First Class in First Year

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First Classin First Year

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First Classin First Year

John Green john-green.net

@johndashgreenfacebook.com/jgreen

First Class in First Year

Is First Class in the First Year a BSA Requirement?

NOBut it is highly encouraged.

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Why is it encouraged?

Statistics

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A Stats based mandate?

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A Stats based mandate?

• Push new scouts through because - that's how it needs to be done

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A Stats based mandate?

• Push new scouts through because - that's how it needs to be done

• Ignore it because it's a numbers game and has nothing to do with the reality of your troop

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A Stats based mandate?

• Push new scouts through because - that's how it needs to be done

• Ignore it because it's a numbers game and has nothing to do with the reality of your troop

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2013 Clarification

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2013 Clarification

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Previous statement:

It is important that the troop committee and the Scoutmaster set an advancement goal for the year. A basic goal should be for each Scout to advance a rank during the year. New Scouts should earn the First Class rank during their first year in the troop. By doing so, these new Scouts become net contributors to the troop and are able to care for themselves and others.

2013 Clarification

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2013 statement:

(Unit advancement coordinators) Assist the unit leader in establishing practices that will provide opportunities for each new Boy Scout to achieve First Class rank within 12 to 18 months of joining, and Star rank soon thereafter.

2013 Clarification

A troop that provides the

opportunity for First Class in the

first year

=

an active, healthy troop

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Signs of an active, healthy troop:

• goes camping regularly

• campouts provide numerous opportunities to learn and use Scouting skills

• follows the Patrol Method

• older Scouts can readily use the EDGE method to instruct new Scouts

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2013 Clarification

A troop that pushes Scouts to advance by creating a plan that moves them along a specific

timeline

=

unhealthy troop

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Signs of an unhealthy troop:

• Pushing a timeline is not fun to most Scouts• Unfulfilled requirements = conclusion they are

falling behind• Too far behind that they will never catch up, and they

leave• Requirement signed off but no skill actually learned• Unskilled older Scouts passing off bad skills• No more requirements to challenge them, and they

leave

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Nature Not Lecture

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Nature Not Lecture

Boys sitting through a lecture to learn new skills isn’t what Scouting is about.

Scouting is supposed to be about “preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.” by using the methods of

scouting.

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Methods of Scouting

• Advancement• Ideals• Patrols• Outdoors• Adult Association• Personal Growth• Leadership Development• Uniform

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Nature Not Lecture

An active healthy program fulfills requirements in the background

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Nature Not Lecture

Naturally, in the course of these activities, they

are building skills.

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Nature Not Lecture

Tent cleanliness lecture?

Let the nightly visits by the

skunks do it for you!

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Nature Not Secret

People with goals succeed because they know where they are going.

Keep Scouts up to date on where they stand and ask them where they want to go.

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First Class in First Year

Can you expect every new Scout to do it?

NO

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First Class in First Year

NO

• Competition for time and attention.

• Seasonal Scouts• No Parent/Guardian

support• No patrol method

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First Class in First Year

Should Scouts earn First class in the first year?

YES

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How Do We Do It?

Use a specific, time driven plan?

NO

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How Do We Do It?

• Defines monthly themes for a Troop Program

• Does not provide opportunities for new Scouts to achieve all the requirements

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First Year Programs Found Online

• Most run March through March of the following year

• Most fall into the same trap of

LECTURE NOT

NATURE

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Develop Your Program

Make It Personal

Your plan has to fit with the themes and traditions for your

troop and your specific calendar.

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Develop Your Program

Make It Full Of Opportunities

Have an outing EVERY month.

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Develop Your Program

Make It Knowledgeable Leadership must be aware of the opportunities and

requirements.

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Develop Your Program

Make It Fun

Who wants to sit in a church basement and

hear a lecture on Hiking Safety?!

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Develop Your Program

Make It Count

Learn the skill, not just participate in it at

one campout

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Develop Your Program

Make Hay While The Sun Shines

Make a part of your program working with your Pack's Webelos

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What Really Matters

The important thing is not how fast or

far a Scout advances but who it is they become.

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First Class in First Year

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Lecture Slides: tinyurl.com/firstclassfirstyear