There are times that having all the scouts around the same age in a patrol are beneficial. It can be when new scouts join and need to have others around them that are on the same level until they are comfortable to join a Mixed Age Patrol. Older scouts, who want to challenge themselves more, may find it beneficial to be in a Patrol with other scouts on their same level so not to exclude those who are not as advanced. Same age Patrols may adjust as the Troops membership fluctuates overtime; in some cases, the number of Scouts may require Mixed Age Scout Patrols.
New-Scout patrols
As the name implies, a new-Scout patrol is one with Scouts who have just joined the troop. The patrol elects its own leader, just like other patrols, but usually for a shorter term—perhaps one month instead of six months. Depending on the number of Scouts we have in the Troop, an older Scout called a troop guide may be assigned to work with the Scouts to help them get acclimated to Scouting and to reach the rank of First Class. Backing up the troop guide is an assistant Scoutmaster whose main responsibility is to work with new Scouts.
Scouts typically remain in a new-Scout patrol for their first year in the troop or until they reach First Class rank (whichever comes first). At that point, members can either choose which regular patrol they want to join or opt to stay together as a regular patrol. In some cases, Scouts may join a patrol together and stay together throughout their time in the troop.
Regular patrols
Scouts in a regular or traditional patrol have similar interests and abilities. They enjoy spending time together and may well be friends outside of Scouting. Ideally, they have chosen to be in the same patrol. The only time a Scout should be assigned to a patrol is when he first joins the troop. Traditional patrols typically serve Scouts who have reached First Class rank or completed the seventh grade. However, a new Scout should join a traditional patrol if there are not enough newcomers to form a new-Scout patrol or if he was invited to join the troop by an older buddy. Many troops assign an assistant Scoutmaster—called a patrol advisor—to each patrol. The patrol advisor advises and supports the patrol leader but does not take over his responsibilities in any way.
Older-Scout patrols
Older-Scout patrols serve those older Scouts who want to pursue more challenging activities while in the troop. These Scouts often have more experience, so their patrol activities offer them new challenges while keeping them involved in troop leadership. An Assistant Scoutmaster is assigned to the older-Scout patrol to help the members turn their outing ideas into action. The Assistant Scoutmaster ensures that patrol activities complement, rather than conflict with, troop activities and may also guide the members along the trail to Eagle Scout rank.
