J-Dawg, you warm this old Scout's heart. My son recently crossed over and I was shocked to see his troop segregated by age. The NSP fumbles along with little peer leadership and worse, no role models within their patrol - all the experience is in the other patrols. A troop guide may be a great mentor, but no replacement for a First Class Patrol Leader who knows his stuff and can get HIS patrol where they need to be on time and prepared to perform the training / task / event. I can still remember being 11 years old and wanting to BE that patrol leader. I'm not sure what my son will remembe
