Where is it written that troops are boy-led?

Reader Bill Macfarlane, Scoutmaster of Troop 8 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, writes: I was at Round Table the other day and overheard a rather heated discussion about “boy-led” troops.

I heard one of the participants ask; “Where is it written that troops are boy-led?”. This got me wondering where this was written in BSA literature so I decided to look. Here’s what I found: “Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster’s most important job.

Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.

Never do anything a boy can do.” Sir Robert Baden-Powell (also quoted on page one of Troop Leaders Training, 2010 printing) “Your Scoutmaster and other adult leaders will help Scouts become good leaders, then will step back and allow the troop’s youth leaders to take charge of planning and carrying out activities.” Boy Scout Handbook 2011 printing page 34 under the heading of ‘Your Troop’ “An important goal of boy scouting is that troops are scout-planned and scout-led.” The Patrol Leaders Handbook, 2011 printing, page 48 under ‘The patrol leader’s council’ “Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting.

Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. The boys themnselves develop a troop’s program, then take responsibilty for figuring out how they will achieve their goals.”

Scoutmaster’s Handbook 2008 printing Chapter 3 ‘The Boy Lead Troop’ “Scouts in the positions of leadership run their patrols and troop.”

Troop Leader Training 2010 printing page 2 “The troop is actually run by its youth leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.”

Troop Committee Guidebook 2010 printing page 11 ‘The Troop’s Youth Leaders’ “Boy Scouts in positions of leadership run the troop.”

Introduction to Leadership 2011 printing page 1 “The patrol leaders’s council is responsible for planning and conducting the troop’s activities. … They plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.”

Troop committee training syllabus 2002 printing page 16 Editor’s comment: Nice job Bill!

I would be caught flat-footed if somebody asked me that question. Now I have some references.