By Dan Kurtenbach
I was challenged by my PLC for guidance in putting together fun/interesting program ideas for Troop meetings. They were trying to find middle ground between simply working on advancement and running off to play basketball, but found that the type of detailed, interlocking meeting plans contained in Troop Program Features didn't really meet their needs.Following is a preliminary list of 50 miscellaneous program ideas for Patrols to choose from when they don't have other business to take care of. (The final list will be much longer and include working on various types of awards and recognitions, and practicing the standard Tenderfoot to First Class advancement skills. Games will be a separate category, so are not really included here.)
The criteria are that the activities be fun and/or interesting, mostly indoors, and capable of running 20-45 minutes (although they could be completed in one meeting, or over several). Most will require some preparation or assembly of resources and materials prior to the meetings.
 | Make fire-starters |
| Perform maintenance on bicycles |
| Conduct a sports clinic in a sport of the Patrol's choice |
| Create a Patrol cookbook |
| Create a (mostly) fictional Patrol history |
| Build a catapult |
| Conduct a refresher course in first aid |
| Hold a firearms safety course |
| Practice various ways of setting up flies and tarps |
| Practice setting up and using a hammock for camping |
| Learn Morse Code |
| Learn Semaphore |
| Learn Sign Language |
| Make rope |
| Practice setting up a tent blindfolded |
| Form a Patrol band or singing group |
| Create a skit, song, or mime |
| Learn to splice rope |
| Make a Patrol flag |
| Assemble a Patrol first aid kit |
| Memorize the Gettysburg Address |
| Create an accurate sketch map of a park or neighborhood area |
| Practice techniques for moving and carrying sick and injured persons |
| Learn the locations of ten constellations in the night sky |
| Read and discuss with the Patrol Chapter 13, 14, or 15 of the Boy Scout Handbook |
| Practice techniques for cleaning up the cooking and eating gear on a campout |
| Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech and discuss it with the Patrol |
| Practice using various common hand tools |
| Learn to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) device |
| Change a tire on a car |
| Learn to sew patches and buttons on a shirt |
| Change the oil, air filter, and spark plug, and sharpen the blade of a lawn mower |
| With the approval of the Patrol's parents, watch the BSA youth protection video appropriate for the Patrol's age group |
| Make hiking sticks for every member of the Patrol |
| Construct model rockets |
| Assemble a raft that can carry at least a twenty pound load |
| Learn proper methods for purifying water on the trail |
| Learn how to iron a pair of pants |
| Learn to identify the snakes native to your area |
| Learn and discuss with your Patrol what to do if you are involved in a car crash or if your car has a flat tire or mechanical problems on the road |
| Conduct a uniform and insignia inspection of the Patrol and discuss any errors or problems and how to fix them |
| Plan an "old time" overnight hike--no sleeping bags, backpacks, nylon tents, gas or liquid fuel stoves, or convenience foods |
| Learn to use a Bake Packer for cooking meals on the trail |
| Practice techniques for hanging bear bags |
| Create a display or computer slide show about your Patrol or a recent Patrol activity, complete with photographs and text |
| Practice using ropes and pulleys to lift heavy objects |
| Make a video |
| Make ice cream |
| Learn about and discuss with the Patrol the culture of Native Americans who lived in your area |
| Learn how to find the current weather conditions and the weather forecast for a location outside your local area |
Mark Alman adds:
|
Play "Scout Jeopardy:" |
The Scouts come up with the questions beforehand, one Scout volunteers to be the MC (completed a requirement for Communications MB in the process). Have prizes for the winning Patrol.
We have run it two ways: a fixed spokesman for each Patrol, or rotate players throughout the game. Whatever works for you.
