Introduction

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.

Types | Meetings | Meeting Planning | Meeting Format | Activities

Spirit | PLC | Duties as PL | Ten Tips | Additional advice

Patrol Leader's Creed

Types of Patrols

There are three kinds of patrols: new-Scout patrols, regular patrols, and Venture patrols.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. A Venture patrol is an optional patrol within the troop made up of Scouts age 14 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.

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Patrols!

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.

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Section last updated/reviewed 11 May 10.
Please note that the images and logos here, as on all our pages, are © (copyright) their respective owners and used by gracious permission. See our Special Thanks! page for details and links.

• Opening – Recite the scout oath or law or pledge of allegiance.
• Attendance - APL should do it and turn it in to the scribe, without group discussion
• Review - Discuss the previous patrol meeting and what happened.
  Patrol members report progress on assignments they had.
  Discuss other unfinished business.
  Patrol leader updates notes in his binder.
• Upcoming duties - Remind your patrol of upcoming service or program duties
  Make plans to fulfill the duties.
  Assign tasks to individual members and include a completion date.
  Record the assignments in patrol leader’s binder.
• Advancement - Make sure your patrol is advancing
  Have everyone set advancement goals for a 2-4 week period, or longer for older scouts earning merit badges.
  Mark goals on patrol advancement chart or in patrol leader binder.
  Hold scouts accountable to their goals and review them every week.
• PLC Issues - Ask scouts if they have issues to bring up in the PLC
  Also ask for program ideas and suggestions for any other things the PLC is discussing such as summer outings, projects, or service.
  Record their issues in patrol leader’s binder for next PLC meeting.
• Patrol Work –
  Work on tasks given your patrol by the troop leaders. This could be preparing to teach skills, planning a troop game, or flag ceremony.
  Learn skills for advancement. Have a troop guide, instructor, scoutmaster, or expert at your meeting to teach you.
  Practice skits, songs, activities, skills for an upcoming outing.
• Have Fun – try out a new scouting-oriented game or activity, or do an old favorite
• Closing – everyone cleans up and thanks the host before leaving

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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.

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Patrol Spirit

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.

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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 upcoming month.

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• 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.

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1. Keep Your Word.
2. Don't make promises you can't keep.
3. Be a Good Communicator. You don't need a commanding voice to be a good leader, but you must be willing to step out front with an effective "Let's go." A good leader knows how to get and give information so that everyone understands what's going on.
4. Be Flexible. Everything doesn't always go as planned. Be prepared to shift to "plan B" when "plan A" doesn't work.
5. Be Organized. The time you spend planning will be repaid many times over. At patrol meetings, record who agrees to do each task, and fill out the duty roster before going camping.
6. Delegate. Some leaders assume that the job will not get done unless they do it themselves. Most people like to be challenged with a task. Empower your patrol members to do things they have never tried.
7. Set an Example. The most important thing you can do is lead by example. Whatever you do, your patrol members are likely to do the same. A cheerful attitude can keep everyone's spirits up.
8. Be Consistent. Nothing is more confusing than a leader who is one way one moment and another way a short time later. If your patrol knows what to expect from you, they will more likely respond positively to your leadership.
9. Give Praise. The best way to get credit is to give it away. Often a "Nice job" is all the praise necessary to make a Scout feel he is contributing to the efforts of the patrol.
10. Ask for Help. Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. You have many resources at your disposal. When confronted with a situation you don't know how to handle, ask someone with more experience for some advice and direction.

Training for Patrol Leaders

Scouting takes pride in giving youth members unique leadership opportunities and training. Patrol leaders may have the opportunity to participate in all or some of the following leadership training.

Introduction to Leadership

This is the first step of leadership training. It is usually conducted by the Scoutmaster within a few days after a troop election. It may last no more than an hour, but it should cover the responsibilities of a patrol leader and the needs for upcoming events within the troop.

Troop Junior Leader Training

This is a daylong training conference conducted by the Scoutmaster and senior patrol leader. Its purpose is to reinforce the patrol method and to allow members of the patrol leaders' council to set goals for themselves, their patrols, and their troop.

Council Junior Leader Training

Many councils offer weeklong junior leader training conferences at their camps for key troop leaders. This course supplements troop training and introduces leadership skills in an outdoor environment.

