Patrol Leaders and APLS

The idea for this ‘Patrol Leaders Handbook’, originally came from the 2015 State Scout Forum and the project was taken on by the State Scout Council. It was then handed over to the State Youth Council in early 2016 and since then has been made into what it is today. This book should be used by any Patrol Leader as a reference to refer to when in doubt. It contains many useful tips and tricks that every good PL will value from knowing.

Leading a Patrol

As a Patrol Leader, it is up to you to make sure that all activities run smoothly within your patrol. Make sure you have completed the following;

• You have the correct equipment

• Patrol and parents are well informed

• Plan the activity in advance

• Use your APL to help you along the way

• Share ideas with other Patrol Leaders

Make sure all your Patrol is included

Assistant Patrol Leader

The Assistant Patrol Leader works closely with the Patrol Leader. They are very helpful to Patrol leaders and should help them with things such as;

• Acting as Patrol Leader when they are be absent

• Assist in leading the Patrol

• To be the Patrol Leaders right hand person

• Help the Patrol Leader to organise the patrol and activities

Keep an eye on things in case the Patrol Leader misses or forgets something

Troop Council (T.C)

The Troop Council is a very important part of Scouts. It is made of the following members;

• Leaders

• Patrol Leaders

• Assistant Patrol Leaders (may depend on Troop)

Roles within the Troop Council are;

• Troop chair (this can be a Scout)

• Troop secretary (this can be a Scout)

• Troop treasurer (this can be a Scout)

Without it the Troop is a DISASTER,

Your Troop needs YOU

What the T.C. Does?

The T.C. needs to do many things such as;

• Long and short term planning

• Approve major badges for other members in the Troop Scouts

• Discuss the ‘Code of Conduct’ and if it was broken

• Talk through new ideas for the Troop

• New members (things such as Patrol allocation and investiture ideas)

• Keep the Scout Leaders in line

• Eat Pizza!

Long Term Planning

Long term planning is the planning of a period of time usually between three months and 24 months. It incorporates all of the major activities, from Gilweroo to a Scouts’ explorer hike. Some things to think about;

• Your weekly troop nights

• Courses and qualifications

• Camps and hikes

• Troop Council meetings

• Jamboree (dates and fundraising)

• Use ‘Plan Do Review!’

Short Term Planning

Short term planning is the planning of an individual night or event. When making a plan, some things to include are;

Date, theme, location, who is in charge

• Time frame for each activity

• Equipment needed

• Alternatives in case of problem

• Badge work that is to be achieved

• Announcements at parade

• S.P.I.C.E.S that are included in the activity or worked upon

S.P.I.C.E.S is a personal development program. It helps recognise what qualities are being developed and what you may need to have more variety of in your program. These include social, physical, intellectual, character, emotional and spiritual.

Behaviour Management

When dealing with problematic Scouts use the following methods;

• Ask them nicely to stop what they are doing

• Take them away from the rest of the Patrol and have a chat to them individually

• Include them in the activity

• Ask your APL for a hand

• Talk to your Leader about why they may be acting in the way that they are

• Ask a Leader for further help if needed

Don’t give up on them, you are the PL and it is your responsibility to help them. Be sure to treat them the same as anyone else in your patrol

Plan, Do, Review

Plan, Do, Review is a three step cycle that should be used when organising events and activities in order for them to run smoothly and successfully.

Plan is where the planning and preparing takes place for the whole thing.

Do is when you actually do the activity or event after planning it.

Review is when you discuss what could have gone better and what went well during the activity.

Review questions

The following are some prompt questions that can be used at Troop Council to review activities, nights and camps.

• What did you see, hear, notice and enjoy about your adventure?

• What did you learn that you didn’t know before?

• Was it fun, challenging, adventurous and inclusive? How?

• What did you learn about the team on your adventure?

• What didn’t go to plan?

• What would you do differently next time?

There’s plenty more to discuss about certain activities, so don’t just stick to these!