Fifth Training Meeting

Theme: Patrol Features

Preliminary Reading Assignments:

For Scoutmasters and adult leaders: Handbook for Scoutmasters, Chats 14 and 20.

For Patrol Leaders: Handbook for Patrol Leaders, Chapters II, IX and X.

Needed Material:

Paper and pencils.

Patrol Record Book.

Loose-leaf "log book" from 5-&-10.

Tree leaves, a couple of candles, white paper.

Game material as required.

Program:

(a) Opening Ceremony: Senior Patrol Leader leads the Patrol's favorite among those attempted previously.

(b) Business Period: Usual procedure (see Second Training Meeting).

(c) Informal Instruction Game: Observation. Arrange for visitor to drop in for a moment and interrupt business proceedings, then disappear, as proceedings are resumed. When business is finished, divide into buddy teams and require report of appearance of visitor. Have visitor re-enter for check. Or, instead, try Object Hunt (HSM).

(d) Discussion: "Patrol Features That Build Patrol Spirit," based upon HPL, Chapter II. What place do special features and activities have in the life of the Patrol? How can they be worked into the Patrol program? How can the boys be interested in them? Which to choose first? What about flag, den, log book, handicraft, yells, songs, Patrol signatures, camping outfit?

(e) Work Period. (1) Introduction to the making of nature collections for the Patrol museum: Smoke Prints (HPL). (2) Distribution of loose sheets from loose-leaf log book to buddy teams, each team to fill a sheet or two with illustrated report of activities of Training Hike or Fourth Training Meeting. Reports to be displayed, and best to take honored position in Patrol Log Book.

(f) Fun Games: (1) Buzz-Buzz or Tractor from Handbook for Boys. (2) Indian Hand Wrestling or Hand Slap from HSM. If time is short, run game only until the boy leaders have learned it, then shift to another.

(g) Recreation: (1) Yells from HPL, each buddy team to pick its own and modify it to suit it. (2) Patrol Song. Decide upon appropriate, popular tune and give the buddy teams five minutes to make simple words for it, then sing it. Best team to become the Patrol's "Official Warblers." (3) Scoutmaster's Three Minutes, based upon one point of the Scout Law.

(h) Closing: Form circle, all arms lifted high. Lower arms slowly while singing Taps. Scoutmaster then says-: "Be Prepared!" And the rest answer in unison: "We are prepared!"

Sixth Training Meeting

Theme: Patrol Camping and Patrol Living

Preliminary Reading Assignments:

For Scoutmaster and adult leaders: Handbook for Scoutmasters, Chat 29.

For Patrol Leaders: Handbook for Patrol Leaders, Chapter VHI; also Chapters I, III, XI and XII.

Needed Material:

Paper and pencils.

Patrol Record Book.

Camp equipment and pack.

Material as required for games selected.

Program:

(a) Opening Ceremony: Senior Patrol Leader stages the Patrol's favorite ceremony, or one not previously used, developed by him in cooperation with an Assistant Scoutmaster.

(b) Business Period: Usual short session (see Second Training Meeting). Review of notebooks kept by boys participating in training, with special comment on the best by the Scoutmaster.

(c) Instruction Game: Pete Tenderfoot's Pack. Assistant Scoutmaster shows pack filled to the brim, empties it on the floor, then repacks it, describing quickly, as he does so, the various items put in. Each Scout has paper and pencil, and now makes list from memory under these three headings: (1) What necessary equipment did Pete have in his Pack? (2) What unnecessary equipment had Pete included? (3) Which important camp equipment had Pete forgotten to pack? When lists have been turned in, rapid check is made for winner in this memory game.

(d) Discussion: Base start of discussion of "Patrol Camping" on lists just produced, agree upon appropriate equipment, then continue, covering such items as: What is importance of Patrol camping in the Patrol's and the Troop's lives? How much hike training is necessary before first Patrol camp is undertaken? What about the program of the Patrol Camp? Cooking? Health and Safety? Leadership responsibility?

(e) Camp Planning: Divide Patrol into two groups, each with two subdivisions, to fit organization described in HPL, for work prior to camp and work in camp. Then get to work planning for training camp.

1. Consents and Program (Patrol Leader, Scribe): Develop suitable form for securing Parent's consent for boy's participation in Patrol camp. Write out necessary number of them for distribution. Make outline program for the trip. 2. Equipment (Quartermaster, Cheermaster): Break down the equipment list already developed into two divisions, covering Tenting and Cooking, then decide upon items for which the various Patrol members are to be responsible. 3. Site, Travel, Collecting of Camp Fees (Treasurer, Hikemaster): Decide upon appropriate camp site, method of getting there, and, after consultation with Grubmaster, work out amount of fees to be paid by each participant. 4. Food (Grubmaster, Assistant Patrol Leader): Make menu for complete trip, based upon sample menus of HPL. Then develop food list and fix expenditures according to number of boys taking part in the camping expedition. After all plans have been completed they are presented to the whole Patrol for discussion, correction (if necessary) and adoption.

(f) Fun Games: Two or three from HPL, such as Bean Relay, Pitch Bowl, Oratory and Nail Driving Contest. Rather than playing one only in its entirety, try several games, and when one has been learned by the boy leaders shift to the next.

(g) Recreation: (1) Singing of a couple of appropriate camp fire songs, favorites of the group, or re-singing of the songs introduced at the Fourth Training Meeting. (2) Round Robin Story. Seated in circle, one boy starts an adventure story with locale, hero and villain announced by leader in charge, but using his own imagination as far as plot is concerned. After onehalf minute, he is interrupted, and the next boy continues the story, starting where former boy left off, even if in middle of sentence. (3) Scoutmaster's Three Minutes, based upon one point of the Scout Law.

(h) Closing Ceremony: Under leadership of Senior Patrol Leader, group comes to salute and recites Scout Law point just covered. This is followed immediately by usual closing ceremony.