Scouting, Volume 69, Number 2, March-April 1981 Page: 8
58, E1-E24, [34] p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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JJ
R.E.G. reported in our
November/December issue that his
troop has a couple of pretty ragged
patrols, and he'd like to bring them up
to standard. He has heard that an
honor patrol system might help. But
what, he asks, is it?
Editor's note: This question drew the grea-
test response from readers in some time. So
we assume that a great number of troops
have found a need to have an "honor patrol
plan."
There is nothing to prohibit adapting
these plans for Cub Scout dens, too.
We are using an honor patrol system to
recognize the "Outstanding Patrol" of
each month. For the following month, the
winning patrol flies the "Outstanding
Patrol" ribbon from its patrol flag. It also
gets another small ribbon with the month
inscribed on it; the patrol keeps the
smaller ribbon to show how many times it
has earned the "Outstanding Patror
ribbon.
The patrol leaders' council decides on
point values for each of the following
categories: Scout spirit, attendance at
meetings and activities; advancements
(including skill awards, merit badges, and
progress awards); games and Scout skills
contests; patrol appearance; patrol team-
work; number of Scouts recruited: and the
number of patrol members receiving the
weekly "Outstanding Scout" award, which
is based on advancement, Good Turns,
appearance. Scout spirit, attendance, and
winning games. This system hasn't made
our troop perfect, but it has certainly
helped.
Scoutmaster J.J. H.
Ft. Greelv, Alaska
We award honor patrol points for skill
awards, merit badges, advancements, at-
tendance, wearing uniforms, uniform in-
spections, patrol meetings, and special
points given by the Scoutmaster. After
three months, the patrol with the most
points is designated "Honor Patrol" and
gets a special trip or tour, such as a plane
ride, diesel locomotive ride, or airline
simulator tour. Besides these special trips,
the honor patrol receives an Indian
Coupstick and special neckerchiefs, which
patrol members wear until the next honor
patrol is selected.
Scoutmaster M. W.
Center Township, Pa.
In our troop once a month we had a patrol
competition meeting called "King of the
Mountain" meeting. Each patrol went to
its corner, and the junior assistant Scout-
master, senior patrol leader, or I would
conduct a series of events for which the
patrols earned points. Some were simple,
such as attendance, number of Official
Boy Scout Handbooks on hand, uniforms,
attendance at last week's camp-out, etc.
Others were active events usually related
to the month's theme—a physical fitness
activity, first aid situation, emergency
preparedness, citizenship quiz. etc. Points
were awarded on speed or quality of work.
Afterwards, all points were totalled and
the winning patrol reigned as "King of the
Mountain" for that month.
Former Scoutmaster J. W.
Boone, Iowa
I have found that using the "Standard
Patrol" system, which has been published
in Boys' Life at various times, and adding
troop problem areas is a very workable
program. For example, problem areas
might include things like attention to the
Scout sign, your troop money earner, or
cleaning patrol equipment. Point values
are determined by the needs of the troop.
Each month (or each week) first-, second-,
and third-place ribbons are given out in
accordance with how patrols measure up.
Basically, the system should remain flexi-
ble to meet the current needs and prob-
lems of the troop.
Assistant Scoutmaster W.R.R.
Lakewood, N.J.
I have been Scoutmaster of two troops that
used the honor patrol system. The system
was based on points awarded for three
areas: (1) troop meeting attendance and
uniform inspection: (2) advancement; and
(3) camp-out participation through atten-
dance, competition, and menu planning.
An honor patrol flag was presented to the
winning patrol monthly, and a special
event (camp-out, sports event, movie, etc.)
chosen by the patrol is awarded twice a
year.
Troop Committee Member P.A.L.
Fairport, N. Y.
If there is any pat answer, 1 have never seen
or heard it, and 1 hope one is never pub-
lished as it would eliminate the flexibility
unit leaders must have to adapt to the
circumstances within their unit. Personal-
ly, I have never used an honor patrol
system as a vehicle to get a patrol to
"measure up." If a patrol's leaders are
doing their best, that is all we can ask of
them. They do not always have to meet our
expectations.
I. too, like R.E.G., have never gotten all
my patrols just where I wanted them all
the time, and I seriously doubt if any
Scoutmaster has, but it doesn't worry me
anymore. In fact, I now realize that the
very day they all reach that point, the time
to hold elections is the very next troop
meeting so we can start training some
more Scouts to be leaders.
Scoutmaster C. E. M.
Winston-Salem, N.C.
The new Patrol Leader Handbook (Supply
No. 6512) has an excellent honor patrol
plan called the Baden-Powell Patrol. It has
set requirements and recognitions enabling
patrols everywhere to compete against the
same standards.
Our troop has an honor patrol system, with
points given for many categories, includ-
ing patrol leadership, troop meetings,
advancement, patrol activities, troop ac-
tivities, camporee, service projects, and
others. At each quarterly court of honor,
the patrol with the most points is recog-
nized as honor patrol for the next three
months. The Honor Patrol receives a
"roving" flag for their staff and a per-
manent flag ribbon, plus a free line of
bowling given by local lanes. At the next
court of honor, the honor patrol has the
opening and closing ceremonies.
Scoutmaster M.J. S.
Tucson, A riz. (continued on page 52
March/April 1981 Scouting
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 69, Number 2, March-April 1981, periodical, March 1981; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353561/m1/8/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.