A Scouts BSA Troop is actually run by its youth leaders. The Scoutmaster and adults on the Troop Committee provide advice and resources to help the youth carry out their program.
Here are some suggested guidelines for explaining the various youth leadership positions. Please note these are only an example. Adjust them to fit your unit’s needs.
- Senior Patrol Leader
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
- Patrol Leader
- Assistant Patrol Leader (does not fulfill leadership requirement for Eagle)
- Troop Guide
- Order of the Arrow Troop Representative
- Den Chief
- Scribe
- Librarian
- Historian
- Quartermaster
- Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
- Chaplain Aide
- Instructor
- Webmaster
- Outdoor Ethics Guide
- Bugler (does not fulfill leadership requirement for Eagle)
National Youth Leadership Training
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an intense week long leadership training class for youth
Review: A Scout Leader’s Guide to Youth Leadership Training
I recently started reading a book called A Scout Leader’s Guide to Youth Leadership Training: Working the Patrol Method. I am really impressed by this book.
Problem – Scouters Too Involved in Meetings
The adults involved are very enthusiastic, which is great, but they tend to talk over the kids and take over the meetings. Some of the adults are keeping the kids form running the meetings successfully.
BSA Methods – Leadership Development
I think that being elected by their peers is meaningful to many of our youth. The role of adults in these units is to train the youth leaders.
Troop Youth Leadership Seminar
We are particularly encouraging all of the new youth leaders to attend, but the seminar will be open to the whole troop. Hopefully some of the members will be inspired to apply for one of the open positions.
Planning with Scouts BSA Youth Leadership
Help your youth leadership plan ahead by giving them a blank meeting plan template to fill in during their PLC meetings. Download a printable copy here.
Den Chief Service Award
The Den Chief Service Award recognizes Scouts and Venturers who serve a Cub Scout den for one year, are trained, and are active members of their Troop or Crew. The award is a red, white, and blue cord, which is worn on the left shoulder under the epaulet. A certificate is also available.
Scouting’s Teaching EDGE (BSA Edge Method)
The latest Scouts BSA requirements for Tenderfoot and Life ranks require the Scout to use the EDGE method. This is a four step method for teaching a skill. It is sometimes called Scouting’s Teaching EDGE.
Troop Webmaster Description and Self Evaluation
Communication is key to a healthy and vibrant troop. The Webmaster is a youth member of the troop who maintains the troop website (with the assistance of an adult if necessary). The description and requirements given are an example. Adjust them as necessary to meet the needs and expectations of your troop.
Troop Guide Description and Self Evaluation
Troop Guide is another important youth leadership position in a Scouts BSA Troop. A troop guide is an older scout who helps new scouts learn the “Boy Scout way” of doing things, which is much different from the “Cub Scout way” of doing things.
Senior Patrol Leader Description and Self Evaluation
If you are new to Scouts BSA, it is important to understand what the different positions do. The Senior Patrol Leader is elected by the scouts to represent them as the top youth leader in the troop.
Patrol Leader Description and Self Evaluation
A Patrol Leader is elected by his patrol. He is essential for implementing the patrol method within the Troop.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Description and Self Evaluation
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader is the second highest-ranking youth leader in the troop. He is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster.
Patrol Activities in a Scouts BSA Troop
One thing we’d like our youth leadership to consider is patrol activities. We have a pretty active troop program, but the patrols never do anything on their own. They could hike or get together to work on a requirement or even go on a campout.
Den Chief Description and Self Evaluation
The Den Chief is a Scout who works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack. They can lead games, participate in discussions, help with Scout skills, and more.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Description and Self Evaluation
The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is a youth member of a Scouts BSA Troop who serves in the capacity of an Assistant Scoutmaster except where legal age and maturity are required. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his demonstrated leadership ability.
Quartermaster Description and Self Evaluation
Camping is an integral part of the Scouts BSA program and most troops have a good amount of camping gear to maintain. The Quartermaster is a youth member of the troop who keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order.
Chaplain Aide Description and Self Evaluation
The Chaplain Aide works with the Troop Chaplain to meet the religious needs of the Scouts in the troop and to promote religious emblems programs.
Scribe Description and Self Evaluation
Almost every organization needs somebody to keep records. A Scouts BSA Troop is no exception. The Scribe is a youth member of the troop who records the minutes of the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) and works with the Troop Committee Secretary and Advancement Chair.
Registering a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
Reader Michael sent in this question: How do I go about registering an Eagle Scout in my troop as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster?
How Can You Have a Youth Led Troop When the Scouts Are All New?
A reader asks about being youth-led when all of the Scouts have no previous experience. “The girls have tried, but without experienced scouts in leadership positions to model how to plan a scouting year, run troop meetings or plan a trip, and troop trainers to instruct new scouts in camping skills, like established troops have, things have come to a stand still. ”
Find helps and ideas for your youth leadership and the adults who support them below:
