Post date: Oct 26, 2013 2:45:53 AM

The scouts had never answered so many questions in one night!!!At the Lucky Baldwin Open House tonight (10/9/2013), Scoutmaster Mr. Curran and Assistant Scoutmaster Mr. Myers led Tenderfoot Scouts, Nicholas and Jeffrey, to set up for the Round Table. The young boy scouts had 10 minutes beforehand to go over some basic facts of the Troop with the leaders.Here they were. Standing next to their station with a big smile while handing over our Troop's flyers to the visitors. 'We are Troop 103. We meet at 7 PM every Monday at Highland Oaks Elementary School's Youth Hut..."The whole night, they welcomed the Webelos scouts and family, enthusiastically introduced our Troop and activities, and answered their questions.The leaders observed them on the side, and advised the Tenderfoots on how to improve their presentation skills when needed.At the end, the Tenderfoots were thirsty and tired; however, their eyes sparkled with a great sense of accomplishment. They did it! They were the ones who ran the show! See their leadership at the photos above :)

Post date: Oct 26, 2013 2:47:25 AM

“We the scouts would like to do these!”

This meeting was different from other troops' meetings. The Adult Leaders were relaxing and chatting at a corner. Older and young scouts gathered at two tables and were busy discussing. Jeffrey, the Troop’s Scribe, was industriously moving his pen on his notebook the whole night. What was going on?

This was the “Green Bar Meeting.” It is called the "Green Bar" meeting because of the green bars on some of the youth position patches. You will find the Assistant Patrol Leader with one bar to the Senior Patrol Leader with three bars on their patches.

William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt, author of three editions of the Boy Scout Handbook and the first and two other Patrol Leaders Handbooks, believed that the aims of Scouting were lost when the boys themselves did not run the Troop. In Troop 103, boy scouts are "Boy-Led”, not by the Adult Leaders. The Scout Leaders plan and conduct the troop’s activities, and the Adult Leaders provide direction, coaching, training, and resources that will empower the boys with the skills they will need to lead the troop.

Today, just like the 1930's, these Scout Leaders gathered to develop plans for the next six-month troop meetings and activities. The young Scout Leaders enthusiastically presented their ideas, while the older Scout Leaders guided them through their scouting experience. The whole night, the Adult Leaders waited patiently on the side to receive the Scout Leaders’ plan. The vivid photos will show you a GREAT example of the “Green Bar Spirit” and the youth leadership of Troop 103’s Scout Leaders.