How Patrols Work on ScoutmasterCG Archive

Patrol Method in Practice - Making It Happen

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is post number four in this four part series on the patrol method

The Character School ,
The Adult Role ,
Objections , The first post in this series about the patrol method paints a picture of the patrol as the central unit of Scouting, next we discussed the adult role followed by discussing the usual objections that arise when we put the patrol method into practice.

Trying to work with patrols as though it were 1910 instead of 2013 is like sending a telegram in the age of email. We have to tweak our application of the patrol method because things have changed over the last century. A century ago patrols were the neighborhood gang, the Scouts could walk to each other’s homes; organized youth sports leagues, youth clubs, and other activities were not all that common.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Eight

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is the eighth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER EIGHT “What happens when we get to the park?”

I asked the Scouts as we drove to my first camping trip as their Scoutmaster. Jake answered first, “Mm, I guess we set up tents?” Jake, our senior patrol leader, was in the passenger seat. Our brand new quartermaster, Alex, was in the back seat with Bob, leader of the Fox patrol. “Setting up tents is among the first few things, for sure,” I said, “but think, step-by-step what happens when we pull into the parking lot.” “You put on the brakes, stop the car, and turn off the ignition!” said Bob from the back seat. “That’s a little more ‘step by step’ than I was thinking,” I laughed, “but you’re getting the right idea.” “I guess everybody gets out of the cars first?” Jake said. “Then what happens?”

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter FIve

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is the fifth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER FIVE

I called Jake, and the three patrol leaders about our meeting at the grocery store. “Make sure to bring your menus, otherwise we won’t know what to get,” I reminded them.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Nine

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This is the ninth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER NINE

The first night of my first camping trip as a Scoutmaster was going well. The Scouts had set up camp and gathered around our campfire. “Jake,” I asked, turning to our senior patrol leader, “what time is lights out and all quiet tonight?” Jake looked at his cell phone, “It’s [9:45] , what time do we have to get up in the morning?” “Sounds like an excellent question for the patrol leader’s council,” I replied, “why don’t you send the Scouts off to their campsites, get your patrol leader’s council together, make a few decisions about times, and come talk to me when you are done.” “Right,” Jake replied.

The Patrol Leaders Council - John Thurman

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

John Thurman was a prolific writer and Camp Chief of Gilwell Park from 1943 to 1969.

I have taken some of his thoughts on the patrol leaders council (called the Court of Honor in the UK at the time) and updated them with modern terminology suited to Scouting in the U.S.A.

I plan on sharing it with my senior patrol leader this week; The Patrol Leader’s Council The moment you took over your patrol you became not just one leader, but two. You became the leader of your patrol. But, at the same time, you became a leader in your troop, with the duty of sharing in the task of running the troop. With your patrol leader’s badge goes the privilege of being a member of the patrol leader’s council. In this patrol leader’s council, you meet with the other patrol leaders, at regular intervals, to plan the activities of the troop and to discuss and solve troop problems. At the patrol leader’s council you have the chance to express the aims and hopes of your patrol, to explain what it is doing and what it expects to do. Here also, you receive the guidance and help you need to conduct your patrol affairs and train your boys. In the patrol leader’s council you pick up inspirations for making your gang into the best possible patrol. Here you’ll discover that by running a good patrol that takes an active and loyal part in Troop life, you are helping to make your whole troop good. Who Attends? All the patrol leaders and the Troop senior patrol leader are there. The Scoutmaster may be present as an advisor and guide.

Scouter's Sunday Phone Call

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

(Historic fiction inspired by comments on this post – have you ever had a call like this?) After a weekend camping trip a twelve year-old Scout throws his pack into the trunk and gets in the car. His parent asks, “So, what did you do this weekend? Did you get a lot of work done? Was it fun?” He rubs his eyes, “It was great, we cooked a lot and then we ate, and we played some games and walked around,” he yawns, “Mostly we cooked stuff and cleaned up and kind of sat around the fire.” The parent pauses, “Didn’t you do some advancement requirements?”

