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The patrol is a group of Scouts who belong to a
troop and who are probably similar in age,
development, and interests. The patrol method allows
Scouts to interact in a small group outside the
larger troop context, working together as a team and
sharing the responsibility of making their patrol a
success. A patrol takes pride in its identity, and
the members strive to make their patrol the best it
can be. Patrols will sometimes join with other
patrols to learn skills and complete advancement
requirements. At other times they will compete
against those same patrols in Scout skills and
athletic competitions.
The members of each patrol elect one of their own to
serve as
Patrol Leader. The troop determines the
requirements for patrol leaders, such as rank and
age. To give more youths the opportunity to lead,
most troops elect patrol leaders twice a year. Some
may have elections more often.
Patrol size depends upon a troop's enrollment and
the needs of its members, though an ideal patrol
size is eight Scouts. Patrols with fewer than eight
Scouts should try to recruit new members to get
their patrol size up to the ideal number.
There are three kinds of patrols: new-Scout patrols,
regular patrols, and Venture patrols.
New-Scout patrols are for
11-year-old Scouts who have recently joined the
troop and are together for the first year in the
troop. An older, experienced Scout often is assigned
as a troop guide to help the new-Scout patrol
through the challenges of troop membership. An
assistant Scoutmaster should also assist the
new-Scout patrol to ensure that each Scout has every
opportunity to succeed right from the start.
Regular patrols are made up
of Scouts who have completed their
First Class requirements. They have been around
Scouting long enough to be comfortable with the
patrol and troop operation and are well-versed in
camping, cooking, and Scouting's other basic skills.
Venture patrol is an
optional patrol within the troop made up of Scouts
age 13 and older. These troop members have the
maturity and experience to take part in more
challenging high-adventure outings. The Venture
patrol elects a
patrol leader, who works with an assistant
Scoutmaster to put the patrol's plans into action.
Patrol meetings may be held at any time and place.
Many troops set aside a portion of each troop
meeting for its patrols to gather. Others encourage
patrols to meet on a different evening at the home
of a patrol member. The frequency of patrol meetings
is determined by upcoming events and activities that
require planning and discussion.
Patrol meetings should be well-planned and
businesslike. Typically, the
patrol leader calls the meeting to order, the
scribe collects dues, and the
assistant patrol leader reports on advancement.
The
patrol leader should report any information from
the latest patrol leaders' council meeting. The bulk
of the meeting should be devoted to planning
upcoming activities, with specific assignments made
to each patrol member.
Most patrol activities take place within the
framework of the troop. However, patrols may also
conduct day hikes and service projects independent
of the troop, as long as they follow two rules:
• The Scoutmaster approves the activity.
• The patrol activity does not interfere with any
troop function.
Patrol spirit is the glue that holds the patrol
together and keeps it going. Building patrol spirit
takes time, because it is shaped by a patrol's
experiences—good and bad. Often misadventures such
as enduring a thunderstorm or getting lost in the
woods will contribute much in pulling a patrol
together. Many other elements also will help build
patrol spirit. Creating a patrol identity and
traditions will help build each patrol member's
sense of belonging.
Every patrol needs a good name. Usually, the patrol
chooses its name from nature, a plant or animal, or
something that makes the patrol unique. A patrol
might choose an object for its outstanding quality.
For example, sharks are strong swimmers and
buffaloes love to roam. The patrol may want to add
an adjective to spice up the patrol name, such as
the Soaring Hawks or the Rambunctious Raccoons.
A patrol flag is the patrol's trademark, and it
should be a good one. Have a competition to see who
comes up with the best design and who is the best
artist. Make the flag out of a heavy canvas and use
permanent markers to decorate it. In addition to the
patrol name, the patrol flag should have the troop
number on it as well as the names of all the patrol
members. Mount the flag on a pole, which also can be
decorated. Remember, the patrol flag should go
wherever the patrol goes.
Every patrol has a patrol yell, which should be
short and snappy. Choose words that fit the patrol's
goals. Use the yell to announce to other patrols
that your patrol is ready to eat or has won a patrol
competition. Some patrols also have a patrol song.
Other patrol traditions include printing the patrol
logo on the chuck box and other patrol property.
Many troops designate patrol corners somewhere in
the troop meeting room; patrols may decorate their
corner in their own special way. Some patrols like
to specialize in doing something extremely well,
such as cooking peach cobbler or hobo stew.
As a
patrol leader, you are a member of the patrol
leaders' council, and you serve as the voice of your
patrol members. You should present the ideas and
concerns of your patrol and in turn share the
decisions of the patrol leaders' council with your
patrol members.
The
Patrol Leaders' Council is made up of the
Senior Patrol Leader, who presides over the
meetings; the
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, all
Patrol Leaders, and the
Troop Guide. The
Patrol Leaders' Council plans the yearly troop
program at the annual troop program planning
conference. It then meets monthly to fine-tune the
plans for the
When you accepted the position of
patrol leader, you agreed to provide service and
leadership to your patrol and troop. No doubt you
will take this responsibility seriously, but you
will also find it fun and rewarding. As a patrol
leader, you are expected to do the following:
• Plan and lead patrol meetings and activities.
• Keep patrol members informed.
• Assign each patrol member a specific duty.
• Represent your patrol at all
patrol leaders' council meetings and the annual
program planning conference.
• Prepare the patrol to participate in all troop
activities.
• Work with other troop leaders to make the troop
run well.
• Know the abilities of each patrol member.
• Set a good example.
• Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
• Live by the
Scout Oath and
Law.
• Show and develop patrol spirit.
Tips for the Patrol Leader
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