Scouting explained to parents;
Scouts can be a bit of mystery for parents. Due to the volunteer nature of the organisation it is sometimes difficult to find out exactly what your child is joining. It is not easy to say exactly what scouts is, because it is so many things, but it can help to look into the history and in short I will put it as such; scouting started with Baden Powell, he said it is a "game" in which elder brothers and sisters give their younger brothers / sisters guidance and opportunities to grow intellectually, morally, physically, and to be come good citizens. Then the elder sisters / brothers also grow in leadership. Its strongest appeal is the outdoor aspect of scouting.
Each province in South Africa has a Provincial Commissioner. Provinces are further divided into districts each with a District Commissioner. Each district has number of troops in it. Each troop is divided into a number of Patrols, comprising a Patrol Leader and several scouts, usually up to about 8. BP said: “The patrol system is not one way to run scouting; it is the only way.”
At 1st Hermanus we have the Seals, Albatrosses, Penguin and Seagull patrols, each patrol member wears a patrol badge which indicates which patrol he belongs to. Each patrol is headed by a Patrol Leader who is usually one of the older scouts in the patrol, although he may not be the oldest scout. The patrol system forms the core of scouting as it provides the scouts with the opportunity to learn to lead, to take the initiative and make decisions for themselves. As the Patrol Leader is not always available, there is always a Assistant Patrol Leader who can step into the shoes of the Patrol Leader.
The adult leader of a troop is called the Troop Scouter and he keeps the order and ensure there are weekly programs planned, although each meeting is planned by the Court of Honour. The Court of Honour is a meeting of all the Patrol leaders. The scouter also organises community service, hikes and camps and so on with the input of the Court of Honour. The Troop Scouter can be assisted by Assistant Troop Scouters. As the position of Troop Scouter is very demanding we make every effort to reduce the load on the Troop Scouter by reducing the administrative load and involving other helpers in the activities of the troop.
1st Hermnaus is a “traditional” or “parent run” troop which means that we draw our strength and existence from the surrounding communities. As a result the Parents Committe or Exco is the overall guiding body of the troop. It does not interfere with the running of the troop in normal circumstances although it has the authority to do so if necessary. Exco is primarily concerned with maintenance of infrastructure, equipment, fund raising and assisting the Troop Scouter where possible.
The Group Scouter acts as the liason between the troop and Exco. He is ex officio a member of Exco and contributes substantively to the understanding by Exco of the troop and its functioning.
Source; 1st claremont's site and 'Aids to scoutmastership' by Lord Baden Powell.
Scouts can be a bit of mystery for parents. Due to the volunteer nature of the organisation it is sometimes difficult to find out exactly what your child is joining. It is not easy to say exactly what scouts is, because it is so many things, but it can help to look into the history and in short I will put it as such; scouting started with Baden Powell, he said it is a "game" in which elder brothers and sisters give their younger brothers / sisters guidance and opportunities to grow intellectually, morally, physically, and to be come good citizens. Then the elder sisters / brothers also grow in leadership. Its strongest appeal is the outdoor aspect of scouting.
Each province in South Africa has a Provincial Commissioner. Provinces are further divided into districts each with a District Commissioner. Each district has number of troops in it. Each troop is divided into a number of Patrols, comprising a Patrol Leader and several scouts, usually up to about 8. BP said: “The patrol system is not one way to run scouting; it is the only way.”
At 1st Hermanus we have the Seals, Albatrosses, Penguin and Seagull patrols, each patrol member wears a patrol badge which indicates which patrol he belongs to. Each patrol is headed by a Patrol Leader who is usually one of the older scouts in the patrol, although he may not be the oldest scout. The patrol system forms the core of scouting as it provides the scouts with the opportunity to learn to lead, to take the initiative and make decisions for themselves. As the Patrol Leader is not always available, there is always a Assistant Patrol Leader who can step into the shoes of the Patrol Leader.
The adult leader of a troop is called the Troop Scouter and he keeps the order and ensure there are weekly programs planned, although each meeting is planned by the Court of Honour. The Court of Honour is a meeting of all the Patrol leaders. The scouter also organises community service, hikes and camps and so on with the input of the Court of Honour. The Troop Scouter can be assisted by Assistant Troop Scouters. As the position of Troop Scouter is very demanding we make every effort to reduce the load on the Troop Scouter by reducing the administrative load and involving other helpers in the activities of the troop.
1st Hermnaus is a “traditional” or “parent run” troop which means that we draw our strength and existence from the surrounding communities. As a result the Parents Committe or Exco is the overall guiding body of the troop. It does not interfere with the running of the troop in normal circumstances although it has the authority to do so if necessary. Exco is primarily concerned with maintenance of infrastructure, equipment, fund raising and assisting the Troop Scouter where possible.
The Group Scouter acts as the liason between the troop and Exco. He is ex officio a member of Exco and contributes substantively to the understanding by Exco of the troop and its functioning.
Source; 1st claremont's site and 'Aids to scoutmastership' by Lord Baden Powell.