Patrol Teamwork Part 6 - The Patrol Fingerprint

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Look at your hands right now! Even if you haven’t earned Fingerprinting Merit Badge you know everyone on the face of the earth, even identical twins, have a unique fingerprint unlike anyone else’s. Now think about your Patrol.

Every Patrol has its own unique “fingerprint”.

Every Patrol has their own way of doing things, their own name, their own flag, and their own unique, individual Scouts. What you do, as Patrol leader, to make the most of these things defines what kind of ‘fingerprint’ your patrol has.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Eleven

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

This is the eleventh of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“I think I am going to sleep pretty well tonight,” George said through a yawn, “apparently I am not a natural-born climber.” “Men of a certain age and aver-du-pois like us are creatures of the earth, not the air,” I added, “I believe we all will sleep pretty well.” “What he said,” Wayne chimed in, as he caught George’s yawn.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Ten

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000

This is the tenth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER TEN “This one got kind of burny,” Bob said, explaining the black pancake on his plate, “but it’s eatable.” “How did the others turn out?”

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Four

Sat, 06 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

This is the fourth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER FOUR At the troop meeting three weeks before my first camping trip as Scoutmaster our patrols were meeting and discussing menus.

Maintain Inefficiency!

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Not the most efficient way to get the job done, but lot’s of fun!

Strive to maintain the “inefficiency” of Scouting . It’s tempting to make things easier (for the adults, usually) and lose track of the goal.

Patrol Cooking It is much more efficient to cook as a troop, but that denies a patrol an active and challenging opportunity for growth and learning. Make things less efficient, encourage patrol responsibility.

A New Scoutmaster - Chapter Two

Fri, 07 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000

This second of twelve installments is a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I’ve based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in reply.

CHAPTER TWO

The Scouts elected Jake Hendricks as their senior patrol leader; I think they made a great choice. At 13, Jake isn’t the oldest Scout, but he has a lot of potential.

Patrol Outings

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000

I would guess that one Troop in twenty schedules actual, independent Patrol outings. More likely than not the Patrols all go camping at once – AKA a Troop outing (like my Troop).

I haven’t pursued independent Patrol outings for a couple of reasons; Logistics – Planning, supplying and launching three or four separate outings is more difficult than planning one Troop outing.

Leadership – Maintaining prescribed levels of adult leadership would be a problem. Two adults with six or eight Scouts makes adult interference with Scout leadership almost inevitable Our next outing will be a hybrid Troop/Patrol outing at our Scout Camp.

Wannabe or Real Leader?

Sat, 30 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

You know the difference between a wannabe (want-to-be, get it?) leader and a real leader? Just watch them in action, it’s easy to tell! A wannabe loves giving orders, being in the spotlight, takes all the praise, has all the privileges, and makes everyone else do the tough work. A real leader expects a lot from his team but expects twice as much from himself. A real leader gives his Scouts all the praise, privileges and rewards. A wannabe only gives orders and only cares about results. A wannabe isn’t a leader, leaders are out in front making things happen. A wannabe is a pusher, shoving everyone else along rather than leading them. A wannabe kills Patrol Spirit. A real leader cares about people and does everything in his power to be supportive and encouraging.

Lessons from Sticks

Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Around a campfire one evening during our vespers observance I asked all the Scouts and leaders to bring a stick with them before they sat down. Once they were seated we gathered all the sticks into a bundle.

I held them as I stood before the fire. None of the sticks tried to jump out of the bundle, none of the other sticks tried to shove the others away, they all joined together without complaining. When there’s a job to be done we need to get at it without complaining. When we are together as Troop or Patrol everyone is important – no one is excluded.

Patrol Teamwork Part 5 - Patrol Burglar?

Sat, 08 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000

How can you capitalize on patrol teamwork? In“The Hobbit” the company of Dwarves decides that they need a ‘burglar’. The burglar would be the company’s eyes and ears: scouting out locations along the way. A t the recommendation of the wizard Gandalf the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins was chosen to be the burglar. Just as the Dwarves depended on Bilbo to scout ahead of the company, a Patrol needs someone to go ahead of the Patrol, scout locations, research good places for hikes, camps, and different Patrol Activities. In the Scout Patrol, this position is traditionally called the Hikemaster.

