Patrol Scoring

At Troop 23, we believe that patrols are the backbone of scouting, providing opportunities for leadership, teamwork, and growth. Our mixed-age patrol structure, introduced in 2024, fosters collaboration and mentorship among scouts of all ranks. To encourage healthy competition and active participation, we’ve implemented a Patrol Scoring system. This system helps patrols track their performance, providing clear goals and motivating scouts to achieve excellence across various activities. Learn more about the structure and benefits of patrols here.

1. Trips

Troop outings are a cornerstone of the scouting experience. Whether it’s a day hike or a week-long adventure like the canoe trip, these outings provide scouts with invaluable learning opportunities outside the meeting room. In this section, scoring is based not just on attendance, but also on contributions to planning and execution. Scouts who take the initiative in organizing trip logistics or leading activities during outings will be rewarded. Leadership during trips plays a big role here, as it tests scouts' ability to apply what they’ve learned in real-world, sometimes challenging, environments.

Focus: Patrol participation and leadership during troop trips and outings.

Key Metrics:

• Percentage of scouts in the patrol attending each trip.
• Contribution of the patrol to planning and preparation.
• Leadership roles taken by patrol members during the trip.

Our system ensures that every scout contributes to the success of their patrol, whether they are attending the trip or helping with the preparations. Here's how scoring is broken down:

1.1. Leadership Participation (PL & APL)

• Key Focus: Leadership presence throughout the trip.
• Scoring:
  • Patrol Leaders (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leaders (APL) are evaluated separately. Their participation is crucial, and additional points are awarded if they attend the trip from start to finish. Full attendance by the PL and SPL signals strong leadership and engagement, which is vital for maintaining patrol cohesion during trips.
• Bonus: Full trip participation by both PL and APL earns additional bonus points for the patrol, encouraging their active involvement from the trip’s inception to its conclusion.

1.2. Patrol Member Participation

• Key Focus: Overall patrol attendance during the trip.
• Scoring:
  • Rather than scoring scouts individually, the participation of the patrol as a whole is taken into account. The percentage of patrol members who attend the trip determines the base score. Full participation (100%) earns the highest points, with incremental scores awarded based on attendance percentage.
  • Whether the trip is attended partially or in full also plays a role. Scouts who attend the entire trip earn more points for their patrol than those who can only attend partially. Partial attendance is still counted but at a reduced rate.
• Bonus: Patrols that achieve full attendance receive additional bonus points, reinforcing the importance of collective engagement.

1.3. Pre-Trip Preparation

• Key Focus: Timely communication and planning.
• Scoring:
  • Response Time: Timely responses from patrol members confirming or declining participation in the trip are scored. Patrols that promptly provide attendance confirmation earn points based on how early they submit their roster. The earlier the patrol submits their roster, the higher the score.
  • Roster Accuracy: Patrols that provide accurate and complete rosters on time also receive extra points. A well-organized patrol shows preparedness and attention to detail, which are crucial for successful trips.
• Bonus: Providing all necessary details to adult leaders promptly adds further bonus points to the patrol's score.

1.4. Food Shopping & Trip Preparation

• Key Focus: Participation in pre-trip tasks, especially food shopping.
• Scoring:
  • Days Before the Trip: Patrols that organize food shopping well in advance of the trip earn more points. Scoring is based on how many days before the trip the patrol completed their shopping.
  • Participation in Shopping: It’s important that scouts who may not be attending the trip still take part in the preparation, especially in buying food. The percentage of scouts participating in food shopping, regardless of whether they are attending the trip, directly affects the patrol’s score.
  • Planning Involvement: Scouts who help with overall trip planning, such as creating meal plans or gathering necessary gear, are also contributing to the patrol’s preparation score.
• Bonus: Patrols that involve a high percentage of members in the planning and preparation stages, even those who are not attending the trip, will receive additional points for their teamwork and commitment to the patrol.

By scoring trips in these ways, we encourage patrols to work as a team both in preparation and during the actual trip. Leadership participation, collective responsibility, and timely planning are all emphasized, ensuring that every member plays a role in the success of the patrol, regardless of whether they attend the trip or not.

2. General

This section rewards patrols for demonstrating scout spirit and teamwork in all aspects of scouting. Patrols that foster a positive environment, support each other, and work well together will earn points. The patrols that consistently contribute to the success of the troop, both in and out of formal activities, will be recognized for their collective effort.

Focus: Overall contributions of the patrol, including teamwork, behavior, and patrol spirit.

