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Introduction: Why Patrols matter Steps to Implement or Refine the System Tools to Support the Patrol System |
What is the Patrol System? We’ll start with a quick overview of what the Patrol System is and why it’s such a foundational part of Scouting.
Steps to Implement or Refine the System: If you’re new to patrols or looking to improve your current setup, we’ll walk through practical, actionable steps.
Tips, Tricks, and Common Challenges: I’ll share some tried-and-true strategies to make your Patrol System work smoothly and address common issues.
How to Build Habits for Long-Term Success: Lastly, we’ll talk about how to make the Patrol System a consistent, sustainable part of your program.
By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear roadmap and the confidence to bring—or enhance—the Patrol System in your group.
Introduction: Why Patrols Matter
Why do patrols matter? Simply put, they’re the backbone of a thriving, youth-led Scouting program. Let’s break it down:
For Youth: Patrols foster leadership, teamwork, and responsibility. Youth take ownership of their activities, and that’s where the magic happens. They’re learning life skills while having fun, and they don’t even realize it!
For Scouters: Let’s be honest: managing large groups can feel like trying to herd squirrels on a sugar rush. The Patrol System lets Scouters delegate, focus on mentorship, and avoid burnout. It’s a win-win.
I once visited a group where a parent looked at me wide-eyed and said, 'I don’t know how you do this each week.' I asked, 'Do what?' They said, 'This chaos and craziness!' I smiled and said, 'Oh, no, I don’t do this. That’s the beauty of the Patrol System.' Fast forward two months, that parent signed up to be a Scouter!
The takeaway? A calm, organized environment makes it easier to engage parents, recruit Scouters, and build a program that benefits everyone. When patrols work, everyone thrives—and you might just inspire a few more volunteers along the way!
The Patrol System is all about creating smaller, manageable teams within your section. In this chart, you’ll see an example using the Beaver section with 18 youth divided into three patrols: Eagle, Fox, and Bear Lodges. Each patrol has 6-8 youth, and ideally, a dedicated Scouter assigned to each. This setup keeps things organized and ensures every youth gets attention and guidance. As well, your scouters all have a valuable role in the section
Lodges, Lairs, and Patrols all refer to the same concept—smaller, manageable teams within Scouting. For simplicity, we’ll refer to them as patrols moving forward.
Key Points for Structure: It’s best to avoid maxing out your patrol sizes. For example: If you have 18 youth, aim for three patrols of six. If you have 24 youth, aim for four patrols of six. This leaves room for new registrants to join seamlessly without disrupting the system.
Core Principles of the Patrol System: Youth-led: Leadership roles are built into each patrol, giving youth opportunities to guide their peers. Teamwork: Patrols work together to achieve shared goals, fostering collaboration.
Responsibility: Tasks and roles are delegated among members, teaching accountability.
The Benefits: Builds leadership skills. Encourages problem-solving and decision-making. Creates a sense of belonging and ownership.
By structuring your section this way, you’re not only creating a calm, organized environment, but you’re also empowering youth and supporting Scouters to focus on mentoring rather than managing chaos.
Let’s talk about the roles in a Patrol System. Whether you’re working with Beavers, Cubs, or Scouts, the principles are the same—it’s just about adjusting expectations to be age-appropriate.
Youth Roles: The Patrol Leader (PL) leads the patrol and helps plan activities. Think of them as the captain of the team. For Beavers, this might be a White Tail who takes the lead during simple games or helps decide what activity to do next. For Cubs, a Howler might step up to organize a campfire or lead a craft. And for Scouts, Patrol Leaders may plan entire activities or manage the group during a hike.
The Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) is their right-hand helper, stepping in when needed. It’s a great role for youth who are learning to lead and need some extra support.
Team Members are everyone else in the patrol, but they’re not just following orders—they’re actively involved, whether it’s setting up a tent, cooking a meal, or coming up with ideas for the next adventure.
With the Scouter Roles: Our job as Scouters is to be mentors, not managers. We provide guidance and ensure safety, but we’re not running the show. For Beavers, this might mean gently steering the group back on track when their attention wanders (which we all know can happen quickly!). For Cubs or Scouts,
it means stepping back and letting them figure things out—even if it means they’ll learn from a mistake or two.
Now, you might be thinking, ‘Wait, the youngest youth are supposed to lead?! Have you met my Beavers?’ And yes, I get it. Leadership at this age might look more like picking who gets to be the caboose in a game of train. But it’s all about planting the seeds of leadership and letting it grow over time. Remember, leadership doesn’t always have to fall to the White Tail or Howler. Some of the
quieter youth might surprise you with their ability to step up when given the chance—and that’s what makes the Patrol System so powerful. It gives everyone a chance to shine.
