THE PATROL METHOD

As a member of a patrol, youth are afforded opportunities that are hard to find anywhere else. Unlike a sports team,  a Scout patrol carries out a wide range of tasks that require pooling resources and working together to function successfully in all kinds of circumstances. 

For most young people, being in a Scout patrol will be the first time they have to rely upon themselves and other young people to follow an array of necessary steps to satisfy objectives that requires a wide range of life skills.

Like any team, a patrol will function well only as long as all the particular responsibilities pertaining to the completion of a task are carried out successfully. Because of its size, this gives every member an opportunity to participate, and this in itself results in some positive outcomes. Making a contribution to the patrol’s success provides a welcome sense of belonging, of being appreciated, and a feeling of competency resulting in self-esteem. 

As an illustration, let’s take the example of preparing a full-course dinner on a campout. To accomplish this undertaking effectively, under the direction of their patrol leader, all members of the patrol get to plan the menu. One or two get to accomplish the shopping, According to their prepared duty roster, and hinging on how the food will be prepared, one or more can organize getting the water for cooking and cleaning, and prepare the fire or set up the stove(s). Others will be designated to do the actual cooking, lead the blessing, serve the food, and oversee the cleanup. Of course, the whole patrol gets to eat the meal. It’s a patrol enterprise, requiring cooperation, the sharing of responsibilities and leadership, working for the collective good, and putting skills into action. The patrol method models good citizenship and develops servant leadership.