The Scouts in the 5th Grade have elected in their meetings as an Arrow of Light Den of Pack 631 to be known as the "Eagle" Patrol, and have selected a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.  See the Troop Roster at atlanta631.mytroop.us/roster for more.  See "Send Email" at atlanta631.mytroop.us/smail/send for the new email address for that Patrol.

See this page of the Troop Operating Manual for details about Youth Leadership Roles and ways Adults can ("Adults can" is pronounced "Adults need to") help.  More below from that page: 

Scout Leadership – A Troop is Scout-led and Scout-run.  This means that the Troop is actually run by youth leaders.  Adults train the Scouts to lead.  With the guidance and coaching of the Scoutmaster and other Adult Leaders coordinated by the Scoutmaster, Scouts plan the program, conduct Troop Meetings, organize activities at campouts and events, and provide leadership amongst peers.  Here is a BSA overview of Youth Leadership and Troop Organization.   

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is in charge of the Troop, advised by the Scoutmaster – here is a brief BSA Overview.  Duties include the following, with assistance from other Youth Leaders:
  • Plans and runs all Troop Meetings, events, activities, and the August Troop Kickoff with coaching and support from Adult Leaders.
  • Plans and runs the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) meetings with coaching from the Scoutmaster.
  • Appoints and supervises other troop junior leaders that do not stand for election, with the advice and counsel of the Scoutmaster.
  • Assigns duties and responsibilities to other junior leaders, and supports them to succeed.
  • There can be many facets to the job of a Senior Patrol Leader in an active Troop running on all cylinders with participation by multiple Patrols in overnight camping and other activities. Assists the Scoutmaster or Training Coordinator with Youth Leader training.
    • Not everything that can be done by a Troop or Senior Patrol Leader will be done, but there is a value to doing more than “some of what the last SPL did”.
    • For ideas, there once was a Senior Patrol Leader Handbook.  A recent edition is here.  If that gives you ideas, share with the Scoutmaster!
    • Some bare bones elements of the Senior Patrol Leader’s role are included in the Senior Patrol Leader folder of the Scout Officers part of the Troop Files.
  • Sets a good example, wears the Scout uniform correctly, lives by the Scout Oath and Law and shows Scout spirit. 

• Other Troop Officers – An SPL is assisted by Scouts holding other scout leadership positions, advised by the Scoutmaster or other adult leaders designated by the Scoutmaster.  These are delineated in the Troop 631 Scout Leadership Positions, Duties, and Responsibilities guide.  Each Scout should obtain a copy, found on the Troop Website in “Files” under “Scout Officers”.  Key Troop Youth Officer roles are:
  • Quartermaster (handles equipment needs for Troop Meetings and Events; advised by an adult Quartermaster Advisor and any Equipment Coordinator).  See BSA overview.
  • Scribe (keeps attendance at Troop Meetings and Events; coordinates with Scribe Guide or ATeam Data Entry Team so Advancement records are complete).  See BSA overview.
  • Historian (writes and records the history of the Troop and shares stories and pictures through the Website, at Courts of Honor, and through other outlets, working with the Adult PR Advisor and any Historian Advisor).  See BSA overview.
  • Librarian (keeps track of, and shares access to, any Troop Books, especially Merit Badge Pamphlets, with the support of a Librarian Advisor).  See BSA overview.
  • Chaplain’s Aide (offers reflections and prayers, guided by an Adult Chaplain).  See BSA overview.  

Other Youth Officer roles can exist, such as Troop Guide (to guide a young Scouts Patrol), Instructor (to teach Scout Skills), OA Representative (liaison to the Order of the Arrow in the District and Council), Den Chief (assist a Cub Scout Den) and Outdoor Ethics Guide.   

