and we use the Patrol Method. What is the Patrol Method? Why is it so important? Baden-Powell described
it most succinctly. In 1888, BP wrote,
Boy attendance is spotty or inconsistent. Troop and patrol meetings
are irregularly held. Meetings sometimes consist of extended periods of
games interspersed with something resembling a troop meeting. There's
no corps of boys in charge, but perhaps a single Senior Patrol Leader
backed up by the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is frequently seen to
issue instruction to the boys collectively, or is called on to
discipline individuals who are out of line. Patrols are organized
haphazardly, by age group, or without consideration to a mix of senior
and junior Scouts. The older boys are inadequately prepared to train
the younger boys. The older boys have not attended any district or
council JLT training. The Scoutmaster has not attended adult leader
training or Wood Badge.
Now that we know what the Patrol Method is not, we need to know what
is it. As one writer put it, "The Patrol Method is not ONE method in
which Scouting can be carried on. It is the ONLY method!" (Roland Phillips)
The Patrol Method is working when the Scoutmaster acts as a guide and counselor to the
boys, helping the boys by word and example to lead one another, to influence
one another, to encourage competition and excitement so that the boys
grow as a group and as individuals.
In 1920, Baden-Powel consolidated notes he had assembled on the training of boys through Scouting and published them as Aids to Scoutmastership. He wrote,
The Patrol System
The Patrol System is
the one essential feature in which Scout training differs from that of
all other organisations, and where the System is properly applied, it
is absolutely bound to bring success. It cannot help itself!
The formation of the boys into Patrols of from six to eight and
training them as separate units each under its own responsible leader
is the key to a good Troop.
The Patrol is the unit of Scouting always, whether for work or for
play, for discipline or for duty. An invaluable step in character
training is to put responsibility on to the individual. This is
immediately gained in appointing a Patrol Leader to responsible command
of his Patrol. It is up to him to take hold of and to develop the
qualities of each boy in his Patrol. It sounds a big order, but in
practice it works. Then, through emulation and competition between
Patrols, you produce a Patrol spirit which is eminently satisfactory,
since it raises the tone among the boys and develops a higher standard
of efficiency all round. Each boy in the Patrol realises that he is in
himself a responsible unit and that the honour of his group depends in
some degree on his own ability in playing the game.
Patrol Leaders' Council—Court of Honour
The Patrol Leaders' Council and Court of Honour is an important part of
the Patrol System. It is a standing committee which, under the guidance
of the Scoutmaster, settles the affairs of the Troop, both
administrative and disciplinary. It develops in its members
self-respect, ideals of freedom coupled with a sense of responsibility
and respect for authority, while it gives practice in procedure such as
is invaluable to the boys individually and collectively as future
citizens.
The Patrol Leaders' Council takes charge of routine matters and the
management of such affairs as Troop entertainments, sports, etc. In
this Council it is often found convenient to admit the Seconds
(Assistant Patrol Leaders) also as members, and, while getting their
help, this incidentally gives them experience and practice in committee
procedure. The Court of Honour, on the other hand, is composed solely
of Patrol Leaders. The Court of Honour, as its name implies, has a
rather exceptional mission, such as dealing with cases of discipline
and questions of awards. Values of the Patrol System
It is important that the Scoutmaster recognise the extraordinary value
which he can get out of the Patrol System. It is the best guarantee for
permanent vitality and success for the Troop. It takes a great deal of
minor routine work off the shoulders of the Scoutmaster.
But first and foremost: The Patrol is the character school for the
individual. To the Patrol Leader it gives practise in Responsibility
and in the qualities of Leadership. To the Scouts it gives
subordination of self to the interests of the whole, the elements of
self-denial and self-control mvolved in the team spirit of cooperation
and good comradeship. But to get first-class results from this system
you have to give the boy leaders real free-handed responsibility—if you
only give partial responsibility you will only get partial results. The
main object is not so much saving the Scoutmaster trouble as to give
responsibility to the boy, since this is the very best of all means for
developing character.
The Scoutmaster who hopes for success must not only study what is
written about the Patrol System and its methods, but must put into
practice the suggestions he reads. It is the doing of things that is so
important, and only by constant trial can experience be gained by his
Patrol Leaders and Scouts. The more he gives them to do, the more will
they respond, the more strength and character will they achieve.
But it's not enough to just put boys into a group and give 'em a name. If
they are patrols in name only, your program will fail. What then, is this magical
thing, this Holy Grail, called the Patrol Method? How do you know if your troop
has it?
Perhaps the surest diagnosis of it's absence is what you find in troops without
it. If more than a couple of the characteristics above are missing in your
unit, watch out. You may be headed for trouble.
