Patrol Leader Handbook?

[topshot 10]

I seem to be having trouble finding a current PLH (#32502A). Has it been replaced? My son was just elected PL.

[BrotherhoodWWW 10]

Last I heard it was out of print. I am not sure when a new one will be available. You might give neighboring Council's a call to see if they have one.

[BadenP 93]

Hey top

 

The National store at my council has been out of stock for over 6 months and has no idea when they will get the next shipment.

Hmmmm, maybe National is making yet another change to the boy scout program and surprise us all. Something like camping and hiking will now become optional patrol and troop activities, lol.

[UCEagle72 10]

Get a copy of "Handbook for Patrol Leaders" off eBay - http://goo.gl/KuL4G - he'll get more information from any of William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt's versions, and it's available today!

 

[bnelon44 17]

Scoutstuff.org has a note Item is temporarily unavailable Anticipated in-stock: 5/11/2011

 

Since it is past that date, I assume it will be available soon.

 

When this happens it normally means a new printing... maybe some changes.

[bnelon44 17]

I heard today the PL Handbook will be back in supply at scoutstuff.org on 7/11 and in the scout shops shortly after.

 

It is a new printing. Some changes (like they added Webmaster as a POR in the SPL Handbook.)

[ScoutNut 147]

Until the new book gets in stock, make a visit to your local public library. Many libraries carry copies of Scout handbooks (and local school books for those who have a kid who regularly forgets his head) in their Youth sections.

[ntrog8r 19]

ScoutStuff reports:

Availability: This product is currently BACKORDERED, will be available on 07/27/2011

http://www.scoutstuff.org/patrol-leader-handbook.html

 

A 1950s version is here: http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/patrolleader.pdf

The one UCEagle72 references is on eBay for $10:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/380309200332?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar

[UCEagle72 10]

$10? maybe!

 

I have bought over 10 for under $5, and usually under $2 -- but having a digital version is always nice! Of course, the digital version is from the UK Scout Association - and not the work of William Hillcourt!(This message has been edited by UCEagle72)

[Alabama Scouter 14]

I just bought 3. Perhaps they are getting restocked faster than they thought.

[bnelon44 17]

Check inside the title page, if it is one of the new ones the printing date should be 2011

[bnelon44 17]

"A 1950s version is here..."

 

That is a UK Scouting PL Handbook. Not a Hillcourt one, which was referenced above.

 

That site, by the way, also has The Patrol System and Letters to a Patrol Leader by Roland Philipps. The first Patrol Leader handbook and the source of the saying, "The Patrol Method is not just a method of Scouting, it is the only method.

 

http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/Patrol%20System.pdf(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

[Kudu 186]

Scout books are often cheaper at AddAll. Three copies of William Hillcourt's "World Brotherhood Edition" are available this morning for $1.99 each:

 

http://tinyurl.com/6g5djv7

 

To find editions with almost 400 pages of Green Bar Bill's Patrol Method, look for keywords BSA or William Hillcourt and a date before 1972.

 

Presumably the next edition of The Patrol Leader Handbook will reflect the highpoint of the BSA's centennial year celebration for leadership enthusiasts: The end of Green Bar Bill's "Real" Patrol Method.

 

Look for its elimination from page 28 (bold-face, below):

 

Most patrol activities take place within the framework of the troop. However, patrols may also set out on day hikes, service projects, and overnighters independent of the troop and free of adult leadership...

 

Bnelon44, weren't you involved in the "Request of Clarification" that alerted our national "health and safety" helicopters to the true nature of the Patrol Method?

 

Yours at 300 feet,

 

Kudu

http://kudu.net

 

[bnelon44 17]

Naw, I asked the question about camping and was told the policy was already changing. Too many lawsuits.

 

Fact of the matter is that today the number of patrols that camped without adults (other than in someone's back lot) could probably be counted on one hand. This has more to say about the US society than anything else.

 

I did a survey of local troops and found that 70% of the patrols in those troops did not do any independent activities at all:

http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod

 

If you want to blame someone, blame the lawyers. (Shakespeare did)

 

However I may be the guy who asked enough questions to make national look a second time at this "one size fits all" approach to training.

(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

[bnelon44 17]

The biggest difference that jumps out at you when you read Hillcourt's PL & SM handbooks and the modern ones are the amount of skill training that Hillcourt puts in his leader books.

 

One problem with giving Scouts the old handbooks are all the LNT violations that are in them.

 

IMHO, the whole concept of the "Green Bar Patrol" would be good to reinsert into BSA SM training and provide skill teaching books to leadership.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)