teasing or intimidation.

For the first few meetings, you'll help new scouts understand things that everyone else take for granted. Following directions given by silent hand signals isn't hard, once you know what the signals mean. But until someone like a friend or a "big brother" clues you in on what they mean, you might just as well be in the dark.

The new scouts will complete the requirements they need to get to First Class rank just by actively participating in troop activities. Still, there are times that one-on-one "teaching" will be needed. When it is, the troop guide has to be a "jack of all trades." Does this mean that you have to be an expert in everything? Of course not. Remember, you have resources. You can call in some of the troop instructors or other scouts to help. You can ask the assistant Scoutmaster for help. Most often, you'll have the skill yourself. After all, it wasn't that long ago that you completed the same requirements. If you're rusty and really don't have time to brush up on the skill, ask someone whose skills are sharp to step in for you.

Take a look at your leadership skills. Look at the following list. Do you know all these skills? Are you using them regularly? If yes, that's great. If you need help in any area, now is the time to check with the Assistant Scoutmaster and brush up on those skills.

Know how to get and give information. Know how to teach. Know how to plan. Know how to control the patrol. Know how to counsel a patrol leader on how to represent his patrol at the PLC meeting.

No one likes to be bossed around. You'll find that questions and suggestions are more readily accepted than blunt criticism. When the new patrol leader goes to his first patrol leader's council meeting, he'll be uncomfortable enough. Going without being prepared will only make it worse. Suggest that he take a few minutes to get suggestions from the guys in the patrol.

Suggest some questions he might ask to get them talking. In the beginning, some questions might be:

"Are there any particular games you've heard of scouts playing that you'd like to have us play during a troop meeting?"

"What would you think of our patrol leading the opening ceremony at a troop meeting?"

"Does anyone have a particular requirement they need to complete for advancement?"

As troop guide, you'll want to be careful about how you counsel the new patrol leader. Talk to him about the patrol leaders' council meetings that you've attended. Explain what goes on. Tell him about the time you came prepared with an idea from one of the scouts in your patrol and how it became part of the very next meeting.

Make sure he knows that you'll be with him to help him make decisions that are best for his patrol. You might even want to suggest that you'll have your mom or dad swing by and pick him up on your way to the meeting. He'll be a lot more comfortable knowing he won't be alone.