The Patrol Method A Presentation for Troop Leaders and Parents * *

What We Will Cover What the Patrol Method is What a Patrol is and how it relates to a troop What a boy run troop is How to train your Scouts in leadership The pitfalls and solutions of a boy run troop * *

The Methods of Boy Scouting The Ideals The Patrol Method The Outdoors Advancement Association with Adults Personal Growth Leadership Development The Uniform The Patrol Method is one of the 8 methods of Scouting. It has been said that it is the most important method. The Patrol Method also supports the 6th and 7th methods of Scouting: Personal Growth and Leadership Development * *

How Important is the Patrol Method ? It is necessary to point out at the start that the Patrol System is not one method in which Scouting for boys can be carried out, but that it is the only method. Roland Philipps, Commissioner for East London, The Patrol System, 1914 The Patrol System by Roland Philipps, 1914 *

What is the Patrol Method? What do you think the Patrol Method is ? * *

Take Any 30 Boys TAKE any thirty boys, turn them loose in a closed street, a playground, or in a sports field-and you know what happens? - From Handbook for Scoutmasters, 1936 Boy Scouts of America. Compiled by Bill Hillcourt. *

What is a Patrol? The Patrol Method is natural to an adolescent boy. Working definition: A patrol is that small group of boys and friends under their own leadership who plan and carry out troop and patrol meetings and activities. It is the basic organizational unit of a Scout troop. Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 4, The Boy-Led Patrol *

What is the Patrol Method? Patrols and their boy leaders run the program in their Patrols and the Troop. The adults stand aside and let the Scouts do it all. The Scoutmaster is leadership trainer, mentor, safety officer, and guide. *

The Aims of the Patrol Method The primary aim of the Patrol Method is to teach leadership. Scouts learn leadership by leading. The Scoutmaster provides them with the tools and encouragement to do their jobs. * *

Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 4, The Boy-Led Patrol Aspects of a Patrol Friends and Responsibility Small Size - Up to 8 Boys Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 4, The Boy-Led Patrol

Patrols Teach Youth Leadership Organizing patrols Using duty rosters Planning menus and figuring food costs Encouraging advancement Guiding a patrol's involvement in problem solving Teaching outdoor skills Helping to ensure patrol safety during outings Handling patrol finances Helping other Scouts make the most of their own leadership opportunities *

Setting Up and Maintaining Patrols There are four kinds of patrols : New-Scout Patrols (for youth just joining the troop) Regular Patrols Venture Patrols (made up of older Scouts) Provisional Patrols (Outings and Competitions) The Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 4, “The Boy-Led Patrol” *

Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 4 – The Boy Led Patrol Patrol Leaders Each patrol in a troop elects a Patrol Leader. (usually every 6 months) The Patrol Leader takes the leading role in planning and conducting patrol meetings and activities, and representsthe patrol at meetings of the patrol leaders' council. Each Patrol Leader can appoint an Assistant Patrol Leader to serve with him. Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 4 – The Boy Led Patrol * *

Patrol Meetings Can be conducted : During Troop Meeting On Campouts Separate from Troop * *

Types of Patrol Activities Hikes Campouts Service Projects Almost anything to do as a group * *

Maintaining Patrols Every patrol must be given responsibility Patrols must compete – responsibility of SPL and troop PLC to conduct inter-patrol competitions Keep patrols active *

The Senior Patrol Leader The SPL is in charge of all Troop meetings and Troop activities. SPL does not belong to a patrol. Leadership Patrol. The SPL appoints assistants with Scoutmaster approval. The SPL and the Patrol Leaders (together called the PLC) plan all troop calendars, troop activities and troop meetings. *

The Senior Patrol Leader SPL reports to the Scoutmaster Patrol Leaders report to the SPL SPL leads through the Patrol Leaders, not around them. *

The SPL and Scoutmaster Team The Senior Patrol Leader is the troop member with whom the Scoutmaster works most directly. * *

*

Senior Patrol Leader Runs all troop meetings, events, and activities. Runs the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meetings. Appoints other troop junior leaders with advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster. Assigns tasks to junior leaders. Chairs the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC). Assists the Scoutmaster with junior leader training. *

The Patrol Leaders’ Council The Patrol Leaders' Council is the primary leadership body of the troop. * *

Scoutmaster’s Goal Scoutmaster’s Ultimate Goal: Sitting back and placidly watch as your Scouts execute their planned troop meeting You probably won’t get there overnight…. *

Getting to Our Goal So let’s start talking about how we get to our goal 1st - A Scoutmaster MUST get Trained !!! * *

TRAINING YOUTH LEADERS A Scoutmaster's job is to train all junior leaders as soon as possible after the Scout is elected or appointed. Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 7 Training Youth Leaders * *

