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Before the Meeting Opens
The Patrol assigned the duties of Service Patrol arrives about half an hour before the meeting starts to arrange the room and lay out needed equipment. During the winter, the Service Patrol may also have the responsibility for starting the stove in time for the room to be properly heated-unless heat is provided from a central source in the building.
As the boys arrive, they gather in their Patrol corners. The Patrol Leaders get busy with their boys to make sure that the Patrol is fully prepared for its part in the evening's program. The Patrol Scribes are busy, too, making up the attendance record and collecting dues.
PATROL CHECK-UP - In some Troops, a fifteen minute period is set aside for the Patrol check-up. The Patrols meet, say, at 7:30 P.M., and the Troop meeting begins at 7:45 P.M. SHARP.
PATROL RECORDS - Provide the Patrols with "Patrol Record" books, and encourage them to keep their records in this helpful pamphlet.
DUES-ATTENDANCE ENVELOPES - A simple Troop record of attendance and dues is made possible by the use of Dues-Attendance Envelopes. Dues are placed in the envelope and attendance marked on the outside.
If the Troop has a library, this is the time for the Troop Librarian to go into action. He exchanges books and Merit Badge pamphlets until the meeting is called. This is also a good time for the Scoutmaster to have personal talks with individual boys about particular questions or problems they may have. If you have these talks before rather than after the meeting the boys can return home promptly at the closing hour.
There will also be opportunity for early arrivals to get some personal coaching in Scoutcraft within their own Patrols.
Games? Possibly. There are differences of opinion on this subject. Some Scoutmasters feel that it's a good idea to have a few simple games in which the boys can enter as they arrive, to occupy the time before the meeting. Other Scoutmasters hold that the Patrols will be busy and should not be interfered with, and that no Troop activity should be undertaken previous to the exact moment for which the meeting is called-and least of all a vigorous game that might detract from the effect of a later regular game period.
PRE-OPENING TROOP GAMES - In case your Troop decides to use games before the actual start of the meeting, pick simple recreational games that can be started with two or three boys and which others can join upon arrival, such as: Skunk Tag, Spud, Jump the Shot, Dodge Ball, Poison (see SCOUTCRAFT GAMES AND PROJECTS).
PRE-OPENING PATROL GAMES - Several games are suitable for occupying the patrols as their boys arrive, such as Scout Law Hunt, Stamp Hunt, Letter Observation, Art Gallery (see SCOUTCRAFT GAMES AND PROJECTS),
PRE-OPENING SING-SONG - Have a song leader present ahead of time. Start singing as soon as the boys begin to arrive and continue until time for meeting to start. Wind up with some vigorous songs sung with body movements, such as "Down by the Old Mill Stream," "Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree," "One Finger, One Thumb."
See: Opening Exercises
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