What do scouts do when they turn 18? Are they are at the end of their youth scouting career or are there other options?
Transcript:
A bit ago there was a discussion going on in one of the message groups about a subset of boys that have aged out of the program but wanted to participate as part of the troop attending select camping trips during the year, but had little interest in joining or creating a crew.
This was an intriguing idea as we have a tight nit group of boys that came up through the program together.
The issue of course is being able to set limits and parameters around this type of inclusion.
When scouts turn 18 they are at the end of their youth scouting career, and other than joining a crew, their only other option is to become adult leaders.
In our troop, as most, adult leaders have responsibilities. They are responsible for attending meeting, camping trips help run and organize the troop. As a benefit, they are not responsible for paying monthly dues or registration fees for national or subject to raising funds through popcorn or other fundraisers.
So I believe we have come up with an option that allows limited inclusion but does not drain the troop resources without direct benefit.
The plan is to register the newly aged out boys as adult leaders but have them bear the cost of the program with program fees to cover their yearly registrations. As with younger scouts they would pay their own way for camping trips for food and other fees associated, but they would be exempt from raising funds for the troop, and would be at the back of the line for trips that have space considerations like cabin trips.
While this might appear to be all one sided towards the boy’s benefit they do give back to the troop in other ways.
As they have been through the program, they understand how the troop works, are skilled at teaching skills, and have the maturity handle more coordinated training and events.
Recently we tested this at the Klondike Derby district event where a couple of these boys were home from college and spent the day running one of the stations for the event.
Being older and on their own, they opted to come out for the day, and left at the end of the event, not staying over with the rest of the troop, but while they were there they were an invaluable help.
Whether this will be a long term thing or just a transitional adventure remains to be seen. But, this is what works for us.
Take what you like and leave the rest, and as we say in Woodbadge, feedback is a gift, leave yours below in the comments, with the hope we can all learn together.
I’m Scoutmaster Dave, and this was a bit on our over 18 patrol.
