How Your Scout Troop Works
Excerpted from BSA Troop Committee Guidebook
For Successful Troop Operation
Copyright 1998, Boy Scouts of America, ISBN 0-8395-4505-3
THE SCOUTMASTER
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster's job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the trooop.
The Scoutmaster can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years old. The Scoutmaster is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.
The Scoutmaster's duties include:
GENERAL
  • Train and guide boy leaders.
  • Work with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.
  • Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.
MEETINGS
  • Meet regularly with the patrol leaders' council for training and coordination in planning troop activities.
  • Attend all troop meetings or, when necessary, arrange for a qualified adult substitute.
  • Attend troop committee meetings.
  • Conduct periodic parents' session to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation.
  • Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation.
GUIDANCE
  • Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements.
  • Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are propmptly registered. (This is a direct responsibility of the assistant Scoutmaster for new Scouts.)
  • Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations.
ACTIVITIES
  • Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year.
  • Participate in council and district events.
  • Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature.
  • Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and the policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America.
As you see, the Scoutmaster has many responsibilities.
ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTERS
To fulfill obligations to the troop, the Scoutmaster, with the assistance of the troop committee, recruits assistant Scoutmasters to help operate the troop. Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties and reports to the Scoutmaster. They also provide the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America. An assistant Scoutmaster may be 18 years old, but at least one in each troop should be 21 or older, so he or she can serve in the Scoutmaster's absence.
Types of assistant Scoutmasters include:
  • Assistant Scoutmaster - New-Scout patrol
  • Assistant Scoutmaster - Venture patrol
A troop should recruit as many assistant Scoutmasters as possible. It has been found that many successful troops have three or more.
MEMBERSHIP
The flow of new Scouts is an essential element in a healthy Scout troop. Boys joining a troop bring fresh enthusiasm and energy to the entire program. Many troops assign an assistant Scoutmaster to be responsible for troop membership growth such as the Webelos-to-Scout plan, recruiting new Scouts, and troop rallies for new members.
Membership should be a shared concern of all adult leaders, but someone should have the specific responsibility of steady new boy recruitment. If there is no assistant Scoutmaster handling this important duty, a troop committee member should be responsible.
PATROLS
The Scout troop is made up of patrols. A patrol is a grouping of six to eight boys who work together. Each patrol elects its own boy leader, called a patrol leader.
The new-Scout patrol is composed of new members who have not entered the seventh grade.
The experienced-Scout patrol is for those boys who are age 12 or older.
Venture patrols are made up of boys who are age 13 and older who want more challenging high-adventure experiences.
THE PATROL METHOD
Within the larger community of the troop, the patrol is a Scout's family circle. The patrol, often made up of boys of similar ages and experience levels, helps its members develop a sense of pride and identity. The boys themselves elect a patrol leader, assign the jobs to be done, and share in the satisfaction of accepting and fulfilling group responsibilities.
THE TROOP'S YOUTH LEADERS
The troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.
JUNIOR LEADER POSITIONS
  • Senior Patrol Leader - top junior leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed. The senior patrol leader is elected by troop members, usually for a six-month term.
  • Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - fills in for the senior patrol leader in his absence. He also is responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.
  • Troop Historian - collects and maintains troop memorabilia and information on former troop members.
  • Librarian - keeps the troop's books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by troop members.
  • Instructor - teaches one or more advancement skills to troop members.
  • Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - a Scout 16 or older who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned.
  • Patrol Leader - gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the patrol leaders' council.
  • Assistant Patrol Leader - fills in for the patrol leader in his absence.
  • Venture Patrol Leader - leader of a troop's Venture patrol.
  • Troop Guide - adviser and guide to the new-Scout patrol.
  • Den Chief - works with a Cub Scout den as a guide.
  • Quartermaster - responsible for troop supplies and equipment.
  • Scribe - the troop secretary.
THE PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL
The patrol leaders' council, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The patrol leaders' council is composed of the following voting members: senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, troop guide, Venture patrol leader.
At its monthly meetings, the patrol leaders' council organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the weekly troop meetings. The troop committee interacts with the patrol leaders' council through the Scoutmaster.
ANNUAL PROGRAM PLANNING CONFERENCE
The troop's activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. Submit the troop's yearly plan to the troop committee for its suppport. At this time, the troop committee may make alternative suggestions for the patrol leaders' council to consider. To avoid conflicts between troop plans and activities of the chartered organization, clear the program calendar with the chartered organization representative.
Last revised 8/22/02
John D. McCarthy