Focus On The Family In Our Boy Scout Troop - Homeschool Troop 333 - Huntersville, NC

May 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Boy Scout Troop 333 places emphasis on family gatherings and incorporating the entire family in the scout activities for a very simple reason - these young men have always been cherished at home, where families often sacrifice a second income to provide the homeschool experience. Some people who have never homeschooled ask themselves why all the togetherness? Another simple response - because that is how human social groups are constructed.

The Traditional vs. Homeschool Troop

Two dynamics are countered in our particular troop which will interest other troops.
1. In the traditional troop hosted by a church, or other organization, where the children are public or private schooled, the boys come together out of convenience of location. Very often these boys only have a history of knowing each other in school, and the families rarely interact outside of school. They are scout families together only because their son is in the troop.

Troop 333 applauds all scouts who stick with the troop and especially the patrol method, and families who make do by joining such troops. There is usually very little searching that occurs. The church happens to be where their child attends school, or is close to their public school so its an easy drive.

2. In homeschool troops, often these are constructed by families who know each other through a homeschool organization and they share common consistent beliefs. The only downside to the families knowing each other is that some homeschool troops will not allow a scout to remain with the troop should homeschool status change. The consequences of leaving a troop after years of friendships often devastate scouts.

So while the families are closer knit, the troop construct itself presents inherent problematic issues.

Troop 333 found we could strike a balance by operating as a homeschool troop with a range of allowed exceptions. We know that most parents who place their homeschooled child in public school, for example, often return to homeschooling within the same year. It is more common than uncommon. So to remove a scout when the chances are they will be back homeschooling the next semester or year is counterproductive.

Our troop has made a wide range of allowances so that the scouts who benefited from homeschooling remain with our troop whether they can continue homeschooling or not. The  idea among a few homeschool families that these children are going to change overnight is unfounded. And since most return to homeschooling, the impact on the troop dynamic is minimal if anything at all.

Why Integrate The Family?
In past centuries families were much closer than in the modern world. Parents passed on knowledge and skills, and extended family members schooled children in many things, not just basic core subjects. Since Boy Scouts of America® is also attempting to instill a range of skills formerly taught by family members, we think it is natural for the family to be involved.

For example, where an adult leader has experience in woodwork, or camping skills, these are easily related to the scouts during meetings or camping trips. For parents who have medical backgrounds, or were EMTs, these abilities help support the training of first aid and reinforce good medical decision-making among the scouts. We understand that the boys will teach the boys where possible, but having educated supervision is always desirable.

If a troop surveys its family members it would probably find that many of the merit badges required for Eagle Scouts would have mentors, and merit counselors available from within their own troop. Taking advantage of these qualifications only helps the troop and the scouts.

For siblings, especially younger ones, seeing their older brother in a leadership role, guiding other boys, or acting very responsibly with cooking, camping, fire tending, knives, etc. gives them special insight into maturing. Many siblings only know their brother from interaction at home. Seeing them perform at meetings, plan trips, give demonstrations and presentations not only fosters understanding, but also helps siblings anticipate joining (if boys) as well. Girls become interested in girl scouting, or venturing. We’ve seen how younger brothers and sisters react positively to troop meetings, and have to wonder why more troops don’t operate in this manner.

Boy scout guidelines talk about boys leading the patrols, and instructs adults on interacting with the scouts. Nowhere does it talk about isolating the entire family from the troop. Meetings are not designated to be conducted in private. While there can be distractions, we have yet to see any negative impact. If there is a behavioral issue we will deal with it when it arises. For now, we are convinced that families can share scouting on a more intimate level than others experience. Scouts is NOT supposed to be a drop-off service. Parents are supposed to be involved anyway. Why not share space and conduct both meetings at the same time?

Online efficiency at our troop!
Troop 333 encourages interactive online meetings through our unique private scout server. Meal, menu, duty roster and camping planning can all take place in live chat, forums, with complete forms upload and editing capabilities. This way scouts can concentrate on more fun physical activity during meetings and hold administrative meetings online in off hours.

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To learn more about the flexible homeschool troop visit http://www.thefamilytroop.org.

Serving the counties of North Mecklenburg, South Iredell and West Cabarrus, all families in Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, Kannapolis and surrounding areas are invited to make inquiries at friends@thefamilytroop.org.

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Boy Scout Troop 333 is in the Hornet's Nest District, Mecklenburg Council based in the Charlotte, NC metropolitan region serving Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius, Mooresville, Kannapolis, South Iredell County, West Cabarrus and North Mecklenburg county.