I agree with your approach--and it really hinges on having that Troop Guide give guidance and be attached / embedded. TG is a legit leadership role when used correctly. Unless it becomes obvious that the Patrols should be redistributed due to personalities, etc., the longer they are together the higher they perform--but it does take nuturing oversight from an assigned ASM to that Patrol.
Troop 582, Saratoga CA is a very large female Scouts BSA Troop. Our troop is VERY youth-led. We have some similarities to your methods, and some differences. here's a quick list: a) patrol size: 10-12 (we have ~80 scouts and 7 patrols; Many of our scouts are super active in sports, orchestra, martial arts, etc. So we usually see 50% attendance on outings. We have an average of 2 outings per month, but almost always have things going on each weekend - TTFC sessions, Service, etc) b) New Scout Patrol: We also have 2 Troop Guides (1st Class or above) who serve with the New Scout Patrol (graduating 5th graders), though they act as co-patrol leaders (teaching leadership by example) and the term of the New Scout Patrol is from Spring through our November CoH. Our current NSP has 9 5th graders and the 2 TG/PLs. c) Patrol Age Mix: Our patrols all include a wide mix of ages. While co-tenting is limited to 2yr per YPT, there is no need to limit the patrol. We find that the older girls are the natural leaders that the younger girls look up to. This builds and strengthens our leadership development. Additionally, it allows for patrol legacy to be created. Our patrol flags have many ribbons on them from patrol competitions, etc. The patrols won't dwindle and die as scouts age-out since younger scouts are continually added into patrols. d) SPL decides which scouts go into which patrols. When a new scout joins who's older than 5th grade, the SPL will work with them to find the best-fit patrol for them (friends, patrol size, geography for patrol meetings, etc). In November each year, the New Scout Patrol is dissolved and the scouts filter out into the other patrols and/or we create a new permanent patrol (the troop started with 3 patrols and has grown to 6 permanent + NSP. We'll likely have 7 permanent patrols after this November). The SPLs have done a painstakingly careful job of dividing scouts into patrols with lots of discussion, google form submissions, etc to make sure to balance what scouts want and what the patrols/troops need. e) Eagles - We have 8 Eagles so far. Of those, 4 haven't aged out/moved away. Three were at our troop meeting this week and all 4 remain active, going on outings, etc. Instead of a "Screaming Eagles" patrol, we have our Eagles remain in their patrols as experienced mentor scouts for younger scouts. We do have a LOT for our older scouts to do though. We have 4 high adventure treks this year (Seabase Sailing, BWCA/Quetico 100 mile canoe trip, 50 mile backpacking in the Sierras, and a Scuba Adventure in Mexico) and we have both a spring and a fall 14+ outing (rock climbing and mountain biking this year). Those special outings give the older and more advanced scouts their own special times. Then during regular meetings and outings, they can be mentors for our younger / less advanced scouts.
While patrols in different age bands sounds interesting, I think there is more scope for sharing sharing and learning within the patrol when there is a mixture of ages and experience.
Unfortunately, our troop is shrinking. We haven't had more that 1 Webelo cross over the last 2 years. So, I've rolled the new scouts to our troop into the Patrol that came in 3 years ago. We're cranking up the recruitment activities this year. But, back to Patrols, we used to have scouts stick with their patrols throughout their scouting careers, but since the Troop has shrunk, I have three age-based patrols. I like the Screaming Eagles Patrol idea. Unfortunately, our scouts aren't achieving Eagle until they're about to age out.
We faced similar problems the last couple years. Hopefully with everything getting back to "normal", kids will want to check out Scouts and the promise of "outdoors". Best of luck on recruitment.
New Scout Patrol? Mixed age Patrols? Heritage Patrols? How do you arrange Patrols in your troop?
I agree with your approach--and it really hinges on having that Troop Guide give guidance and be attached / embedded. TG is a legit leadership role when used correctly. Unless it becomes obvious that the Patrols should be redistributed due to personalities, etc., the longer they are together the higher they perform--but it does take nuturing oversight from an assigned ASM to that Patrol.
Great video discussion. Sounds like our troop is organized almost exactly has yours with the exception of the Scream'n Eagle Patrol.
I love the older uniform
it is really helpful
thanks
Troop 582, Saratoga CA is a very large female Scouts BSA Troop. Our troop is VERY youth-led. We have some similarities to your methods, and some differences. here's a quick list:
a) patrol size: 10-12 (we have ~80 scouts and 7 patrols; Many of our scouts are super active in sports, orchestra, martial arts, etc. So we usually see 50% attendance on outings. We have an average of 2 outings per month, but almost always have things going on each weekend - TTFC sessions, Service, etc)
b) New Scout Patrol: We also have 2 Troop Guides (1st Class or above) who serve with the New Scout Patrol (graduating 5th graders), though they act as co-patrol leaders (teaching leadership by example) and the term of the New Scout Patrol is from Spring through our November CoH. Our current NSP has 9 5th graders and the 2 TG/PLs.
c) Patrol Age Mix: Our patrols all include a wide mix of ages. While co-tenting is limited to 2yr per YPT, there is no need to limit the patrol. We find that the older girls are the natural leaders that the younger girls look up to. This builds and strengthens our leadership development. Additionally, it allows for patrol legacy to be created. Our patrol flags have many ribbons on them from patrol competitions, etc. The patrols won't dwindle and die as scouts age-out since younger scouts are continually added into patrols.
d) SPL decides which scouts go into which patrols. When a new scout joins who's older than 5th grade, the SPL will work with them to find the best-fit patrol for them (friends, patrol size, geography for patrol meetings, etc). In November each year, the New Scout Patrol is dissolved and the scouts filter out into the other patrols and/or we create a new permanent patrol (the troop started with 3 patrols and has grown to 6 permanent + NSP. We'll likely have 7 permanent patrols after this November). The SPLs have done a painstakingly careful job of dividing scouts into patrols with lots of discussion, google form submissions, etc to make sure to balance what scouts want and what the patrols/troops need.
e) Eagles - We have 8 Eagles so far. Of those, 4 haven't aged out/moved away. Three were at our troop meeting this week and all 4 remain active, going on outings, etc. Instead of a "Screaming Eagles" patrol, we have our Eagles remain in their patrols as experienced mentor scouts for younger scouts. We do have a LOT for our older scouts to do though. We have 4 high adventure treks this year (Seabase Sailing, BWCA/Quetico 100 mile canoe trip, 50 mile backpacking in the Sierras, and a Scuba Adventure in Mexico) and we have both a spring and a fall 14+ outing (rock climbing and mountain biking this year). Those special outings give the older and more advanced scouts their own special times. Then during regular meetings and outings, they can be mentors for our younger / less advanced scouts.
Sounds like the troop is doing great. Keep up the great work.
While patrols in different age bands sounds interesting, I think there is more scope for sharing sharing and learning within the patrol when there is a mixture of ages and experience.
Unfortunately, our troop is shrinking. We haven't had more that 1 Webelo cross over the last 2 years. So, I've rolled the new scouts to our troop into the Patrol that came in 3 years ago. We're cranking up the recruitment activities this year. But, back to Patrols, we used to have scouts stick with their patrols throughout their scouting careers, but since the Troop has shrunk, I have three age-based patrols. I like the Screaming Eagles Patrol idea. Unfortunately, our scouts aren't achieving Eagle until they're about to age out.
We faced similar problems the last couple years. Hopefully with everything getting back to "normal", kids will want to check out Scouts and the promise of "outdoors". Best of luck on recruitment.
Tripledadventures what is your troop number
@@pc-fo3fi Troop 60