Key Metrics:

• Positive behavior and teamwork demonstrated by the patrol during all scouting activities.
• Display of patrol spirit, such as encouraging participation and working together cohesively.
• Contributions of the patrol to troop-wide goals and activities.

The scoring here encourages patrols to be organized and take pride in their accomplishments while fostering individual growth within the group.

2.1. Patrol Identity & Organization

• Focus: Establishing and solidifying patrol identity elements.
• Key Metrics:
  • Patrol Name
  • Patrol Emblem
  • Patrol Flag
  • Patrol Call
  • Patrol Yell
• Scoring:
  • Patrols earn points based on how quickly they establish their identity after the first troop meeting where patrols are formed. Each of the elements (Name, Emblem, Flag, Call, and Yell) must be decided upon and agreed by the patrol and adult leaders.
  • Timeline: Patrols that finalize all five elements within two weeks of the first meeting receive the maximum points. Points are deducted for each element not agreed upon by the two-week deadline, and no points are awarded for any attribute left undecided after two weeks.
  • Bonus: Patrols that complete all five elements within the first week of formation earn bonus points, reflecting their strong organization and teamwork.

2.2. Achievements: Merit Badges, Special Recognition, & Rank Advancements

• Focus: Patrol-wide achievements in scouting, not individual success.
• Key Metrics:
  • Merit Badges Earned: Patrols are scored based on the percentage of scouts who have earned a merit badge. It’s important to note that we don't count the number of badges earned by each scout; instead, we focus on the proportion of patrol members who have earned at least one badge during the scoring period.
  • Special Recognition: Similarly, patrols are scored based on the percentage of scouts who have received special recognition (e.g., awards for service or leadership). 
• Scoring:
  • Patrols earn points based on the percentage of their members who have achieved one or more merit badges or special recognitions. For example, if 70% of a patrol has earned at least one merit badge, the patrol will be awarded accordingly.
  • Patrols where a high percentage of scouts have earned both merit badges and special recognition will score higher, reflecting the patrol’s overall commitment to advancement and participation in the scouting program.
  • Bonus: Patrols where 100% of members earn merit badges or recognition in a given period will receive bonus points, promoting group-wide participation and success.

2.3. Rank Advancements

• Focus: Percentage of eligible scouts advancing in rank.
• Key Metrics:
  • Patrols are evaluated based on the percentage of scouts who advance in rank. To ensure fairness, only scouts who are eligible for advancement are included in the scoring. For example, scouts who have already reached Life rank are excluded, as Eagle Rank is not counted in the Patrol Scoring system.
  • The score is calculated by determining how many eligible scouts within a patrol successfully advance in rank during the scoring period.
• Scoring:
  • Patrols earn points based on the percentage of eligible scouts who advance in rank. For example, if 80% of eligible scouts in a patrol advance, that patrol will receive a higher score than a patrol with fewer rank advancements.
  • Bonus: Patrols where all eligible scouts advance in rank during the period receive bonus points, further incentivizing a focus on helping all scouts within the patrol achieve rank advancement.

This section emphasizes both the organization and collective achievements of patrols, encouraging patrols to develop a clear identity and support their members in achieving personal growth through merit badges, special recognition, and rank advancements. Patrols are rewarded for their ability to work as a team, and for ensuring that all scouts contribute to and benefit from the scouting experience.

3. Troop Meetings

Troop meetings are essential for the overall development of the troop, and patrols that consistently attend and engage in meetings help maintain troop spirit and cohesion. Scoring is based on the proportion of patrol members who attend meetings regularly, as well as their active involvement. Patrols whose members take on leadership roles, such as organizing opening or closing ceremonies or leading activities, will earn additional points.

Focus: Patrol attendance, participation, and leadership at regular troop meetings.

Key Metrics:

• Percentage of scouts from the patrol attending each meeting.
• Active participation of the patrol during meetings (e.g., taking part in discussions, games, or presentations).
• Leadership roles taken by patrol members in organizing and leading parts of the meeting.

We place special emphasis on PL and APL attendance, as they are crucial to maintaining patrol organization during these meetings. The patrol’s overall participation and involvement in meeting tasks also play a key role in their scoring.

3.1. Leadership Attendance (PL & APL)

• Focus: Attendance and punctuality of PL and APL.
• Scoring:
  • Just as with trips, PL and APL are scored individually for troop meetings. They are expected to set the example by arriving on time. Extra points are awarded if both leaders are present from the start.
  • Punctuality Scoring:
    • On Time: Full points awarded for timely arrival.
    • Late: Partial points for arriving after the meeting starts.
    • Not Attended: Zero points for missing the meeting entirely.
  • Bonus: Full participation from both PL and APL throughout the meeting garners bonus points, reinforcing the importance of leadership presence in the patrol’s success.

