With the Patrol Competition in full swing, we thought we should share some tips on writing on a logbook. 

Why keep a logbook

A log book is a great way to record your activities. Using this record you can review not only the activity, but also how the patrol worked and how you worked towards your Crean Award. In a log, you can look at personal challenges and report on the progress and issues.

A Logbook is a simple account of activities which can be told using words, images, drawings, clippings or anything else you can think of! It should be creative and imaginative, with as few words as possible, but lots of ideas and stories told in different ways. Logs can take different forms, including: hand written logbook, photo/video logbook or an online log book (secure blog) Your patrol should keep simple regular logs, it helps keep track of things and also makes it easier. Remember: Logs should be fun, creative and tell the story of your patrol.

What should be included in a logbook

Every your Patrol does should go into your logbook. For the competition, we ask Patrols to include entries for at least three reports from Weekly Meetings. We also look at general appearance

Weekly Meetings

• Attendance Record
• Patrol Corner Time – what you discussed, actions to be taken
• Activity Report – what you did, how did it turn out, diagram/illustration
• Parts of Crean Award being worked towards  

Activities

An activity log will vary depending on the type and duration of activity. A camp log might include a campsite layout diagram and a menu while a hike log would contain a route card and sketch map

• Main details – dates, location, weather
• Attendance Record
• Overview of the Programme  
• Simple and illustrated accounts of the activity  
• Weather Report
• Diagrams/illustrations – campsite layout, hike route, pioneering design
• Parts of Crean Award being worked towards
• Daily Menu
• Daily Budget (Receipts)  
• Gear List – personal & patrol equipment  
• Other interesting facts or pieces of information
• Review – what went well, what could you do better next time

Other Elements

As well as the above here are some other things you can include in your logbooks:

• Badgework reviews
• Patrol Bios – introduce your patrol
• Reports from meetings such as the PLC, County Forum, Group Council etc
• Patrol Equipment inventory
• Patrol Activity Wishlists

Tips for a good logbook

So now we’ve covered what goes in a logbook, here are some tips

• Keep it interesting – this isn’t a school essay. Make it fun. 
• Watch the handwriting – messy handwriting makes it harder to judge 
• A picture tells a thousand words – drawings and pictures help bring a logbook to life
• Have a plan for keeping it up to date – the scribe is responsible for ensuring its up to date. They don’t have to do all the writing tho.
• Make the logbook something you’ll want to read again when you’re older

Ask your Scouters for more advice on how you can improve your logbook