Patrol Member Development Program

Patrol Member Development (Phase 1) participants experience the dynamics and power of a close-knit group. They are exposed to the responsibilities of group membership and to leadership skills. They go on one overnight backpacking trip of from 3-5 miles total distance.

Patrol Member Development teaches youth that leadership means to help keep the group together and get the job done.

Requirements

Phase 1 Patrol Member Development is for youth:

• Ages 10½-13 (or who have completed the 5^th grade).
• No previous camping experience is required

Likely Roles at Home

Current of future:

• School band section leader
• Scout Patrol Leader
• 4-H club officer
• Class officer

Purpose

To help young people understand and experience the purposefulness and power of the Patrol Method. They are exposed to the responsibilities of a patrol member, individually and collectively, and to elementary leadership competencies.

The youth develop:

• An understanding of the organization of small groups.
• Membership and leadership responsibilities in these small groups.
• Understanding the significance of the small group and their own competency to function within the same group.

Content

In Phase I, Patrol Member Development, the candidates will develop basic level competency in:

• Setting the Example
• Getting and Giving Information
• Evaluation
• Knowing and Using the Resources of the Group
• The Patrol Method

The youth develop some competency to assume leadership roles which are usually distributed among members of a patrol in camp. These include cook, fire-tender, clean-up, Assistant Patrol Leader, and so forth. (Patrol Leader is a youth staff member role.)

In addition, they are given elementary instruction in a few basic camping skills including:

• Camp set-up
• Knots
• Knife and axe
• Cooking
• Personal hygiene
• First aid
• Respect for the outdoors
• Hiking safety
• Fire building and safety

This is the only Phase that deliberately instructs candidates in camping skills, as they usually are inexperienced; however, the outdoor skills are taught only as a means to transmit the leadership skills.

Phase I typically hikes in to camp on the first day without backpacks, and goes for one short (one to two miles) overnight hike towards the latter part of the week.

The patrols are led by Youth Staff Patrol Leaders. Learning is primarily facilitated via the regular, day-to-day activities expected in a summer camp setting.

Space is limited

Apply for camp today.