Scout Leadership Course Handout

Session area

Patrol Activities

Outline of the session

The best fun is to be had when Scouts are out and about enjoying themselves on their own program, without the full restrictions of the hall or leaders to hold them back! Of course, for it to be a success and a safe, enjoyable experience for all involved, some appropriate planning must take place first.

Session Notes

What is a Patrol Activity?

A Patrol activity is very simply something you do with your Patrol! It should be:

• Thought-up, planned and implemented by the Patrol.
• Involving members of the Patrol taking part together - not as a Troop or as individuals.
• Led by the Patrol Leader, not an adult.
• Involving everyone.
• Purposeful - e.g. for award scheme progress, community service, challenge, adventure, etc..

The Patrol Activity Award

You need a Patrol Activity Award to complete each of your Pioneer, Explorer and Adventurer Cords. At each level, it is expected that you take part in an 8 hour Patrol Activity. This can be anything from community service to taking part in the State Rally. As long as it is with your Patrol. Of course, there are lots of other opportunities to take part in shorter activities as a Patrol.

Patrol Activity Ideas

• Make fire-starters
• Conduct a sports clinic in a sport of the Patrol's choice
• Create a Patrol cookbook
• Create a (mostly) fictional Patrol history
• Build a catapult
• Conduct a refresher course in first aid
• Practice various ways of setting up flies and tarps
• Practice setting up and using a hammock for camping
• Learn Sign Language
• Form a Patrol band or singing group
• Make a Patrol flag
• Assemble a Patrol first aid kit
• Create an accurate sketch map of a park or neighborhood area
• Learn the locations of ten constellations in the night sky
• Practice techniques for cleaning up the cooking gear on a camp
• Learn to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) device
• Learn to sew badges and buttons on a shirt or camp blanket
• Make hiking sticks for every member of the Patrol
• Construct model rockets
• Assemble a raft that can carry at least a twenty pound load
• Go canoeing
• Learn proper methods for purifying water on the trail
• Learn to identify the snakes native to your area
• Learn and discuss with your Patrol what to do if you are involved in a car crash or if your car mechanical problems on the road
• Conduct a uniform and badge inspection of the Patrol and discuss any errors or problems and how to fix them
• Go on a nature walk, heritage trail or incident hike
• Practice using ropes and pulleys to lift heavy objects
• Make a video
• Make ice cream