JLT Skits: Leadership

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By Jerry Hanning

[On a JLT training weekend training one of our Scouts wrote and directed some skits that we used instead of the video in the Scoutmaster's JLT kit.   We also had some reflection time after each one.]

Here are the descriptions of the skits: 

Leadership Styles 

Skit 1 - "Big Boss" 

This involved me (Scoutmaster) and a couple of Scouts. We had to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time. Disregarding the SPL/Junior Leaders, I directly told the Scouts what to do. No questions asked, they had to do the work. 

Skit 2 - "Shared Leadership" 

This one had the SPL conferring with the Patrol Leaders on how to set up camp. Note that while they are learning about the leadership style, they are also learning about the proper way to set up a campsite. Two for one, can it get any better? :) 

Cooperation  

I don't have anything written down about this one. The main idea behind it, though, was that all people are different, yet alike. It had something to do with comparing me (and my long hair) to others with short (or extremely short) hair. A fairly safe way to show that we have the same value structure but look vastly different. 

Problem Solving AKA Conflict Resolution 

This one turned out to be my personal favorite, because I learned just as much, if not more than, the Scouts did. As the Scouts were gathered by the SPL for the afternoon session, another Scout (known to be "strong-willed") and I were behind the group. I mentioned to him something that I knew we had differences on. 

Remember, this is all planned, but the Scouts don't know that yet. As our discussion went on, it grew louder and toward what could become a physical altercation. At the end, the SPL (he was in on the whole thing) came back and suggested that we (the Scout and I) take a break away from each other and then calmly discuss the problem with a mediator, if necessary. 

The entire troop was speechless as they had never seen something like what they just witnessed: their Scoutmaster and a Scout at the breaking point. After it was made clear to the Scouts that this was a skit and that we would be talking about conflict resolution, we all came away with a greater respect for each other. 

What I learned was just how deeply Scout age boys can care about something. Their emotions are pretty much free of the "life experiences" adults have. Those emotions are true and run deep into their souls. Things I can shrug off because of what I know about the subject are not so easily shed by youth. I learned that "kids are amazing people" if you just stop to listen to them. Don't talk at them, talk with them.

Listen to them. Try it and you'll find it to be an eye-opening experience. The Scouts also learned that it's OK to have differences of opinions with adults. It's HOW those differences are made known to each other (across generations) that counts. 

Well, that's it for the skits. We did some of the games described in the kit, including the trust fall. And yes, when it was my turn to fall backwards into the waiting arms of those Scouts, I did. I knew, all the joking they were doing aside, that they were not going to let me fall to the ground. 

I came away from that campout a much richer person inside. And some of those Scouts are Eagles now and in college or working. They still help with the troop when they can. 

And Dan? I talked to his Dad last night. He's working full time and attending school nights. He went to a talent search type of thing and was one of a very few out of hundreds chosen for a trip to California for more extensive casting. I have no doubt that someday everyone on this list will see him. 

That's about it for this post. I hope that these ideas can live on in other troops and help other boys grow into the type of adults we all hope and pray they will. 

Troop Skits & Stunts;
Campfire Skits & Stunts;
Adult Leadership;
Boy Leadership;
Patrol Leadership