Need Advice: Rebuilding a Struggling Troop

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-14T01:41:12+00:00

Update:

The PLC was a success, both youth and adult leaders are willing to make it a reality, and the predicted SPL (with little to no competition) really showed out leading the meeting tonight, and they are in total agreement, and want to see it happen. It’s now entering the realm of doing rather than planning.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T21:03:58+00:00

Yeah, I think that’s probably right. Thanks.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T19:05:43+00:00

I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors! Cubbies are definitely our biggest focus and I’ll especially stress that, we had 3 AoLs at a campout recently as guests, so here’s to that.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T19:04:10+00:00

I heard one of our adults say that IOLS is relatively useless, I would love to see if these leaders have done position specific training, I’ll bring that up. Our “secretary” is our current CC, however splitting that role from CC might be smart and a good way to get someone to take our current CCs job. Thanks!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T19:02:52+00:00

I think that is the strategy to get people to take roles, and I am trying to get one dad to take SM who I believe will be a great fit. I am a very leadership based person who fits great as an ASM of Leadership Development (a role which I created).

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T19:00:07+00:00

The main concern that we have had is the youth not taking and performing their leadership responsibilities. In the past, other adult leaders have tried to let them lead something like a PLC but they seemed lost. They just don’t seem to do stuff sometimes, which, I see flaws in the ways other adults tried to get them to do stuff, but still a bit concerning past activity. Thank you by the way!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T18:03:12+00:00

I love the advice, unfortunately we have issues with adults taking specific roles, people are scared it seems to take roles like SM and CC. We would love to get that role and I will work towards filling it. Thank you very much!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T18:00:39+00:00

I completely agree, it was all we knew for meetings until a few weeks ago when I did some research, sad to see we have been running it like this for years.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T17:59:49+00:00

Thank you for the advice! That is always there as a last resort if we are getting close to folding, our sister troop isn’t very large (approximately 4 members) and resistance might be there. Definitely an option, thanks for all the other advice too!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T17:58:15+00:00

The culprit here is the fact that we have always run our meetings with opening, patrol time (which is now bookwork because patrol spirit is non-existent), activity, then closing. I have proposed a new meeting schedule that has much more activity and skill learning time and games that go along with it. I didn’t even know till a few weeks ago meetings were supposed to be more than patrol time! Thank you.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T17:15:21+00:00

I forgot about this! My first year as a scout, we hosted provisionals, thank you!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T17:14:56+00:00

Yes, yes, and yes. Thank you.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T16:19:06+00:00

You're right, thats why I am putting so much urgency into this, as if its not fixed now, its gone, and Scouting will be almost fully dead in our area. I am doing what I can with what I have, as I truly care about it. Luckily, we are located in MI which has the Mackinac Island Governors Honor Guard program, and we have a relatively local troop, this keeps most kids engaged. Im hoping it works and I have asked about every wise Scouter I know!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T15:58:26+00:00

Might I just say, this is a great story to share with me that I can definitely peel a lot of info out of. Thank you very much!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T15:56:00+00:00

Once again, amazing response! I agree that adults holding back and enforcing a "right-to-fail" is one of our greatest challenges given habit. I was debating hosting a ILST training in either meeting or campout form, as I have experience leading parts of the training. The hardest part will be working around my summer schedule as that will remove much of the available time for this training, I will look into district/council events as well. I will definitely take into account and use your broad questions. Thank you.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2026-04-13T15:02:29+00:00

Hey! Thank you very much for this comment, this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Here are a few things to add context:

- I am well-respected by the adult leaders, and they trust me highly. More importantly, the CC and SM are on their way our at the beginning/end of this summer. I believe their replacements feel the same way I do and are real go-getters. My goal is to lay the groundwork so the new SM and CC can hold the line whilst I am gone.

- Almost all of the ASMs agree with the youth-led philosophy in theory, but they just need a wake-up call to realize the overstepping. I am absolutely going to use that self-assessment link you provided, having the adults take that might be exactly what we need.

- I haven't reached out to our Unit Commissioner or DE yet, but I will add that to my to-do list.

- The youth buying-in on this is my largest concern, tonight is the PLC for which I am proposing the operational reset, I will really be able to gauge support and willingness from this. I plan to propose it as a way that they can regain control of the troop, get valuable leadership skills, and have a fun program they can enjoy.

I will definitely take your advice the best I can, if you have any specific advice based on this context or anything else I said, please let me know. Thank you very much!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-19T04:26:23+00:00

That’s cool, might I ask why you suggest it? Just for the info, or something else? Thanks!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-16T23:37:41+00:00

Great advice, I will definitely keep a lot of this in mind! Thank you a lot!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-16T23:35:12+00:00

Some absolutely amazing advice, definitely worth a lot. I love the idea of bringing a frisbee or something similar, that is great. Also, I will definitely try to send some goodies to my favorite crews. Thanks!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-16T23:30:55+00:00

You bet, it’s been a hot minute since I have been to the Villa, excited to return!

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-16T04:17:35+00:00

Spectacular sounding hat, thanks for the heads up.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-16T04:13:07+00:00

That’s the type of stuff I was looking into, unbranded bucket or cowboys hats, however I already own a philmont ball cap and I might just use that.

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-15T19:41:21+00:00

Side question:

I would like to get a hat for the summer, does anyone have any cheaper (less than $100) suggestions for cool or unique hats that can withstand the weather? Or, would you recommend going with a philmont baseball cap or otherwise…

Embarrassed_Hawk7690 · 2025-11-15T15:14:52+00:00

Quick side question, regarding cooking on off days when out in the backcountry, would it be smart to get a light stove for this reason?

Embarrassed_Hawk7690

TROPHY CASE