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PROGRAM PLANNING

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster

Leader Specific Training

By: Mike Minello SM Troop 251

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Learning Objectives • Guide your Troop in developing annual program

plans and stick to them.• Involve Scouts in planning a troop’s program,

feeling invested in it, and taking responsibility for bringing it to life.

• Understand how the planning process connects activities with the values of Scouting.

• Resources available that help conduct effective troop program planning.

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Resources:• The Scoutmaster Handbook Chapter 8• Troop Program Features, Vol I, II, & III• Troop Program Resources• BSA Video “Troop Program Planning”• The Boy Scout Handbook

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Program Planning

• Why is planning important for carrying out an effective troop program?

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Answers•An annual planning meeting encourages troop leaders to explore a wide range of program opportunities.

•Too often, a troop’s program is planned by adults and offered to the boys:

Adults should support and coach from the background

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Planning - Two forms to ensure the best possible program:

• Annual long-range planning

Attended by the patrol leaders’ council, the Scoutmaster, and other key adults

• Monthly short-term planning

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Annual Troop Program Planning

• Creates stability for the troop• Increases Scout participation• Allows Scoutmaster to give the boys much of the

leadership of meetings and activities• Develops a coherent and inviting troop program

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The Five Steps of Annual Troop Program Planning

1. Do your homework.

2. Get patrol input.

3. Hold a planning conference.

4. Consult with the troop committee.

5. Announce the plan.

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Your Primary Planning Tools

• Troop Program Features• Troop Program Resources• Troop program support• Council calendar• Other calendars

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Step One: Do your homework

• Evaluate the past year’s activities• Gather dates of BSA district, council, community,

church, school, personal life, etc. that could affect troop activites

• Review advancement status of troop members• What are patrol priorities for the troop• Prepare an outline of the annual program• Review the plan with the Senior Patrol Leader

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Step Two: Get Patrol Input• The Senior Patrol Leader shares the outline of the

annual program plan to the patrol leader’s council• Patrol Leaders presents plan to his patrol for discussion• Senior Patrol Leader leads troop members in a

discussion of choices, then offers opportunity to vote• The patrol leaders’ council and other key troop leaders

are ready to meet

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Step Three: Hold a Troop Program Planning Conference

• The heart of determining a troop’s activities for the coming six months or year

• Should be attended by:Senior Patrol LeaderAssistant Senior Patrol LeaderPatrol LeadersTroop GuideScoutmaster and Assistant ScoutmastersJunior Assistant Scoutmasters

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TheTroop Planning

Conference

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Troop Program Planning Conference Agenda

1. Conduct Team-building activity

2. Review methods and objectives

3. Develop Troop goals

4. Consider major calendar events

5. Consider suggested program features

6. Vote on list of program features

7. Fill in Troop Planning Work Sheet

8. Discuss and schedule repeat events and program events

9. Finalize Troop Planning Work Sheet

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Team-building Activity

“Scouting is a game with a purpose”Robert Baden-Powell

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Troop Program Planning Conference Agenda

• Will the Program Features help the Troop reach it’s GOALS?

• What are the opportunities for ADVANCEMENT?

• Where does it best fit the annual calendar?• Will it be exciting for all ages of Scouts?• How does it incorporate the VALUES of

Scouting?

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Planning Items to Consider

• Boards of review• Courts of honor• Year-round

recruiting plan• Webelos-to-Scout

transition

• Monthly Activities • Service /Conservation

project• Troop Leadership

Training

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Troop Program FeaturesVolume One• Aquatics, Athletics,Backpacking, Boating/Canoeing, Business,

Camping, Citizenship, Communications, Cooking, Cultural Awareness, Emergency Preparedness, Engineering

Volume Two• Environment, First Aid, Fishing, Forestry, Health Care, High

Adventure, Hiking, Hobbies, Leadership, Mechanics, Nature, Orienteering

Volume Three• Physical Fitness, Pioneering, Public Service, Safety,

Science, Shooting, Special Cooking, Sports, Tracking, Wilderness Survival, Wildlife Management, Winter Camping

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Patrol planning exercise:

• Outline a FIVE month Troop program using the material we have discussed in this session, the Troop Program Features (vol I, II, and III), The Scoutmaster Handbook and the Troop Planning Worksheet.

• Give a brief report to the (training) Troop

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Step Four: Consult with the Troop Committee

• Senior Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster present the plan to the Committee

• The Committee lends it’s support but retains the right of refusal if plan is unsafe or unwise

• Committee reviews plan monthly to determine how they can best support it

• Scoutmaster delegates parts to assistants to provide guidance and accountability

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Step Five: Announce the Troop’s Annual Plan

• Announce the Annual PlanDistribute photocopies to troop members, parents, committee, chartered organization.

•PublicizeGood for member planning, keeps parents and committee aware, it’s an effective recruitment tool

(newspaper - troop newsletter - troop web site - council newsletter - chartered organization publications - school publications and bulletin boards)

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Implementing the Troop Program

• Consult with the Troop committee• Announce the Troop’s Annual Program • Publicize the Troop’s Annual Program• Monthly Troop Program Planning at the Patrol

Leaders’ Council Meeting• Sequencing of Adult leader Meetings• Weekly Review by Senior Patrol Leader

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Planning - Two forms to ensure the best possible program:

• Annual long-range planning

Attended by the patrol leaders’ council, the Scoutmaster, and other key adults

• Monthly short-term planning

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Scoutmaster Steps to ensure best possible program

1. Review annual plan (use Troop Program Features)

2. Attend Roundtables

3. Review themes/activities with assigned Asst. Scoutmasters

4. With S.P.L. draw up agenda for Patrol Leaders Council Meetings

5. Assist S.P.L. in conducting Patrol Leaders Council meetings

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Scoutmaster Steps to ensure best possible program cont...

6. Use an written agenda so S.P.L. can fill in plans and events

7. Scoutmaster can share information from Troop Program Features and Roundtables etc.

8. Use Troop Meeting Plan Sheets

9. Work out the details

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Sequencing of Adult Leader Meetings

• Roundtables

• Troop Committee Meetings

• Meetings with Assistant Scoutmasters

• Patrol Leaders Council Meeting

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The Weekly Review

• After each meeting or activity of the troop

• Review activity just completed

• Go over plan for next event

• Make changes

- A BOY LED PROGRAM -

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Summary

•Scoutmasters who put energy into program planning will find their job as troop leaders much easier•Use the BSA literature, specifically The Scoutmaster’s Handbook; Troop Program Features, Volumes I, II, and III; and Troop Program Resources

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Questions ?