Customer Reviews

The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mark Ray has written an absolute fabulous book and a MUST read by every Scouter! As an ADC, many times I am asked what is the correct way to do some aspect of Scouting. This book answers those questions. I found I couldn't put it down!

Mr. Ray offers a practical, common sense insight to Troop life, from someone who's has been there and done that. The current BSA Scoutmaster Specifics course is an 8 1/2 x 11 three ring book. Somewhat impractical to bring on camp out. However, this softcover 6 x 9 inch book can fit nicely in any backpack(along with the new Field Book)!

If you have questions on Boards of Review, the how to's of: Scoutmaster Conferences; Troop meetings; Ceremonies; Budgets, FOS, Advancements, Scoutmaster's minute, Patrols, etc., then this book is for you! Haven't been to Philmont yet? Don't worry, Mr. Ray has the answers to those "High Adventure" questions. He also includes a helpful resource section with Web addresses.

For some, there hasn't been a well written Scout book since "Green Bar Bill" passed. Well, then the torch has been passed to a new generation.

Weather you're a "Newbie" or a "four-beader", this book is a MUST read!

As a Scoutmaster of a successful Troop for over 16 years, I am always looking for fresh ideas. My own ideas have ofetn been used by others to build their programs, but the author gives a whole new perspective to common problems in Troop operations.

I read this book during a day and a half at Summer Camp and found myself noting new ideas to implement in my own Troop. In other areas, I found myself getting confirmation that the subtle changes I have made in our Troop were being suggested by someone else.

I consider this book to be an essential addition to your Scouting library to join the official publications of the Boy Scouts. You will see a different method to deliver a high-quality program to youth.

This book explains many practical and challenging opportunities faced with the management of a boy scout troop. It offers great resources and advice. I don't know what else to say, this book is worth adding to any scouters library. Read it and pass it around if you dare (you might not get it back).

The committee chair should make it required reading for all Scout Masters, ASM's and even all committee members.

As we grow our troop the managment becomes more complicated and this book helps outline the things we need to cover.

Thanks Mark Ray!

From the first pages in which Mark describes the complimentary nature of his materials to those published by the BSA through my favorite quote of the book, a reader can sense Mark's support and compassion for those people filling Scouting's most important job. Scoutmasters taking the time to read this book will find themselves refreshed and inspired, and they will find their ability to live up to the awesome responsibility that they ought feel greatly enhanced. I don't know a single person who has read this book one time... the simple, practical wisdom allows them to continually refer to it as their preferred reference.

During the Scoutmaster Training many specifics and boiler-plate of the position are explained. When you read Mark's book you see where the rubber meets the road. In page after page of specific examples you will learn how to do it, what can go wrong, how to fix it and how to avoid the problem in the future.

It is a must-share with all your leaders. You may have to give up, reluctantly, the edge it gives you. Remember it is "for the boys"!

This book provides solid practical ideas on how to handle scouts, patrols and troops. Reading it like spending quality time with a veteran scoutmaster who is talking about what worked during his tenure. I find some of the BSA literature a bit high level or dry, and in contrast The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook is refreshing with plenty of specific suggestions.
Thanks to Mark Ray for his worthwhile effort.

The book covers the real world stuff which the official Scoutmaster's handbook doesn't. As a new Scoutmaster, I found myself using it as a working guide. It is well written, easily read and an excellent resource.

Short and sweet -- If you're a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster of a Boy Scout Troop, buy this book! We bought them for all our Adult Leaders as it's chock full of small, simple and highly practical tidbits. A sure-fire winner!

An easy read with lots of practical suggestions with explanations of what makes them practical. Well worth the price/time.

Having been a Scoutmaster for 8 years, I can honestly attribute much of our Troop's success to this very book. I have shared the ideas in this book and recommended it to any Scout Leader looking for help or ideas. I'm scared to lend my copy in fear that I may not get it back! I find myself returning to it throughout the year to refresh ideas and I find myself being re-enthused everytime I pick it up. I could see Councils across the country adding this to there training handouts, side by side with BSA's Scoutmaster's Handbook and Troop Program Features.