Scout Leadership

Leading the way…

What does that mean?

Think about being a Cub Scout. You came to den meetings and did a lot

of different and fun things. But who decided to do and who planned the activities? The Den Leaders, right?

Sports teams are a lot of fun too. But who decides who plays what position, who’s on the starting lineup and when to substitute? The coach, right?

There is one thing that makes Boy Scouts different from all other youth groups. Do you know what it is?

Well it is not the uniform. Every soccer, basketball, and baseball team has a uniform.

It is not the fun activities. There are a lot of other things that are fun.

It certainly isn't cleaning dirty pots and pans on a camp-out!!

What makes Boy Scouts special is that YOU the Scout make the decisions!

That’s right! YOU run the troop. Baden Powell made it very plain in Aids to Scoutmastership when he wrote.

“The best progress is made in those Troops where power

and responsibility are really put into the hands of the Patrol Leaders.”

This is real decision making power and it’s not just Patrol Leaders. All of the troop leadership positions have a hand in making the Troop run. As a troop leader, you will:

  • Plan and run Troop outings.

  • Pick troop outings, where to camp, what to do.

  • Plan advancement opportunities for all troop members,

  • Select High-Adventure programs,

  • Determine troop policy,

  • Help other Scouts along the trail to Eagle.

The following are excerpts from the Junior Leadership training course (JLT). As a leader or future leader of the troop you will be expected to show that you can be an effective leader of the troop. the following will help you be a better leader. You can download the JLT course agenda from the December training class Here

Troop Organization & Chain of Command

Effective Patrol/Troop Leadership:

  • Arrives early or on time at Scout meetings prepared to lead his patrol.

  • Encourages patrol members to attend and participate in Patrol Corners.

  • Emphasizes working as a patrol. No one is finished until everyone is finished.

  • Knows how to delegate work to others so he can continue to lead.

  • At Patrol Corners:

    • Assigns others to leave patrol meetings to ask questions of the SPL or adult leaders, make phone calls or perform some other task that would take the patrol leaders time form the duties of leading the patrol.

  • On camp-outs:

    • makes sure everyone shares in the work

    • uses all patrol members so everyone can learn.

    • Teams older Scouts with newer ones so the younger Scouts can learn from an experienced member.

Planning

  • Plans ahead for each Scout meeting

  • Comes to meetings and camp-outs with a watch, pencil and paper. Writes down announcements made by SPL and Scoutmaster at each meeting.

  • Maintains and checks troop calendar for upcoming events.

  • Attends monthly patrol leaders council meetings.

Time Management

  • During patrol corners

    • Makes sure to accomplish the tasks on his list.

    • Has others preform tasks that would take his time from leading.

  • On camp-outs:

    • makes sure all jobs are completed earlier rather than later.

    • Gets all tents set up quickly in case it should start raining.

    • Get meals cooked early so patrol has time to cook them right.

    • Get dishes washed right after the meal so they are dry and put away before “fall in”.

    • When tearing down camp, gets big items (tents, stoves and chuck boxes) back to trailer as fast as possible so they can be loaded.

Competition

  • Knows how to win Honor Patrol;

    • knows what activities produce points toward Honor Patrol and encourages patrol members to try to win it.

Resources

  • Know what help is available to him and how to get it.

    • Patrol notebook

      • Patrol Leader Handbook (from Scout office).

      • Senior Patrol Leader.

      • Patrol Adviser.

      • Staff Adviser.

      • Scoutmaster.

Sound cool? It really is! The adults are there only to provide support but YOU will be making the decisions!

Because being a leader is more than just sewing on a patch, we have put together job descriptions for the troop leadership positions. They will give you a good idea of what each job is all about and what you will be required to do.

Here’s how to be considered for a position.

First Click on the links above for the leadership position(s) your are interested in and read the job descriptions, qualifications, and requirements to receive credit if you are interested in this for advancement. Then decide what you want to do and talk it over with your parents. You can also talk it over with other Scouts who have served in that position. Finally, Download the troop job application form below, fill it out, have your parents read and sign it and turn it in to the Scoutmaster.

The Scoutmaster will review the applications and decide if the Scouts will fit the appropriate positions they are applying for. The Scoutmaster will choose from the applicants the Scouts who are eligible to run for SPL. The SPL will then choose his staff from the applications previously submitted to the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster will then set up Patrols and the Scouts in each Patrol will then elect their Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.