RustyWaters

How is it that some Troop's don't use the CSP on their uniform? I know of a troop in my district that still uses only town name red and whites. (no council patch) Are there other troops out there like this?

Let me get this straight. Is it preferable to have the boys choose up patrols? Or shoud the SM or SPL assign patrols? How often, (if ever), should there be changes in the patrol assignments. Our troop seems to reorganize patrols every year or so. Is this the norm or the exception?

Let me get this straight.

Thanks for the input. I've found that in BSA frequently the answer is "A Troop can do whatever it wants to do." I was looking for the BSA recommendation, which I think Bob White provided. Certainly lots of things work well with lots of Troops. My question is one of belongingness. If a boy belongs to two patrols, a Regular patrol and a Venture patrol. What patch goes on his uniform? What is his patrol of record? During patrol meetings where does he go? If he goes to the Regular patrol meeting, then the Venture patrol suffers. If he goes to the Venture Patrol meeting, his regular patrol suffers. Leadership another issue. If a Boy is Patrol leader of his Regular patrol, and gets elected as Patrol Leader of the Venture patrol, does he get two votes at the Patrol Leaders Council? In talking with other Scoutmasters and looking at other Troops, I understand how some troops use the "Venture Patrol" as almost an honor group (not a full time patrol) and those boys interested earn their position into the venture patrol, or are invited to join. I can see how this can work as well, but confusion comes in labeling it a "patrol" and trying to work it into the Troop structure. Certainly it can work with the boys in a Regular patrol and concurrently part of a Venture patrol, many Troops appear to be structured this way. However, I believe it would work better when a boy belongs to only one patrol. His identity is clear, his allegiance is clear. If a Patrol is supposed to be "a group of boys who are more or less similar in age, development, and interests" it seems to make sense to put the older boys with similar interests in high adventure in their own patrol, and consider their patrol a "Venture" patrol. The older boys which are not overly interested in high adventure, could simply be in a "Regular" patrol. This appears to me to be what BSA suggests. Nonetheless, I gather a Troop can do pretty much whatever it wants to. If something works well with your Troop, then stick with what works. Again, thanks for your input.

No offense taken. Correct me if I'm wrong, or mislead. As I understand it a Venture Crew belongs to BSA's Venturing program for 14-21 boys and girls. Whereas a Venture patrol is formed within a Troop of the older boys. It appears that some percieve this mean that a venture patrol is formed for one specific high adventure outing and then disbanded after that outing. During this time the boys belong to two patrols, their regular patrol and the Venture Patrol. (this is what i have a hard time understanding) My understanding of the Scoutmaster Handbook is that a Troop can have 3 kinds of patrols (New Scout, Regular, and Venture) The Venture Patrols are composed of older boys dedicated to more high adventure activites throughout the year, (not just one major outing). Ideally I would like to see my Troop get into Venturing, but they are very resistant to change. Rusty

I'm still confused about Venture Patrols. Our large Troop does a lot of high adventure activities. Some of these trips take extensive planning, 6 months - 1 year. During this time the scouts are part of the Venture patrol. Most all they do is related to either ongoing high adventure activities, or the long term treks being planned. My question is, should these boys be part of regular patrols as well as the venture patrol There are enough boys for 2-3 venture patrols. I'm having trouble understanding "dual citizenship" How does a boy belong to two patrols? Where is his allegaince? At one time it appeared that the scouts in the Venture patrol(s) were only in those patrols. However recently we reorganized patrols and now the all the boys are in regular patrols or new scout patrols. A number of boys are in regular patrols and the "venture patrol", thus they belong to two patrols now. My feeling is that boys should only belong to one patrol. The older boys that wish to be part of a Venture patrol should have their own patrol(s). From other comments here, I see looks like this may take the older boys away from the troop, but I think keeping the Venture patrols active in the troop is a separate issue. Any suggestions? Rusty