Scoutmaster Conference Questions

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
What happens when a boy leader turns 18
Potential service as an assistant Scoutmaster
Remaining active in Scouting in college or when one moves