Cub Scout Patrols 

The Scout movement began through the natural formation of small teams of youth. Across all sections, we call these ‘Patrols’. It is recognised that through Patrols, many of Scouting’s learning-by-doing experiences are encountered with peers. Working in Patrols provides opportunities to develop soft skills including leadership, teamwork and communication as well as building a sense of responsibility and belonging. Scouts working in Patrols is an important aspect of the Scout Method, providing a powerful learning environment, leadership opportunities, and the development of teamwork and communication skills.

A Patrol is a small team ideally:

• Consisting of 4-10 Scouts

• A range of ages and genders

• Led by a Patrol Leader (PL).

• Supported by 1 or 2 Assistant Patrol Leaders (APLs). 

We lead key aspects of the planning and reviewing of the activities our Patrol does.

Our activities and games involve youth leading in an appropriate way 

• We take our programming ideas to the Unit Council for inclusion and consideration 
• We review our Patrols activities through the Plan>Do>Review> cycle, and reflect on how we can improve them 
• We sign off on the achievements of the members of our Patrol, with guidance from adults
• We have input into the development of the program and its delivery
• We look after one another in our Patrol 

Our Patrol supports the pursuit of personal accomplishment through the Achievement Pathways

So parents raising Cubs!

🐾 What Are Patrols in Cubs?

One of the most important parts of Scouting is something called the Patrol System — and it’s a big part of what makes Cubs so effective for your child’s development.

👥 So… what is a Patrol?

A Patrol is a small group of Cubs (usually 4–6 children) who:

• Work together during activities
• Support each other
• Learn and grow as a team

Think of it like a mini-team within the larger group.

🤔 Why don’t kids just stay with their friends?

Great question — and this is where the magic actually happens.

In Cubs, Patrols are often mixed on purpose so children:

• Meet new people
• Learn to work with different personalities
• Build broader social skills

💡 Life isn’t always about choosing your team — it’s about learning how to be part of one.

🧠 What are Patrols actually teaching?

While it might look like “just group work,” Patrols are developing:

💬 Communication

Learning how to listen, speak up, and share ideas

🤝 Teamwork

Working together toward a shared goal

🎯 Responsibility

Understanding their role within a group

🌱 Leadership

Every child gets opportunities to lead in small, supported ways

🧭 What does leadership look like in Cubs?

In Patrols, leadership isn’t about being “in charge” — it’s about:

• Encouraging others
• Helping the group stay on track
• Taking initiative

You might hear about a Patrol Leader, but all Cubs are encouraged to have a voice and contribute.

👀 What you might notice as a parent

At times, you might hear things like:

• “I didn’t like my group tonight”
• “They weren’t listening to me”
• “Someone else got to decide”

And while that can feel frustrating — it’s actually where the biggest growth happens.

💡 These moments are where children learn:

• Resilience
• Problem-solving
• How to navigate social situations

🔄 Do Patrols stay the same?

Not always.

Patrols may change over time so children can:

• Experience different group dynamics
• Build new friendships
• Develop new skills

💛 Why Patrols Matter Long-Term

The Patrol System helps your child:

• Build confidence in social situations
• Learn how to work with all kinds of people
• Develop leadership naturally over time
• Feel a sense of belonging within the group

🏕️ The Big Picture

What looks like:
👉 “Just a small group activity”

Is actually:
👉 A structured way of teaching life skills your child will use forever