BS-103 - How a Boy-led Troop Works
How a Boy-led Troop Works (BS-103)
Time
50 minutes
Objectives
The purpose of this session is to:
Learn the basics of how a boy-led troop works
Learn the roles and responsibilities of youth leaders
Understand the role of Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Committee members, and
parents.
Reference
• Boy Scout Handbook
• NYLT Syllabus
• Troop Leadership Training
• www.1bsa.org
Handouts
• Notional Troop Organizational Chart
Materials
• Projector, Computer, PowerPoint
• Whiteboard or Flip Chart and Markers
Delivery Method
• Guided discussion
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BS-103 - How a Boy-led Troop Works
Introduction
The troop requires many talents in order to put on a successful program for the scouts. There are
talents both within and outside the troop. This session will help you identify what talents are
required, where to find them, and how to recruit the talent you need.
What is the role of the Youth leadership and Adult leadership in the Troop?
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Start off with asking the following questions:
o Who decides what activities your unit is going to do this month?
o What is the role of the youth in planning and running a Scout Unit?
o What is the role of the adult leadership?
Allow time for brainstorming – write down answers
From BSA.ORG: “Boy Scouts is a boy-led, boy-run organization, but the boys must be
trained to be leaders. One of the Scoutmaster's most important responsibilities is to
provide the direction, coaching, and training that empowers the boy with the skills he
will need to lead his troop.”
“Scouting's value to young people is clear, but the advantages of Scouting are not limited
to boys. Adults also develop leadership and physical skills with every training
experience”
What all this says is that Scouting is a “Game with a Purpose” (quote from BP). That
purpose is to teach boys how to become leaders with character. In Boy Scouts, we teach
and promote the EDGETM method [great opportunity to ask if anyone does not know what
EDGE is – Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable]. We use that to show scouts how to
set up tents, cook a meal, or start a campfire. It is also what we SHOULD do to train them to
be leaders. We explain Leadership – We demonstrate Leadership – We guide them to use
their Leadership skills – and we enable them to Lead.
So what is “Boy Led” (or Youth Led in the case of Venturing?)
• So in this context, what is a Boy Led unit?
• First, what it is not
o It is not an abdication of adult supervision.
o It is not allowing youth to self govern without coordination
o It is not making scouting a social organization or teen “hang out” (remember the word
purpose)
• A boy led unit has structure (show org chart)
o Each position has a responsibility and authority
§ Briefly cover these from the ILT charts
o Each youth position has an Adult corollary/mentor
§ Not always a good idea for it to be the scout’s parent (my opinion is that it is a
bad idea to have the mentor be the scout’s parent)
§ Discuss adult positions and roles
• A boy led unit has process
o Describe how the unit functions, the use of the PLC, Patrol Meetings, etc.
But…..(Excuses)
• Why are some units not “Boy Led”?
• Generally it is because the adults don’t trust the youth to do it “RIGHT” – whatever that
means.
• Common excuses (from Scoutmaster.org):
o The boys are:
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BS-103 - How a Boy-led Troop Works
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§ too young
§ too lazy
§ too irresponsible
§ just not interested
o A boy-led troop is more work for the adult leadership
o It is so much easier for the adults to just take charge
o [Brainstorm other answers]
Now ask, what is the Vision of Boy Scouts?
o “The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to
become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout
Oath and Law.”
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What does that say about Boy-Led Troops?
The Scoutmaster’s Handbook says:
o “Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing,
and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. The boys themselves
develop a troop program, then take responsibility for figuring out how they will
achieve the goals. One of our most important challenges is to train boy leaders to
run the troop by providing direction, coaching and support. The boys will make
mistakes now and then and will rely upon the adult leaders to guide them. But
only through real hands-on experience as leaders can boys learn to lead.”
What are some signs of a Boy-Led Troop?
• Mistakes happen (that mean’s learning is occurring)
• Sometimes there is controlled chaos (controlled being the key word – boy-led is not an
abdication of adult leadership, but it is supporting the youth leaders and helping them work
things out)
• Uniforms are not pristine
• Mistakes happen (yes, I repeated that on purpose)
• There will be some unhappy adults (every troop has “control freaks” who want to jump in and
solve problems. It is the job of the SM and Committee Chair to make them stand back and
let learning occur.)
What are the results?
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Boys learn critical planning skills
Boys learn to lead in a safe environment.
Boys learn from mistakes
Boys learn to lead others and work in teams.
Boys learn respect when treated with respect
Warning signs that adults are taking over
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Adults (not youth) set the time to wake up or lights out, adults or scouts
Adults (not youth) pick the places to set up the tents, tarps and eating area
Adults are deciding program activities
Adults take over loading the Troop trailer (to make sure it is done right)
Adults lead the PLC
Get the idea??
Want to learn more?
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BS-103 - How a Boy-led Troop Works
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Trained youth are a key ingredient
o Conduct an Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) training course
(bsa.org or your local Scout Shop have resources – also use your District Training
Chair if you need help)
o Send youth to NYLT (have dates and contact info)
o Use mentors (trained adults using the EDGE method)
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They have to be supported by Trained Adults
o New Leader’s Training
o UoS Courses
o Wood Badge (have info on upcoming course)
Closing
After today’s session you should be able to:
• Understand how a Boy-Led Troop fits into the BSA Vision
• Understand the roles of the Adult and Youth Leadership
• Identify the signs of a Boy-Led vice an Adult-Led Troop
THANK YOU
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