1. Quarterly Troop Planning: Lessons Learned
Based on Article by
Clarke Green

2. “Traditional” Cycle (Semi-annual)
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Spring Break
School ends
Summer Camp
School starts
Holidays
Spring sports & activities
Summer vacations
Fall sports & activities

3. Define the Problem
With a “traditional” schedule, patrol sizes can fluctuate wildly and can fall below “critical mass” for a particular event
Six months may be a long time to ask youth to commit
School extracurricular activities can limit Scout participation for the season
Bottom line:
The Patrol Method can break down

4. Troop 1345 Organization Three established “regular” patrols
Three “feeder” patrols for new scouts
Senior Patrol

5. Troop 1345 POR Elections SPL ASPL PLs Senior Patrol TGs and DCs
About PORs
Voted by scouts
SPL nominates, SM approves
ASM nominates, SM approves

6. “Traditional” Schedule (6-month Cycle)
All PORs serve 6-month term
Elections in May and November
~3 Courts of Honor each year
April, September, December
Annual Planning Conference in July
PLC Retreat in December

7. Other Notes Diverse annual camping schedule
4 car camping trips
4 backpacking trips
4 “other” trips: ski trip, summer camp and high adventure, family camp, PLC retreat
High emphasis placed on NYLT candidates, develop future PLs/leaders
OA elections in Nov/Dec
Reinvigorating Venture Scout patrol
Adding girls troop in February

8. 3-month Cycle (Quarterly)
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Winter sports
Spring sports
Spring Break
School ends
Summer Camp
School starts
Fall sports & activities
Spring sports & activities
Summer vacations
Fall sports & activities

9. Lessons: 3-month Cycle 3 month PORs Didn’t Try Yet:
Too quick for SPL and QM
Never got into a 3-month “routine”
Didn’t Try Yet:
Combined parent meeting and CoH
Quarterly payments & permission slips

10. 4-month Cycle (Seasonal)
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
4-month Cycle (Seasonal)
Spring Break
School ends
Summer Camp
School starts
Spring sports & activities
Summer vacations
Fall sports & activities

11. 4-month Cycle (Seasonal)
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
4-month Cycle (Seasonal)
Spring Break
School ends
Summer Camp
School starts
Troop Elections
Planning Meeting
Family Meeting / Court of Honor
Troop Elections
Planning Meeting
Family Meeting / Court of Honor
Troop Elections
Planning Meeting
Family Meeting / Court of Honor

12. Parent Meeting and Court of Honor
About 3 weeks before the next quarter
During regular troop meeting time (1 hr max)
While Scouts prepare for CoH, parents meet with SM and Committee to go over next season’s plans (20 minutes max)
Parents asked to bring family calendar and checkbook, prepare for commitments
One permission slip for all trips

13. Combined Permission Slips
Eliminates continuous stream of permission slips (60 vs 240)
Required from each Scout, whether attending events or not
Pre-payment creates further incentive to participate (not refundable…)
Important to know who is going/not going to create a seasonal roster

14. Seasonal Roster Generate rosters for the next four camping trips
Having a roster that far in advance simplifies planning
In turn used to build the next season’s plan for leadership development
Volunteering for SPL/PL/TG means you intend to maximize attendance and participation for that season
You can’t lead if you’re not there
Summer season = summer camp (?)

15. Seasonal Planning Meeting
About 3 weeks before the next quarter
ILST for new leaders
New PLC reviews next 4-month schedule
High level of details: places, dates, activities, primary planners, etc.
All activities on the Troop website
Completed permission slips produce rosters for each event
Then reviews following 8-month schedule
“Medium” level of details

16. Solving the Problem 4-month (seasonal) cycle
Reduces long-term commitment from Scouts
Minimizes interference with extracurriculars
Provides predictable schedule for families
Provides predictable attendance for events
Allows PLC to review/revise Troop schedule (both season and annual)
Maximizes chances for Patrol Method to work more consistently!

17. Questions?