Scout Leadership Course Session Activity Notes

Session activity

The Patrol System: Initiative Exercises

Time to allocate for this activity

60 minutes

Resources required

5 Initiative Activities - see Solutions and Decisions

Activity Notes

Patrols have a set of initiatives to encourage teamwork.

Introduction (5 mins)

What is The Patrol System? Ask for some ideas from the course. Encourage ideas that talk about a team work environment, youth leadership, communication channels, etc.

Why is The Patrol System important for a leader? Again, briefly encourage comments from the group which include ease of management, shared leadership, youth decision making, etc.

Introduction - Alternative

Watch the video "The Patrol System" included on the resource disk.

The task (5 x 10 mins)

Patrols rotate around 5 brief team challenges to highlight the Patrol System. These activities can be selected from the Solutions and Decisions Session - choosing activities that were not completed in that session. The focus of the activities is on the PL receiving the instructions and then passing the informaiton onto the APL.

Notes on other Patrol Structures

During the session, it is essential to mention that other Patrol Structures exist - in particular, those that are formed ad-hoc for special events or activities (State Rally, Blue Cord Hikes, canoeing interest, etc.) and some Troops re-structure around friendship groups, activity interests or age grouping. Encourage the Scouts to think outside the box when looking a the "Patrol".

Conclusion (5 minutes)

The presenter sums up the outcomes of the session and gives a brief overview of the Patrol System (as found on the participant handout). Use examples from real life.