Scout Leadership Course Session Activity Notes

Session activity

The Troop Council: Different Types

Time to allocate for this activity

45 minutes

Resources required

Cue cards, mock agenda, paper, pen, table & chairs, refreshments, compasses (x2), skipping rope, jobs to do.

Activity Notes

This session is started without introduction for each Patrol. The outcome of the Patrol's participation is discussed at the end.

Introduction (3 minutes)

Hand each Patrol a Troop Council cue card and set them on their various tasks without revealing the tasks to the other Patrols. Each Patrol has 30 minutes to try their task.

The five tasks (30 mins running con-currently)

Task A: A Formal Troop Council: The Patrol hold a quite formal Troop Council with table, chairs, a set agenda and a chair-person.

Task B: An Informal Troop Council: The Patrol are given a number of topics to discuss in a way of their own choosing. If possible, a comfortable room with soft-furnishings and some refreshments could be provided to make the experience more casual.

Task C: Helping the Scout Leader: The Patrol are asked to help the leader with some tasks such as clearing up the meeting place, tidying up a rope box, cleaning a piece of equipment, etc.

Task D: Outdoor Training Exercise: The Patrol are given a simple compass activity to complete outside, with half setting the course and the other half following it.

Task E: Teamwork Task: The Patrol are given a teamwork skipping task to complete.

Discussion (10 minutes)

At the conclusion of the activities, the course come together to discuss their experiences. They start by feeding back what their task was. Once all of the activities are known, the presenter will lead a discussion on which activity was a suitable Troop Council. The answer is, all of them in the right context! All of the activities are potential items for a Troop Council to undertake - elements of training, management, planning and fun combining together! There are no set rules.

Conclusion (2 minutes)

Outline the types of management and planning descisions that a Troop Council should be making: Award scheme progress, Patrol Leader promotions, program activities, etc.