Boy Scouts Of America

May 31, 2017
9 min read

Hello, I am currently a Junior attending Gray's Creek High School and I am trying to reach out to every student. No matter how old you are, you can become involved with Boy Scouts of America. Becoming involved will have a huge positive influence on your life. This is due to the sole fact that Boy Scouts of America is like a family who supports each other in every way! And our family is always looking to include new members.

If you are young and reading this, you may be thinking "Boy Scouts is a weird place where all the weird people go". Well I can tell you the exact opposite. Many of my scouting friends and myself are successful High School Student-Athletes. All of us regularly attend many different extracurricular activities. This is not weird, we all share a common goal which is to improve the community and the people who live in it. Boy Scouts has a lot to offer you. When you join you will rise through the ranks of scouting learning basic skills and leadership skills necessary for life. You will also be given the option to serve in a leadership position within the troop. This is an election process so you have to be determine in order to obtain the position. Here is a list of all the leadership positions that could possibly fit you:

Senior Patrol Leader The senior patrol leader (SPL) is elected by the Scouts to represent them as the top youth leader in the troop. He runs all troop meetings, events, activities, the annual program planning conference, and the patrol leaders' council meeting. He appoints other troop youth leaders with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) is the second highest-ranking youth leader in the troop. He is appointed by the senior patrol leader with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The assistant senior patrol leader acts as the senior patrol leader in the absence of the senior patrol leader or when called upon. He also provides leadership to other youth leaders in the troop. Patrol Leader The patrol leader is the elected leader of his patrol. He represents his patrol on the patrol leaders’ council and appoints the assistant patrol leader. Troop Guide The troop guide works with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class in their first year. He teaches basic Scout skills and works with the patrol leader at patrol leaders’ council meetings. Serving as Guide can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life. Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle in Boy Scouts and Venturing. The position doesn't exist within a Varsity team.

Assistant Patrol Leader The assistant patrol leader is appointed by the patrol leader and leads the patrol in his absence. He represents his patrol at patrol leaders’ council meetings when the patrol leader cannot attend. The assistant patrol leader position does not count towards leadership requirements for Star, Life, or Eagle. Quartermaster The quartermaster keeps track of troop equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He keeps records on patrol and troop equipment, makes sure equipment is in good working condition, and issues equipment and makes sure it is returned in good condition. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Quartermaster can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life. Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle in all areas. Scribe The scribe keeps the troop records. He records the activities of the patrol leaders’ council and keeps a record of dues, advancement, and Scout attendance at troop meetings. (Appointed by the SPL) Historian The historian preserves troop photographs, news stories, trophies, flags, scrapbooks, awards, and other memorabilia. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Historian can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop, but in a Varsity Scout Team or a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life. Effective January 1, 2016, if using the new requirements for a rank, this is a valid position of responsibility for Eagle in all areas. The librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor lists. (Appointed by the SPL) Instructor The instructor teaches Scouting skills. Chaplain Aide The chaplain aide works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in the troop. He also works to promote the religious emblems program. (Appointed by the SPL) Den Chief The den chief works with the Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and den leaders in the Cub Scout pack. Helps Cub Scouts advance through Cub Scout ranks and encourages Cub Scouts to join a Boy Scout troop upon graduation. Serving as Den Chief can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Eagle in a Boy Scout Troop or a Varsity Scout Team, but in a Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship it only counts for Star and Life. Junior Assistant Scoutmaster The junior assistant Scoutmaster (JASM) 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 leadership ability. Order of the Arrow Representative The Order of the Arrow Representative is a youth liaison serving between the local Order of the Arrow (OA) lodge or chapter and his troop. In his unit, he helps meet the needs of the unit and will serve as a communication and programmatic link to and from Arrowmen, adult leaders and Scouts who are not presently members of the Order. (Appointed by the SPL) Bugler The Bugler should be able to make appropriate bugle calls, as requested, at troop activities. (Appointed by the SPL) Serving as Bugler can apply towards Positions of Responsibility requirements for Star and Life but not Eagle.

