Patrol Leader Guide: How to Run a Great Patrol
The patrol is the heart of Scouting. A patrol is a team of six to eight Scouts who camp together, cook together, solve challenges together, and look out for one another in the outdoors.
As Patrol Leader, your job is not to do all the work yourself. Your job is to help everyone work together, learn new skills, stay safe, and have fun.
Building Patrol Spirit
A great patrol has its own identity. When you form a patrol or start a new term as leader, establish these basics:
- Patrol Name: Pick a name you’re proud of (like the Flying Falcons, Timberwolves, or Iron Badgers).
- Patrol Flag: Make a patrol flag to carry at meetings, campouts, and rallies. Put your patrol emblem and member names on it!
- Patrol Yell: Create a short, loud yell to give at roll call or during patrol challenges.
- Patrol Call / Whistle: Pick a fun bird call or whistle pattern to gather your patrol quickly.
- Patrol Corner: Find your regular spot at troop meetings to plan campouts and store your patrol gear box.
Making a Fair Duty Roster
Every great campout needs a clear Duty Roster. When everyone knows their job, meals are on time, dishes get done quickly, and nobody gets stuck doing all the work.
Switch jobs every meal so that everyone takes turns cooking, cleaning, and fetching water.
The 5 Campout Jobs
| Job Title | Main Responsibilities | Safety & Cleanliness Tips | Gear You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Cook (Chef) | Leads meal prep, controls stove heat, seasons food, and serves on time | Wash hands first; check meat temperature with a thermometer | Camp stoves, chef knife, cutting board, spatula |
| Assistant Cook & Fire Master | Sets up stoves or builds cooking fire, chops veggies, boils water | Handles propane safely; watches fire safety circle | Heat gloves, charcoal chimney, matches, tongs |
| Dishwasher 1 (Wash) | Heats wash water, scrapes food scraps into trash, scrubs pots | Uses hot soapy water (Pot 1) to clean off grease | Scrub sponge, wash tub, camp soap, rubber scraper |
| Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize) | Rinses and sanitizes dishes, hangs them to dry in mesh bag | Dips dishes in sanitizer for 60 seconds; lets them air dry | Sanitizer tabs or bleach, dunk bag, tongs |
| Water Master & Quartermaster | Fetches clean water for drinking and washing; disposes gray water | Dumps gray water 200 feet from camp through a strainer | Water jugs, strainer mesh, trash bags |
Head Cook (Chef)
- Main Responsibilities
- Leads meal prep, controls stove heat, seasons food, and serves on time
- Safety & Cleanliness Tips
- Wash hands first; check meat temperature with a thermometer
- Gear You Need
- Camp stoves, chef knife, cutting board, spatula
Assistant Cook & Fire Master
- Main Responsibilities
- Sets up stoves or builds cooking fire, chops veggies, boils water
- Safety & Cleanliness Tips
- Handles propane safely; watches fire safety circle
- Gear You Need
- Heat gloves, charcoal chimney, matches, tongs
Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- Main Responsibilities
- Heats wash water, scrapes food scraps into trash, scrubs pots
- Safety & Cleanliness Tips
- Uses hot soapy water (Pot 1) to clean off grease
- Gear You Need
- Scrub sponge, wash tub, camp soap, rubber scraper
Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- Main Responsibilities
- Rinses and sanitizes dishes, hangs them to dry in mesh bag
- Safety & Cleanliness Tips
- Dips dishes in sanitizer for 60 seconds; lets them air dry
- Gear You Need
- Sanitizer tabs or bleach, dunk bag, tongs
Water Master & Quartermaster
- Main Responsibilities
- Fetches clean water for drinking and washing; disposes gray water
- Safety & Cleanliness Tips
- Dumps gray water 200 feet from camp through a strainer
- Gear You Need
- Water jugs, strainer mesh, trash bags
Duty Roster Campout Schedule
Copy this schedule for your patrol binder before each campout:
| Meal / Time | Head Cook | Assistant Cook & Fire | Dishwasher 1 (Wash) | Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize) | Water & Quartermaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Night Setup | Scout A | Scout B | Scout C | Scout D | Scout E & Scout F |
| Saturday Breakfast | Scout B | Scout C | Scout D | Scout E | Scout F & Scout A |
| Saturday Lunch | Scout C | Scout D | Scout E | Scout F | Scout A & Scout B |
| Saturday Dinner | Scout D | Scout E | Scout F | Scout A | Scout B & Scout C |
| Sunday Breakfast | Scout E | Scout F | Scout A | Scout B | Scout C & Scout D |
| Sunday Camp Breakdown | All: Kitchen Box | All: Tents & Tarps | All: Trash & Sump | All: Site Sweep | Quartermaster: Trailer |
Friday Night Setup
- Head Cook
- Scout A
- Assistant Cook & Fire
- Scout B
- Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- Scout C
- Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- Scout D
- Water & Quartermaster
- Scout E & Scout F
Saturday Breakfast
- Head Cook
- Scout B
- Assistant Cook & Fire
- Scout C
- Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- Scout D
- Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- Scout E
- Water & Quartermaster
- Scout F & Scout A
Saturday Lunch
- Head Cook
- Scout C
- Assistant Cook & Fire
- Scout D
- Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- Scout E
- Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- Scout F
- Water & Quartermaster
- Scout A & Scout B
Saturday Dinner
- Head Cook
- Scout D
- Assistant Cook & Fire
- Scout E
- Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- Scout F
- Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- Scout A
- Water & Quartermaster
- Scout B & Scout C
Sunday Breakfast
- Head Cook
- Scout E
- Assistant Cook & Fire
- Scout F
- Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- Scout A
- Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- Scout B
- Water & Quartermaster
- Scout C & Scout D
Sunday Camp Breakdown
- Head Cook
- All: Kitchen Box
- Assistant Cook & Fire
- All: Tents & Tarps
- Dishwasher 1 (Wash)
- All: Trash & Sump
- Dishwasher 2 (Sanitize)
- All: Site Sweep
- Water & Quartermaster
- Quartermaster: Trailer
How to Plan Campout Meals
Planning meals is an important skill for First Class rank. Good food keeps your patrol energized and in great spirits.
