Youth Leadership Positions

Learning Through Practice

As mentioned on the youth-led page of our website, one of the primary goals of the BSA is to teach leadership skills to our Scouts. Being able to work with people and lead people towards a common goal is a skill they will use throughout their life.

There are a lot of things we do to help teach leadership skills to the Scouts. However, the best way to learn is through hands-on experience.

Scouts BSA is youth-led. The only way for that to work is for the youth to actually have leadership positions. This gives them a chance to practice what they have learned. As expected, most find out that it’s harder that it seems. However, for those that truly apply themselves, it’s a great opportunity to learn.

Position Elections and Appointments

Under normal circumstances, our youth leaders change around every 6 months. This gives the Scouts time to experience the responsibilities of their positions, while also giving them the opportunity to try different positions.

There are 2 primary ways in which a Scout can hold a leadership position…

First, for certain positions, the troop holds elections where the Scouts vote to determine who will hold each position. This gives the Scouts a direct say in who will be responsible for leading the group.

Secondly, the elected youth leaders appoint many of the other youth leadership positions in the troop. This is often one of their first roles as leaders. Many of these positions are optional, but we try to fill them whenever it seems appropriate.

Of course, the adult leaders have the final say on all youth leadership position appointments. If there are any concerns, the adult leaders will discuss those concerns with the youth. However, in most situations, the adult leaders are simply there to remind the youth about the responsibilities of each position.

Youth Leadership Positions

The BSA’s Troop Leader Website has detailed information about the various youth leadership positions. Be sure to check it out for more information. Below is a summary of some of the key positions and what they entail.

NOTE: This is not a complete list of the available youth leadership positions.

Senior Patrol Leader

As the highest youth leadership position in the troop, the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) serves as the link between the Scouts and the adult leaders. The SPL leads the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) and is the primary Scout responsible for all meetings, events, and activities.

During elections, the Scouts vote to determine which Scout will hold this position for the next 6-month term.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

Serving as a backup to the SPL, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) works closely with the SPL and helps to guide the other youth leaders. The SPL appoints the ASPL, with guidance from the Scoutmaster.

Patrol Leader

Our troop includes multiple patrols that, to a certain extent, each function as their own group. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader (PL). This Scout is elected by the youth in the patrol and is the patrol’s key leader. This PL also represents the patrol at the PLC meetings.

Assistant Patrol Leader

The PL for each patrol may appoint an Assistant Patrol Leader. The primary role of this position is to assist with the PL’s duties if the PL is absent.

Troop Guide

The Troop Guide serves as a mentor to the new-Scout patrol. The Scouts work with this temporary patrol to help introduce the new Scouts to the troop and to help the Scouts progress towards their 1st Class Rank.

This position is appointed by the SPL, with guidance from the Scoutmaster.

Quartermaster

The Quartermaster serves as the troop’s supply boss. This Scout is responsible for ensuring that the troop’s gear is accounted for and in good working condition.

The SPL appoints a Scout to this position, with guidance from the Scoutmaster. Each PL may also appoint a Patrol Quartermaster that works with the Quartermaster to support their patrol.

Scribe

As the troop’s secretary, the Scribe keeps records of the discussions and decisions made during PLC meetings. The official duties also include collecting dues and taking attendance, however, in our troop the Scribe does not usually handle these responsibilities. (We do not collect dues, and an adult leader usually tracks attendance.)

This position is appointed by the SPL, with guidance from the Scoutmaster.

Den Chief

The Den Chief position is slightly different from the youth leader positions because it is a position that does not directly handle troop needs. That said, it does indirectly benefit the troop, and therefore is an important role.

A Den Chief is a Scout that assists a Cub Scout Pack. Typically a Den Chief assists a specific den. Den Chiefs must complete Den Chief training, and are appointed by the SPL and the Scoutmaster. Before helping a den, the Den Chief must also be approved by the Pack’s Cubmaster and pack committee.

The Den Chief does not take the place of the Den Leader or the Assistant Den Leader. However, the Den Chief is there to help those adult leaders with den activities and needs. Cub Scouts often look up to older Scouts, and are eager to learn from them. Therefore, the Den Chief is a great resource for teaching the Cub Scouts and preparing them for when they are ready to cross over to Scouts BSA.

As a side-effect, the Den Chief also helps to form a relationship between the pack and the troop. This not only helps to promote the BSA’s program, but it also helps with the recruiting efforts of the troop.

Chaplain Aide

The Chaplain Aide assists the troop chaplain (an adult leader) in serving the religious needs of the troop. The SPL appoints this position, with guidance from the Scoutmaster.

Historian

The primary responsibility of the Historian is to gather and store memorabilia for the troop.

This position is appointed by the SPL, with guidance from the Scoutmaster. In our troop, this position is not always filled. When vacant, the adult leaders typically assist in making sure items of importance are stored accordingly. That said, it is always best for the Scouts to take an active role in the troop’s activities, so any Scouts interested in helping in this position should speak to their SPL.

Librarian

The Troop Librarian oversees the care and use of troop books, pamphlets, etc. This position is similar to the historian, in that the Scout is responsible for ensuring that items are stored and organized properly. However, while the historian focuses on memorabilia items that the troop wishes to keep, the historian focuses on items that the Scouts actively use throughout the year.

As with other positions, this position is appointed by the SPL, with guidance from the Scoutmaster.

Webmaster

This position is responsible for maintaining the troop’s website. Historically, these needs have been filled by one of the adult leaders in our troop. That said, as with other positions, we feel that it is always best for the youth to take on roles such as this. Therefore, if any Scouts are interested in helping with the webmaster duties, they should speak to their SPL, since this is yet another position appointed by the SPL.