If you take a tin of peaches from the cupboard and look at the mouth-watering illustration you're going to feel a bit let down if you find a lot of dried up skins inside!

In the same way scouts expect what's shown on the Scouting 'label' and are soon going to get fed up if you don't give it to them.

YPeople join the Scouts for many different reasons, but once they're in they expect it to be fun, with a bit of adventure and, above all they want it to be lively. Tying knots with bits of string in a dusty corner will soon convince any person with a 'bit up top' that this is not what they joined for. This doesn't mean that training in basic skills is unnecessary - far from it. It's the way you put it over that counts. The highwayman's hitch mastered on the ground and then put into action six feet up over the bough of a tree will show any scout that training can be fun too. Get some action into your training projects and stunts - Training your Patrol in techniques of Scouting is a vital part of your job - without the 'Know how' it will be difficult, and even dangerous, to run some of the projects that can give your Patrol the fun that they are seeking.

Teamwork is one of the things that football crowds go to see, and in your Patrol teamwork is going to count. Get your Patrol working as a team, with every Scout taking responsibility for a job in the Patrol . At your Patrol Meetings, have the occasional activity where your Scouts work as a team. Once your Patrol get used to working in this way they will see that it achieves results. In camp, if everyone gets down to the work at first there's more time for fun and activities later. All this adds up to getting the right 'Patrol Spirit ' in everything you do.


A Job For All

The Patrol, like all Scouting is a collection of individuals. Each Scout has his strengths and weaknesses and brings these to the aid of the Patrol. It is Scouting's job to develop the strengths and remove the weaknesses. This we do through a programme of fun , challenge and adventure. Creating this sense of enjoyment is one of the main jobs of the Patrol Leader. This starts with keeping everyone busy and interested. You need to develop a sense of friendship so that Scouts will have some of their best friends in the Patrol. This is part of learning to live together which is an important element of our aim to teach the skills for life .

The Patrol Leader has two main jobs:

  1. To get the work of the Patrol done
  2. To keep the Patrol together
This is not as easy as it seems and the Patrol Leader will need a lot of support from the Patrol. The Patrol Leader's work can be broken down under the following main headings:

Help run Troop by:

  •  helping other Scouts with their training
  •  putting Patrol before himself/herself
  •  looking after younger Scouts
  •  setting example to Patrol
Help Scout Leader by:
  • organizing Patrol activities
  • maintaining discipline
  • planning programmes
  • running programmes
Promote Team spirit by:
  •  knowing each member of the Patrol
  •  encouraging friendship
  •  creating enjoyment
Work as a member of the Patrol by:
  • giving specific responsibility to each Patrol member
  • keeping Patrol busy and interested
  • being patient and understanding
  • leading Patrol meetings
Make new members welcome

Work as a member of the Court of Honour

The idea of giving each member of the Patrol a specific job helps them to feel part of the Patrol .

The main job is the obvious one of Assistant Patrol Leader.

Some Troops have the Court of Honour making the appointment, others the Patrol Leader involved. The role of the Assistant Patrol Leader, as his/her title implies, is to be the deputy of the Patrol, working alongside the Patrol Leader, taking over when the Patrol Leader is absent , taking charge of part of the Patrol when an activity requires it, and generally helping the Patrol Leader to create an efficient and happy Patrol. While his/her promotion is not guaranteed, he/she should be aware that they are likely to be a Patrol Leader.

Every Patrol should have a Scribe to keep its Patrol Log or diary. This contains reports of all the doings of the Patrol, with drawings, photographs and souvenir items inserted into what should be a hardbound book. The Scribe should be considered as the editor, seeking contributions from the other members of the Patrol and their visitors. I know from my own old Troop that the logbooks contain the true history reflecting all the fun and excitement. If Patrols need money for their own purposes, they should get this by weekly subscriptions. You need a Patrol Treasurer to collect these dues and to keep accounts of them, and to make payments as instructed.

Other jobs can include:

Back to the ZONE