Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an organization for boys between the ages of 7 and 18, and for both young men and women between the ages of 14 and 21, based in the United States of America, with some presence in other countries. BSA is part of the global Scouting movement and national member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. More than 110 million boys have passed through the organization.

Unit organization

The fundamental unit of organization within Boy Scouts of America is the small (6 to 10) boy-led group called the patrol. Several patrols are grouped into a larger unit known as a Troop. In Cub Scouting the small group is a den and is part of a Pack. In Venturing the basic unit is a crew. Actual operation varies from unit to unit, but the ideal is for the bulk of the decisions to be made by the boys at the patrol level.

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The following describes how a Boy Scout Troop is organized. Other scouting units (Packs, Crews, Ships) are organized differently.

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There are several adults which oversee a Boy Scout troop, the head of these being the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is the central adult responsible for the safety and continuity of the troop. Several trained and uniformed Assistant Scoutmasters assist him in troop operations. The Troop Committee, generally composed of any of the Scouts' parents who wish to participate, deals with troop business matters. The Committee often creates subcommittees and selects officers. In Venturing units, the head adult is called and Advisor, and is assisted by trained Associate Advisors. In Sea Scouts, the leader is known as the Skipper and the associate leaders, Mates.

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Troops are associated with Chartered Organizations, which often provide a meeting space and other assistance. The Chartered Organization Representative is the liaison handling the relations between a troop's Committee and its chartered organization.

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Troops are divided into patrols of several boys, commonly between six and eight. Each patrol elects a Patrol Leader (PL), who may then appoint an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). The highest position of responsibility within the troop is that of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), elected by the troop at large, followed by his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). ASPLs may be elected by the troop or appointed by the SPL with the advice of the Scoutmaster. Larger troops may have multiple ASPLs serving simultaneously.

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The SPL, ASPL, and Patrol Leaders make up the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC), the governing body of the troop. The SPL is the leader of the troop and the PLC. This group is responsible for organizing meetings, events, and outings. Some troops will include other positions (such as Scribe) on the Patrol Leader's Council. For any particular patrol, the Assistant Patrol Leader fills in when the Patrol Leader is absent.

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Non-leadership positions of responsibility include:

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• One or more Quartermasters to keep track of troop-owned camping gear and other equipment
• Older Scouts may be assigned to patrols as Troop Guides, to instruct the younger boys
• A Historian to keep troop records
• A Librarian to keep the troop's library of merit badge handbooks and other official literature
• A Scribe, whose responsibilities may include taking attendance at meetings, collecting dues, keeping notes at patrol leaders' council meetings, and helping to write a troop newsletter
• A Bugler to play the troop bugle at flag ceremonies and other appropriate occasions
• One or two Chaplain's Aides to conduct Scout's Own nondenominational religious services whenever Scouts are at a Scout activity on a Sunday
• An older Scout may work with a local Cub Scout Pack as a Den Chief
• A guide is an experienced Scout with expertise in one or more skills and works with Scouts who have less experience in these skills.
• Scouts may volunteer as Junior Assistant Scoutmasters to help the adult leaders with their various tasks.
• An Order of the Arrow Troop Representative to serve as a liaison between troop members and the local OA lodge.

Troops are grouped into districts covering a small geographical area. Districts are likewise organized into councils. There are over three hundred councils, organized into Regions, subsidiary to the National Council.

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