Patrols
The Scout troop is made up of patrols. A patrol is a grouping of six to eight boys who work together. Each patrol elects its own boy leader, called a patrol leader.
The new Scout patrol is composed of new members who have not entered the seventh grade.
The experienced Scout patrol is for those boys who are age 12 and older.
Venture patrols are made up of boys who are age 13 and older who want more challenging high-adventure experiences.
Varsity teams are made up of boys who are age 13 and older who want team sport activities.
Both Varsity and Venture Scouting activities may include the participation of girls, but the young women may not register as crew or team members. When girls participate in Venture and Varsity activities, a woman 21 years of age or older must be present along with the adult male leader.
The Troop's Youth Leaders
The troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.
Junior Leader Positions
- Senior patrol leader - top junior leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
- Assistant senior patrol leader - fills in for senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.
- Troop Historian - collects and maintains troop memorabilia and information on former troop members.
- Librarian - keeps troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by troop members.
- Instructor - teaches one or more advancement skills to troop members.
- Chaplain Aide - assists in troop religious services and promotes religious emblems program.
- Junior assistant Scoutmaster - a Scout 16 or older who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned.
- Patrol leader - gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the patrol leaders' council.
- Assistant patrol leader - fills in for the patrol leader in his absence.
- Venture crew chief - leader of a troop's Venture crew.
- Varsity team captain - leader of a troop's Varsity team.
- Troop guide - advisor and guide to the new Scout patrol.
- Den chief - works with a Cub Scout den as a guide.
- Quartermaster - responsible for troop supplies and equipment.
- Scribe - the troop secretary.
The Patrol Leaders' Council
The patrol leaders' council, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The patrol leaders' council is composed of the following voting members: senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, troop guide, Venture crew chief, Varsity team captain.
The troop's activities are selected and planned at the annual program planning conference. The troop's yearly plan is then submitted to the troop committee for approval. The troop committee either approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the patrol leaders' council to consider. At its monthly meetings, the patrol leaders' council organizes and assigns activity responsibilities for the weekly troop meetings. The troop committee interacts with the patrol leaders' council through the Scoutmaster.