Patch-L is an internet discussion group based at Google Groups™ aimed at furthering the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in the hobby of collecting Scouting's patches, badges and memorabilia. Subscriptions are free and open to members of Scouting programs associated with the World Organization of Scouting movements. Membership is not automatic, however, and potential subscribers must provide background information that will be reviewed by the list owners who will ultimately determine whether an applicant can join Patch-L.

Subscribers must be at least age 13 in order to apply.

How does it work?

Patch-L is an online email system that subscribers use to send an email to a single group address, that redistributes it to all subscribers. Recipients can reply either to the original sender or respond to the entire list. Subscribers can also register their eMail address as a Google Account and they can read and post from within Google Groups. Google Grop Patch-L members have the option of requesting to be added to Patch-L on Facebook AFTER going through the application process and review for the Patch-L Google Group.

What can I expect to see on Patch-L?

Offers to trade patches, badges, books, neckerchiefs and just about anything that has to do with Scouting. Most members are from the United States and belong to the Boy Scouts of America, but membership is open to all Scouting memorabilia hobbyists from any country and the list includes collectors of Girl Scouting and Guiding memorabilia as well.

How do I join Patch-L?

Easier than you might think. Just click here, to request an invitation. Once your information is reviewed and accepted by Don or Kevin, they will add you will receive a welcome message with instructions on how to post.

Note: After your information has been vetted and you have been added to the group (<<<< this is important) you can send and receive email from Patch-L (save your welcome message and bookmark this page). If you want to access the google group pages online you will need to register the email you joined with as a google account if you have not done so (gmail addresses are automatically registered by Google as Google accounts). While this is not required for the email functionality of Patch-L, since Patch-L is a closed group, the Google account registration is required to access the archives and postings online.

Are there rules?

Everything seems to have rules and Patch-L has had to develop a few to prevent problems that have occasionally occurred on the list. Subscribers are expected to comply with Patch-L ETHICS and Patch-L RULES (so you should review them before you apply) and any new rules that Listowners may need to announce to the list. Members agree they can be removed at anytime by the listowners without notice if the listowners decide it's in the best interests of the list. A couple of important rules we emphasize:

  • You must not offer to sell in postings to the list (even if you don't include prices - you cannot post offers to sell). This includes offers to trade for "dead presidents", announcement of your e-bay offerings or any other kind of post that puts you in the position of selling something or otherwise involved in what could be considered commercial activity by our host.

  • You must not post any sort of "virus" warning to the list. Nearly all of these are hoaxes and posting will get you removed immediately. If you have a concern, contact a listowner first.

  • Negative posts about another trader will result in your removal from the list.

  • NO ATTACHMENTS.

  • TRIM YOUR REPLIES TO ONLY THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION (IF ANY AT ALL) NEEDED TO CLARIFY YOUR POINT. FAILURE TO DO THIS ADDS A HUGE AMOUNT OF CHAFF TO THE DIGEST, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE SUBSCRIBING IN THAT MODE. FAILURE TO TRIM YOUR REPLIES WILL RESULT IN YOUR BEING SET TO DIGEST MODE AND POSSIBLE REMOVAL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO COMPLY.

Who are the list owners?

Patch-L was started by Eric Pierce (New York) at SUNY- Buffalo in November of 1995 while a struggling college student in response to complaints by subscribers on other Scouting lists (Scouts-L and Arrow-L) that did not want "patch trading" clogging up their e-mail boxes. Kevin Doyle (Hawaii) joined Eric as a co-owner 10 months later to help lighten the load (Eric did not tell Kevin that listowners really don't have a life.) Eric finally decided he wanted a life and turned over his share of the burden to Donald Shull (Ohio) in 2001. Generally, Don manages the mechanics of the operation and Kevin handles subscriptions. In 2008, budget cuts forced SUNY to discontinue LISTs unrelated to their research mission and Patch-L moved to GoogleGroups.