Lessons Learned

This evening we started to embark on probably one of the hardest programme ideas we’ve had for our troop - that of reviewing events and activities.

Using the Winter camp as our activity to review, we started by just getting the Scouts to answer the question “how was it?” - and we got the responses “Brilliant” “Excellent”.  We then introduced SWOT analysis (Strengths - what was good, Weaknesses - what was not so good, Opportunities - what could we do better, Threats - what could cause problems) and set them talking for about 10-15 minutes.  At the end we gathered the list up.  From a Leaders perspective it was good as we had separately identified many of the points they raised - and it’s certainly food for thought going forward.

We then asked them (using their lessons learned) to tell us how to “sell” the camp to a new person…. at the end we put it to a couple of new people… and they’re not too keen on coming with us next year!! Oh dear!!

The final part of the evening was to re-inforce PATROL.  We set them a challenge - to get a set of playing cards across a “no go” area; but rather than just getting them started, we said that we wanted them to think of as many possible ways as they could (P-Problem, A-Assess).  We then told them to allocate jobs and start the activity (T-Tasks, R-Responsibility, O-Off you Go)

At the end of the activity, we quickly reviewed the activity, using SWOT again.  Generally the Scouts felt that they could have used PATROL better - and that planning is quite important.  So I think we’re slowly getting the message across - and I think the Scouts are learning this.