Patrols
About Patrols
Each scout belongs to a Patrol which is a group of 5 to 10 boys, led by a Patrol Leader,
one of their own that they elect. The patrol leader is responsible for organizing, motivating,
and managing his patrol. He represents the interests of his patrol mates when planning
activities with other patrols and relays information to his patrol as needed.
The patrol leader appoints an Assistant Patrol Leader to help him with the patrol duties.
The APL fills in for the PL when needed and is second in command. Some patrols choose
to elect an APL at each election and then have him move up to PL at the next election.
Patrols belong to a Boy Scout Troop which is led by the Senior Patrol Leader, a boy
elected by the troop. This scout has ultimate responsibility for all the scouts in all the patrols
in his troop. He runs all troop meetings, delegates responsibilities, and interacts with adult
leadership. The SPL should be at least a First Class rank scout and must earn the respect
and cooperation of his troop to be successful.
The senior patrol leader chooses another scout that he can work with and that he respects
to fill the role of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. The ASPL fills in for the SPL as needed
and helps with running and managing the troop on outings and at meetings.