Youth Involvement

The best approach to 'youth involvement' is still far from clear.

>> The debate is not whether it's a good or bad thing, but HOW it should be implemented. Speaking from the perspective of a Troop Scouter, I offer the following observations:

** Any 'structure' that allows youth involvement could be made to work by good Scouters who understand the age group and can really work 'with' the youth
** Each age, if not each Scout, is at a different level of understanding of the concepts of 'leadership', 'roles', 'responsibility', etc.
** Too many leaders use the C. of H. as an excuse just to go along with whatever the youth want. (I'm sure that is not the intent, but it's an easy way out of creating really worthwhile program by saying ‘the kids wanted to do that’.)
** There's a danger of taking way too much time on this. Youth don't join Scouting to spend time 'planning' what we're going to do -- they want to get on with it. (As mentioned in other parts of the report.)
>> Is the 'hierarchical" model of the C. of H. and it's decision making processes, still compatible with the concepts presented for the Net-Geners? -- collaboration, sharing, fast communications, etc.

** How does identifying a PL, APL for each Patrol and letting them make decisions in a C. of H. contribute to the idea of "shared responsibility” that will be important to Net-Geners working in 'team environments'.
** I personally favour using "Peer Leadership" as the more appropriate model, with a Scouter as a true 'Counsellor' for the whole Patrol. (ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_group#cite_note-Siegler-0

** Too many leaders use the C. of H. as an excuse just to go along with whatever the youth want. (I'm sure that is not the intent, but it's an easy way out of creating really worthwhile program by saying ‘the kids wanted to do that’.)
** There's a danger of taking way too much time on this. Youth don't join Scouting to spend time 'planning' what we're going to do -- they want to get on with it. (As mentioned in other parts of the report.)


Two very good points. I have youth embrace the CofH and developed some programs, and I have seen it faulter from Scouting into more of a gang or boys club. I think youth involvement needs a little guidance, a little push in the right direction. It is far too easy for youth to lapse into a 'path of least resistence' and end up have a less than exciting program - 'but that is what the kids want! right!?!.

The planning issue is a double edged sword. To determine the right amount of planning is tough and depends on the youth. I think today's youth expect things to magically appear and be easy to do. "Lets do a hike in the arctic" say the CofH "leaders make it so". I think the two points are linked.