Boy Scouting:

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Boy Scouting

• The Patrol Method

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The Scout Method

• An informal educational system
• Its aim is character training helping Scouts
  become independent and helpful
• It uses the outdoors and fun activities to
  generate challenges to be solved by Scouts to
  help them learn
• This hands on method provides practical
  learning and experience

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The Patrol System

• An essential building block of Scouting
• Unique to Boy Scouts
• Boys in this age range naturally gravitate to
  gangs of peers
• Patrols are groups of 6 to 8 boys in a Troop

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Reasons for the Patrol System

1. Friends
2. Small Size
3. Responsibility
4. Frees up the adults
5. Democratic
6. It is what works

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Autonomy and Leadership

• Patrols are boy led
• Allows Scouts to group with friends
• A small group can get things done
• Encourages teamwork and problem solving
• Provides a reasonable size group to learn
  leadership skills and the concept of shared
  leadership

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Leadership

• Scouts are trained in leadership (JLT, etc)
• The Patrol Leader is elected by the members of
  the patrol
• The patrol does its own planning and implementing
• Adults are available to advise and intervene when
  essential but not to lead
• The Patrol Leader represents the patrol at the
  Patrol Leaders Council to plan for the Troop

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Leadership

• Scout learn to work together
• Scouts learn to problem solve
• Scouts can also learn by failing sometimes
• Scouts learn to lead
• Scouts learn to follow
• Friendships and fun come from this
• Scouts learn to become responsible, self-reliant
  and independent

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Meets Developmental Needs

• Boys in this age range seek to
• Expand their boundaries
• Expand their independence
• Form affinity groups (peer families) to belong
• Function in affinity groups
• Expand their responsibility and authority

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Forming Patrols

• New Scouts should be organized into patrols of
  6-8 peers
• Similar in age, development, and interests
• Assign an Assistant SM to work with this patrol
  as they start up
• SM SPL to train the new patrol
• The Troop Guide and Instructor are assigned as
  mentors and resources
• The new patrol should be independent within 6-12
  months although the Guide and Instructor are
  still available for them

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Maintaining Patrols

• What size of a patrol a problem?
• What if the new Scouts group is not large enough
  for a patrol?
• What if a patrol gets below critical mass?
• What a patrol gets too large?
• What about the Senior patrol(s) and age-outs?

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Resources

• The Scoutmaster Handbook
• Junior Leader Handbook
• Boy Scout Leader Training
• Junior Leader Training
• Roundtables and peers in other Troops
• Wood Badge