Campout Food Planning Timeline
| When | What You Do | Who Does It |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Weeks Before | Attend Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) to get the campout theme and location | Patrol Leader |
| 2 Weeks Before | Plan the 3-meal menu with your patrol, check allergies, and pick a Grubmaster | Patrol Leader & Patrol |
| 1 Week Before | Collect food money ($12–$18 per Scout) and check stove propane and spices | Grubmaster & Scribe |
| 2 Days Before | Buy groceries, pack dry food in bins, and freeze meats to keep cooler cold | Grubmaster & Parents |
| Campout Weekend | Cook meals, wash dishes with 3 pots, and clean up gear | Entire Patrol |
3 Weeks Before
- What You Do
- Attend Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) to get the campout theme and location
- Who Does It
- Patrol Leader
2 Weeks Before
- What You Do
- Plan the 3-meal menu with your patrol, check allergies, and pick a Grubmaster
- Who Does It
- Patrol Leader & Patrol
1 Week Before
- What You Do
- Collect food money ($12–$18 per Scout) and check stove propane and spices
- Who Does It
- Grubmaster & Scribe
2 Days Before
- What You Do
- Buy groceries, pack dry food in bins, and freeze meats to keep cooler cold
- Who Does It
- Grubmaster & Parents
Campout Weekend
- What You Do
- Cook meals, wash dishes with 3 pots, and clean up gear
- Who Does It
- Entire Patrol
Sample Campout Menu
| Meal | Menu Items | Ingredients | Cooking Gear | Prep Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Breakfast | Breakfast Burritos + Oranges + Hot Cocoa | Eggs, sausage/beans, shredded cheese, salsa, tortillas, oranges, cocoa packets | 2-burner stove, skillet, spatula, pot for cocoa water | 30 mins |
| Saturday Lunch | Turkey & Cheese Wraps + Apples + Trail Mix | Tortillas, deli turkey, cheese slices, mustard/mayo, apples, trail mix packs | No stove needed; cutting board and knife | 15 mins |
| Saturday Dinner | Camp Tacos or Dutch Oven Hash + Peach Cobbler | Ground beef/turkey, onions, taco seasoning, shells, cheese, salsa. Cobbler: canned peaches, cake mix, butter | Dutch oven or skillet, charcoal chimney, tongs | 45 mins |
| Sunday Breakfast | Oatmeal Bar or Bagels with Cream Cheese + Bananas | Oatmeal packets, brown sugar, dried fruit, bagels, cream cheese, bananas | Pot to boil water | 15 mins |
Saturday Breakfast
- Menu Items
- Breakfast Burritos + Oranges + Hot Cocoa
- Ingredients
- Eggs, sausage/beans, shredded cheese, salsa, tortillas, oranges, cocoa packets
- Cooking Gear
- 2-burner stove, skillet, spatula, pot for cocoa water
- Prep Time
- 30 mins
Saturday Lunch
- Menu Items
- Turkey & Cheese Wraps + Apples + Trail Mix
- Ingredients
- Tortillas, deli turkey, cheese slices, mustard/mayo, apples, trail mix packs
- Cooking Gear
- No stove needed; cutting board and knife
- Prep Time
- 15 mins
Saturday Dinner
- Menu Items
- Camp Tacos or Dutch Oven Hash + Peach Cobbler
- Ingredients
- Ground beef/turkey, onions, taco seasoning, shells, cheese, salsa. Cobbler: canned peaches, cake mix, butter
- Cooking Gear
- Dutch oven or skillet, charcoal chimney, tongs
- Prep Time
- 45 mins
Sunday Breakfast
- Menu Items
- Oatmeal Bar or Bagels with Cream Cheese + Bananas
- Ingredients
- Oatmeal packets, brown sugar, dried fruit, bagels, cream cheese, bananas
- Cooking Gear
- Pot to boil water
- Prep Time
- 15 mins
Kitchen Safety & 3-Pot Dishwashing
Keeping food cold and washing dishes properly keeps your whole patrol healthy on the trail:
The 3-Pot Dishwashing System
Wash dishes right after every meal using three pots:
- Scrape Dishes First: Scrape every bit of leftover food into the trash before dishes go into the water.
