10 Red Flags Before Your Scout Unit Fails 🚩 Warning Signs

[@funker419]

I was it a pack in the late 1970s. I dropped out after 2 years, it was nothing like my club scout experience which was great.I don’t even know if I was a real scout. The pack didn’t do much of anything . We went on a few hikes, did some minor activities and played some games. I really needed guidance to progress. I have always needed structure to thrive. While in Boy Scouts I never achieved a rank or a single merit badge. There was no one there to guide on how to. Being 14 or there about I really need someone to show me what to do. No one ever said, “hey we are going to work on a merit badge, who wants in.” It has always bothered me that I didn’t get the experience that i was looking for. As an adult I realized what was going on and of course this is just my opinion. The 2 sons of the scout master had many merit badges and were on their way to eagle. I believe that the troop was just for them. A way to obtain eagle rank for college applications. I can appreciate the fact that he wanted his sons to succeed, but it seems to be that it was a the expense of others.

[@CoolestDude38NC]

I agree with everything you are saying. I will tell you what I think causes a Troop to deteriorate. 1) Troop rarely goes camping. Troops should go camping once a month September through May, plus summer camp in the summer. Troops should go camping in the winter regularly. 2) Troops where the boys are not making rank, 3) watch out for Troops that seem to have a lot of boys who are in Scouting because their parents are pushing them to be there...AKA "Eagle mill" troops. Thats the opposite of #2. Boys should be in Scouting because they are self motivated, not because mom and dad want their boy to make Eagle so they can put it on their college application.

[@pawpatrolnews]

Lack of recuting was what caused my troop to close down shortly after I earned Eagle (2014). We have a mega troop in town that all the cub scouts chose to attend when they became boy scouts. They had better funding, did more activities and lots of peoples friends chose that troop, so it was naturally many boys first choice. My troop was always small, (usually around 10 boys), so when 2 siblings moved an hour away, and another boy and I earned our Eagles at the same time, that was pretty much the end of our troop. They kept it going to let the last 2 boys earn their Eagles, before pulling the plug. This reminds me, I should organize a reunion. I really haven't seen anyone from the troop in the past 10 years.

[@sedalbj]

I’d add lack of desire to change. It can create an insular troop that doesn’t want outside input (like from their commissioner) bc that UC will be asking about YPT compliance, succession planning, maybe some new rules they have to follow etc. Change might be accepting electronic payments, or helping start a girl troop at their CO (linked or not). So many things that could erode the unit in the long term. Or a YPT issue that could destroy the unit overnight. Also add, lack of weekly meeting space, uninvolved CO, lack of funding, lack of volunteers.

[@twindaddy_sh_mn1092]

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

[@twindaddy_sh_mn1092]

Thanks for sharing the experience. I wonder how many scouters will watch this video and ask "how does Stan know so much about our unit". A seasoned scouter recently told me that whatever is happening in your unit be it good or not so good, many other units have had the same experience. Thanks for all that you do for Scouting.

[@funker419]

I was it a pack in the late 1970s. I dropped out after 2 years, it was nothing like my club scout experience. I don’t even know if I was a real scout. The pack didn’t do much at all. We went on a few hikes, did some minor activities. I needed guidance to progress. I have never thrived without structure. I never achieved a rank or @ single merit badge. There was no one there to guide us. No one even said, “hey we are going to work on a merit badge, who wants in.” It has always bothered me that I didn’t get the experience that i was looking for. As an adult I realized what was going on and of course this is just my opinion. The 2 sons of the scout master had many merit badges and were on their way to eagle. I believe that the troop was just for them. A way to obtain eagle rank for college applications. I can appreciate the fact that he wanted his sons to succeed, but it seems to be that it was a the expense of others.

[@ScouterStan]

It's truly a shame you had such an unfortunate experience. The scouting movement has always had a structure to mold young people into becoming leaders and making good ethical decisions. There isn't anything we can do about the past but we do have control over what happens in the future. It's never too late to get back into Scouting as an adult leader. This would in a way hopefully right the wrongs done to you, and help young people achieve the goal of becoming better leaders for tomorrow. If you'd like to get back into it call your local council service center and find out more information. Hopefully, I will see you on the trail. YIS⚜

[@jennhudson912]

I would also add with lack of recruitment is checking for retention loss/scouts leaving the unit. What is keeping youth from sticking with a unit?

[@twindaddy_sh_mn1092]

When families leave a unit or leave Scouting, some units will reach out to ask why they left. The reasons that families have for leaving can help a unit understand what adjustments are needed to improve retention. During a Scoutmaster Conference for First Class, if the Scout reached out to an inactive Scout for requirement 10, the Scout may be able to share with the Scoutmaster why another Scout has become inactive.

[@buckleywheeler3278]

Great advice. I seen these are pack, troop, district and council

[@twindaddy_sh_mn1092]

If you find this video interesting or useful please spread the word about this video and this channel.

[@Looshmal]

This video should be paired with your video about “Upgrading Your Unit”. We recently made a switch…upgraded…to a Unit that does so much more ! The Unit we left had 3 of these “Red Flags”. Thanks for everything, Scouter Stan and have a Happy and Blessed Easter!

[@twindaddy_sh_mn1092]

It is great to hear that you are in a unit that fits your needs.

[@jokiestay]

I dont know if you mentioned the lack of want to be a higher rank. Its been happening in our unit and we have about all of these red flags. We have also been talking of disbanding. I just dont know where to start and how to start changing, if it is even worth it

[@ScouterStan]

Ask any parent if their children are worth the effort to help succeed. I believe you would get a strange look and and a most emphatic YES!... Scouting values are in need now more than ever before. You know the old saying “quitters never win”. We need to make the effort and the youth of America deserve the opportunity that Scouting provides. Scouting is not just about obtaining higher ranks. After First Class all of the Scout Skills have been learned. Advancement beyond that point is completely up to the individual. It is hoped that some will step forward and take on leadership roles and advance but it is not expected. In fact it just happens when the opportunities are given. I'm sure you know the values of Scouting and will do whatever you can to make it available to everyone in your area. If you have more questions let us know. You're never truly alone on the Scouting trail. YIS⚜

[@AdventureBeeMC]

Pore or do you mean Poor?

[@ScouterStan]

Thanks for pointing that out, I'll pore over my spelling next time! YIS⚜

[@hkhjg1734]

Recruitment will go to 0. Youth don't care about badges or patches, they don't want to be taught by dumb parents in a quasi-school like setting when they already spend so much time in school. The 'expertise' of bushcraft and other traditional scouting activities can be found online at a much higher level by people who actually know what they're doing. Archaic uniforms and burocratic rules/guidelines are not interesting in the slightest. The only slightly redeeming aspect of BSA was its function as a quasi-mens group where boys can be around strong male role models, that is something that is not easy to find in todays society. I remember hanging out with a bunch of boy scouts, not one of which could light our campfire when we were out camping; I had to do it myself. Actually, I doubt most Scouts could light a fire, really make you wonder what the appeal for kids is. Of all my friends who were in boyscouts, I don't expect any to be putting their kids in Scouts BSA when they become fathers.

[@ScouterStan]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. It's unfortunate you had such a bad experience when so many have just the opposite. Even though I courteously can't entirely agree with your assumptions I will leave this comment as it is an opinion and everyone has the right to express it. I encourage everyone in the community to abide by the Scout Oath & Law if you want to add to this discussion. YIS⚜