Gold Arrow - My Scout Family

Task 1 : Find out and discuss with your leader how the patrol system works in the unit and how you can gain one of the Scout Progress badge

In the book, Baden Powell in Scouting for boys it is stated the main objective of the Patrol System is to give real responsibility to as many boys as possible. It leads each boy to see that he has some individual responsibility for the good of his Patrol. It leads each Patrol to see that it has definite responsibility for the good of the Troop. Through the Patrol System the Scouts learn that they have considerable say in what their Troop does.

The patrol system is used in Secondary Schools, there is normally a troop leader, senior patrol leader, patrol leader and assistant patrol leader. The patrol leaders are encouraged to plan and carry out activities under the leadership of someone in our own age group.

Each Scout Troop consists of two or more Patrols of six to eight boys. Everyone in the patrol must be involved in Patrol Activities. The Patrol must be large enough to enable it to undertake a reasonable range of activities. If the size is too small, the scouts may find difficulties in completing any activity successfully. If the size is too large, the Patrol Leader may have difficulties in controlling it. The scouts are likely to lose interest and this can easily lead to boredom or frustration of being excluded.

The senior patrol leader or patrol leader take responsibility, make decisions and train the younger scouts. The younger scouts learn from and try to follow the leader.

For example, the patrol leader could plan some activities to help the young scouts with their progress badge such as the Scout badge by initiation to scout life activities.

Task 2 : Complete 2 additional activities from any of the category

I chose to complete the 2 following activities as it is important to know how to keep ourselves healthy by eating the correct type of food group. In the times of the pandemic, it is important to stay healthy by consuming the correct nutrients to boost our immunity.

These two activities are also in line with Scouts for SDGs. SDG-3 Good Health and Well Being that is why I chose to do additional activity in Looking after myself and SDG-11 Climate Action as it is important to know that our daily actions impact endangered animals thus the reason why I chose Wildlife in Danger.

Looking after myself – Keeping Healthy

Science & Nature – Wildlife in Danger