Discipline the Scouting Way

We had a great Troop meeting tonight...well, sort of. Jake Ramsey gave "first class" skills instruction on First Aid. Jake was meeting a requirement of Life rank to teach some first aid skills using the EDGE teaching method. He taught like a pro, asking questions, getting a discussion going and keeping everyone on track. There was lots of opportunities to learn and practice the skills hands on.

However... our Scouts got a little rowdy during parts of the instruction and then the SPL and ASPLs had to try to figure out what to do. So, I thought it might be a good time to learn some things taught by the master Scoutmaster himself, Baden Powell and a few other thoughts from my good friend, Scoutmaster CG (Clarke Green).

From "Aids to Scoutmasters," by Baden Powell

Discipline

A nation to be prosperous must be well disciplined, and you only get discipline in the mass by discipline in the individual. By discipline I mean obedience to authority and to other dictates of duty. This cannot be got by repressive measures, but by encouragement and by educating the boy first in self-discipline and in sacrificing of self and selfish pleasures for the benefit of others. This teaching is largely effective by means of example, by putting responsibility upon him and by expecting a high standard of trustworthiness from him.

Responsibility is largely given through the Patrol System by holding the Leader responsible for what goes on amongst his boys.

Sir Henry Knyvett, in 1596, warned Queen Elizabeth that the State which neglects to train and discipline its youth produces not merely rotten soldiers or sailors, but the far greater evil of equally rotten citizens for civil life; or, as he words it, “For want of true discipline the hour and wealth both of Prince and countrie is desperatlie and frivouslie ruinated.”

Discipline is not gained by punishing a child for a bad habit, but by substituting a better occupation, that will absorb his attention, and gradually lead him to forget and abandon the old one.

The Scoutmaster should insist on discipline, and strict, quick obedience in small details. Let the boys run riot only when you give leave for it — which is a good thing to do every now and then.

From "B-P's Outlook," by Baden Powell:

Discipline

In a small camp so very much can be done by example. You are living among your boys and are watched by each of them, and imitated unconsciously by them, and probably unobserved by yourself.

If you are lazy they will be lazy; if you make cleanliness a hobby it will become theirs; if you are clever at devising camp accessories, they will become rival inventors, and so on. But don’t do too much of what should be done by the boys themselves, see that they do it —  “when you want a thing done don’t do it yourself” is the right motto. When it is necessary to give orders, the secret for obtaining obedience is to know exactly what you want done and to express it very simply and very clearly. If you add to the order an explanation of the reason for it, it will be carried out with greater willingness and much greater intelligence. If you add to the order and its explanation a smile, you will get it carried out with enthusiasm — or, remember, “a smile will carry twice as far as a snarl.” A pat on the back is a stronger stimulus than a prick with a pin.

EXPECT a great deal of your boys and you will generally get it.

September, 1911.

So, how do we apply these principles of proper discipline in the troop or patrol? Here are a few things I have gleaned from the article, "Constructive Scouting Discipline" by Clarke Green on the subject.

• We have no rules; only the principles of the Scout Oath and Law;
• Show empathy for those who misbehave; they must know you care and are not condemning them, only the bad behavior;
• Don't make a mountain out of a molehill; size up the situation and how bad the conduct was; what was the damage;
• Speak with the offenders in conversational tones and admit that you are not perfect, either;
• Never discipline in anger; wait until you cool down;
• Don't attack the offender; ask open-ended questions, giving hints where necessary;
• Discipline in private; praise in public;
• All behavior problems can be solved by appeal to the Scout Oath and Law; refer to them often and when solving behavior problems;
• Hold Scouts accountable for their conduct; do not accept excuses;
• Ask the offender if he could have acted differently; and, if so, how;
• Even while disciplining, praise the Scout for his goodness; distinguish between the sinner and the sin;
• The offender should ask forgiveness of those he has offended;
• Have high expectations of your Scouts; let them know how much you expect;
• Let them know that if they can't abide by the Scout Oath and Law they cannot participate in the troop; that is a requirement;
• If they continue to misbehave, their parents will be required to work things out at home before the Scout can return;
• Have the misbehaving Scouts repeat what the consequence will be if they continue to misbehave; make this simple and very clear;
• Come back to the Scout Oath and Law again and again; that is our standard and it needs to be reinforced every chance we get.

A final quote from Clarke Green, "Scouters and youth leaders should not apply corrective punishment. Systems of corrective punishments, such as demerits, forced physical activity, or the like, are completely out of place in Scouting."

Let me know what you think if anyone ever reads this.

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