No matter where you end up, if you were in scouts you will be more prepared than those who weren't. Aside from skills, you will regularly attend campouts. This is the best part of scouting because you and your friends get o go out into the wilderness and explore and have fun. My troop, Troop 787, goes on campouts every month and they range from hiking to snow skiing. Scouts is just a way to relax and have fun.

As your scouting journey continues and you rise through the ranks, you will eventually stumble upon the ranks of Star and Life. This is where scouting reaches its hardest point. Here you will be tested on your leadership skills as you are required to plan, lead, and execute a service project for each rank. These are mean to prepare you for your Eagle Scout Service Project. Eagle Scout is the highest rank of scouting. Less than 3% of scouts obtain this rank because of its difficulty. You must earn so many merit badges, plan your Service Project, and serve in a leadership position in the troop. Here are a list of the requirements:

Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your daily life. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.

Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following: (a) First Aid , (b) Citizenship in the Community , (c) Citizenship in the Nation , (d) Citizenship in the World , (e) Communication , (f) Cooking , (g) Personal Fitness , (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving , (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability , (j) Personal Management , (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling , (l) Camping , and (m) Family Life .**

While a Life Scout, serve actively in your unit for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility. List only those positions served after your Life board of review date. ***

Boy Scout troop. Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, Venture patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or Leave No Trace trainer.

While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement. (To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide to Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.15.)

Take part in a unit leader conference.

Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.† In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service. (This requirement may be met after age 18; see below.)

In conclusion all of these requirements are very difficult but int he end it pays off. Eagle Scouts are help to the highest honor wherever they go. Whether it be in applying for college or for a future job interview. Simply put, you have a greater chance of getting into that college or getting the job if you are an Eagle Scout.

As I stated earlier, scouting is for everyone, even adults. If you are looking to give back to the community, this is the perfect way. You will have to take courses on how to becoming an effective scout leader but after that, you will be helping to train younger scouts and helping them to develop into young adult is what you would do. You can pass your knowledge onto a younger scout. You can do this by becoming a part of the troop committee. he committee is made of of adults who help run the troop. These positions include:

Troop Treasurer

The unit treasurer is appointed by the committee chairman to handle unit funds, pay bills, maintain accounts, coordinate the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, and supervise fundraising.

Troop Advancement Chair

The unit advancement chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure that the unit has at least monthly boards of review, quarterly courts of honor, and that the unit has goals of helping each Scout advance a rank each year and for new Scouts to reach First Class rank during their first year. The advancement coordinator is also responsible for record keeping and submitting advancement reports.

Troop Equipment Coordinator

The unit equipment coordinator is appointed by the committee chairman to work with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible inventory, storage, and maintenance of unit equipment.

Troop Outdoor/Activities Chair

The unit outdoor/activities chair is appointed by the committee chairman to secure tour permits and permission to use camping site, serve as transportation coordinator, ensure a monthly outdoor program.

Troop Committee Chairman

The unit committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The unit committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders.

Troop Secretary

The unit secretary is appointed by the committee chairman to keep minutes and records, send notices, and handle publicity.

Troop Membership Chair

The unit membership chair is appointed by the committee chairman to help ensure a smooth transition of new Scouts into the unit and orientation for new parents.

Troop Training Chair

The unit training chair is appointed by the committee chairman to ensure training opportunities are available, maintain training records and materials, and is responsible for BSA Youth Protection training.

Scoutmaster

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.

Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

An Assistant Scoutmaster is one of the adult leaders age 18 or over who assist the Scoutmaster in delivering the troop program.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of leadership roles within a troop committee. Every troops needs every one of these positions filled in order to make the troop run smoothly. I hope this article has inspired the few who read it and I cant't wait to see you in the scouting community!!!

-Andrew Esterly