05/01/2026
Last night, we with the boys of Troop 210 Kirkville, NY wrapped up the 3rd and final module of ILST (Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops).
One of the highlights was our version of the “Rock Game.” Instead of rocks, we used marbled pawn chess pieces. At first glance they all seemed similar, but as the Scouts took a closer look, they realized no two were exactly the same.
Each Scout picked a pawn, gave it a name, and shared what made it stand out. (Yes, there were some very creative names.) After placing them back into the box, mixing it around, the Scouts then had to find their pawn again.
That kicked off a great discussion:
How are we alike?
How are we different?
And why does that actually matter on a team?
The Scouts quickly connected the lesson - just like those "rocks", every person brings something different to the table. Strong teams don’t rely on just a few people, they recognize and use the strengths of everyone.
We also talked about how teams grow (forming, storming, norming, performing) and how leaders adjust their style to help their team succeed. The Scouts shared real examples from their own experiences and began thinking about the kind of leaders they want to be moving forward.
It was a great night of learning, discussion, and growth, and we’re excited to see these Scouts put their leadership skills into action in their patrols and troop!