Scouts in 2024: The biggest mistakes I'd fix

Рет қаралды 1,330

Big Man in The Woods

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 71

@jessibiguenet1180 10 ай бұрын

I love the idea of badges for scout leaders. That would be so fun!

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

What badges would you want as a Leader?

@jessibiguenet1180 10 ай бұрын

@@bigmaninthewoods well we pay $120 for a year and then the mom's do ALL the work. If I'm honest with you, I would want them to at the very least come up with some ideas of their own. Do I have badge ideas that I like? Yes. Am I willing to do anymore free work for the cub scouts? Not really. I love being my kids scout leader but I truly feel that in order to do it well and with meaning and intention, it's a whole part time job. Some recognition that the scouts org is financially benefitting off my hard work would be nice. Even just badges would be better than the nothing sandwich I'm currently offered.

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

@@jessibiguenet1180 yes it can feel like a Part time Job- spot on there!

@Theplanekid268 6 ай бұрын

I am a scout and my dad is a cub leader and watched all of your lock down campfire videos

@bigmaninthewoods 6 ай бұрын

Ah thank you Tyler 👍🏻⚜️👍🏻⚜️👍🏻⚜️ very much appreciated

@Theplanekid268 6 ай бұрын

Thanks

@KayGamble 9 ай бұрын

It is nice to hear some sane ideas.

@bigmaninthewoods 9 ай бұрын

Thank you

@fionag6063 10 ай бұрын

I am glad you got the uniform review in an email as I did not and I have been a leader 27 years. I agree about the leader name change - utter rubbish. I would love to know who in the public they have spoken to about they would join us if we are called “lead volunteer “ lead volunteer at what …. Scouting oh you are a scout leader then !

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

We will always be known as scout leaders

@martinhoward188 8 ай бұрын

I agree with everything you said except getting rid of Joe and his buttons.. The idea for an England version of the Dragon badge would be brilliant. I've always thought a leader challenge badge would be great. Something to work towards

@bigmaninthewoods 8 ай бұрын

So if you want to keep Joe and his buttons, what campfire song would you ban then?

@martinhoward188 8 ай бұрын

Now that's a hard one. Probably the coke a cola song. Only because I can never remember the words.

@scottillman8079 10 ай бұрын

I totally agree I love putting on my uniform And I love being a scout (beaver/cub) leader

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

That’s good to hear 👍🏻

@marylodwig2890 10 ай бұрын

As a parent of a young child, being able to do my training (and exec and other project meetings) online has meant I actually *could* do my training within a reasonable timescale, it made the whole thing more accessible and inclusive. We did the Dragon Award wayyy back in the SSAGO club i was in :)

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

That’s awesome to hear 👍🏻👍🏻

@davegilden6603 10 ай бұрын

SSAGO was quite something back then Mary - was thinking about GoJam as well only a few days ago

@simonabel6869 10 ай бұрын

I agree completely with your suggestion. Despite all these new titles i will continue to call myself a Cub Scout Leader!!

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Yup 100%

@Pmounteney 10 ай бұрын

15 years a scout leader and will not change that totally agree with you as leader are not recognised enough and I've seen a fair few leave in recent times

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

I’m still trying to work out why Gilwell thought this was a good idea 🤔🤔

@annawhite7020 8 ай бұрын

Yes to all of that!

@lucasjones7254 9 ай бұрын

Yeah as an explorer from north wales the dragon award is very cool to do makes camping more fun I’m currently on my sliver

@bigmaninthewoods 9 ай бұрын

Well done 👏🏻 sounds like your enjoying it

@karlbrydon 10 ай бұрын

Great thoughts Mark, Certificates - agree, the associated badges are no better, having both a 10yr service and a Chief Scout Commendation badge on my uniform - need to put on my glasses to tell them apart. "That song" - youth participation only Training - Residential training that actually involves a residential event First Aid - mandatory for all members - Level 4, 5, Module K and Adult First Response - very similar - just have one award - I know there is some change coming - we'll see what happens Rant over- Happy Scouting for all

@bigmaninthewoods 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for your thoughts Karl 👍🏻👍🏻

@MrMarkc100 10 ай бұрын

I quite like the Scout leader uniform -especially using a Craghoppers shirt.

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Yup I use the Craghopper Trousers aswell

@ElaineStrachan-j7n 10 ай бұрын

I agree with so much of your points. I've over 30 years service so used to change but agree with the leader name changes and the official awards certificates!

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Congrats on the 30yr service 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@clairemould5245 10 ай бұрын

I absolutely agree about names, hate the new names. I completed all my training recently and am proud of that being ABL but there is no way of parents knowing that. I also don't mind the uniform admittedly the fit could be lots better but it's distinctive & am proud to be able to wear it.

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

That’s good to hear- congrats on your training

@MrMuddyhands 10 ай бұрын

I completely agree with these points. Uniform style wise should stay but the sizing, fabric etc needs looking at, this is where i expect the majority of issues are with it but if you are asked just 'do you like the uniform' then people will say no. These stupid new names are a joke. I'm meant to be a lead volunteer. Someone calling me a GSL or lead volunteer isn't going to stop them joining. That 'issue' is solved by a simply flow diagram. Museum is a good shout, would help to get rid of the dated views and thoughts of the public if only we had a campsite or a building in London. Certificates just say we don't value your commitment when like you say done on a word template. I'm with you on the older style printed on card *chef's kiss* OSM simply yes. But instead let's waste a load of money on doing it ourselves for a sub par product. Scout law says 'a scout makes good use of time ...' comes to mind. Surely it's easier to keep hold of the people you have than find new ones. I like the badges idea. Oh and get our training and years of service professionally recognise Think I have finished now

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@exploringtheoutdoorswithjo7506 10 ай бұрын

