| Senior Patrol Leader |
| Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders |
| Patrol Leaders |
| Patrol Members |
| Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chariman |
When a boy joins the Troop, he will be assigned to a specific patrol. He and his fellow patrol members will plan their activities and outings as a patrol, either during troop meetings or at a separate time and place of your choice. Each patrol elects its own patrol leader.
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 patrols will compete against each other 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, our troop holds patrol leader elections twice a year. Patrol size depends upon a troop's enrollment, and the needs of its members. 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. An Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned to each patrol to serve as a Patrol Advisor, to make sure that patrol operations are running smoothly but not to run the patrol.
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 is often assigned as a Troop Guide to help the new-Scout patrol through the challenges of troop membership.
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.
A Venture patrol is an optional patrol within the troop made up of Scouts age 13 and older and who have completed their First Class requirements. 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 meet together. 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, and the assistant patrol leader reports on advancement within the patrol. The patrol leader should report any information from the latest patrol leader's 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 and Troop Committee 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 misadventure 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 plant 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 patrol members. Mount the flag on a pole or a stick, which can also be decorated. Remember, the patrol flag should go wherever the patrol goes. Every patrol also 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 patrol's box. Some patrols have become known for doing or cooking something well - incorporate this into the patrol's designs.
As a patrol leader, you are a member of the patrol leader's 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 leader's council with your patrol members. The patrol leader's council is made up of the senior patrol leader, who presides over the meetings, the assistant senior patrol leaders, all patrol leaders, troop guides, and instructors. The patrol leader's council plans the yearly troop program at the annual troop program planning conference. It then meets monthly, fine-tuning the plans for the upcoming month.
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
Introduction Leadership
Troop Junior Leader Training
A daylong training conference conducted by the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol
Leader
Council Junior Leader Training Conference
A weeklong conference to introduce leadership skills in an outdoor environment