The Joining or Scout Scoutmaster Conference

• What did you like about Cub Scouting
• What do you think you will like about Boy Scouting
• Do you have any brothers or sisters?
• What are your interests outside of Scouting?
• Why did you join our troop?
• Do you have any questions about Boy Scouting or the troop?
• What does the Scout Oath mean to you? The Scout Law?
• You should explain:

  • The advancement process, including who will be approving and recording his progress
  • The purpose and timing of Scoutmaster conferences
  • How the boy-led troop works and his advancing role in it
  • The patrol method and the new-Scout patrol
  • Make sure you give the Scout handshake and see that the Scout can demonstrate the sign and salute.

The Tenderfoot Through First Class Scoutmaster Conferences

• Who is your patrol leader, and what do you think of him?
• What do you think of the problems you are facing?
• How have you progressed on first aid?
• What are your goals for the next few months, and how do those goals meet advancement ?requirements?
• What do you think would make the troop better?
• You can review what a Scout should have learned in his signed off achievements and see how he has absorbed the skills.
• Ask a Second Class candidate about his service project—how he felt about it, how he felt he had done, did he believe he was successful, and how he measured that success.
• You should explain:

  • That a Scout does not always keep a skill by simply doing it for advancement; that he must repeat it, and in some cases, teach it, to really have the skill
  • The value of planning to achieve his goals
  • How setting advancement goals involves looking ahead to see what must be accomplished and in what order
  • How the Scout can use the merit badge program to explore interests and accomplish advancement

The Star and Life Scoutmaster Conferences

• What merit badges did you enjoy, and why?
• What merit badges did you get the most out of, and why?
• How did you feel about your leadership position?
• How did you feel about how you exercised that position?
• Did you feel you accomplished anything in that position?
• What were your frustrations?
• Who do you think is doing a good job in the troop?
• Have you decided what merit badges you will be earning next?
• Have you thought about achieving Eagle?
• Have you thought about a service project for Eagle?
• You should explain:

  • The progressive nature of service projects from Star to Eagle
  • The nature of required and unrequired merit badges

The Eagle Scoutmaster Conference

• How did you feel your Eagle project went?
• Did you run into any rough spots?
• Did you plan enough to get you over the rough spots?
• How did you work with the agency for which you did the project?
• Was that agency clear in its goals for you?
• Would you do the project differently now?
• How do you think the troop is doing?
• How do you intend to help the troop after you become an Eagle Scout?
• Do you have any goals for the troop?
• What are your goals for yourself?
• Do you feel you are an Eagle Scout?
• Do you believe you have accomplished all you need to in order to become an Eagle Scout?
• You should explain:

  • That his Scouting career is not over; that Eagle Palms, leadership, and adult leadership await him
  • That other opportunities exist in the Order of the Arrow, Venturing, and Sea Scouting

The Eagle Palm Scoutmaster Conference

• How do you plan on contributing to the troop now?
• What are your goals for the troop?
• What are your personal goals?
• How will your Scouting experience help you?
• You might explain:

  • Scouting opportunities for older boys
  • National Youth Leadership Training
  • Leadership in the Order of the Arrow
  • Camp staff opportunities
  • The Hornaday Awards
  • Venturing