Youth Leadership

YOUTH LED; Two words that are quite scary for some.  Coming from the Cub Scout world, where everything is led by adults, this is a big change.  Many times you might look at a meeting and think "Oh my goodness, this is chaos."  Yes, it might be at times.  Amidst this chaos though, are Scouts that are learning how to work together, to lead, and to mentor others.  The skills our youth learn, throughout their challenges and triumphs as part of the leadership team, will take them throughout the rest of their lives.  Our job as parents and leaders is to give the Scouts a road map and let them run with it.  All of our meetings, campouts, and events are planned by the youth.  They choose the location and activities, all the way down to the food they will be eating.  As adults, our job is to make the reservations and travel arrangements and oversee these activities.  We help the Scouts by giving them the tools to create their own route on the map.

Leadership Positions:

There are many leadership roles Scouts can hold within a troop and we encourage them to hold these positions not only for those that count towards rank advancement but to help their leadership skills grow.  Our troop is led by a group of Scouts that are both elected and appointed by the Scoutmaster.  Our troop holds nominations for new leadership positions twice a year in the Fall and Spring.  This allows the Scouts time to learn the skills required for each position and grow them.  Are they perfect right out of the gate?  Not at all.  That's the beauty of the program.  Scouts learn these invaluable skills as they go throughout their term.

SPL (Senior Patrol Leader) --

This position is elected by the troop. This person will run all troop meetings, events, activities and PLC meetings. To be eligible, a scout must be at least 7th grade and have earned their 1st Class Rank. 

ASPL (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader) --

This position is also elected by the troop.  This person will assist the SPL with running the meetings and will replace them with leading events when the SPL is not available.  To be eligible,  a scout must be at least 7th grade and have earned their 1st Class Rank. 

PL (Patrol Leader) -- 

This position is elected by the members of their patrol.  The patrol leaders helps scouts in their patrol be successful on campouts and troop events.  They plan patrol meetings and activities, and create the duty rosters for camp outs.  There are no rank or grade requirements for this position. 


ASL (Assistant Patrol Leader) --  

This position is elected by the members of their patrol. This person will assist  the Patrol Leader with each event or activity and will fill in when the Patrol Leader is not available.  There are no rank or grade requirements for this position.   This position does not count for rank.


TG (troop guide) -- 

This position is appointed by the scoutmaster.  This person will help the newer scouts learn how the troop operates and helps them with the basic Scout Skills.  To be eligible, you must be a least star rank and 8th grade. 

QM (Quartermaster) -- 

This is another position elected by the troop.  As a Quartermaster, you will keep records of the troop equipment, make sure it is organized and in working order for each event. 

AQM (Assistant Quartermaster) -- 

This position is elected by the troop.  The Scout will assist the quartermaster in readying the troop trailer and or materials closet for each event.  This position does not count for rank advancements. 

Scribe -- 

This position is elected by the troop. The scribe is the troop’s secretary.  They attend all of the patrol leader meetings and records all information discussed.  They will then relay this information to the adult leadership team. 

Den Chief -- 

This position is scoutmaster appointed.  A Den Chief will help local Cub Scout groups with activities when needed.  To be eligible, a Scout must be at least first class and 7th grade 

Chaplain’s Aide -- 

This position is elected by the troop. This person will assist with giving opening and closing prayers and mealtime blessings as well as promote awareness of the Religious Emblems programs.  

Historian -- 

The Historian is elected by the troop.  They will gather photographs, awards, flags, trophies, etc and record information pertaining to troop activities to be used to track the history of the troop.

Instructor -- 

The scoutmaster appoints a Scout to this position when they are proficient in a skill and are able to teach that skill to others. 

LIB (Librarian) -- 

This position is scoutmaster appointed. The Scout is responsible for maintaining the troop’s website along with the adult leaders. 

Webmaster -- 

This position is scoutmaster appointed. The Scout is responsible for maintaining the troop’s website along with the adult leaders. 

Bugler -- 

The Bugler is elected by the troop.  They are responsible to play the Bugle (or similar instrument) to mak key moments during troop events.  These might include notifying when to rise in the morning, when meals or meetings are to begin or when it is time to go to bed.  This position does not count for rank. 

OA Representative -- 

The OA Representative is scoutmaster appointed. They serve as the communication link between the troop and the local Order of the Arrow lodge. 

OEG (Outdoor Ethics Guide) - 

This position is in charge of helping the troop plan and conduct activities that promote the Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! Principles. 

JASM (Junior Assistant Scoutmaster) -- 

This position is scoutmaster appointed.  To be eligible, the Scout must be at least 16 and have earned their life rank. This person has shown outstanding leadership skills and will help the Scoutmaster with their duties. 

Here is a great link to the BSA website where you will find an organizational chart and a little bit more information about each position.