Maintaining the Integrity of Youth Leadership

Scouting, by definition is youth led but this does not mean purposeless anarchy – I have seen a few troops were the adults excused poor performance and un-Scout like behavior by claiming “we have a boy led Troop.”

Instead of laying out rules for youth leadership it is easier to describe the role of Scoutmasters and other adults in facilitating a youth led Troop.

Their role is simpler and defines the role of the Scouts. Here are several concepts that can be easily put into place – Maintain Definition and Focus – The definition and focus of Scouting is described in the introduction to the Scout Handbook (a passage we would all do well to commit to memory).

There are five promises listed.

Every function of a Troop and Patrol should be defined by fulfilling these promises as should the focus of all Troop and Patrol activities. Our role is maintaining this focus.

Guided Discovery – When they become part of the discussion adults should guide their youth leadership to their own answers. If they get stuck then ask enough questions that they can find their own way out. Help them define the goal or the problem and then let them seek a plan or resolution. Don’t provide answers – provide guidance Autonomy – The autonomy of the youth leadership must be protected. If they are focused on fulfilling the promises of Scouting it is unlikely that they will make poor decisions when it comes to choosing activities or administering their Troop and Patrol. They must be given the latitude to fail within the bounds of safety and propriety.

Cooperative Success – If a PLC feels that they are in an adversarial relationship with their adult leadership and or the Troop Committee they will see every decision as a win or loss.Their innate sense of fairness will be outraged if they detect coercion or hypocrisies.

Their ideas must be protected and supported. If, in someones opinion, they are way off track then return to the first principles of definition and focus through guided discovery.

Conflicts of opinion must be handled carefully – as in baseball a tie goes to the runner. In other words the boys win if there is no evidence that their ideas are off base).

Coercion free Leadership – I have the advantages of age and guile, I suppose I could pull whatever strings I need to force the hand of the PLC.

There have been rare instances When I will insist on something over the objections of the PLC. If this is the case it should be stated openly and without coercion.

I have, on occassion, told our Scouts that we are going to participate in a given event or make a decision based on my authority as a Scoutmaster.

I explain my reasons and they generally accept what I have to say. I’d rather do this than coerce them into making a decision my way. A boy led Troop or Patrol is sometimes inefficient, inconsistent, inexperienced and messy. It is a wonderful thing.