How to Fix Scout Patrol Problems

Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Here’s a question I recently received asking how to fix Scout patrol problems: Â I’m a Scoutmaster with less than a year under my belt and I’m faced with a ‘good problem’ ; we’re growing. We currently have 4 patrols and we anticipate that we will get about 7 Scouts from the Pack in February; they would be the 5th patrol.

Currently, we have one ‘first year’ patrol, two second year patrols, and one patrol made up of the remaining older boys. This particular patrol is usually woefully understaffed during outings as those Scouts are either committed to other obligations or working.

Making Scout Patrols Work

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

In response to the post Patrol Method a reader asked the following about Scout patrols: I have been an assistant scoutmaster for some time and was recently asked by the committee to be the new Scoutmaster.

I have had only one One of the things that concerns me is the patrol setup in our troop. We are setup as the Scoutmaster Handbook says – Webelos that cross over together and new boys form a “new boy patrol” – we have “regular” patrols, then we have a “venture” patrol. My question is (and we use the Troop Guide the best we can) – why does the mixing of ages in patrols not work?

How Long Does it Take to Be a First Class Scout?

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Someone asked me how long, on average, does it take to be a First Class Scout? We know statistically Scouts who become First Class within the first year tend to stay in Scouting longer.

I am pleased when Scouts advance because that’s one indicator that we are delivering on the promise, but it’s only one indicator. In my experience Scouts take anywhere from six months to five years to reach First Class. Will joined our troop when he was fourteen because he loved to go camping with his friends. He wasn’t ever all that focused on his own advancement, I don’t think he made it much beyond Second Class. Will became a great leader and mentor to younger Scouts, he truly cared for other people and wanted to help them. He enthusiastically attended his friend’s Eagle ceremonies, but never had much interest in it himself. When he graduated high School and was off to college he carried all the advantages of Scouting with him. P.J.

Storming, Storming and Storming

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Bruce Tuckman first offered a theory of group development in the mid 1960′s.

Tuckman’s model has been a part of Woodbadge training for about a dozen years. Here’s Tuckman’s three stages: Forming Individuals want to be accepted by the others, avoid controversy or conflict. The group is busy with routines: who does what, when to meet, etc. Individuals gather information and impressions about each other about the groups goals and how to approach it.

Troubleshooting the Patrol Method

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0000

in The Patrol System This is a self assessment tool to help gauge how well a troop applies the patrol method. It may be a good idea to have several adults and youth troop members complete the assessment and discuss the results. This is not very scientific but it will at least give you an idea of where you are. Here’s PDF version you can download.

Chose only one option for each pair of statements PATROL SYSTEM ALWAYS MOST TIMES SOME TIMES ALWAYS NO PATROL SYSTEM PATROL STRUCTURE Patrol membership is stable +10 +5 -5 -10 Patrol membership is reshuffled Patrol Leaders are elected by patrol members +10 +5 -5 -10 Patrol Leaders are not elected by patrol members Patrols participate as a ‘natural’ patrol +10 +5 -5 -10 Patrols often formed provisionally or combined Patrol has APL, Scribe, Quartermaster +10 +5 -5 -10 Patrols do not have APL, Scribe, Quartermaster Patrols have eight to ten members +10 +5 -5 -10 Patrols have less than eight members PATROL LEADER’S COUNCIL PLC meets with Scoutmaster observing +10 +5 -5 -10 Adults actively participate in PLC meetings PLC plans meeting/outings +10 +5 -5 -10 Adults plan meetings/outings Senior Patrol Leader is elected by Scouts +10 +5 -5 -10 Senior Patrol Leader is appointed by Adults Youth leaders trained in on-going process +10 +5 -5 -10 Youth leaders trained only at training events Patrol Leader’s Council meets regularly +10 +5 -5 -10 Patrol Leader’s Council meets sporadically. PROGRAM Lots of time for Patrols at Troop meeting. +10 +5 -5 -10 Little time is for Patrols at Troop meeting.

