New Troop Leader Guidebooks Coming

For years the Scoutmaster Handbook has been  the go-to place to teach a newcomer how to be an effective Scoutmaster for a Boy Scout Troop, but for Assistant Scoutmasters or Troop Committee Members there was no handbook.  

That's about to change. Later this year, the two-volume Troop Leader Guidebook will debut, replacing the Scoutmaster Handbook and offering helpful checklists, quick tips and fresh ideas for both new troop leaders and veteran Scouters.

Scouting magazine contributor Mark Ray wrote Volume 1, while Bob Birkby, author of the latest Boy Scout Handbook, wrote Volume 2. 

Vol. 1: For new troop leaders

Mark Ray's Vol. 1 focuses primarily on the needs of the new or relatively inexperienced Boy Scout leader.

These Scouters will have been volunteers for up to three years, are likely assistant Scoutmasters and probably recently crossed over from serving as a Webelos leader or parent.

As such, Volume 1 assumes little or no prior knowledge of the Boy Scout program on the part of the reader. It presents a somewhat simplified picture of Boy Scouting that focuses on the short term — getting through this week's troop meeting, this month's outing and this year's planning conference — rather than the long term, such as planning for growth, establishing a troop vision, and measuring personal and troop success.

In other words, it leaves advanced topics to Volume 2.

Given that its readers are mostly newcomers, this volume's tone is similar to that used in a book for new parents. It reassures readers that everything is really going to be okay. Really.

Vol. 2: Advanced guidance for veteran Scouters

Bob Birkby's Volume 2 assumes its readers are ready for the next level.

Here you'll find info like high-adventure planning, working with Scouts with disabilities, conflict resolution, visioning and more.

This volume is for more-seasoned leaders who need fresh ideas. It's an advanced guidebook that will help leaders take their troop's program and operations to a higher level. It will also help leaders keep an established program fresh and exciting so that troops don't fall into the trap of doing the same things year after year.

Look at it this way: Volume 1 replaces the current Scoutmaster Handbook, while Volume 2 offers advanced guidance that's been missing from several editions of the Scoutmaster Handbook.

Behind the scenes

"By the way," Mark tells me, "we changed the name because surveys indicated that many assistant Scoutmasters thought the Scoutmaster Handbook wasn't for them!"

But more than just a new name, the Troop Leader Guidebook represents a new approach to serving all troop leaders. And it happened, as it should, with the input of Scouters like you.

"We held focus groups in the spring of 2012 in the D.C. area (Northeast and Southern Regions), the St. Louis area (Central Region), and the Bay Area (Western Region) to get input on the current handbook and what Scouters wanted to see in the new handbooks," Mark says.

So the two-volume Troop Leader Guidebook is truly designed by Scouters for Scouters. Look for both volumes to be released together later this year.

BLT Training – More than Just a Sandwich

In my feverish, fervent attempt to get notes from last night's Ozark Trailblazers Round Table and Popcorn Kick-Off Dinner, I failed to mention the BLT conversation.  Of course, most people know a BLT is a Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato sandwich, however in the world of Scouting BLT also stands for Basic Leader Training.  And Les Houston, from Farmington, came up last night to speak about the upcoming Basic Leader Training course, which is being offered the same weekend as Fall Encampment (Camporee). 

The course will introduce new adults to the basic concepts of Scouting; patrol method, position responsibilities, and more.  Each new adult member of a unit (be it committee member, scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster or chartered organization representative) is encouraged to attend.  The training costs $25 and will be held at Camp Lewallen.  If you are interested in attending contact District Training Chair Ken Braun or BLT Ozark Trailblazers Patrol Leader Les Houston.  

August Popcorn Kick-Off and Ozark Trailblazers District Round Table Notes

The meeting began with John Snipes and another Council representative giving the Popcorn Kick-Off Presentation.  District Popcorn Kernels; Kathy Jones & Kathy Klussmeyer, were on hand giving unit leadership and unit Popcorn Kernels their sales materials.  Big Updates include new products and a two new Blitz weekends where Scouts that participate earn a special patch. 

Once Round Table began, after a brief intermission, School Night to Join Scouting was the big topic.  Pack Leadership received their School Night Packets, Youth Applications, and other information.  So far Arcadia Valley, North County, Central, Farmington and Fredericktown have School Night dates set.  Other units are in the process of setting dates.  Our District efforts need to be outstanding this year to make up for the -15% growth we experienced last year.  Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews are encouraged to attend their School Open House and recruit there for new potential Scouts rather than just pulling from feeder Packs. 

Fall Camporee, or Encampment, will be "Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout" themed.  Each unit will participate in five events during the Camporee, scheduled for the first weekend in October (4^th-6^th) at the North end of the Camporee Field at S-F Scout Ranch.  Each unit will also get to submit 2 names each for the Youth and Adult District Dream Team.  The District Dream Teams will compete against each other in a strenuous head-on-head competition.  Camp Manuals are forthcoming.

Cub Scouting Day One is an event scheduled for Beaumont Scout Reservation for October 5^th at a cost of $7.  We will also be hosting an Ozark Trailblazers Cub Scouting Day One event at Mineral Area College on October 12^th, cost to be determined. 

Jeremy Medley discussed Training Awards and the Shooting Opportunities available at Ozark Thunder Indoor Gun Range.  For more information on the shooting opportunities, contact Jeremy Medley, Donnie Jones or Ozark Thunder Indoor Gun Range to schedule your unit to visit the range.

Shannon Hinze spoke about the upcoming OA Fall Reunion, the weekend of September 6^th-8^th at S-F Scout Ranch.  The Ozark Trailblazers will once again be camping in the Camp Famous Eagle area.  Speak to your Unit OA Representative for more information or contact Shannon Hinze.