At our roundtable last night (4-11-2013), we discussed how to do a tour plan. This was one of the topics selected this month for roundtable. Our overall topic/theme for the month was the "adult association" method.
We did not have time to discuss how the two fit together. That connection may seem a bit obscure. But here's a few observations:
(1) If we teach our boys how to properly plan for an outing--including what needs to be done to keep the outing safe--we are modeling valuable lessons for the boys in planning and in safety.
(2) If we get the boy-leaders (Senior Patrol Leader, Varsity Captain, Venture President) to assist in the preparation of a tour permit--we are training them in some of the program elements involved in the outdoor method. (Remember there are eight methods--check your troop committee guidebook.) They can use this training when they become adult leaders themselves.
(3) If we have our committee organized to take some of the burden of planning an outing off the unit leaders (scoutmasters, varsity coaches, venture advisors), we leave them more free to relate to the boys in some critical areas: leadership training, character development, personal growth, participating citizenship, etc.
A couple of questions: Does your committee have an individual assigned to fill the jobs listed in the guidebook under "Outdoors?" Does your committee have an individual assigned to conduct relations with the parents? Do you have a secretary that could do the "nitty-gritty" work of filling out the tour plans? Check the guidebook. A dynamic scout program needs all the adult help it can get.

Theme for the month of April: Adult Association method. How involved should committee members be with the boys? How do you support unit leaders in their relationships with the boys?