Scoutmaster

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Scoutmaster

The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains boy leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.

Contents 1 Responsibilities 2 Equivalents 3 Qualifications 4 References

“ “The more responsibility the Scoutmaster gives his patrol leaders, the more they will respond.” “The most important object in Boy Scout training is to educate, not instruct.” ”

— Robert Baden-Powell

“ I had stipulated that the position of Scoutmaster was to be neither that of a schoolmaster nor of a commander Officer, but rather that of an elder brother among his boys, not detached or above them individually, able to inspire their efforts and to suggest new diversions when his finger on their pulse told him the attraction of any present craze was wearing off. ”

— Robert Baden-Powell, Lessons from the Varsity of Life, 1933

Responsibilities

• Trains and guides boy leaders.
• Works with other responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys.
• Uses the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.
• Can be male or female, but must be at least 21 years of age.
• Is appointed by the head of the chartered organization.

Equivalents

The Scoutmaster is the key youth-facing adult leader in the unit. Other key unit adult leaders are:

• Scoutmaster - Boy Scouting
• Team Coach - Varsity Scouting
• Crew Advisor - Venturing
• Skipper - Sea Scouting
• Post Advisor - Exploring

Qualifications

“ Qualification. Adults who [are or]* are not citizens of the United States but who reside within the country may register with the Boy Scouts of America in any capacity if they agree to abide by the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law, to respect and obey the laws of the United States of America, and to subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle. All leaders must be 21 years of age or older, except assistant Scoutmasters, assistant den leaders, assistant Cubmasters, assistant Webelos den leaders, and assistant Varsity Scout coaches, who must be 18 or older. No one may register in more than one position in the same unit, except the chartered organization representative (who can multiple only as the committee chairman (CC) or a committee member (MC)) and the ScoutParent unit coordinator (who may multiple as chartered organization representative (CR), assistant den leader (DA), assistant Webelos den leader (WA), assistant Scoutmaster (SA), assistant Varsity Scout Coach (VA), mate (MT), and leader of the 11-year-old Scouts). *Note that 28-501F incorrectly excludes US citizens from being adult leaders. All volunteers are expected to complete Youth Protection training...within 90 days of assuming a leadership position. ”

— Adult Leader Application 28-501

References

• 36 BSA Monthly Troop Programs with Troop Meeting Plans (free & online), Printed: Vol I - Vol II - Vol III - Resources
• Troop Leader Training PowerPoint - Troop Meeting Planner - Campfire Planner - Resource Survey - Troop Committee Training
• Senior Patrol Leaders Handbook - Patrol Leaders Handbook - Scoutmaster Handbook - Troop Leadership Training - BSA Nameplates

• Applications: New Unit - Adult Application
• Fundraising, Popcorn, and the importance of Individual Youth Accounts
• Advancement - Advancement Report - First Class-First Year - Advancement Campout - Merit Badge Day - Individual Record

The Building Blocks of New Leader Training     Leader Specific Training After completing all four parts, a leader is Trained.   This Is Scouting was "New Leader Essentials"   Fast Start Training Taken Immediately Youth Protection Within 90 days <--- Basic Leader Training ---> is "This Is Scouting" plus "Leader Specific Training" Online or Class Online or Class Online or Class Class

Outdoor Leader Training: - In addition to fulfilling other requirements, some leaders need outdoor training:

• Cub Scout Pack: BALOO - To have a Pack Campout, at least one leader must be BALOO trained.
• Webelos Den Leaders: Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders (OWL) - To have a Webelos Den campout.
• Scoutmaster & Assistants and Varsity Scout Coaches & Assistants: Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills - To have a campout.
• Wood Badge - Leadership skills for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturing, council and district leaders.

Indoor Leader Training:
New Leader Training for new Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing leaders includes:

• Fast Start Training - online training you can take right now.
• Basic Leader Training includes:
  • This Is Scouting (was New Leader Essentials) online overview of values, history, aims, and methods.
  • Leader Specific Training provides the specialized knowledge a new leader needs.
• BSA Online Learning Center - provides a variety of materials courses.
• Youth protection - Should be taken at least once every two years by every leader.
• Other: Roundtable - University of Scouting - Trainer’s EDGE (was Trainer Development Conference)

Camping Links

Outdoor Awards Links

Official Boy Scout Forms & Resources
Applications & Reports:	Youth Application	Adult Leader Application	Advancement Report	Uniform Inspections
Training Materials:	Youth Protection Training	Safe Swim Defense	Safety Afloat	New Leader
Online Training:	Youth Protection Training	Safe Swim Defense	Safety Afloat	New Leader
Other Guides:	Boy Scout Requirements	Insignia Guide	Scouting Terminology	Leave No Trace
Permit Applications:	Permission Slip	Local Tour Permit	National Tour Permit	Unit Money-Earning
Medical Exam Forms:	Annual Health and Medical Record 34605		other forms…