Our Troop uses the Patrol Method exclusively when dealing with food. The boys in the patrol take turns making the menu and getting patrol approval. After approval, the grubmaster takes his list to the store and prices the items on his list. Two weeks before the campout, he notifies his patrol members how much the cost will be. One week before the campout he collects the money. He then goes and purchases the food. If someone does not show up, he gets no refund. If any money is leftover, it goes into the patrol funds for the next campout. The SPL and then the SM must approve the menu before the patrol can purchase items. This helps in case something may have been miscalculated or left off the list. Just a check though, maybe a few suggestions too along the way. Using this method allows the boys to get items signed off, having to do with preparation of menu, pricing, and cooking for patrol. If they mess up or forget some food, then they will survive. As a last resort, they can come and ask the SM for the PB & J he always seems to carry in case of emergencies. But then they have to listen to my critique on their menu planning and buying skills, so therefore my PB & J stock lasts all year. They learn from doing and making mistakes along the way. About the only thing we do is make sure the food is cooked poperly, i.e. no raw chicken, etc. Our adults eat together as a patrol using the same method as the boys. We rotate each months campout, with a different grubmaster each month.
