From: Anthony Mako (ajmako@NLS.NET)
Date: Thu Jan 27 2000 - 22:13:43 CST
<Thomas Holland wrote>
We are having trouble getting the older scouts to work with the younger
scouts. I know it is an age old problem. One of the troops in our area
shuffles the patrols every six months. Our troop has always kept the boys
together. Many of the parents want to keep boys together that started as
Tiger Cubs. I think that this forms cliques and I think it is better for
the boys to make new friends and new relationships. What are you views and
how do your troops handle this situation?
</Thomas>
Thomas,
A patrol is a lot more than just a group of Scouts. The longer the patrol
exists, the better it will work. That's what the patrol method is all about.
If the patrols work well, I wouldn't mess with them. What is needed is an
incentive for the older Scouts to mentor the younger Scouts. Breaking up a
functioning patrol where the Scouts know each other and like hanging out
together and forming new patrols to get a good mixture of ages won't solve
the problem unless the Scouts are willing. If they aren't willing to work
with the younger Scouts the way things are now, there's no reason to believe
splitting up those older Scouts is going to have the desired effect.
The trick is to find out why the older Scouts are neglecting their duty. Ask
them. They might even have a few ideas on how to correct the problem, or
make mentoring younger Scouts more attractive. If they suggest reorganizing
the troop, go for it. If they don't suggest it, or don't like the idea,
don't force it on them.
<Cliff Golden wrote>
Why not leave it up to the boys.
The original idea of patrols was to create a more natural sized group for
boys to interact within. To make those groups as natural as possible we let
the boys form into their own patrols. Those patrols exist as long as the
boys want them to exist.
It's their troop, their program, their patrols. Why not let them decide.
</Cliff>
Cliff is partially correct about the original idea of patrols. B-P's idea
was that a small group of boys (between 6 and 10) was just about right for
living together in the woods. He realized that a smaller group would have
trouble getting the job done because there's more work than boys. He also
realized that a larger group would also have trouble getting the job done
because there isn't enough work to go around. His vision was that the patrol
was the basic unit of Scouting. EVERYTHING was supposed to be done in a
patrol. Troops were to be made up of several patrols brought together under
the same adult leadership, not split up into convenient-sized groups. That
idea has sort of gotten lost, but it's not hard to get it back.
Most importantly, Cliff is absolutely correct when he suggests leaving it up
to the Scouts. The less we adults muck around with things the better.
YIS
AJ Mako, Scoutmaster, Troop 381 http://www.scouts381.org/
ajmako@nls.net
Great Trail Council, Old Portage District
