Day 50: Other Stuff

Day 50:
I got to spend most of yesterday doing my own other stuff, mostly researching long-distance backpacking and considering a big trek next year.

So, I thought I'd share some Other Stuff with you that this troop does to make its program a little bit different.

• Coup Beads: patrols receive pony beads to string from their patrol flag for scouting accomplishments. Some patrols have 4 or 5 stringers of beads, bells, and feathers now.
  The ASPL hands out beads at troop meetings.
• Patrol Spirit: patrols accumulate points over a 3-month period to determine the top patrol in the troop. The points are mostly for participation, so any patrol can win. The short timeframe allows many different opportunities each year.
  The Scribe tracks the points.
• Scout Challenge: each year a new set of tasks is presented as a challenge to the scouts. Those that complete enough tasks earn the patch and a pin for each year. This helps expand scouting to their everyday lives and promotes specific activities or behaviors each year.
• Troop Muster: Each January, a troop meeting is set aside for reviewing the past year and looking forward to the new. Each scout signs his 'Patrol Charter' indicating he will participate in scouting this year. Parents pay feeds. Volunteer roles are filled. Pictures are taken.
• Scout-o-rama: Webelos are invited to spend a day doing scout skills with local troops around Halloween. This troop has put on a scout-o-rama for six years, just last year opening it up for participation from other troops. It's a fun way for 5th grade Webelos to see what's ahead for them.
• Order of the Golden Pen: higher ranked scouts are allowed to sign off T-2-1 requirements in this troop. To remind them of their responsibility and make it more fun, I spraypainted some Bic Pens metallic gold and made up the Order of the Golden Pen membership cards. There is a little training that goes with it and assistant scoutmasters can be members as well. Now, I have new Star scouts asking to get their golden pen just as soon as they have their Star patch. :-)
• Tech Chip: the technology revolution is over and if you are still 'banning' electronics in your troop, you've lost. We've embraced the digital age in this troop and use the Tech Chip program to educate scouts on expectations of proper use. We seldom have problems now, and when they do occur, the scouts take care of it rather than adults confiscating items.

Does your troop have fun, unique programs to liven things up? Give a shout.

Scout On