J-Dawg, you warm this old Scout's heart. My son recently crossed over and I was shocked to see his troop segregated by age. The NSP fumbles along with little peer leadership and worse, no role models within their patrol - all the experience is in the other patrols. A troop guide may be a great mentor, but no replacement for a First Class Patrol Leader who knows his stuff and can get HIS patrol where they need to be on time and prepared to perform the training / task / event. I can still remember being 11 years old and wanting to BE that patrol leader. I'm not sure what my son will remember of his first year in Scouting, but I'm concerned that this NSP will not light the fire that it did for me and my peers. Congrats to your troop for your success with the "traditional" patrol method.
