Patrol Method

Scout Troops are led by the Senior Patrol Leader, an older, experienced boy elected by the youth members of the troop. The SPL serves a six-month term and must be at least 13 years old and have attained the rank of Star Scout.

The SPL appoints an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), a Quartermaster and Scribe. He may also appoint other positions such as Librarian, Historian and Bugler.

The Troop as a whole is organized into Patrols of 6-8 boys each. Each Patrol elects a Patrol Leader for a six month term. The Patrol Leader must have attained the rank of First Class or higher to be elegible.

The execptions are any patrol made up entirely of new scouts. Each new scout is picked by his peers to serve one month terms. The new scout patrol(s) also have an older scout called the Troop Guide to advise them.

Each Patrol Leader appoints an assistant, patrol quartermaster and patrol scribe and any other position deemed necessary. This gives everyone a job.

This "Patrol Method" has been the organizational basis for Scout Troops since the beginning of the Boy Scouts in the early part of the 20th century. Patrols are encouraged to organize their own activities and camping in addition to the Troop's activities.

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