Steps to Implement or Refine the Patrol System
Now that we know what the Patrol System is and why it matters, let’s talk about how to put it into practice or improve what you already have. Here are the steps to get started:
Evaluate Your Current Structure: Start by assessing where you’re at. Do you already have patrols in place? If so, are they working effectively? Ask yourself questions like, ‘Are all youth engaged?’ and ‘Are Scouters stepping back enough to let youth lead? Do we have Scouters assigned to patrols?
Form Patrols: Divide your section into smaller groups, aiming for 6-8 youth per patrol. Keep diversity in mind—mixing different skills and personalities helps create a balanced team. And remember, don’t max out patrol sizes; leave room for new registrants. As a fun activity allow your patrols to pick their name, what this looks like for them, Beavers have different animals. Cubs have a number of
colors. Troop and up come up with their own name and maybe even design a badge to go with that?
Assign Leadership Roles: Identify who will take on the roles of Patrol Leader (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). Rotate these roles regularly so everyone gets a chance to develop leadership skills. For Beavers, this might mean letting different White Tails guide activities each week. These members join in on their Youth Leadership Team.
Define Responsibilities: Be clear about what the patrols are responsible for. This could include planning a game, organizing equipment, or leading a review. What about set up or clean up? Start small and build up responsibilities as they grow more confident.
Set Expectations: Work with your youth to create the Code of Conduct. This is a simple document where they outline how they want to work together, what their goals are, and how they’ll handle challenges. Youth buy-in at this stage is key it helps them feel ownership over the process and builds accountability. Afterward, allow Scouters to provide input, ensuring it's still discussed collaboratively with the youth. This way, everyone remains on the same page. Bonus, Have youth and parents sign the CoC. For Beavers, this could be as fun as a painted handprint, while older youth might draw a stick figure or sign their name. Including parents is vital because it ensures they’re aware of expectations. If a challenge arises and you need to have a conversation with them, they won’t feel blindsided.
The idea is to start simple and build as you go. Think of this as a marathon, not a sprint. With each step, you’re creating a foundation for youth to lead, learn, and grow.
Tools to Support the Patrol System
Let’s talk about the tools that can make the Patrol System both functional and fun. These aren’t just practical items; they’re tools to help youth feel empowered and organized.
Patrol Corner: This is a dedicated space for each patrol to meet and organize themselves. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—a small corner with a poster, some supplies, and their patrol symbol is enough. It’s a home base where they can come together, plan, and regroup.
Patrol Box or Kit: Think of this as their toolkit for success. It could include basics like pens, markers, sticky notes, scissors, and some rope for knots. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be functional. Encourage the patrol to personalize their box bucket, bin—add a patrol flag, stickers, or even their own motto.
Patrol Logbook: This is where the magic happens! A patrol logbook is a simple attendance sheet and gives them a tasks upon arriving for the night. It’s a great tool for Scouter for the end of the night to discuss and review. For Beavers, maybe little stickers or bingo dobber to mark their boxes.
Awards and Recognition: Never underestimate the power of a little celebration! Recognizing patrol achievements—big or small—encourages teamwork and keeps the energy high. This could be as simple as a ‘Patrol of the month’ award for their effort this might look like, stickers, small craft, or sugar as we all know this can be a winner. Or for older sections, maybe it’s quarterly recognition, with larger items camping pot, or stove, Flashlight.
These tools are about creating structure, fostering pride, and giving youth the resources they need to thrive. The more ownership and creativity they bring to these tools, the more meaningful they become.
A patrol toolbox can include a variety of standard items, customized weekly based on planned activities. For the first few weeks, focus on getting youth into their patrols consistently. Encourage them to develop their patrol identity—whether it’s creating a flag, poster, sticker, or badge. The possibilities are endless, and each group can express their uniqueness in different ways. Consider logistical aspects, like having a "home base" where you start each week or deciding to rotate locations based on weather. This planning ensures that the setup meets the specific needs of your group. Be strategic!
Practical Ideas for a Toolbox: A 5-gallon bucket works well: it’s durable, lightweight, and can be personalized with colorful duct tape and stickers. For groups needing more storage, a bin on wheels might be more suitable—allowing younger members, like Beavers, to work together to move it. Include activity-specific items, like a compass and map for navigation skills, so the patrol is ready for each adventure. A deck of cards is always handy! Use it for a quick, active game if tasks finish early: Hearts: Crazy Walk (e.g., crab walk, duck walk, or walk backwards). Clubs: 10 Jumping Jacks. Diamonds: Spin in place 3 times. Spades: 5 Frog Jumps.