3.2. Patrol Member Attendance

• Focus: Individual patrol member attendance and punctuality.
• Scoring:
  • Attendance of patrol members is scored based on punctuality, similar to PL and APL. Each patrol member’s attendance contributes to the overall patrol score, categorized as:
    • On Time: Full points awarded for arriving before or at the start of the meeting.
    • Late: Partial points awarded for arriving late.
    • Not Attended: No points for absence.
  • Bonus: Patrols where all members arrive on time receive additional points, incentivizing punctuality and active participation.

3.3. Meeting Responsibilities (Collective Scoring)

• Focus: Patrol-wide contribution to meeting tasks.
• Key Metrics:
  • Flag Assistance: Points are awarded to patrols that provide scouts to help bring the flag from storage at the beginning of the meeting and return it afterward. Participation in these tasks is essential for demonstrating patrol involvement in troop traditions.
  • Clean-Up Assistance: Patrols that contribute scouts to assist in cleaning up the meeting space after the troop meeting concludes receive points. This metric ensures that patrols contribute to maintaining order and cleanliness.
  • Scoring: For each task (flag assistance and clean-up), points are awarded on a binary basis:
    • Participant Present: Points awarded if at least one scout from the patrol helped with the task.
    • No Participant: No points if the patrol did not contribute any members to assist with the task.

3.4. Full Class A Attendance

• Focus: Uniform adherence.
• Scoring:
  • Patrols earn points based on the percentage of members who attend the meeting in Full Class A uniform. Full uniform adherence shows respect for the scouting program and its values, and patrols are encouraged to ensure all members are properly dressed.
  • Bonus: Patrols where all members are in Full Class A receive additional points, promoting uniform consistency across the troop.

3.5. Meeting Games and Competitions

• Focus: Patrol success in troop games.
• Scoring:
  • If a patrol wins the game or competition held during the troop meeting, that patrol earns additional points. Games are an important aspect of troop meetings, promoting teamwork, physical activity, and skill development.
  • Bonus: Patrols with frequent game winners receive bonus points, encouraging active participation in troop competitions.

3.6. Timely Submission of Meeting Data

• Focus: Submission of meeting data by PLs.
• Scoring:
  • Patrol Leaders are responsible for submitting attendance and patrol-related data after each meeting. Points are awarded based on how promptly this information is provided to adult leaders.
  • Bonus: Extra points are given for early submissions, reinforcing the importance of timely communication and leadership accountability.

This section highlights how well patrols perform in troop meetings, focusing on punctuality, contribution to meeting tasks, and teamwork during games. By emphasizing leadership roles and collective patrol effort, the scoring system encourages scouts to engage fully and take responsibility for their patrol’s success during every meeting.

4. Service

Service is at the heart of scouting, and patrols that actively participate in community service projects reflect a strong commitment to giving back. This section rewards patrols based on the number of members participating in service projects and the total hours contributed. Patrols that take the initiative to organize or lead service activities will earn extra points, encouraging leadership and responsibility in service to others.

Focus: Patrol participation in community service projects.

Key Metrics:

• Percentage of patrol members participating in service projects.
• Total hours contributed by patrol members to service initiatives.
• Leadership roles taken by patrol members in organizing or leading service projects.

In this section, participation is measured in hours. Patrols earn points based on how many hours their members contribute, with special emphasis on Patrol Leaders (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leaders (APL). Just as with other areas, patrols are rewarded for full participation, and additional points are granted for timely reporting by the PL.

4.1. Leadership Participation (PL & APL)

• Focus: PL and APL involvement in service projects.
• Scoring:
  • PL and APL participation is crucial and scored separately from other patrol members. These leaders are expected to take initiative in service projects, setting an example for their patrol.
  • Points are awarded based on hours contributed, with bonus points for full participation (e.g., attending the entire service event).
  • Participation Scoring:
    • Full Participation: Maximum points for leaders who are present for the entire duration of the service event.
    • Partial Participation: Reduced points for leaders who participate only partially.
    • No Participation: Zero points if the PL or APL does not attend.
  • Bonus: If both the PL and APL attend the full service event, the patrol receives bonus points for strong leadership presence.