Yeh! Big man in the woods for the next Scouts Boss! :)

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Ah why thank you 😀

@fireicebushcraft3950 8 ай бұрын

Uniform. I like the uniform for formal stuff (parades, investitures, etc), but we are getting base layers and fleeces for our Scouts for sessions (neckers will still be worn). Much more practical, and it keeps the uniform looking good for the important events. Titles. KEEP THE TITLES!!!! Certificates and badges. Completely agree with you on this. Leaders/helpers do not get the recognition they deserve. Without us, there is no Scouts. We should be recognised in an appropriate manner. DCs should be awarding certificates and badges to the Leaders, just as Leaders do for the Scouts in their Troop, but the badges should be Leader specific. Recognition of years of service. Awards for building upon your base training (navigation, camping, hiking, etc). Zoom meetings need to go. That song you talked about, I have never heard of it. I do think, however, County should hold a camp at least once a year where all the leaders attend, and we all have to learn traditional Scout songs around the fire in the evening (with a drink, of course). It would be a great way of bringing a County together, and a great way of County saying thank you.

@reithryll 10 ай бұрын

I agree with lots of these points, as a unifrom organisation the idea of going away from a smart uniform is really unwanted for me. It grates enough when the girls arrive in leggings and shirts don't tuck in so the whole hoodies for everything jars. hopefully wewon't go the route of the Guides as at the last couple of rememberance parades the scouts have thought huge Dominoes deliveries were happening when the guides arrived as the red and blue was not well thought through on that change. Leaders not having section titles seems odd to me but I kind of understand the idea of making the volunteering less daunting and retention definitely needs work... adult achievement badges works for me, I really miss getting a badge and was a little sad when I had worked through all the modules for my woodbeads and that was it. I'll be looking at the dragon badge for certain!

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Yup no extra woodbeads for extra training :(

@davegilden6603 10 ай бұрын

I sometimes think people forget how valuable the face to face parts of training are, not for the material that is taught, but for the networking with people from outside your group bubble. All of the sessions Ive led have been enhanced by the experiences of the delegates, a lot of the cues of questions to ask to expand the learning opportunities probably would not be picked up on Zoom. That said, online does have its place - ensuring a baseline standard is delivered and met is just as important. From Jamboree experiences as IST, I was always intruiged by the BSA Order of the Arrow - it sort of sounded like a Wood Badge Plus, maybe something like that after initial training?

@ElaineStrachan-j7n 10 ай бұрын

Also Scotland has the zodiac badge which is just open to scouts and Scottish thistle challenge badge

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Ah it didn’t know they had 1 👍🏻

@SimonDraper42 10 ай бұрын

I personally would completely scrap the "appointments committee" have the group appointments to be decided between the adult, GSL and DC. My last one felt too much like a job interview with very little information on questions to be asked so went in not answering how I would if I had a chance to sit down and think about it.

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Appointments committee (will be scrapped) I know that 100% cos my county have scrapped them in the new changes

@johnt6949 10 ай бұрын

Agree with you

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Thanks John- Happy New Year 👍🏻⚜️👍🏻⚜️👍🏻

@dougirvine6978 10 ай бұрын

Hi, Good video 😊 I agree with most of them (not sure about the camp song) I think the new titles are rubbish, I won't be using them. My training is the nineties was one to one and was fantastic. Made some good friends, learnt lots and had a great time. I think they are trying to bring some of that back? Looking forward to 2024 lots of new Scouting adventures on my horizon. Regards Doug

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Any big adventures planned for 2024 Doug?

@dougirvine6978 10 ай бұрын

@@bigmaninthewoods I am going to the Essex jamboree for a week with 3rd Bicester. Some other ideas brewing but not fixed yet. I'll let you know 😉

@michaelpearce6720 10 ай бұрын

Totally agree with most of this, but training... I think the whole system needs upending somewhat. I think that externally recognised qualifications would be better regulated as they would have to be externally verified and stop the "my mate is a TA and signed it all off" brigade, it would also demonstrate a level of competence to people outside of scouting showing that we actually do know what e are doing, and it would show the adults that scouting values the work they are doing and thus encouraging retention. I don't see a problem with hybrid delivery but it has to be just that, some things you need to learn in the outdoors and somethings you can do on your own over a few lunch breaks. There that's my tuppence worth.

@kevinfitzpatrick444 10 ай бұрын

I wouldn't mind a change in uniform, as long as it's still recognisable. If people see me on the street/in the pub in uniform, they instantly recognise what I do. I'm torn with the change in name from "leader" to "volunteer". Fine with the concept of making it more obvious that we do it all voluntarily, but my struggle is how to talk to my Scouts about it. How can I justify telling them I'm not a "leader" while discussing the whole concept of "leadership" & about them being "patrol leaders"? Agree about the certificates and training. Although our county insist on doing 1st aid on-line with a need to go to 30 miles away just to do CPR. We just pay for OSM anyway...

@matthewbedford6843 10 ай бұрын

I became a leader in july. I hate the new names so much I refuse to call myself an 'Explorer Team Leader', I can't bring myself to do it.

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

It sounds 🤬🤬🤬 doesn’t it?

@matthewbedford6843 10 ай бұрын

@@bigmaninthewoods Yeah. I always wanted to become a leader, not a team member

@josephmonk9041 10 ай бұрын

Changing the names is just dumb, but DC has it worse then us GSL (when it comes to how they old title sounds compared to the new). I understand what you're saying about training, but for BSO the online training is essential. I say improve the online training, and keep both. Recognition of volunteers is really lacking, we need more lower level ones. Look at the military, multiple levels of awards.

@bigmaninthewoods 10 ай бұрын

Yup , even on TSA Website they say you can still call yourself Scout Leader within your group. So why change the titles then?