There are many approaches to preparing an annual program plan for a troop. This agenda
is offered as one method that has worked well over the last few years. Our troop runs this
meeting on the first (or second) Saturday in January and plans a program for the full
calendar year. Other troops follow the National BSA guidelines and run their planning
meeting in the fall.
Patrol Leader Council Meeting
Review
- What activities went very well?
- What Scouting Skills does the troop excel at?
- Which activities had shortcomings? What improvements are needed?
- Do any Scouting Skills need special attention in the coming year?
- How well are the meetings run? Is it a "Scout led" troop? What improvements
are needed?
- Are any training needs identified?
- Report from the Advancement Chairman: Is the troop lacking certain rank related
activities? Are there any specific Eagle required merit badges that a number of Scouts
lack?
- From a list of activities done over the last three years, which should be repeated?
- Any new ideas?
Goals
- What specific goals does the troop want to accomplish in the following year?
For example: improve open fire cooking skills. Or travel lighter with less use of bulky
troop equipment.
- Does the PLC want to name a theme for the program year?
Such as :backpacking, cycling, or canoeing. Such themes are used to prepare for the troop
high adventure trip the following year.
Troop Calendar - events with known dates
- Summer camp (June)
- Winter camp (December, between Christmas and New Year's)
- District Merit Badge Camp (February)
- Council or District Camporee
- Fall Festival of Scouting (or Scout-o-rama)
- Scout Sunday
- Pinetree (Council Junior Leader Training)
- Destination Unknown - planned by an ASM with other troops
- Order of the Arrow annual calendar
- Christmas parade (or Home Tour service project)
Troop Calendar - new activities for this year
- Outdoor program for the months without an activity already planned
- Other Troop Service Projects
- Court of Honors (after summer camp; after winter/merit badge camps; third in the fall)
- Troop elections (every five to six months)
- What merit badges does the PLC want to focus on at the meetings this year? (older Scout
program)
Troop Calendar - future years
- High Adventure activity for next year - what preparation must be done now?
- High Adventure activity for the year after next - what are the possibilities?
- Lunch for Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters
- Any problem areas that need to be discussed among the uniformed adult leaders?
- What are the troop's equipment needs?
- Review of proposed outdoor program and acceptance of responsibility as Tour Leader for
all events. (Reduces the work that the Scoutmaster has to do later in carrying out the
troop program.)
- Review and approve the proposed Troop Calendar
- Annual District meeting and dinner
- Review the funds needed for the proposed equipment needs
- Annual troop fund-raisers (garage sale, popcorn, wreaths, other?)
- Tour de Claremore service project?
- Troop dinners in conjunction with the Court of Honors.
- Adult leader training, including Roundtable and University of Scouting
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by anyone associated with the Scouting movement worldwide. Good Scouting
to all.
Last modified: September 23, 2008
8:00 - 11:00 Patrol
Leader Council Meeting