TroopGuy

Whether the troop is using the patrol method or not I don't think has so much to do with the troop size as it has to do with the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee and how dedicated they are to letting the boys lead. Bigger troops tend to have bigger programs, more money for equipment, etc. These are things that can be readily seen when you go camping with them. Smaller troops may also have advantages, but those advantages are less tangible and no guarantee. I would recommend you ask questions about things that may have impact years down the road. For example, what is the troo

Never heard of such a thing. I hope it all works out to everyone's satisfaction. Just a little speculation, and I don't mean this to suggest you were not 110% committed to the job, but maybe the co-scoutmasters arrangement created a perception that neither of you really wanted the full responsitility of being the scoutmaster.

For years the BSA tried to get the troops to use a planning approach that revolved around program features. This approach evolved over the years until we had a 3 volume set of pre-planned meetings/outings that could be used/modified by the PLC as they wish and would take them through three years with a variety of monthly features or themes. Some troops may still use the one-volume version of the same program known as Woods Wisdom. The whole planning process started with the Scoutmaster doing a lot of homework and working with the SPL and troop committee to develop a tentative calendar

TroopMaster is the way to go.