National Junior Leader Instructor Camp

This program focuses on helping Scouts develop teaching skills that they can use to conduct council junior leader training conferences. It is offered through the Philmont Training Center every summer.

National Leadership Seminars

These Order of the Arrow leadership seminars take place over a weekend and focus primarily on the skills and attributes of leadership. Youth participants should be at least 15 years of age or a lodge officer.

Resources for Patrol Leaders

As a patrol leader, you have many resources available, including your Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmasters, senior patrol leader, and the troop committee. Other resources include your teachers, religious leaders, and community leaders. Literature resources available to you include the following:

• Boy Scout Handbook, No. 33105
• Junior Leader Handbook, No. 33500A
• Fieldbook, No. 33200
• Boy Scout Songbook, No. 33224
• Boy Scout Requirements, No. 33215C
• Troop Program Resources, No. 33588
• Troop Program Features, Volumes I, II, and III, Nos. 33110, 33111, 33112
• Worksheets from Scoutmaster's Junior Leader Training Kit, No. 34306
• Boys' Life magazines
• Copy of troop rules and policies
• Troop and patrol rosters
• Activity calendar (troop, district, council, chartered organization)
• First Class—First Year Tracking Sheet, No. 34118A
• Campfire Program Planner sheet, No. 33696
• Troop Planning Worksheet (from Troop Program Features)
• BSA Supply catalog

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A patrol leader is responsible for the management of his patrol. His role includes a great deal of responsibility and requires training and ongoing support from the scoutmaster, troop guide, and assistant scoutmaster assigned to his patrol.

Here is some information to help train and guide the newly elected patrol leader.

Patrols work well when:

• Everyone has ideas
• Everyone helps plan
• Everyone does his part
• Everyone follows the Scout Oath and Law

A good patrol leader is prepared:

• He has pencil and paper handy at all times
• He brings a troop calendar to meetings
• He prepares a written agenda for each Patrol meeting

A good patrol leader is fair:

• He treats each individual the way she would wish to be treated
• He never shows favoritism

A good patrol leader is considerate:

• He listens to those in his patrol and presents everybody's ideas
• He is never judgmental of others

A good patrol leader sets a good example:

• He keeps his patrol on task
• He is on time
• He demonstrates the Oath and Law
• He speaks for his patrol and not for himself at meetings

A patrol meeting will be successful if:

• Everyone can see and hear everyone else
• Everyone is focused on the patrol leader and the topic at hand
• Everyone is included in the topic being discussed
• The patrol leader, not the patrol, runs the patrol meeting

So, ...

• There can be no private conversations, until the meeting is concluded
• The topics discussed must pertain to everyone and individual questions to the patrol leader should be addressed later
• Individuals cannot be allowed to steer the meeting away from its purpose
• Discussion is kept short and to the point
• Distractions are not allowed to get out of hand

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As the Leader of My Patrol

• I WILL lead my Patrol by my initiative and my personal example, in Scout craft knowledge as well as in Scout Spirit.
  
  
• I WILL plan, with my Scouts, the Patrol's activities--meetings, hikes, Good Turns, special projects--and will carry them out to the best of my ability.
  
  
• I WILL train my Assistant Patrol Leader to lead the Patrol in my absence, and give each of the other Scouts a chance to do some leading in the Patrol.
  
  
• I WILL keep well ahead of my Patrol in advancement, and will help my Scouts to advance by training them and examining them in Scout Requirements.
  
  
• I WILL set an example for my Patrol by wearing my Scout Uniform at all Scout activities, and will urge my Scouts to do the same.
  
  
• I WILL be responsible for the routine business of the Patrol attendance, dues, and the like--but will get some other Patrol member to keep the records.
  
  
• I WILL make a special effort to be a friend to each Scout of my Patrol, and to know his home, his parents, his school or work, so that I may truly be able to help him.

• I WILL faithfully attend all sessions of the Patrol Leaders' Council to receive training for my job and to do my part in planning the program of the Troop.
  
  
• I WILL represent my Patrol at Patrol Leaders' Council, bringing before the Council the wishes of my Patrol, and taking back to my Patrol the decisions of the Council.
  
  
• I WILL promote the whole-hearted, punctual and well-disciplined participation of my Patrol in all Troop activities.

 

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