Learn how to develop and implement a Troop program to help new Scouts achieve the First Class rank by the end of their first year.

1. First Class
in First Year
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2. First Class
in First Year
John Green
john-green.net
@johndashgreen
facebook.com/jgreen
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3. First Class in First Year
Is First Class in the First Year a BSA
Requirement?
NO
But it is highly encouraged.
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4. Why is it encouraged?
Statistics
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5. A Stats based mandate?
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6. A Stats based mandate?
• Push new scouts through because - that's how
it needs to be done
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7. 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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8. 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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9. 2013 Clarification
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10. 2013 Clarification
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.
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11. 2013 Clarification
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.
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12. 2013 Clarification
A troop that
provides the
opportunity for
First Class in the
first year
=
an active, healthy
troop
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13. 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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14. 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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15. 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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16. Nature Not Lecture
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17. 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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18. Methods of Scouting
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Advancement
Ideals
Patrols
Outdoors
Adult Association
Personal Growth
Leadership Development
Uniform
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19. Nature Not Lecture
An active
healthy
program fulfills
requirements in
the background
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20. Nature Not Lecture
Naturally, in the
course of these
activities, they
are building
skills.
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21. Nature Not Lecture
Tent
cleanliness
lecture?
Let the nightly
visits by the
skunks do it for
you!
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22. 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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23. First Class in First Year
Can you expect every new Scout to do it?
NO
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24. First Class in First Year
• Competition for
time and attention.
• Seasonal Scouts
• No
Parent/Guardian
support
• No patrol method
NO
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25. First Class in First Year
Should Scouts earn First class in the first year?
YES
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26. How Do We Do It?
Use a specific, time driven plan?
NO
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27. 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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28. 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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29. 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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30. Develop Your Program
Make It Full Of
Opportunities
Have an outing
EVERY month.
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31. Develop Your Program
Make It Knowledgeable
Leadership must be aware of the opportunities
and requirements.
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32. 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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33. Develop Your Program
Make It Count
Learn the skill, not
just participate in it
at one campout
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34. 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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35. 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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36. First Class in First Year
Lecture Slides: tinyurl.com/firstclassfirstyear
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