Boy Scouting:

The Patrol Method

 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
 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
 Reasons for the Patrol System

1. Friends
2. Small Size
3. Responsibility
4. Frees up the adults
5. Democratic
6. It is what works
 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
 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
 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
 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
 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
 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?
 Resources
• The Scoutmaster Handbook
• Junior Leader Handbook
• Boy Scout Leader Training
• Junior Leader Training
• Roundtables and peers in other Troops
• Wood Badge