HOME—BSA Handbooks & Handbook Covers—Patrol Leader Handbook

A Brief Background of the Patrol Leader Handbook (BSA)
(and other BSA Junior Leader Handbooks)

2nd Edition—Patrol Leader's Handbook (1967-1972)

This edition is much thinner, with greatly reduced content from the previous Hillcourt edition.

2nd Edition Summary and Printing History

• title from title page—Patrol Leader's Handbook
• author uncertain
• cover art is color drawing of patrol leader leading his patrol on a hike
• 1967-1972 (5 years)
• 415 000 copies printed
• size 133x203x12 mm (5-1/4x8")
• 4 printings:
  —1st printing (Sep 1967, 200 000 copies)—217 numbered pages
  —2nd printing (Dec 1968, 80 000 copies)—217 numbered pages
  —3rd printing (Nov 1969, 85 000 copies)—217 numbered pages
  —4th printing (Oct 1970, 50 000 copies)—217 numbered pages

Actual 2nd Edition Table of Contents

• 1 Build Patrol Spirit
• 2 Run Patrol Meetings
• 3 Include Games in Your Program
• 4 Take Part in the Patrol Leaders' Council
• 5 Help Your Scouts Advance
• 6 Lead Your Patrol on Hikes
• 7 Cook as a Patrol
• 8 Prepare Your Patrol for Camping
• 9 Attend Summer Camp With Your Patrol
• 10 Try These Patrol Projects
• Index

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Patrol and Troop Leadership Handbook (1972-1980)

There was no handbook specifically for patrol leaders during this period, only this much more general leadership book with limited information on how to run a good patrol.

Patrol and Troop Leadership Summary and Printing History

• title from title page—Patrol and Troop Leadership
• author uncertain
• cover is standard 1972 two-tone green with small cartoon of a patrol sitting in a circle in the upper corner
• 1972-1980 (8 years)
• 420 000 copies printed
• size 133x203x8 mm (5-1/4x8")
• 7 printings:
  —1st printing (Jun 1972, 200 000 copies)—128 numbered pages
  —2nd printing (Oct 1972, 100 000 copies)—128 numbered pages
  —3rd printing (Feb 1975, 35 000 copies)—128 numbered pages
  —4th printing (Feb 1976, 30 000 copies)—128 numbered pages
  —5th printing (Apr 1977, 20 000 copies)—128 numbered pages
  —6th printing (May 1978, 20 000 copies)—128 numbered pages
  —7th printing (Jan 1979, 15 000 copies)—128 numbered pages

Actual Patrol and Troop Leadership Table of Contents

• PART ONE—LEADERSHIP
• Chapter One, WHY LEADERSHIP?
• Chapter Two, THE TASKS OF LEADERSHIP
• Chapter Three, THE SKILLS OF LEADERSHIP
• PART TWO—BEING A LEADER
• Chapter Four, LEADERSHIP IN THE PATROL
• Chapter Five, THE LEADERSHIP OF THE TROOP
• Chapter Six, HOW THE TROOP WORKS
• Chapter Seven, PLANNING MEETINGS OF THE TROOP LEADERS' COUNCIL
• Chapter Eight, THE LEADERSHIP CORPS

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Last Revision to This Page: 27 March 2011
Text copyright © 2006 by Jeff Snowden
Web format © 2006-11 by Troop 97 BSA
Handbook pictures copyright © by Boy Scouts of America