The Logbook, as previously mentioned, this is a great task to assign during arrival, giving youth a job and purpose while other members of the group are arriving. Encourage each patrol to keep a logbook, which can serve as both a practical tool and a creative outlet. It could include: A Checklist: Track essential
items such as uniforms, indoor and outdoor gear, or dues. A Story Section: Provide space for youth to reflect and share their experiences: Beavers might write or draw about how they helped a friend that week. Cubs could record a good deed they accomplished or observed. Troop Members might document a way they challenged themselves or learned something new. This not only keeps youth engaged during arrival but also fosters a sense of responsibility and reflection, aligning with the principles of Scouting.
Reflect and Review: A Key to Growth Each meeting should include a review, giving Scouters and youth a chance to discuss how the patrol worked together. Highlight key moments: Did everyone participate actively? Were there challenges, like a friend being left out or a disagreement over rules? How did the
patrol address these issues? If someone didn’t want to participate (“crafts are stupid”), how was it handled? Could the activity have been adjusted to engage them, such as shortening its duration? Were the youth kind and inclusive? Did they notice if someone wasn’t participating and try to help? These discussions connect to the SPICES framework, helping youth reflect on personal growth and how they interact as a team. Celebrate successes and pivot when needed to ensure everyone feels included and supported.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the Patrol System, let’s talk about how to make it successful. Here are some tips and tricks to keep things running smoothly.
Start Small: Don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Focus on a few key responsibilities first, like having youth plan one activity or lead a small discussion. It’s like planting a seedling—give it time to grow into something bigger
Encourage Ownership: Let youth make decisions, even if they’re not perfect. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and letting them own their choices builds confidence and resilience. For example, if a patrol chooses a hike that ends up being tougher than expected, they’ll learn a lot from that experience.
Provide Training: Leadership doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and that’s okay. Teach simple skills during meetings or camps—how to delegate, communicate, or manage time. Think of it like giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Be Patient: Building habits takes time. Celebrate small wins along the way, like when a patrol leader runs a game successfully or when everyone works together on a task. A little encouragement goes a long way in keeping them motivated.
Model the Behavior: Youth learn best by example. If you demonstrate teamwork, positivity, and good leadership, they’ll pick up on those traits. It’s like being their silent role model—actions speak louder than words.
Remember, the Patrol System is about growth—for the youth and for you as Scouters. These tips will help you build a strong foundation while making the process enjoyable and rewarding.
Even with the best intentions, implementing or refining the Patrol System can come with its share of challenges. Let’s take a look at some common ones and how to address them effectively.
Lack of Engagement from Youth: Sometimes youth seem uninterested, and that can be frustrating. The solution? Tailor activities to their interests. If they’re into outdoor adventures, incorporate hikes or survival skills. If they love creative projects, try building patrol flags or planning themed nights. It’s all about finding what excites them and running with it.
Resistance to Change: Change is hard, even for youth! Introduce changes gradually. For example, start with small responsibilities before fully implementing the Patrol System. Maybe have a sucker to eat while doing the Logbook. Communicate the benefits—explain how this will give them more freedom, leadership opportunities, and fun!
Conflict Within Patrols: Conflicts happen when people work closely together, but it’s also an opportunity to teach important life skills. Encourage open communication and teach conflict resolution techniques. Scouters can model how to approach disagreements calmly and productively. Remember, a little guidance goes a long way.
Scouters Stepping in Too Much: It’s tempting to step in when things aren’t going perfectly, but stepping back is essential. Let youth take the lead, even if they make mistakes. That’s where the learning happens. Think of yourself as their safety net, not their manager. Overcoming these challenges takes patience and creativity, but the rewards are worth it. When the Patrol System works, it transforms your program into
something truly youth-led and impactful.
How to build habits for long term success
Consistency is Key: The secret to success with the Patrol System is repetition and reinforcement. By using it consistently at every meeting and activity, it becomes second nature for the youth and Scouters alike. Consistency fosters trust in the process and helps everyone know their roles.
Regular Check-Ins: Plan-Do-Review is your best friend here. After each activity, take a moment to reflect. Ask youth what went well, what could be improved, and what they’d like to try next time. This habit keeps the system evolving and ensures everyone feels heard.
Celebrate Successes: Everyone loves recognition! Celebrate small wins, like a patrol working well together or a leader stepping up. You can do this with awards, certificates, or even a shout-out during group gatherings. Celebrations build morale and keep the energy positive.
Adapt as Needed: The Patrol System isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Be flexible and willing to adjust based on the needs of your group. Whether it’s tweaking the size of patrols or the types of activities, a little flexibility goes a long way in making the system work for everyone.
Help Centre
Still need help? Please feel free to contact the Scouts Canada Help Centre.
