Guidelines for a Patrol Overnight

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Patrols are encouraged to plan patrol overnights and other events separate from troop events in order to have fun as a group, build patrol spirit and work on advancement.  Patrol overnights are particularly valuable for requirements such as First Class Cooking which requires a scout to prepare three meals for his patrol - two of them cooked. 

Patrols must have approval from the scoutmaster to schedule a patrol overnight.

All arrangements are up to the patrol, selecting a site, planning meals and activities and working on advancement. 

Camping trips can take place anywhere, including a scout’s backyard.

Consistent with Boy Scout Policy and YPT, two adults must be present and the patrol should make sure they have adults willing to help out before proceeding with plans.  A minimum of one adult must be trained in youth protection.

For a backyard overnight, two parents can fill the adult roles but the patrol needs to make sure they are willing to fill that role.  It is strongly suggested that another parent in the patrol be involved as well, though it may not be necessary for the second adult to stay with the boys overnight if two parents are at home and willing to be on call. 

As with all scout trips a permission slip and BSA travel permit are required for a trip out of town.  Backyard overnights do not require a permission trip or permit.

As with any trip, the patrol, under the leadership of the patrol leader, needs to plan meals and equipment.

Patrols are able to use their patrol cooking box, stove, cook kit and tents from the troop and will need to make sure they pick these up on Thursday evening before the trip and check them back in with the troop quartermaster the Thursday after the trip.

Consistent with troop advancement rules, advancement can only be signed off by an adult leader or senior scout holding a rank two levels higher than the advancement level. (e.g. Life for First Class or Star for Second Class).  In the event such an adult or scout is not present, another adult can review the requirement and testify to the completion of the requirement.

Adult supervision is essential for use of stoves, lanterns, saws, axes and open fires. (Note: Fire Department permit may be required for an open fire.)  All other safety rules regarding tools and fires apply.

Troop 119 Leadership Chart

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Boy Scouts of America National Council has recently announced some changes to some rank requirements. Effective January 1, 2010 the following Boy Scout rank requirements will be added:

Tenderfoot

• A Scout must teach another person how to tie a square knot using the EDGE model (explain, demonstrate, guide, and enable). He must also be able to discuss four specific examples of how he lived the points of the Scout Law in his daily life.

Second Class

• A Scout must discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and explain the factors to consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
• He must explain what respect is due the flag of the United States.
• He must again discuss four examples of how he lived four different points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
• He must earn an amount of money agreed upon by the Scout and his parents and save at least 50 percent of it.

First Class

• An additional requirement to the 10 separate troop/patrol activities states he must demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.
• He must discuss four more examples of how he lived the remaining four points of the Scout Law in his daily life.

Life

• A Scout must use the EDGE model to teach a younger Scout a specified skill.

Star, Life, and Eagle

• Troop Webmaster and Leave No Trace trainer are two new leadership positions.

Any Scout who hasn't completed Tenderfoot, Second Class or First Class will need to complete the new requirements starting on January 1st.These changes will be represented in the 2010 Boy Scout Requirements book and the centennial edition of the Boy Scout Handbook.

Scouts completing these ranks should expect questions about these requirements during a Scoutmaster Conference or Board of Review.