Train the SPL First Important: Train the SPL First. The SPL should be your co-trainer in teaching the other troop leaders. If you do all the training the Scouts will assume you trump the SPL and it will undermine his leadership. Scoutmaster Handbook, Chapter 7, Training Youth Leaders * *

Troop Leadership Training Can be found in Chapter 7 SM Handbook. A powerpoint presentation to go along with TLT is available : http://scouting.org/training/adult. Teach each new youth leadership “class” right after election. SPL, PLC members, and Scoutmaster teach as a team. Go over PL handbook with each new PL – how to use it & what’s in it. * *

BSA Youth Leadership Training National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) 6 day course taught by experienced youth to youth. National curriculum – offered by Council. Leadership training. Team Building. Conflict resolution. Communication skills. * *

BSA Youth Leadership Training NAYLE – National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience After NYLT Use leadership skills to solve challenging outdoor scenarios Geocache Mountain Rescue – First Aid Conservation Servant Leadership Training * *

Green Bar (PLC) Campouts Take the PLC on campouts and other special activities about once a quarter. Reward – Review – Rededicate Use the opportunity to brainstorm, set calendar dates, discuss troop issues and set goals Use the opportunity to teach or review skills that they will be teaching the other Scouts over the next few months * *

Ongoing Mentoring By listening well and by paying attention to other clues provided by Scouts, a Scoutmaster can get a sense of the style of leadership he needs in a given situation for a boy, for a patrol, and for a troop. Enable Guide Demonstrate Explain Troop Maturity *

Troop Leadership Strength Changes over time Note that depending on the experience of the boys in the patrols, the stage of leadership will be different and this will change over time. Your job is to train them and let them lead as much as possible. Experienced Scouts Leave New Boys Come In *

Troop Functions Through Patrols Make the patrol THE UNIT, ALWAYS, in and out, through thick and thin, for better and worse in victory and defeat, in games and on hikes, and in camp. “Green Bar” Bill Hillcourt, Handbook for Scoutmasters, 1936 *

Troop Functions Through Patrols Make sure there are meaningful Patrol meetings occurring during the troop meetings and encourage Patrol meetings outside troop mtgs. Encourage Patrol activities outside of Troop activities and reward such behavior. Encourage inter-patrol competitions Build patrol spirit *

SM Responsibility “Train 'em, trust 'em, and let 'em lead!” “Green Bar” Bill Hillcourt, Handbook for Scoutmasters, 1936 *

Building Patrol Spirit Job for the SPL and Scoutmaster Strive to build Patrol Spirit. Each member of each patrol should be proud that they are part of that patrol. With Patrol Spirit a Patrol becomes strong and permanent. Without it a Patrol is just a bunch of boys that may fall apart at any minute. When Patrols fall apart, the troop is in danger of falling apart. *

Patrol Spirit – “We’re the Best!” How It Grows Patrol spirit doesn't spring up like a mushroom overnight. It can't be made to order. But it can be developed. *

Patrol and Troop Elections PL and SPL elections every 6 months *** No term limits*** Enough time to learn and exercise roles Other positions are appointed * *

Typical Boy Led Troop Meeting Problems and Solutions Troop Meetings are boring Troop Meetings are chaotic Low attendance at troop meetings * *

Typical Boy Led Troop Meeting Problems and Solutions Full agenda for every meeting. SPL follows up on any outstanding agenda items. SPL brings the agenda to every meeting and follows it. Pre-meeting meetings with SPL to confirm agenda. Post meeting meetings with SPL and Patrol Leaders to review what happened at the meeting. ( Start, Stop, Continue ) Scoutmaster Handbook, Ch 5 Troop Meetings * *

Some Signs of an Adult Run Troop All scouts are dressed perfectly. Meeting agenda is complete and posted weeks in advance of troop meetings. Adults making lots of announcements. Adults stand with scouts or in front of scouts during activities. Troop focuses on advancement. Troop focuses on outings. Troop announcements are posted well in advance on troop website. *

Watch for These Signs of Adult Run Troops Who sets the time to wake up or lights out, adults or scouts? Who picks the places to set up the tents, tarps and eating area? Who sets up the times to eat, and program activities? Who loads the Troop trailer, and who says when it's time to go? Who counts the Scouts in the cars to make sure everyone is there? Who decides what kind of camping gear the troop should buy? Who decides when it's time to go home from the campout?

Troop Spirit – We’re the Best! Like Patrol Spirit, Troop Spirit is the glue that holds the troop together. *

How to Make the Patrol Method Work "Train 'em, trust 'em, and let 'em lead!” *

Where to Get More Information The Scoutmaster’s Handbook (Ch 7) Senior Patrol Leader’s Handbook Patrol Leader’s Handbook Troop Leader Training (SM Handbook Ch 7) Scoutmaster Specific Training Roundtables University of Scouting A Patrol Method Checklist and other guides can be found on the Internet. *

Questions ? Comments ? *