Boy Scout Troop 335 creating new ways to hold scout meetings

Boy Scout Troop 335 got creative with a platform that's normally used for gamers.

But is now being used for scout meetings.

In greater lafayette is findings new ways to come together while still practicing social distancing.

We spoke with the troop today about their idea to turn a gaming platform into a meeting space.

"what we did was we set up a discord server."

It's a messaging platform.

Something commonly used for video gaming.

But now it's being re-purposed to hold scout meetings for troop 335.

"we're trying to think of some way we can keep scouting going.

And also get our youth engaged in constructive activities."

With the help of cohen schulz all fifty-two members of troop 335 who normally gather at st.

Andrews united methodist church now come together virtually.

"i helped create the server.

We designed all the channels, made everything so that we could take ordinary meetings and just do them online."

Schulz says discord is a great platform for kids in his age group, which made it fitting for meetings.

"discord is really popular among kids in the high school and middle school range so i think most of the kids knew how to use it already.

So it was technology we were all familiar with."

"advancing in scouts is really important.

So eating a platform were we can still advance is really helpful."

The next step was to hold their weekly meeting which is led by senior patrol leader jack crossly.

"i just kind of keep the meetings running so we all aren't just sitting in a channel talking about random stuff."

Their meetings start off with a presentation of the american flag and troop flag, announcements, then awarding badges and advancements within the troop.

"it helps keep everybody knowing what's going on.

Because this isn't normally how we run our meetings.

But even though we are online they still know what's going to happen next."

This revised method of holding meetings is something troops say will help them in the future.

"i think that this will help their reputation a lot.

Just kind of getting people to move up in the ranks and having better people in the workplace and showing more leadership and discipline."

The boy scouts of america sagamore council is also offering several resources to families such as cyber bullying and recognizing and responding to child abuse.

Families can learn more about these services linked to this story on our website at wlfi dot com.

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