At 01:51 PM 9/7/1999 -0700, Duane Wheeler wrote:
>
>*I'd like to know if you found the use of the patrol methiod
>helpfull or in anyway "desired" by National Training..
...
>*So tell me about the Patrol...
>
>It's more that a song/skit and yell right?
...
Patrols are useful and help encourage the boys to develop leadership. In my
experience, patrols (tribes) in Straight Arrows are largely initiated by
the Chief to make nice groups for games and to help manage large outposts.
One trick that works well with a large Straight Arrow outpost is to have 4
chiefs prepare 4 lessons, one each. The chiefs do one lesson 4 times, for 4
tribes, one per week, so that the chiefs only have to prepare about one
lesson a month, but the boys get 4 different, well thought-out lessons. How
big do you want your outpost to be?
For Buckaroos, being an outfit leader (patrol guide) can be a motivator in
getting advancements, and may include such things as being line leader,
helping light the lamp for devotions, etc.
In Pioneers, patrols really start to be useful, but they take effort to
create and maintain. Giving the patrol guides real tasks, such as planning
meals for outings with their patrols, etc., helps. Patrol standards are
good for meetings and "formal" drive-in campouts, like Pow-Wow, but I
wouldn't be seen with one on a backpacking trip. Still, the patrol
organization is useful in getting boys to help other boys with
advancements, for assigning duties on campouts, and more. Boys become very
sensitive to who is in charge.
In Trailblazers, patrol guides and senior guides really do much of the work
that commanders do in other age groups -- or they should, if they aren't
doing it. The adult leaders supervise, provide wise council, and keep the
direction on track, but the boys share in the leadership in significant ways.
You have no patrol if all you have is a song, skit, yell, bolo tie,
standard, and yell. You have to have real responsibilities and meaningful
tasks to do. Remember, we are training leaders in the body of Christ.
Michael Paul Johnson
aka Soaring Golden Eagle
PO Box 1151, Longmont CO 80502-1151, USA
Rocky Mountain outpost 207, New Creation Church
Jesus Christ is Lord!
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