Troop Structure
Troop Committee
The Troop Committee is responsible for the logistics of the Troop and ensuring that it is in compliance with BSA regulations. The Committee and its Chairperson work closely with the Scoutmaster to ensure that the Troop has the equipment, funds, and resources necessary to execute its program. The Committee is responsible for reviewing the applications of all adult members, and is the liaison to the Troop’s Charter Organization, Cave Spring United Methodist Church.
Assistant Scoutmasters & Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is responsible for working directly with the youth leaders of the Troop and ensuring the successful execution of the Troop’s program. The Scoutmaster organizes the efforts of the youth, providing leadership and guidance during planning stages and seeing to the individual developmental needs of the Scouts. Assistant Scoutmasters take on specific roles within the Troop, volunteering to work as Merit Badge counselors, guides to youth Officers, coordinators for Troop activities and outings, or to work on weekly meetings. There are a myriad of jobs that keep a Troop going, and the efforts of the Assistant Scoutmasters are key to a successful Troop.
Senior Patrol Leader
The Senior Patrol Leader, or SPL, is the youth leader of the Troop, elected by the Scouts as their leader. He serves a term of one year, and is a Scout with Star rank or above.
In Troop 221, the SPL has the ultimate responsibility for setting the tone of the program, making sure that the program is designed to meet the needs of the Scouts, and then to properly delegate responsibility to other scouts. The SPL decides what the meetings are about and helps plan campouts with the troop.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders serve as ‘seconds in command’ to the SPL. There can be as many as three ASPLs; they are assigned to oversee various aspects of the Troop’s functions to ensure a successful execution of the program. They serve a term of one year, are Scouts of Star rank or above, and are appointed by the SPL.
Patrol Leaders
The Troop Patrols are the heart and soul of the Troop as they cook together on campouts and compete against one another in competitions. Patrol leadership is critical as the PLs are responsible for seeing to the needs of the individual Scouts, making sure that they are advancing through the ranks, receiving the education they need to advance.
Other Youth Leadership
The troop also has multiple other leadership roles for scouts contributing to the success of the troop such as the troop historian, outdoor ethics guide, chaplains aid, webmaster, and many more.