Re: Patrol Camping
Anthony Mako (ajmako@NLS.NET)
Mon, 19 Apr 1999 16:44:47 -0400
>Hey Folks,
>I've a couple of questions, specifically for SMs, but anybody else
with an
>opinion should answer.
>1) I'm curious about how much Patrol Camping do you encourage, set
>aside time for in relation to Troop Camping.
>2) For Patrol Camping, how do you handle Tour Permits, Adult
Leadership
>(SMs, how do you decide which ones you go on), Camping Log, Quality
>Unit, etc.
<snip>
Allen,
I missed your original questions. While we don't currently encourage
patrol camping due to the relative inexperience of the troop, I have
been involved with a couple troops that actively encouraged patrol
camping.
In answer to question one, the most workable solution to setting aside
time for patrol camping is to designate certain months for patrol
campouts/activities. In this case the PLC decided which months would
be patrol camping, and which would be troop camping when they did
their annual plan. Patrols could plan their campout, hike, or other
activity well in advance if they knew when their plans wouldn't
conflict with the troop's plans. I have seen other troops make no
provisions for patrol camping in the troop schedule and still have a
successful patrol camping, the problem is that there are a lot more
conflicts and you need a great deal of adult involvement.
The second question is much simpler to answer. First, a tour permit
aren't required unless they would be required of the troop. Sounds
confusing, but it really isn't. In my previous troop, at least two
adults were required on any patrol campout. Of course, we had 14 SAs
in that troop, so there were plenty to go around. It was the patrol's
responsibility to contact adult leaders and invite them along (even
with 15 to choose from, we still had some interesting weekends and a
lot of "we couldn't get any adults to go" excuses). The SM or a
designated SA was responsible for approving the campout plan, menu,
etc. and making sure all arrangements were made; the PL was
responsible for making arrangements though.
The SM rarely had to decide which patrol campouts to go on. Most of
the time he was the first one invited, so it was basically a
first-come, first-serve situation. Even if the SM wasn't one of the
adults invited, he often would visit patrol campouts when he had a
chance. This, of course, really depends on the number of adult leaders
available.
As far as Quality Unit and the Camping Log, I'm not sure where the
question is. A patrol campout counts the same as a troop campout for
both! One night in camp is one night in camp. Personally, a troop that
has two or three good opportunities for patrols to plan and carry-out
their own activities would have very little trouble completing the
Quality Unit requirements (however easy they might be!)
YIS
A. J. Mako, ajmako@nls.net , Scoutmaster Troop 381
Home of the Unofficial Win95 Boy Scout Desktop Theme,
http://members.aol.com/Scouts381/
Old Portage District, Great Trail Council, BSA
"I used to be an Eagle (C-7-97), but I'll always be an Eagle (1981)"
