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Be A Good Scout

 

Remember we said the right kind of Patrol Leader is also the right kind of Scout, and that he is a leader in Scout Spirit? Both of those things go hand in hand. We already know that your attitude toward the patrol, and your attitude toward your job have a big impact on the patrol. Well, your attitude toward Scouting, and your committment to living by the Scout Oath and Law have a big impact on your patrol as well.

If your goal is to have a real patrol, the best patrol, then naturally you'll want real Scouts, the best Scouts in your patrol. That doesn't mean making trades with other patrols, or trying to attract them through free-agency. That means building the members of your patrol into the best Scouts they can be. Since you are the leader, though, that also means becoming the best Scout you can be so they'll have an example to follow.

There's that word "example" again. The members of your patrol look to you to show them how to be good Scouts. They take their cues from you. If you want them to be trustworthy, you'll have to show them how important it is by being trustworthy yourself. If you want them to wear their uniforms properly, and with pride, you have to show them by wearing your uniform properly and with pride. In everything you do, the members of your patrol learn from your example.

So, if you want the best Scouts, and the best patrol, show them by being the best Scout you can be. Show them how to be cheerful in a downpour. Show them how to live by the Scout Oath and Law, how to work together to get the job done. It's not hard. All you have to do is believe in them, and treat them right, and set a good example for them. They'll follow your lead, and soon you'll be well on your way to having a real patrol.

Ben's Story

What a pain being a Patrol Leader is. Every month the SPL says something to me about wearing my uniform properly. I can't be expected to wear it all the time! Heck, I can't even get my patrol to wear them. And I'm always getting called to talk to the Scoutmaster about someone in my patrol getting in trouble. Like last time, all I was doing was flicking matches. They had no reason to get mad. They're always getting on my case about controlling my patrol, but they're uncontrollable. Now I've got to pay for a tent that Pete tore a hole in when I pushed him out of my way.

Mike's Story

Did I mention before how much I love being Patrol Leader? It's the greatest job in the world. We've scored the highest in the uniform inspection three months in a row. We even got breakfast in "bed" on the last campout because we scored higher than the Ventures. Boy, you should have seen the look on their faces when the Scoutmaster told them about it! It sure makes it easy when I can count on my patrol to do their best no matter what.