 About Patrol Method Camping:
Pre-Camp Preparation
Most pre-camp preparation is organization work. Before leaving for camp, your troop should be organized into patrols, with a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) overseeing all patrols. Each patrol should consist of six to eight boys and be led by a Patrol Leader (PL). To ensure success, it is generally best to establish these groupings early in the year so that the scouts can participate in several outings together before coming to camp. Another important element of preparation for camp is training. Time spent earlier in the year sharpening cooking and camping skills during troop outings - especially for new scouts - will pay huge dividends when summer camp rolls around. We strongly recommend using the patrol method on every campout in order to strengthen youth leadership skills and prepare for summer camp. A duty roster for you patrol should be made for the entire week before you arrive to CFL. This will help your patrol better prepare for your busy schedules while at camp. Duty Roster sheets are available from the camp office after you arrive.
Youth Leadership
The staff will be looking to the youth leaders of the troop to know what they want. Please encourage a strong youth-led system, as the patrol method was designed. The Senior Patrol Leader should organize and lead the troop both before and during camp. The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader helps the SPL carry out his duties and often takes charge of other tasks that are delegated to him. One of the most important functions of the SPL at camp is to attend SPL meetings, where he represents his troop and is responsible for communicating important information to them when he returns. He needs to have a good idea of what activities and programs his troop wants to participate in so that he can represent them effectively. Active attendance and participation in these meetings will help better prepare not only the SPL but his entire troop for the week’s ongoing activities. Each Patrol Leader should lead his patrol operations, assigning tasks to the members of his patrol fairly to see that everyone contributes. A Duty Roster, or rotation of assigned tasks throughout the week, can be a big help with this.
Adult Leadership
By the time your troop arrives at camp, most of your adult leaders' duties have been completed. From registration to training to transportation, leaders make it possible for the boys to come to camp. Once at camp, adults are responsible for the health and safety of the scouts, and for counseling the troop's youth leadership. Adults should also assist with troop discipline when required. Aside from these duties, adults are encouraged to take advantage of the many program opportunities available to them, and to follow Baden-Powell's motto: "Train them, trust them, and let them lead." After a year of preparation, it is time for the troop's youth leaders to show their stuff! Some of the adult activities include a wide array of adult trainings and also adult COPE. Adult COPE is a great program, held in the afternoon that will benefit adult leaders in a unique learning environment.
 Small Units (12 scouts or fewer)
No formula works for everyone, and the ideas that work for larger troops don't always apply to smaller ones. Stick with what works best for you. If you have ten scouts, for example, you may elect to have the SPL and ASPL serve as a Patrol Leader and assistant at camp, rather than separating them from the rest of the troop. Or, with a dozen scouts you may choose to have two patrols and no SPL, with Patrol Leaders sharing the SPL duties. Discuss your situation with your commissioner or other camp leaders, and we will do everything we can to adapt to your needs.
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