Our Troop follows the guidelines BSA established and therefore it is a Scout led and Adult guided troop. The Scouting program using The Patrol Method means the Troop members 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 scout (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - ASPL) and various other leadership positions, all of whom serve at the Scoutmaster's discretion.

While serving as Senior Leaders, the SPL and ASPL cease to be members of their respective patrols and function as peers with the adult leadership. The SPL and ASP execute Program decisions, lead the meetings, plan agendas, pick camping destinations, and LEAD BY EXAMPLE when executing the agenda that the boys themselves created and agreed to follow.

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

At the PLC meeting (chaired by the SPL and monitored by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster), Patrol Leaders plan future trips and troop meetings.  Through a model of Representative Government, THEY choose the trips and activities THEY want to do, and appoint other scouts to serve as skill instructors, or lead games & other activities.  Adult leadership keeps them on track with suggestions and advice, but the decisions are ultimately left to THE YOUTH.

 

Once the future meetings/camping trips are planned, the SPL and Scoutmaster present the PLC's plans to the Troop Committee for review. The agenda is checked for issues such as necessary fund raising, unique equipment/skills, camp ground reservations, and is given an over-all inspection to confirm that trips are aligned with the purpose of the Scouting Program.   If the plans are approved, the SPL goes forward with leading the weekly meetings or delegating others who will lead all/part of the meeting.  The model is "boys leading boys" unless the skill instruction needed is currently beyond the skill set of the Scouts or relates to merit badge requirements, then adults will render assistance.

 

ADULTS are a RESOURCE for guidance and ensuring that things are done the "BSA way" for safety, youth development and general direction setting.

 

"Boy Leadership" really means the Troop is doing the things the BOYS want to do, and in doing so, they will develop the leadership, communication, problem resolution, and organizational skills that underscore why Scouts excel in all other areas of their lives.

 We enforce a VERY STRICT policy for bullying or unruly behavior including hazing.   By any and all measure, Scouting is (and should be) considered a "safe zone" where boys can come and GROW in a positive and supportive environment.  If an event takes place, adult leaders will intervene and investigate the specific facts and affect a resolution immediately.

Upon joining Scouts, boys are placed into a smaller unit called a Patrol - we currently have 2 patrols in our Troop.   Per BSA guidelines, a patrol is "a group of boys (no more than 10) of similiar age, interests, and abilities."

 

BY DESIGN, your son will be among boys "like him" for most of his Scouting events.  However, he will BENEFIT from the guidance and leadership examples of the older/larger boys who serve as Senior Leaders, Troop Guides, and skill instructors.  Even in mixed-patrol competitions, we have only observed caring and supportive interactions between older and younger scouts... and we DO watch (just in case).

 

Scouting is a PRIVATE organization.   Should any member's behavior (adult or youth) become intolerable, it is well within our right to "un-invite" him from being a Scout in this Troop.

 

 "Hazing" or similar types of degrading practical jokes are simply not tolerated.  

 

While there is some truth to "boys will be boys" and there is some level of FRIENDLY "joshing around" that boys naturally do, the troop is VERY tuned into the fact that these types of jokes/behavior can easily go from goodhearted fun to being "insulting" or "degrading" in nature. 

 

Practical jokes and ANY type of physical contact among the boys or their personal property are TIGHTLY regulated and STRONGLY discouraged.  Guys can kid around with each other without the need to resort to hurting their feelings.   We look for this type of behavior and act accordingly when we become aware that instances have happened.

 

"Boys will be boys" is NOT justification for bad behavior.