4.2. Patrol Member Participation

• Focus: Overall patrol involvement in service projects.
• Scoring:
  • Patrols are scored based on the collective hours of participation from all members. Unlike the PL and APL, regular patrol members are not scored individually but as a group.
  • Points are calculated based on the percentage of patrol members who participate in the service project and the total hours contributed.
  • Participation Scoring:
    • Full Participation: Patrols where all members attend the full service event receive maximum points.
    • Partial Participation: Patrols where only a portion of members attend, or where some participate for less than the full duration, receive reduced points based on the percentage of participation.
    • No Participation: Patrols with no participants receive zero points.
  • Bonus: If 100% of the patrol attends the full service event, the patrol earns bonus points for demonstrating strong commitment to service.

4.3. Timely Reporting by PL

• Focus: Prompt submission of service participation data by PLs.
• Scoring:
  • PLs are responsible for submitting detailed reports on patrol participation after each service project. This includes listing who attended, how long they participated, and any additional relevant details.
  • Points are awarded based on how quickly this report is submitted to the adult leaders after the service event.
  • Bonus: Early submission of the report, especially within the first 24 hours, results in additional points for the patrol, reinforcing the importance of timely communication and responsibility.

This section encourages patrols to actively participate in service projects and rewards those with strong leadership, full participation, and timely reporting. By tracking hours and placing special focus on PL and APL involvement, patrols are incentivized to contribute meaningfully to their community while developing their organizational skills.

5. Patrol Meetings

Patrol meetings are a great way for patrols to work independently on projects, plan upcoming events, and build stronger bonds. This section focuses on how often patrols meet and how effectively they use these meetings to make progress on their goals. Patrols that regularly schedule meetings and demonstrate strong teamwork and leadership within their patrol will score higher.

Focus: Independent patrol activities and meetings.

Key Metrics:

• Frequency of patrol meetings held outside regular troop meetings.
• Engagement of patrol members in these meetings.
• Progress and accomplishments made by the patrol during these meetings.

We focus on whether the patrol held a meeting, as that alone is an accomplishment, and award points based on participation. The meetings are categorized into two types—in person and online, with higher points awarded for in-person meetings. Timely reporting by the PL is also a key factor in scoring.

5.1. Conducting a Patrol Meeting

• Focus: Whether the patrol held a meeting.
• Scoring:
  • Patrols earn points for simply holding a meeting, regardless of how many members attend (can't be less than 2). This promotes consistency and encourages patrols to meet regularly.
  • Meeting Types:
    • In-Person Meeting: Higher points awarded for in-person meetings, as they require more coordination and effort from the patrol members.
    • Online Meeting: Reduced points for online meetings, though they still count towards participation.
  • Bonus: Patrols that consistently hold meetings, especially in-person ones, receive additional points for maintaining regular communication and organization.

5.2. Patrol Member Participation

• Focus: The percentage of patrol members who attend the meeting.
• Scoring:
  • Patrols are scored based on the percentage of members who attend the meeting, ensuring fairness across patrols of different sizes.
  • Participation Scoring:
    • 100% Attendance: Patrols where all members attend receive maximum points, demonstrating strong internal communication and commitment.
    • Partial Attendance: Patrols with partial attendance receive points based on the percentage of members who participated in the meeting.
    • No Meeting or No Attendance: Zero points if no meeting is held or if no members attend.
  • Bonus: Patrols that achieve full attendance at their meetings, especially for in-person meetings, receive additional bonus points.

5.3. Timely Reporting by PL

• Focus: Submission of patrol meeting reports.
• Scoring:
  • PLs are responsible for reporting on the meeting to adult leaders, including details such as attendance and what was accomplished.
  • Points are awarded based on how quickly the PL submits this report after the meeting.
  • Bonus: Reports submitted within 24 hours earn extra points, encouraging PLs to take responsibility for prompt and accurate reporting.

This section emphasizes the importance of regularly conducting patrol meetings, regardless of format, while rewarding those patrols that show strong participation and effective leadership through timely reporting. Patrols are incentivized to hold frequent meetings and involve all members, with additional points for those who prioritize in-person interactions.

Conclusion

While the specific weightings for each metric and category are still being finalized, rest assured that they will soon be set in stone. From that point on, every patrol will have the chance to earn points and distinguish themselves as the top-performing group.

Your patrol has the opportunity to take the lead and set the standard for future scouts. The scores you earn today will become the benchmarks that future patrols strive to beat. Imagine your patrol standing tall on the leaderboard, with new scouts looking up to the example you've set, determined to surpass your achievements.

Now is the time to take charge, work together, and show everyone what your patrol is capable of. The challenge has begun—will your patrol rise to the occasion and make its mark in the history of Troop 23?