We've all heard a lot about how important patrols will be as we embark on our outdoor program this fall. You may have also heard the term "adventure team." What's the difference between patrols and adventure teams and why is it important?
A ‘patrol’ is a general Scouting term for a small team, typically 6 to 8 youth.
We know them as lodges, lairs, patrols, and expedition teams, depending on the section we're facilitating. In our Stage 2 outdoor model, youth must remain in their patrol assignment every week.
An 'adventure team' contains up to 16 youth in their patrol system. For example, an adventure team could be 2 patrols of 8 youth, or 4 patrols of 4 youth.
So an adventure team is a team of patrols of no more than 16 youth in whatever configuration works in your group. This allows a section of 16 Cubs to meet at the same time in two patrols and to operate as one adventure team.
Why do we need to make adventure teams?
Adventure teams allow groups to bring together 16 youth at once while still remaining separated physically. As they are meeting at the same location, this allows section scouters to fill in only one AAF for the adventure team. This also means however that all the patrols in one team are meeting in the same location at the same time and under the same conditions.
Groups may create adventure teams across sections as well, so a lair and a lodge may meet as one adventure team, too. This is useful for groups who have many siblings who are used to attending meetings on the same night at the same location.
What's most important is that all participants continue to practice physical distancing regardless of whether their adventure team is made up of 6 kids or 16 kids.
Key Points:
- A patrol is a group of up to 8 youth; an adventure team is a group of patrols of no more than 16 youth altogether who meet at the same location on the same day and under the same conditions.
- Each adventure team requires a separate AAF for outdoor program.
- Everyone must still comply with physical distancing within and outside of their own patrol while at an outdoor scouting activity.
For more content related to the safe return to outdoor program, please see the learning series uploaded for you on the David Huestis Learning Centre and the
COVID-19 resource page.
