University of Scouting - Training Varsity Scout Team Leaders (Youth)

Circle 10 University of Scouting 2012

Training (Mentoring) Varsity Scout Team Leaders

Varsity Team training should be conducted whenever a majority of a Team leadership changes or a key leader changes.  The training syllabus for the Varsity Team is contained in the Varsity Guidebook on pages 161 to 179. 

You do not lead by hitting people over the head – that's assault, not leadership. Dwight Eisenhower

The goals for this training meeting are:

·        Ensure that everyone understands the responsibility of his position.

·        Build the Team’s youth leaders into an effective, working leadership group.

·        Acquaint youth leaders with basic skills.

This training should take place at what kind of location?

Training Sessions Breakdown

·        Session 1 – The Team Leadership Positions (30 minutes) – Position descriptions – Ask boys to describe in their own words what their job is.  Let the boy know what is expected of him and build confidence in him that he can do what is asked of him.  Explain the dynamic of a Team and how it “should” work.

·        Session 2 – Defining Leadership (30 minutes) – Introduction to Leadership tailored to boys attending.  Ask the boys what they think a good leader is.  Ask for examples.  Discuss leadership having four elements: the leader, the followers, the goal and the situation.  Discuss the Principles, Ideals and Concepts of the Varsity Team leadership including how a boy leader can:

·        Live by the Scout Oath, Scout Law and Varsity Pledge.

·        Show and help develop Scout spirit.

·        Set a good example (in his language, in his attitude, etc.)

·        Attend training sessions offered by the Team and Council.

·        Advance in rank.

·        Dedicate the time needed to fulfill his responsibility well.

·        Work with other Team leaders.

·        Then explain to the youth leaders what they should expect from you:

·        Be available for discussion and phone calls.

·        Back his decisions, within reason.

·        Listen to and consider his ideas.

·        Be fair.

·        Set a good example for them (in language, in attitude, etc.)

·        Offer direction, coaching and support.

·        Provide a way and appropriate times for him to contact you.

·        Explain how the Team works through the Team Organization Chart.  Review the 5 Fields of Emphasis (Advancement, High Adventure/Sports, Personal Development, Service, Special Programs and Events).  Continue training through leading.  Discuss how Team Meetings and Activity should flow.  Assign task and how delegation/responsibility flows.

·        Action Break – Stepping stones.

·        Break the ice with a game!!  Boys love game plus they are good to get the wiggles out of them.  This will also give you the opportunity to see if the boy leader is a leader, a follower or a fence sitter.  With this information you can better tailor the training to him.

·        Session 3 – The 11 Skills of Leadership (60 minutes) – Have the Scouts discuss 11 leadership skills of effective leaders.  Also discuss:

·        Understanding who they are serving and meeting their needs.

·        Knowing and using resources like the Varsity Team Committee.

·        Good communication.

·        Proper planning.

·        Sharing leadership.  Delegation does not mean responsibility is passed.

·        Setting an example.

·        Learning how to counsel others.

·        Controlling Group Performance through observing, instructing, helping, inspecting, reacting and setting an example.

·        Representing the group you lead.

·        Effectively teaching.

·        Evaluating – Thorns and Roses or Start Stop Continuum (what is being done right, what is being done wrong and what should we start doing that we haven’t been doing).

·        Action Break

·        Session 4 – Stranded Exercise (60 minutes) – Break youth leaders into groups and have them do the exercise that follows.

·        Action Break

·        Working as a Team (30 minutes) – After doing the “stranded” exercise, discuss how each of the groups went about working on making decisions.  Discuss the pro’s and con’s of how groups work together.  Discuss who assumed leadership as the group made decisions and why others did not assume a leadership position. 

·        Action Break

·        Coach’s Corner (Scoutmaster Minute) – This is an opportunity for the Varsity Coach to reflect on the boy leaders and how the training went.

After the Training:

·        Find small moments to mentor boys. 

·        Encourage boy leaders to plan for success. 

·        Discuss things before and after meetings. 

·        Give them a more dominant role in meetings.  Have them teach skills or find someone who can.  Sit back a little bit. 

·        Use “short-term failure” as a teaching moment on what could and couldn’t have been done better. 

·        Be a resource and available for the boy leaders.

·        Encourage the boy leaders to go to other leadership training held by the Council and District.

·        ALWAYS BE POSITIVE WHEN A YOUTH LEADER IS LEADING EVEN IF THINGS WENT POORLY!!!!!!

On vacation in July, you and your family have been travelling through the wilderness of western Maine in a pickup camper. In a blinding rainstorm, you made a wrong turn onto an unmarked lumber road. You have wandered more than 100 miles over a maze of truck routes into the wilderness. A rock has ruptured the gas tank and, without warning, you are out of gas.  You, your parents, a 10-year-old brother, a 6-year-old sister are stranded.  After a family conference, you decide it is not wise to split up. You also realize that since no one else knows you are stranded, there is little to no chance of anyone rescuing you.  You have seen no other vehicle, aircraft, or houses in hours and see no evidence that other vehicles have recently been in the area.  You decide that the best course of action is for all of you to talk together to safety.  You feel that if you pace yourselves, you should be able to cover about 15 miles a day.  Each person in the family is dressed in lightweight summer clothing, and everyone is wearing sneakers. You know that at night, temperatures will drop to the low 40s. It is also bug season. As you look around, you find the following items:

LIST:	Individual Rank:	Group Rank:	Expert Rank:
Fishing gear
$500 in traveler's checks
High powered handgun and ammunition
Four sleeping bags with synthetic fill
5-gallon jug of water
Instant breakfast (three boxes)
House and car keys
Cigarettes
Two burner camp stove
Family tent (10 lbs.)
Snakebite kit
Alarm clock
Five cans of  cat food
5-lb. tub of peanut butter
Bathing suits
10-lb. cheese wheel
Transistor radio
6-foot tent pole
Sheath knife
Wool sweaters for everyone
Raft paddles
Inflatable rubber raft
Paperback books
First-aid kit
Matches
Steak (3 lbs.)
Marshmallows (four bags)
Bug repellent
Walkie-talkie radio
Road map of Maine