“The object of the patrol method is not so much saving the Scoutmaster trouble as to give responsibility to the (scout).”
“The more responsibility the Scoutmaster gives his patrol leaders, the more they will respond.” 

Source: - Baden-Powell reference: Scouting.org

Scouts BSA - highlight of findings.

• The Unit Health Reporting Tool was used to collect JTE and other information from the Key 3 of each unit in the council in the Fall of 2023.

• Scoutmasters who responded to the survey were asked how many best practices of the Patrol Method their Scouts BSA Troop found "mostly true" for their unit. 

• The strongest scores were in the Troops with 12 or more youth (a unit health metric)

• Small troops are much less likely to elect their Patrol Leader(s), have a PLC that meets often, have their SPL chair the PLC meeting, or use the Patrol Method during troop meetings. 

• Many troops are weak in having their SPL appointing all youth positions. (13% of boys and 39% of girls troops do not).

• Major weakness among all troops include not having the SPL run the annual planning meeting (70% do not), not having the SPL teach Introduction to Leadership Skills - Troops (ILST) (here 71% do not), and offering ILST after every election (53% do not). 

  • Not offering ILST after every election may be a large burden for units, and it is true ILST never expires, a youth leader needs to take it as a 'requirement' only once. However, units that do not offer SPL-led-ILST miss out on one of the most important team building exercises, easily done by troops, and it solidifies the  PLC team behind the newly elected SPL, and gives the SPL confidence and authority that election alone cannot.