- Pot 1 (Hot Wash): Warm soapy water. Scrub grease and food off dishes with a sponge.
- Pot 2 (Hot Rinse): Clean hot water. Rinse off all soap bubbles.
- Pot 3 (Sanitize): Hot water with a sanitizer tablet (or 2 drops of bleach per gallon). Soak dishes for 60 seconds.
- Air Dry: Place dishes in a clean mesh bag to dry in the breeze. Never dry with a dirty dish towel.
Running a Patrol Meeting
Use your 30-minute patrol time at weekly troop meetings to get organized:
| Time | What to Do | Who Leads |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 – 0:05 | Check attendance, collect permission slips, inspect uniform | Patrol Scribe |
| 0:05 – 0:15 | Fill out campout duty roster, check menu, verify who needs a tent | Patrol Leader |
| 0:15 – 0:25 | Teach or practice a rank skill (like knots, lashings, or first aid) using EDGE | Assistant PL or Senior Scout |
| 0:25 – 0:30 | Practice patrol yell, work on patrol flag, or prep for the troop game | Patrol Leader |
0:00 – 0:05
- What to Do
- Check attendance, collect permission slips, inspect uniform
- Who Leads
- Patrol Scribe
0:05 – 0:15
- What to Do
- Fill out campout duty roster, check menu, verify who needs a tent
- Who Leads
- Patrol Leader
0:15 – 0:25
- What to Do
- Teach or practice a rank skill (like knots, lashings, or first aid) using EDGE
- Who Leads
- Assistant PL or Senior Scout
0:25 – 0:30
- What to Do
- Practice patrol yell, work on patrol flag, or prep for the troop game
- Who Leads
- Patrol Leader
Setting Up Your Campsite
A clean campsite keeps everyone safe, keeps animals away, and makes packing up easy:
| Campsite Area | Distance | How to Set It Up | Safety Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tents & Sleeping | Upwind from kitchen | Pitch tents in clean rows with doorways facing away from wind | Zero Food Rule: No snacks, candy, gum, or scented items in tents! |
| Patrol Kitchen | 100–200 ft downwind | Set up prep table, camp stoves, 3-pot wash line, and chuck box | Keep food off the ground; wash hands before handling food. |
| Food Storage & Sump | 200 ft away from tents | Bear canisters or hang food 12ft high in trees | Strain gray water before dumping it 200ft away from water sources. |
| Ax Yard | Roped-off area | Chopping block and tool rack | Only one Scout inside at a time; wear boots and eye protection. |
Tents & Sleeping
- Distance
- Upwind from kitchen
- How to Set It Up
- Pitch tents in clean rows with doorways facing away from wind
- Safety Rules
- Zero Food Rule: No snacks, candy, gum, or scented items in tents!
Patrol Kitchen
- Distance
- 100–200 ft downwind
- How to Set It Up
- Set up prep table, camp stoves, 3-pot wash line, and chuck box
- Safety Rules
- Keep food off the ground; wash hands before handling food.
Food Storage & Sump
- Distance
- 200 ft away from tents
- How to Set It Up
- Bear canisters or hang food 12ft high in trees
- Safety Rules
- Strain gray water before dumping it 200ft away from water sources.
Ax Yard
- Distance
- Roped-off area
- How to Set It Up
- Chopping block and tool rack
- Safety Rules
- Only one Scout inside at a time; wear boots and eye protection.
Patrol Leader Checklist
Patrol Leader Campout Checklist
Check these off before your patrol heads out
- Patrol attendance headcount given to Senior Patrol Leader.
- 3-Meal Menu Plan approved by your Scoutmaster or Patrol Advisor.
- Food allergies and dietary needs checked for all patrol members.
- Food money collected and given to the Grubmaster.
- Duty Roster filled out and taped inside your patrol chuck box.
- Patrol chuck box checked: full propane, soap, sponges, sanitizer tabs, matches, utensils.
- Tents, rainflys, and ground cloths checked out from Troop Quartermaster.
- Patrol flag packed for opening formation.
- Patrol first aid kit packed in daypack.
- Post-campout: all patrol gear cleaned, dried, and returned to Quartermaster.