The Patrol
The patrol is a group of Scouts who belong to a troop and who are probably
similar in age, development, and interests. The patrol method allows Scouts to
interact in a small group outside the larger troop context, working together as
a team and sharing the responsibility of making their patrol a success. A patrol
takes pride in its identity, and the members strive to make their patrol the
best it can be. Patrols will sometimes join with other patrols to learn skills
and complete advancement requirements. At other times they will compete against
those same patrols in Scout skills and athletic competitions.
The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as patrol leader. The troop determines the requirements for patrol leaders, such as rank and age. To give more youths the opportunity to lead, most troops elect patrol leaders twice a year. Some may have elections more often.
