Parental Involvement

A BSA Troop is a volunteer-run organization. We honor the role our parents play in their scout’s lives, and we expect that commitment to carry over into your childs’s Scouting life.

This page outlines ways a parent or guardian should expect to contribute to the Troop:

Volunteer Opportunities:

It is often said that, “Many hands make light work.” Your participation can come in many forms. Together, we can determine in what capacity you can best support the Troop and your Scout. We need and require your active participation for two very important reasons:

1. 1. Your Scout will get more out of the program if you show an active commitment.

   2. The Troop cannot provide the best possible program without your participation.

Youth Protection

All adults who volunteer within the troop are required to complete the online Youth Protection Training (YPT). This course takes about an hour to complete, and the certificate of completion is valid for two years.

• BSA Youth Protection Website.

• BSA Youth Protection Barriers to Abuse and Reporting

Uniformed Roles

• Scoutmaster

  • The Scoutmaster is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts providing direction, coaching, and support.The Scoutmaster has three basic roles:

    1. providing the the junior leaders with the tools and skills so they can run the troop

    2. making sure the rules of the BSA and chartered partner are followed

    3. being a good mentor and positive role model

• Assistant Scoutmaster

  • An assistant Scoutmaster is an adult leader over the age of 18 who helps the Scoutmaster deliver the promise of Scouting. Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties. They can serve the troop by guiding a particular patrol to which they’ve been assigned, advising certain Scouts who’ve assumed a position (e.g. the quartermaster or OA representative), or fill in as necessary to assure the junior leaders have what they need to run things. 

Committee Roles

• Committee Chair

  • The Committee Chair is appointed by the chartered organization to see that all committee functions are carried out. The troop committee chair appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders, and organizes the committee to see that all committee responsibilities are delegated, coordinated and completed. 

• Committee Members

  • The troop committee is a cross between a board of directors and a parent support group. It sets troop policies and handles administrative functions, allowing the Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters to focus on working directly with the Scouts.  We have a number of vital, easily manageable roles in the Troop in which parents can actively contribute.

    • Treasurer

    • Secretary

    • Fundraising Chair

    • Advancement Chair

    • New Member Coordinator

    • Outdoor Activities Chair

    • Training Chair

    • Media Manager

    • Equipment Chair

    • Tour Leaders

    • Merit Badge Counselors

    • Voting Members

• Chartered Organization Representative

  • The Chartered Organization Representative (COR) is the direct contact between the unit and the Chartered Organization. This individual is also the organization’s contact with the District Committee and the Local Council. The chartered organization representative may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council. If the chartered organization has more than one unit, one representative serves them all. The Chartered Organization Representative appoints the Unit Committee Chairman. 

There are a variety of jobs that must be done to keep the troop running smoothly. Some require a bit more time; others are more occasional and less demanding in nature. If you choose to participate in a Committee or Leadership role, training or mentoring is available at no cost.

Merit Badge Counselors

One of the easiest and most impactful contributions all parents in the Troop can make is to become a Merit Badge Counselor. With so many Merit Badges, there are plenty that will match your unique skills, experience, and interests. Please ask a Leader to find out which Merit Badges the Troop needs specific help with and which ones might match your interests and skill sets.

Several merit badges require certifications for instructing specific skills, however this does not disqualify you from being a counselor.  See Merit Badges Requiring Certified Instructors for details.

Board of Review

The purpose of a Board of Review is to determine the quality of the Scout’s experience and decide whether the requirements for the rank have been fulfilled. If so, the board not only approves the Scout’s advancement but also provides encouragement to continue the quest for the next rank. Boards of Review shall become neither a retest or “examination,” nor a challenge of the Scout’s knowledge. In most cases it should, instead, be a celebration of accomplishment.