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Assistant Patrol Leader Description and Self Evaluation

The Assistant Patrol Leader is a youth member of a Boy Scout troop who is appointed by the Patrol Leader and leads the patrol in his absence. The position of Assistant Patrol Leader does not qualify for the leadership requirements for advancement. (See the leadership positions listed in the Star, Life, and Eagle requirements in the Boy Scout handbook.)

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.

Webmaster Description and Self Evaluation

The Webmaster posts information about troop outings, service projects, and other events to the troop and/or chartered organization website.

Leave No Trace Trainer Description and Self Evaluation

The Leave No Trace Trainer is a youth member of the troop who ensures that Leave No Trace principles are followed on all troop outings and activities.

Attendance Expectations for Boy Scouts

You might notice that the troop leadership position descriptions which our troop uses have attendance expectations on them Some people have asked me how we enforce these. Well, we do not. These are not demands or requirements in our troop. Instead we use them to indicate to the youth what sort of time requirements are typical for the position.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster Description and Self Evaluation

The Junior Assistant Scoutmaster is a youth member of a Boy Scout 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.

Troop Running a Pack Meeting

Tonight, our Boy Scout Troop is running the Pack meeting for our Cub Scouts. They are going to divide into dens and each den will have several Boy Scouts doing skill instruction with them. They are working on things like knots and outdoor skills which relate to the advancement for each den. While they are doing that, the Scoutmaster (my husband), is going to talk to the Pack parents about the Boy Scout program.

Librarian Description and Self Evaluation

Most Boy Scout troops keep a library of merit badge pamphlets and other resources. The Librarian is a youth member of the troop who takes care of this troop literature.

Den Chief Pledge

We have a new Tiger Cub den in our Cub Scout pack which does not have a Den Chief yet. So for his Scoutmaster Minute, my husband read the Den Chief Pledge and asked any of the Scouts who are interested in learning more about being a Den Chief to see him.

Troop Historian Description and Self Evaluation

The Troop Historian records troop activities. This job is perfect for a Scout who likes to take pictures and write journal entries.

Crew Activity – Teen Area at Homecoming

Our parish Fall Festival is coming up in a couple of weeks. Our Crew asked if they could do some sort of service project at the event, and it was decided that they would provide some sort of gathering spot for the teenagers. So they are going to have a pavilion type tent which is for teenagers – no little kids allowed.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | First Aid Resources

No matter what the situation, you should “Be Prepared” for first aid. Even at den meetings I keep a very small personal first aid kit on hand for dealing with scrapes and small cuts which can occur during games.

Bugler Description and Self Evaluation

The Bugler plays the bugle at troop ceremonies. Bugler is one of those positions that many troops don’t fill. There was a troop next to us at the last camporee with a Bugler, and there is something really nice about hearing Taps played at lights out.

Book Review Part 5: Developing Teen Leadership

This final section of the book looks at how parents and teachers can apply the advice presented earlier in the book in their own unique roles to teens. It includes some caveats. For example, a teacher might be limited in how much control he can really allow teens to have in a classroom. It also includes some encouragement for parents and teachers, such as a reminder that parents are always a teens greatest role model.

Patrol Planner for Campouts

The hope is that after a few months, this will provide some consistency so that our youth leaders will do more planning and delegating without as much adult intervention. I think if we provide them with some help and training and they try it, they will see that the patrol method really does provide a way for everyone to share in the duties and makes planning campouts easier.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | Communications

Scouting activities are group activities. It doesn’t do much good if the supervisor knows all the rules, regulations procedures but can’t communicate those to the participants. And what good is that plan you spent so much time on if you didn’t share it with others?

Book Review Part 4: Developing Teen Leadership

I was recently asked to review a book on teen leadership. The book is called Developing Teen Leadership: A Practical Guide for Youth Group Advisors, Teachers and Parents. Today I am reviewing part 4 of the book – Topics.

Scribe Description and Self Evaluation

Almost every organization needs somebody to keep records. A Boy Scout 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.

Sweet 16 of BSA Safety | Planning

The tenth point of the Sweet Sixteen of BSA Safety is Planning. When you are organizing an activity, what sort of contingencies have you planned for?

Book Review Part 3: Developing Teen Leadership