The Patrol Method The Patrol Method is not a way to operate a Boy Scout troop. It is the only way.

What is a patrol?  A team of friends working together to make things happen.  The building block of Scouting  A home in Scouting

How is a patrol organized?  5 to 8 Scouts  Chooses a name, flag, emblem, and call  Self governing  Elects it own leader  Can participate in activities independently from the troop

What do patrols do?  Help members learn & advance  Hold meetings  Plan & conduct activities: HikesCamping Service projects Swimming Merit badges Bike hikes Just about anything they want to do

Patrol Leadership Patrol Leader Elected by the patrol In charge of patrol at troop meetings Leads in planning and conducting the patrol meetings Represents patrol on the Patrol Leaders’ Council Sets a good example Encourages the patrol members to participate & advance Assistant Patrol Leader Assists the Patrol Leader Takes charge of the patrol when the PL is away

Other patrol positions  Quartermaster  Scribe  Grubmaster  Cheermaster  Other positions as needed The work should be spread around so no one has to do too much.

Types of patrols  New Scout patrol  Regular patrol  Venture patrol (13 and older) focuses on high adventure activities

New Scout Patrol  Functions like other patrols  Focus on  Learning basic skills  Advancing toward First Class  Assisted by Troop Guide, an older Scout  Advised by an Assistant Scoutmaster

Patrol Leaders’ Council  Holds monthly meetings  Plans & runs the troop’s program & activities  Conducts annual program planning conference  PLC Members  SPL  ASPL  Patrol Leaders  Troop Guides Green Bar

Resources  Patrol Leader Handbook  Senior Patrol Leader Handbook  Boy Scout Handbook  Troop Junior Leader Training  National Youth Leadership Training  OA Leadership Seminars  Adult leaders  xm xm xm

National Honor Patrol Award Do the following for 3 months  Have a patrol name, flag, yell  Hold 2 patrol meetings every month  Take part in at least one hike, outdoor activity, or other Scouting event  Complete 2 good turns or projects approved by the Patrol Leaders’ Council  Help 2 patrol members advance one rank  Wear the full uniform correctly (75% of members)  Have a representative attend at least 3 PLC meetings  Have 8 members in the patrol or increase patrol membership over the past three months Wear this above your patrol patch.