Inactive Scouts in Patrols

Mike sent in this question:

We have a large Troop of about 125 scouts and about 14 patrols. We recently tried to do patrol leadership elections but did not have enough scouts present to elect anyone. Most of our really active scouts are already in a leadership position or have already been in one. Any thoughts on how to organize our patrols?

One thought we had was to have them be really big like 20-30 scouts so that at any given meeting or outing we would end up with a patrol of a more reasonable size. However what I really feel like we are doing is addressing a symptom of an overall participation problem as most outings have 40 or less scouts on them (some get cancelled due to lack of participation – really with 125 scouts that seems off).

The Troop has always had a lot of activities going on and let Scouts choose but as a result we are very adult lead and I want to change that but if I can’t get patrol leaders elected and them to start acting like patrols it is a hard change to make.

Many troops face this situation. The roster shows a large number of Scouts. Meetings and campouts tell a different story. Only a portion of the troop attends most activities. Leaders may feel confused when elections fail because not enough Scouts are present. It can look like a patrol problem, but it usually starts with participation.

A troop with 125 Scouts sounds very active. In practice, many of those Scouts may have full schedules. Sports teams, band, theater, and schoolwork compete for time. A Scout might enjoy the troop but still attend only a few events each month. This creates gaps in patrol attendance.

Low attendance affects leadership elections. If only a few Scouts from each patrol attend a meeting, they may not feel comfortable holding an election. They might decide to delay it. Soon the troop has several patrols without patrol leaders. That makes it harder for Scouts to organize activities.

Some troops try to fix this by reorganizing patrols right away. They combine patrols or create very large ones. Sometimes that works for a short time. However, the real issue may still be participation. Changing patrol size alone will not solve the whole problem.

The first step is to understand what is happening. Look at how many Scouts attend meetings. Look at campout attendance as well. Once you see the pattern, you can start making practical decisions that help the Scouts who are actually showing up.

The patrol method is a key part of the Scouts BSA program. Scouts learn leadership by working in small groups. A patrol plans meals, cooks together, and helps each other during activities. These simple tasks teach responsibility and teamwork.

When attendance drops, adults sometimes take over planning. They want things to run smoothly. While this may help in the short term, it weakens the patrol system. Scouts lose chances to lead and solve problems together.

Even a small patrol can work well. Three or four Scouts can still cook a meal and set up camp together. They can still elect a patrol leader. The important part is that the Scouts who attend continue working as a patrol.

Patrols also build friendships. Scouts who camp and work together often stay in the program longer. They feel connected to their patrol. That connection can encourage them to attend the next meeting or outing.

When leaders keep the patrol method in place, the troop stays Scout led. Attendance may rise and fall during the year. Patrols give the program structure even when the numbers are uneven.

Many troops have Scouts who stay registered but never attend activities. Leaders often keep them on the roster in case they return later. These Scouts can make patrol organization difficult because they increase patrol size on paper.

One idea some troops use is an inactive patrol. This patrol includes Scouts who have not attended meetings or outings for a long time. They remain registered with the troop but are not counted in regular patrol numbers.

The harder group to handle is the occasional Scout. These Scouts attend when their schedule allows. One month they may come to several meetings. The next month they might not attend at all.

These occasional Scouts should still belong to a regular patrol. When they attend a campout or meeting, they join their patrol like everyone else. This helps them stay connected to the troop.

Leaders should avoid moving these Scouts around often. Stability helps patrols build friendships. Even if a Scout only attends once in a while, it helps when they know exactly which patrol they belong to.

Some troops think large patrols will solve attendance problems. A patrol of twenty Scouts may still have six or seven attend an outing. That can look like a good solution at first.

Large patrols can also create new problems. The patrol leader may struggle to organize that many Scouts. Communication becomes harder. Meal planning and equipment planning also become complicated.

Small patrols can work surprisingly well. A patrol with six Scouts might only have three attend a campout. Those three Scouts can still function as a team. They can cook, set up tents, and complete activities together.

Sometimes patrols combine during outings. Two small patrols may shop for food together or cook in the same area. This allows the patrols to support each other while still keeping their identity.

