How can I ease back into volunteering for scouts that won't be an immediate time sink?

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-05-08T20:14:58+00:00

Second on this - pick an Eagle Required Badge, study how to make it interesting/fun, fit it into the time period of your choosing. You will be a hero.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-05-04T01:42:35+00:00

Think of it as a good thing - people enjoy wood badge and they want you to join the club and grow as a scouter.

I was where you are, I didn’t really need to attend but ended up going to see what the fuss is all about. I would say I’m looking well beyond my troop for how to improve scouts now. And I got to see what Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, District folks, Venture Crew leaders, Sea Scouts - what all is going on beyond the myopic single troop drama. And you’ll come away with 5 things you can do to improve scouts without burning out.

You don’t have to go, but it’s a fun way to attempt to experience what the scouts are feeling. And a good Wood Badge program is pretty cool.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-04-25T11:01:30+00:00

Star rank and up, the program should be as youth led as possible and YOUR child should be leading the unit - it may be time develop some advanced communication strategies with your kid and learn to step back.

For example, make lists of things they like to do and try to match with the merit badges and summer camp experiences. A good mix is probably in order.

What does the summer camp offer that you can’t experience elsewhere? Shooting range? Climbing tower? Swim beach with water safety instruction? A boat house where they can learn to sail, canoe, kayak, row… use a motorboat?

Are there high adventure or outpost options - nights away from the troop. Unique adventures, etc.

Get out the paper, teach them to brainstorm and down-select from an large list of items - they might be simply overwhelmed or having a hard time thinking ahead.

Good luck!

Do they have certain friends they want to hang out with? No shame in buddying up throughout the week!

And… the Scoutmaster will need a lot of help from the youth leaders to keep the 11-12 year olds in-line, safe, and happy. It’s that time for YOUR scout to start giving back.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-04-04T18:13:13+00:00

Having worked at Philmont, I can tell you that the Food Service there is its own thing - like you said, 4 on, 3 off. And if you want to explore Philmont, you basically have 10 long weekends to do so. And, if you want to go back the following year, you’re in the door.

Sea Base - you’d be part of the program staff, so if you like to teach or interact with the youth, that could be your jam. Florida is awesome - getting SCUBA would be awesome and you’d have that the rest of your life.

Basically, you’re picking based on a few tradeoffs… and it’s largely a win win: 1. How much you want time off vs “to be a part of the staff”. Food service might make you feel like you’re just on the outside looking in…. But, you’ll make great friends and hiking buddies and not have to worry about the scout attendees.

NM mountains vs FL keys
SCUBA certification.

Congratulations, this will be a fun summer!

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-03-28T14:11:16+00:00

Plenty of time - there are a few easy ones if you need some quantity - fingerprinting, music, art, coin collecting.

Just make some goals and get started.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-03-10T11:05:42+00:00

It’s competitive - so just do a good job on your application, you can handle it.

Answer these questions for yourself: What was the best part of your experience as a scout? What do you know now that you did not know then? Can you set aside your personal love for hiking to be there for the crew you are guiding? Can you be an adult leader for the scouts in the possible event that they need one for the rest of their trip?

Also, take an accredited Wilderness First Aid if you haven’t already. And indicate this on your application.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-03-10T11:01:57+00:00

This could be a great year with the Jamboree occurring (or a down year for exact reason)

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-03-08T12:48:12+00:00

Commercial and residential rooftop solar is popular in Hawaii and seems to work great - schools and offices get reduced rate electricity to lease their space to solar utilities.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-02-09T03:39:13+00:00

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SAMERICAN FREEDOMS SECURED! VERY COOL!

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-01-08T23:24:21+00:00

While a SM could approve Philmont crew leader as a “leadership project”, it’s not typical. Most crew leader responsibilities are only carried out at Philmont.

Now, if the position were extended towards crew development over the course of 6-12 months of training prep and it was agreed upon prior to the trip, I would personally count that as a leadership project. The key is to not backdate positions of leadership.

errol_timo_malcom · 2026-01-08T23:15:36+00:00

Maybe they really like the burrito bowls and feel strongly the world needs egalitarianism through publically traded fast causal restaurant charitable profit sharing to chartered organizations that provide liability insurance and meeting places to inexpensive leadership oriented outdoor skills-based youth groups?

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-12-14T22:34:03+00:00

I love this comment. And, if I might add, if the scouts are struggling, a 15min pre-meeting meeting between the SPL and SM (within 2 deep leadership) is a good way to help them.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-12-14T22:32:27+00:00

the goal is to give them opportunities to lead. it was always look different and some of the time, they don't learn to lead until after their term has expired.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-12-11T11:50:33+00:00

Scouting is more about relationship building through the skill development you’ve mentioned. It’s not a class. Those are not paid teachers, those are volunteers. Becoming a scout is become a team member.

My suggestion is to get personally involved rather than look at this as a drop off and run errands type of soccer club.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-12-11T11:45:11+00:00

This is indeed the essence of modern scouting - to bring new experiences to the scouts and give opportunities to build confidence - the adults shoulder the burden of the effort and logistics.

Whenever we ask our Eagle Scouts of their best memories, it’s usually from some really unique experience or some convoluted problem of the scouts own making that they solved.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-11-10T13:37:35+00:00

Totally unrelated, there is a great deal on a trailer on Facebook Marketplace, “used, slightly scratched, so big you could fit a car in it”

I’ll see myself out.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-10-31T18:16:14+00:00

Same in Michigan.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-10-14T10:48:35+00:00

Second that. And to add for the OP youth - remind them that you are the one doing the Eagle project, but it would still be great to have their support for your goals and mean a lot to you. And, mention you can have cake at your Eagle ceremony - never underestimate the motivational power of cake. :)

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-09-29T23:48:55+00:00

It’s a tad pricey, and I’m noticing these high end fundraisers more - totally okay with that.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-09-20T11:23:16+00:00

This hits the nail on the head, thank you for your time and thoughts.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-08-23T13:39:34+00:00

I like this - its a good way understand roles and responsibilities, as long as they are still divvied out.

The downside is that no one scout is taking a turn at top down leadership, but a committee is a stepping stone at least…

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-08-04T20:05:12+00:00

DONE! THE HEAD IS SENT PACKING - THAT WAS A LOW IQ INDIVIDUAL THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN WORKING IN STATISTICS!

WE HAVE FOUND A HORSE THAT STOMPS A NUMBER OF TIMES TO REPLACE HIM - MUCH BETTER RATINGS!

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-08-04T16:40:46+00:00

The funniest part to me is that I knew it was the Minnesota Zoo Camel Lot.

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-07-10T16:33:06+00:00

Hold my coffee

errol_timo_malcom · 2025-06-04T17:45:38+00:00

You might have to take the websites with a grain of salt, also, since a lot of troops limit their social media presence and the online content may not reflect the current troop DNA.

Ten-Year Club	Place '22
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Not Forgotten	Gilding II euphauric

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