Scouting, Volume 63, Number 5, October-November-December 1975 Page: 4
84, [8] p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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FRONT
UNE STUFF
HOLDING POST MEMBERS
In our May-June issue, Explorer Ad-
visor S.G.M. said that membership in
his mountaineering post had fallen
from 34 to 6 in one year despite a con-
centrated program in the specialty. He
asked: "Isn't a strong program sup-
posed to be the answer to holding
members?" Some Advisors who replied
noted that variety is the spice of life —
and Exploring. Others suggested that
he try coed Exploring. A Webelos den
leader opined that holding six mem-
bers in a difficult specialty like moun-
taineering is not bad. Here are
samples.
Offer to help them establish and pro-
gram a new coed Explorer post. From
our experience this works and can be
the basis for an outstanding Explorer
post.
Co-Advisors H.H. and B.J.
Eastchester, N.Y.
It may be that his program is too
strong. Our post's specialty is com-
puters, and we have a strong core pro-
gram in the field. But a large number
of our activities are of the general-in-
terest sort — speakers on local history,
criminology, karate, energy research
and meteorology and special activities
such as camp-outs, tours, canoe trips,
kite flys and a marching band. Many of
our 40 active members have only a
passing interest in computers, but the
facilities are there for those who want
to use them. A balance must be
achieved so that specialty posts don't
overspecialize themselves out of exis-
tence.
Associate Advisor S.H.D.
State College, Pa.
Many people of high school age do not
want to tie themselves down to any-
thing special for a long period — say,
two years. As a result, a specialty post
should probably expect to have a high
turnover rate or maintain a flexible
program. Sometimes a strong program
indicates a domineering Advisor or
consultant who decides who is going to
do what and when. (I don't mean by
suggestion, but by decree.) This may
cause resentment if the members feel
they are being treated like kindergart-
ners. In my opinion, neglect by the
Advisor is far better in the long run
than domination.
Advisor G.K.
Clarendon Hills, III.
Special interest posts too often make
the fatal mistake of limiting their pro-
gram to their special-interest area.
Like all other posts, they should in-
clude activities from the six Explorer
experience areas: outdoor, social,
citizenship, personal fitness, service
and vocational. A special interest is a
beginning, not an end in itself. Too
much specialization is just as dangerous
as no program at all.
Area Explorer Chairman D.D.
Madison, Wis.
It seems to me that six active members
remaining out of 34 beginners in such a
difficult specialty is remarkably high.
Although Explorers are older youths,
many parents disapprove of activities
like mountaineering because of the
danger, and this diminishes the mem-
bers' confidence.
Webelos Den Leader L.M.
Cambridge, Ohio
Outdoor specialty posts with regular
meetings are fighting a losing battle.
Ditch the meetings and have weekend
outings once a month. In other words,
don't talk about outdoor activities, do
them. Get the members involved by
letting them plan their monthly pro-
grams — there will always be some-
thing wrong with the Advisor's pro-
gram. My experience indicates that a
constant diet of any activity (canoeing
or hiking or climbing) gets old after a
while. We specialize in several items so
the members can choose from a variety
of activities. Get in tune with the mem-
bership; any post going from 34 to 6
has not one problem but many prob-
lems. An Advisor should know why he
loses any member. He should not wait
until he loses 28 to ask why. '
Advisor W.M.B.
Cookeville, Tenn.
Too much of anything can get tire-
some. Most young men are intrigued
with mountaineering, but few are will-
ing to dedicate their lives to it. Try a
little variety in your subject matter.
Advisory Committee Member E.C.R.
Colorado Springs, Colo.
The special-interest or career pro-
gram, no matter how attractive, of it-
self is rarely enough to sustain a viable
post. Some factors we have found to be
critical in post maintenance are: Every
post should follow the Exploring calen-
dar; all six experience areas must be
brought into play; post officers and
adults related to the post must be
trained; there must be an active coun-
cil Explorer Presidents' Association,
and the post must participate and con-
tribute its share; the post must partici-
pate in Exploring super events; re-
cruiting must be an ongoing operation.
J.J.C., Exploring Chairman
Southeast Region
BED-WETTING IN CAMP
Dear Front Line Stuff:
I would like to raise the rather per-
sonal question of how to deal with the
Scout who hesitates to attend a camp-
out because he is a bedwetter. Because
mothers talk to mothers, we are aware
how widespread this problem is, but
we hesitate to "finger" someone else's
child in so personal a matter. Yet we
often see a Scout making excuses to
miss camp-outs and dropping out of
Scouting. Many parents feel that tell-
ing the Scoutmaster would put a stigma
on their child. I'd like to hear some an-
swers, not just to what to do after the
sleeping bag is wet but also how to
convince a Scout that this is not an in-
surmountable problem.
Concerned Scouter
Send your suggestions for Concerned
Scouter to: Front Line Stuff, Scouting
magazine, North Brunswick, N.J.
08902.
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 63, Number 5, October-November-December 1975, periodical, October 1975; New Brunswick, New Jersey. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353621/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.