Many troops find that flexibility works best. Let Scouts try different patrol sizes and structures. After a few campouts, they will quickly see what works and what does not.

Patrol leaders often face challenges when attendance is uneven. Planning activities becomes harder when they do not know who will attend. This can frustrate new leaders who are still learning their role.

Adult leaders can help by giving patrol leaders simple tools. Encourage them to communicate with their patrol during the week. A quick message can help them learn who plans to attend the next meeting or outing.

Patrol leaders should also know that small groups are fine. If only three Scouts attend, the patrol can still run activities. Leadership is still happening even with a small number of Scouts.

Older Scouts can also support younger patrol leaders. During campouts they might help a new patrol leader organize cooking or campsite tasks. This teaches leadership while also building confidence.

Elections should still happen regularly. Even if only part of the patrol is present, those Scouts can still vote. The troop should not wait for perfect attendance before choosing leaders.

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What should we do if a patrol cannot elect a patrol leader because too few Scouts are present?

Go ahead and hold the election with the Scouts who are there. The Scouts who attend meetings should be able to choose their leader. Waiting for perfect attendance often delays leadership for weeks or months. If the patrol only has three or four Scouts present, they can still vote. The patrol leader can start serving right away and learn through experience.

Should inactive Scouts still be placed in a patrol?

Some troops keep fully inactive Scouts in a separate patrol on paper. These Scouts remain registered but do not attend meetings or outings. This helps keep active patrols at a reasonable size. If the Scout returns later, the troop can place them back into a regular patrol.

What about Scouts who attend only once in a while?

These Scouts should stay in a normal patrol. Even if they attend only occasionally, they still belong to the troop. When they attend a meeting or outing, they join their patrol for activities. Keeping them in the same patrol helps them feel connected to the group.

Is it a good idea to create very large patrols to deal with low attendance?

Large patrols sometimes look like a simple solution. A patrol with twenty Scouts might still have several attend an outing. However, large patrols can be hard for the patrol leader to manage. Many troops find that normal patrol sizes still work, even if only part of the patrol attends an activity.

What if a patrol only has three or four Scouts on a campout?

A small patrol can still work well. Three or four Scouts can plan meals, cook, and complete activities together. If needed, two patrols can cooperate during a campout. They might shop for food together or cook near each other while still remaining separate patrols.

Should adults reorganize the patrols when participation drops?

Adults can guide the discussion, but Scouts should be involved in the decision. Patrol structure is part of the Scout-led program. When Scouts help decide how patrols are organized, they are more likely to support the plan and take ownership of their patrol.

How can we encourage better participation in troop activities?

A strong and active program helps bring Scouts back. Campouts, games, and outdoor activities usually attract more interest than long meetings. Let the Scouts help plan the program. When Scouts help choose activities, they are often more excited to attend.

Do patrols need the same number of Scouts to work well?

Patrols do not need to be perfectly balanced. One patrol might have six Scouts while another has eight. Attendance will change from month to month anyway. The important thing is that each patrol has a leader and enough Scouts to work together during activities.

Many troops look large on paper but feel much smaller during meetings and campouts. A troop may have over one hundred Scouts on the roster, yet only a portion attend activities each month. This makes patrol organization harder. Patrol elections may fail because not enough Scouts are present. Leaders may wonder if patrols should be reorganized or combined.

Participation changes for many Scouts as they grow older. Sports teams, school activities, and homework take time. Some Scouts attend often. Others show up only once in a while. A few stay registered but rarely attend at all. These different levels of participation can make patrol numbers uneven.

Even with uneven attendance, the patrol method still works well. A patrol does not need many Scouts to function. Three or four Scouts can still cook meals, set up camp, and complete activities together. The important part is that Scouts continue working as patrols and elect their own leaders.

Some troops choose to keep fully inactive Scouts in a separate patrol on paper. Occasional Scouts usually stay in regular patrols so they feel connected to their group. Patrols may also cooperate during campouts when attendance is low. Two patrols might cook near each other or share shopping duties.

The key idea is to focus on the Scouts who attend. Those Scouts deserve an active and Scout led program. When patrols stay organized and leadership continues, the troop remains strong. Over time, a good program often encourages more Scouts to return and take part.