Patrol Hikes

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

From The Patrol System Published by Scouts Canada in 1960. Not a new idea, but a good one none-the-less. What would happen if you put this information in the hands of your patrol leaders? You want your gang to become a real Patrol—and only a hiking Patrol is a real one. We can break Patrol hikes generally into two classes. One—where you don’t want to be tied down by fire making and cooking. This may be because you have other specific training to do such as signaling, tracking, nature lore or pioneering and want to use every minute of your time for that purpose or maybe your hike will take you through territory where fire building isn’t permitted. Or you may have another good reason for making short work of the eating business.

How Does a Patrol Leader’s Council Plan?

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If the Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) is supposed to be responsible for planning meetings and outings for their Troop how does this happen in practice?

There is no universal model, agenda or method but there are some broad underlying principles: Give them the tools A little bit of training, a lot of questions and a lot of freedom to develop their own process. Let them do it Don’t hover, don’t badger, don’t manipulate. (If you have time for a rant about this I have included one below) Let them own it If there are problems with the plan that touch on propriety and safety ask questions until they see the problem and develop a solution. If you think the plan is kind of weak or half-baked but it is safe and appropriate let it go. They may or may not discover the flaws as the plan advances or you may have been mistaken that the flaws were there in the first place.

Model Scout Outing

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

“Scouting is Outing” and any lively, active Troop has an out-of-doors overnight experience planned every month of the year. Here’s a model of a typical outing that capitalizes on youth leadership and the Patrol Method.

Preparation After the Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) has developed a schedule of events for the year Scouts are detailed to set up the particulars of the trip. A few of the logistics are attended to by the adults ( securing campsites, various registrations etc.) but the PLC does the vast majority of planning.

What happens when Scouts take over?

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Tom Gillard is a Scoutmaster in Tullahoma Tennessee. We struck up a correspondence after he was part of a session about the patrol method I presented over the internet for a group of Scouters attending a Merit Badge University. Over the past couple of months Tom has written to tell me about his experiences applying the patrol method in his Troop. Tom is no newcomer to Scouting but he wanted to work towards strengthening his youth leadership. He shares the same reservations and doubts we all have when we really jump off into the deep end and unreservedly invest our youth leaders with real responsibility. Here’s Tom’s latest installment – I think you’ll find it inspiring: Our plans for this month’s outing changed suddenly leaving one week for the Patrol Leader’s Council to adapt. No sweat for them. They don’t have the same appreciation of time that us older folks have.

Looking Ahead - Program Health

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Fifth and final entry in a series of thoughts about looking ahead: Do we meet key indicators of effectively presenting our program?

Generally accepted standards for assessing unit programs do give some indications of the health of the program but we should take a closer look.

Metrics report adult leader training, youth recruitment and retention, parent participation, youth advancement, outdoor program participation, program planning.

Meeting these indicators is somewhat like having a pulse – the unit is alive and kicking.

Transition from Adult to Youth Leadership

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

– The Patrol Leader’s Council by Clarke Green on July 13, 2009 in Leadership A healthy patrol leaders council (PLC) is the heart of a youth led troop. It should gather often to discuss and plan the troop’s program. The senior patrol leader (SPL) chairs the PLC, the Scribe keeps minutes and the meeting is open to patrol leaders (PL) and any other youth leaders. I’d suggest that the PLC meet before and after every troop meeting for a few minutes and once a month for an hour or so. In lieu of our regular Monday troop meeting the PLC meets on the Monday after our monthly outing.

Inter-Patrol Scoutmaster's Challenge

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Every so often we dedicate one Troop meeting to an Inter-Patrol Scoutmaster’s Challenge; an evening of skill, spirit and leadership competition.

These evenings are designed to be very loud, continuously active and, as a result, are tremendously popular with the Scouts. The Scoutmaster must maintain a brisk pace as the evening proceeds to keep up the excitement and to keep the Patrol Leaders on their toes. One of the most important aspects of the challenge is how Patrol leaders prepare and lead their patrols for the event. The meeting opens as usual and then the Senior Patrol Leader turns the Troop over to the Scoutmaster and his assistants.