The Patrol System
Small team living to promote cooperation and taking responsibility
The heart of the scout method
The patrol system is one of the most distinctive and effective elements of scouting. It involves organizing young people into small autonomous teams of 6 to 8 members, called patrols. This structure promotes learning about living in society, developing leadership, and acquiring essential social skills.
What is a patrol?
A patrol is much more than just a group of young people. It's a micro-society with:
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Its own identity: Each patrol chooses a name (often an animal totem), a rallying cry, colors, and sometimes a flag that represents it.
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A structured organization: A patrol leader (PL) elected or designated, an assistant who helps them, and specific roles for each member.
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Progressive autonomy: The patrol makes decisions, plans its activities, and manages its projects under the benevolent supervision of leaders.
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A team spirit: Members develop a strong sense of belonging and solidarity that often lasts beyond scouting.
Roles within the patrol
The Patrol Leader (PL)
- • Coordinates patrol activities
- • Represents the patrol in the patrol leaders' council
- • Looks after the well-being of each member
- • Leads patrol meetings
- • Passes on scout traditions and values
The Assistant Patrol Leader
- • Assists and replaces the PL if necessary
- • Takes charge of specific responsibilities
- • Helps maintain group cohesion
- • Supports new members
Specialist roles
- • Quartermaster: Manages equipment and supplies
- • Secretary: Keeps the patrol log book
- • Treasurer: Manages shared finances
- • First aider: Looks after the first aid kit
All members
- • Actively participate in decisions
- • Take initiatives
- • Help each other
- • Respect the rules of communal living
Benefits of the patrol system
Leadership development
Every member has the opportunity to exercise responsibilities adapted to their age and abilities. The system allows natural progression from simple member to patrol leader, thus developing leadership skills progressively and benevolently.
Learning democracy
Important decisions are made collectively during patrol councils. Young people learn to express their opinions, listen to others, negotiate, and find consensus. It's a practical school of citizenship and democratic living.
Responsibility and autonomy
The patrol manages its own projects, from conception to completion. This supervised autonomy allows young people to gain confidence in their abilities and learn from their mistakes in a safe environment.
Daily patrol life
Patrol meetings
Regular times when the patrol meets to plan activities, prepare projects, learn new techniques, or simply share moments of conviviality.
Patrol councils
Decision-making bodies where each member can express themselves about patrol life, propose ideas, and participate in collective choices.
Patrol activities
Specific projects led by the patrol: outings, community service, inter-patrol competitions, building camp installations...
Patrol traditions
Rituals, songs, stories, and shared memories that create the unique identity of each patrol and strengthen bonds between members.
The patrol leaders' council
Patrol leaders meet regularly in a patrol leaders' council with adult leaders. This is a place for exchange and coordination where:
- Major orientations of the unit are discussed
- Common activities are planned
- Patrol leaders share their experiences
- Any problems are addressed collectively
- Leader training is provided
Learning for life
"The patrol is not a convenient division to distribute boys into groups, it is the essential unit that makes scouting an education system and not just a pastime. It is the boy's natural group, his gang, led by one of them."
- Baden-Powell, founder of scouting