Re: New Scout Patrol SA
Anthony J. Mako (ajmako@APK.NET)
Fri, 28 Nov 1997 15:06:47 -0500
Jim,
Andrew's list of "Things To Do" with a New Scout Patrol covered most of the
basics. I had the pleasure of taking over a New Scout Patrol a couple
years ago. The patrol had been with the troop for about 6 months, and it
was clear from the start that very little had been accomplished with this
group of Scouts in that time. While there are a lot of things you should
concentrate on doing with a New Scout Patrol, the following list should
give you an idea what NOT to do:
* Don't ignore the Troop Guide! In fact, the Guide should be doing most of
the work. If no one has been selected as the Troop Guide, I would
encourage you to insist on one. The easiest way to teach a group of new
Scouts about a boy-run patrol, is to have a boy run it. The Troop Guide
should be the one doing all the instructing, letting the SA sit back and
observe.
* Insist on Patrol Organization! As the patrol grows there will be times
when the SA will need to give direction to the patrol. In the early
stages, this will happen almost constantly. The best way to do it is to
take the Troop Guide aside and explain to him the next task. Let him tell
the Patrol Leader. This is particularly important with regards to
maintaining group discipline.
* Evaluate Everything! The SA's job in the NSP is to make sure the patrol
is progressing to the point where they can function on their own. After
every major activity (patrol meeting, campout, interpatrol activity) the SA
and Troop Guide should sit down with the patrol and evaluate the activity.
The patrol's evaluation should concentrate on "What did we learn?". Later
the SA and Troop Guide can evaluate the patrol based on "Where do we go
from here?".
* Attitude! The SA should remind the new Scouts often in the early stages
that this ISN'T the Cub Scouts. Let them know that they are expected to do
most of the work. By this I mean planning activities. Be prepared to make
up for things that are forgotten, but only when it effects a Scout's
safety. If they plan a campout they should plan everything knowing that
the SA is not going to make up for anything they forget. If they plan a
menu and forget something on the food list, they'll have to make do without
it. The Scoutmaster isn't going to run down to the grocery store and pick
it up.
A few other notes: Patrols made up of Scouts who were Webelos together
seem to have the best start as a New Scout Patrol, but watch that they
don't get too overconfident. This can lead to complacency which can undo
everything in a matter of weeks. Patrols made up of Scouts who weren't
Webelos together won't suffer from over-confidence, but they will suffer
from problems with their group self-esteem if they have too many setbacks.
It may seem to take longer for this second patrol to come together, but
they'll do fine as long as no one decides to re-arrange them.
YIS
Anthony J. Mako, ajmako@apk.net
Scoutmaster Troop 381, http://members.aol.com/Scouts381/
Great Trail Council, Akron, Ohio
"I used to be an Eagle (C-7-97), but I'll always be an Eagle (1981)"
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
