Scouts' patrol leaders conference (1917)

Post date: May 13, 2014 3:2:32 PM

Extract from Kent Messenger of 17th March 1917

BOY SCOUTS.

A PATROL LEADERS CONFERENCE.

A very successful Patrol Leaders’ Conference, the first of its kind to take place in Kent was held on Saturday in All Saints’ Schools, Maid­stone. About 25 Patrol Leaders, from various Troops in the Central Kent District, took part, and there was also a large attendance of Scout­ masters and Scouts. The District Scoutmaster, Mr. F. White, of the Granville Troop, presided, and the chair was occupied by Patrol Leader Rogers of the Wateringbury Troop, who carried out his duties in an extremely efficient manner.

Papers were read by Patrol Leader Shepherd, of the 1st Wateringbury Troop, and Patrol Leader Paffard, of the Grammar School Troop, on “ The Patrol System,” emphasising the fact that in these days, when so many Troops are without their Scoutmasters (who are away on military service), it has been left to the Patrol Leaders to “carry on,” and this they were able to do most efficiently where the patrol system had been given its proper place in the Troop curriculum.

Two papers on “How to Deal with the Slacker” were read by Patrol Leader Hughes, of the St. Luke’s Troop, and Patrol Leader Holliday, of the All Saints' Troop. It was pointed out that there were two kinds of ‘Slackers’ — the listless and indolent, and the energetic and rowdy—and both types had to be reformed, as there was no place for the “Slacker” in the Scout movement.

The last two papers, on “Patrol Leaders and the Training of their Patrols,” were read by the Chairman and Patrol Leader Arbett[?], of the St. Luke’s Troop, respectively. It was shown that to train their Patrols efficiently, Leaders should aim at thoroughly understanding the characters of the individual boys composing their Patrols, carefully noting their good and bad points, and adapting their methods of training accordingly. Plenty of variety, and an element of romance, were essential. In the

discussion after each subject the Scoutmasters present, were invited to take part.

Tea for Patrol Leaders and Scoutmasters had been provided at Mr. Herbert’s Tea Rooms in Bank Street, and the proceedings closed with a Scouts’ “sing-song” and social evening at the Schools. The arrange­ments for the conference throughout were in the hands of a Committee of Patrol Leaders.