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Look at your hands right now! Even if you haven’t earned Fingerprinting Merit Badge you know everyone on the face of the earth, even identical twins, have a unique fingerprint unlike anyone else’s.
Now think about your Patrol. Every Patrol has its own unique “fingerprint”. Every Patrol has their own way of doing things, their own name, their own flag, and their own unique, individual Scouts. What you do, as Patrol leader, to make the most of these things defines what kind of ‘fingerprint’ your patrol has.
Patrol teamwork develops and grows because you, the Patrol Leader, work to make it the very best it can be! All the guides and handbooks out there do absolutely no good unless you start experimenting with the principles and putting them into practice.
Over the last five posts in this series, we’ve looked at list of Patrol jobs: Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Quartermaster, Scribe, and Hikemaster. But every Patrol is unique, so each Patrol will get the job done in their own unique way. Don’t be limited to what I have described! Use your imagination and collaborate with your Scouts to come up with roles and jobs to fit their unique talents. Here’s some ideas you can discuss with your patrol:
Morale Master
The entertainment leader! The Morale Master comes up with games, skits, and songs you can sing during camping trips and meetings. This Scout will need a ton of energy and like being in the spotlight! You may find this is a great way to channel energy that was once a distraction to benefit the Patrol.
Chief Cook
The Chief Cook directs meal-planning and keeps a duty roster so everyone does their fair share of cooking and cleaning.
Treasurer
The Treasurer keeps track of the Patrol’s money. He should be very trustworthy, and you should review his records regularly.
Pioneering Captain
Pioneering projects are a great Patrol activity! Teamwork, knots, and problem-solving skills grow strong in a Patrol that builds pioneering projects. The Pioneering Captain develops plans, makes sure the ropes and poles needed are on hand, and leads the Patrol in building the project.
Try this – write down each position we discussed and the specific responsibilities for each one. Now, based on what you know about the Scouts in your Patrol figure who fits each role the best. Make sure every Scout has a job and you share the specifics things you’d like to have them do. They will have suggestions or questions, so listen with an open mind and make changes when needed – that’s how a great team works!
As the Patrol grows, each Scout will grow too. The Patrol Leader will plan and do less on his own and start managing, coordinating, and helping Scouts make great Patrol stuff happen!
It takes a lot of work to make your Patrol into a well-oiled machine, but once you’ve achieved this, your efforts will affect every Scout who joins the Patrol in the future!
Do you have any ideas for a special job in your Patrol? Leave a comment below and let me know!
