Star Patrol

The Star Award Recognition Programme is a Patrol management and self-assessment tool that is also used to recognise Patrols who are meeting the Aims of SCOUTS South Africa. The Scout methods used, in particular the Patrol System, are the tools that differentiate Scouting from any other youth organization.

The Star Awards also serve as an essential tool for Troop Scouters, District Commissioners (DCs) and Support Team Members (STMs) to identify areas where support is needed in the various disciplines of the Patrol.

"The Patrol System is not one method in which Scouting can be carried out. It is the only method." -- Robert Baden-Powell

Successful teams are based on several essential group member behaviours. One of the keys to a group's success is its size. A Scout Troop is made up of Patrols, each consisting of six to eight Scouts, including the Patrol Leader (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leader (APL).

The Patrol is the unit in all Troop activities.

In Scouting, we learned much from the founder of Scouting, Robert Baden-Powell, who wrote:

"The formation of the *boys into Patrols of from six to eight and training them as separate units each under its own responsible leader is the key to a good Troop."

"The Patrol System leads each boy to see that he has some individual responsibility for the good of his Patrol."

*Please take the reference to ‘boys’ in this quote in the context when this was written by Baden Powell – prior to girls being members of the Scout Movement; nowadays the word ‘boys’ refers to girls as well.

The object of the Patrol System is mainly to give real responsibility to as many of the Scouts as possible with a view to developing their character. If the Troop Scouter gives the Patrol Leader real power, expects a great deal from him or her, and leaves them a free hand in carrying out their work, the TS will have done more for that Scout's character expansion than any amount of school-training could ever do.

The Star Patrol Award is one of the requirements for the Patrol Leadership badge; so in addition to assisting the Patrol Leader in assessing the standards of his or her Patrol, it is also an opportunity to earn the interest badge

Award levels

Participation Award: 1-4 disciplines achieved
Bronze Award: 5-8 disciplines achieved
Silver Award: 9-12 disciplines achieved
Gold Award: 13-15 disciplines achieved

The Star Patrol assessment expects Patrols to achieve at least a Silver Award, signifying a solid performance in meeting basic standards. Bronze indicates room for improvement, while the Gold Award signifies exceeding expectations, reflecting a comprehensive commitment to Scouting principles, outdoor exploration, and active participation in the broader Scouting community. We encourage all Patrols to GO for Gold!!

Requirements

Please refer to the Star Patrol and Star Troop Award guidelines for the latest requirements and guidelines for completing the Star Troop Award assessment form.

Number of Scouts: Total number of Scouts in the Patrol (6+)
Patrol Responsibilities: Every Patrol member has a specific role and responsibility. (Yes/No)
Attendance: Average % attendance at Patrol and Troop meetings & activities for the period – attendance register kept up to date in Patrol Logbook. (65%+)
Patrol in Council: The Patrol has held at least four Patrol in Council meetings this year - recorded in Patrol Logbook: (4+)
Patrol Corners: The Patrol has a clearly defined area for a Patrol Corner / Den at the Troop meeting place. (Yes/No)
Patrol Leader Advancement: The PL has First Class (or higher), OR has the Discoverer AND has at least three First Class theme badges. (Yes/No)
Patrol Leader Training: PL has completed a Leadership Training Course (LDC, PLTC, PLTU) OR completed the Leadership requirements in the Personal Development Theme in their current advancement level. (Yes/No)
Assistant Patrol Leader Advancement: The APL has the Discoverer OR has the Traveller and has at least 3 Discoverer theme badges. (Yes/No)
Assistant Patrol Leader Training: APL has completed a Leadership Training Course (LDC, PLTC, PLTU) OR completed the Leadership requirements in the Personal Development Theme in their current advancement level. (Yes/No)
Patrol Members 3 & 4 Advancement: Patrol Members 3 & 4 both have the Traveller (or higher) OR have both earned three Traveller theme badges. (Yes/No)
Patrol Activities: Number of Patrol activities held during this year (not Hikes or camps or during a Troop meeting) - recorded in Patrol Logbook: (2+)
Patrol Hikes: Number of Patrol day hikes (minimum 2 hours) or overnight hikes - recorded in Patrol Logbook. (1+)
Patrol Camping: Number of Patrol camp, at least overnight (or longer) this year - recorded in Patrol Logbook: (1+)
Patrol Community Service: Scout-hours involved in a Community Service Project - recorded in Patrol Logbook: (25+)
National Challenge: Percentage of Scouts that have participated in the annual National Challenge. (50%+)

Award levels

Requirements

See also