Who’s in Charge?

Boy Scouts is a boy led organization; adults are present to guide, offer advice, and ensure activities are safe.

The Scouting program uses The Patrol Method, which means the Troop members will ELECT their own leaders; individual Patrol Leaders and a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who takes on “ownership” and holds the actual leadership position within the Troop. The SPL appoints an assistant (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader – ASPL) and various other positions such as Scribe, Quartermaster, Historian, Librarian, etc.

Adult leaders work with the SPL and ASPL to make program decisions, plan agendas, and lead meetings.

Patrol Leaders are responsible for the well being and actions of their individual patrol and represent their patrol in the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).

At the PLC meeting (chaired by the SPL), Patrol Leaders plan details regarding future trips and troop meetings. Adult leaders keep them on track with suggestions and advice, but the decisions are ultimately left up to the boys.

Boy leadership makes sure the Troop is doing the things the boys themselves want to do, as well as developing the leadership, communication, problem resolution, and organizational skills that underscore why Scouts excel in all other areas of their lives.