• Patrols and Patrol Leaders – A Patrol is a smaller grouping of Scouts who work together – here is a brief BSA Overview of the Patrol.  A Troop is made up of several patrols if there are more than about 8 to 10 Scouts.  Each patrol usually consists of no less than about 8-10 Scouts and no more than about 12-15 Scouts, so that patrols always have a decent chance to be large enough at any Troop Meeting or Activity – for example, decent size for Patrol cooking at a campout is around 6 (to allow for different roles like fire/setup, cooks, and cleanup), so a Patrol with a size of 10 to 12 will often be a good size, since 50% turnout is pretty strong for our Patrols. 
  • The Scouts in the patrol elect their Patrol Leader (PL); here is  a brief BSA Overview of the job of Patrol Leader.  
    • The Patrol Leader, in turn, appoints the Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) and Patrol Quartermaster (PQM). 
    • A Troop Guide may be assigned to aid a Patrol of new Scouts – an Assistant Scoutmaster may be assigned to advise a Patrol Leader. 
  • The Patrol helps its members develop a sense of pride and identity. 
    • The Scouts share in the tasks to be done, compete with other Patrols at Troop events.
    • Each Patrol selects their own symbol to represent them and wear it on their uniform.
    • Patrols may also meet separately, to plan Patrol activities beyond Troop activities with approval of the Scoutmaster. 
  • There can be many facets to the job of a Patrol Leader in an active Troop running on all cylinders with participation as a Patrol in overnight camping and other activities. 
    • Not everything that can be done by a Patrol or Patrol Leader will be done, but there is a value to doing more than “some of what the last Patrol Leader did”.
    • For ideas, there is a Patrol Leader Handbook.  A recent edition is here.  If that gives you ideas, share with your Patrol and the Scoutmaster!
    • Some bare bones elements of the Patrol Leader’s role are included in the Patrol Leader folder of the Scout Officers part of the Troop Files.
  • Patrols may be “age based” (e.g., young, middle aged, old) or “interest based” (e.g., hikers or bikers or boaters) and the composition may change from time to time.  Currently, in Fall 2023, the Patrols on the Website are age based:
    • Active Patrols are Big Bird (6^th Grade), Untitled Goose (7-9^th Grade), and Osprey (older youth leaders, including Eagle Scouts now less active). 
    • Not active, but on the website, is Watchers (expressed interest or were involved, but not currently – if they step forward to be involved, they would be assigned to an active Patrol).   

• Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) – Planning for Troop meetings and Troop events is done by the Patrol Leaders Council (“PLC”).  A PLC is comprised of the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster, and all Patrol Leaders, and advised by the Scoutmaster and any Assistant Scoutmasters requested by the Scoutmaster. 
• The Patrol Leaders Council shall convene as directed by the Senior Patrol Leader, but not less often than monthly.
• Other Troop Officers or Scouts may be invited to participate from time to time depending on the agenda, as required by the SPL. 

•  Youth Leader Elections – The Troop has alternated between six month terms and annual terms for Youth Leaders; a change may be determined by the Scoutmaster and PLC based on the needs of the Troop and demands on potential youth leaders.  Certain leadership roles within the Troop may be appointed by the Scoutmaster at any time.  These include offices such as Troop Guide, Instructor, OA Representative, Den Chief, and Outdoor Ethics Guide. 

• Candidates who wish to run for an office need to fill out the appropriate application form (on the Troop website in the Scout Officers file folder) and have it signed by their parent or guardian.
• Scouts should note that some offices require more skills and also carry age and rank requirements – but in appropriate situations, exceptions may be applied by the Scoutmaster.
• It is also important that Scouts are ready to fulfill the requirements of the office they are seeking.
• For the Troop to run properly, it is not enough to hold an office in title alone, true leadership and engagement will be expected.  

All Scouts are encouraged to serve in youth leader roles, whether or not it is “needed for advancement”, because serving others is the right thing to do – there are some roles that properly require more skills (for example, Troop Guides/Instructors should be 1^st Class to train up other Scouts to that level) and tenure (for example, a Senior Patrol Leader should be experienced).     

Youth Leader Training.  By accepting a leadership role, it is expected that Scouts will participate in Leadership training that is held and led by Troop adult leaders annually.  See the “Leader Training” page on the Troop Website for descriptions of training programs for youth leaders, such as National Youth Leader Training (NYLT).  Troop 631 policy is that Scouts who are approved by the Scoutmaster to attend a leadership training program can be reimbursed for 50% of the cost by the Troop. 

See this Photo Page for Galleries of Troop Members in Action.  Got Pix?  See "Photo Uploads" for a list of Upload Links for quick and easy uploading. Recent and upcoming galleries that could use Photos include ...

• 2024 COPE Campout: https://pack631.smugmug.com/upload/jQ3DZb/2024COPE
• Adam A Eagle Project: https://Pack631.smugmug.com/upload/MDwVTm/Adam
• March Cochran Mill Hike: https://pack631.smugmug.com/upload/kCFKgg/Cochran
• February Cave Camping: https://pack631.smugmug.com/upload/NSZrGq/Cave
• January Trees Atlanta: https://Pack631.smugmug.com/upload/fjn8Fr/Trees
• December Climbing Lockin -- https://Pack631.smugmug.com/upload/MRJQMZ/Climb
• November Westside Cycling -- https://pack631.smugmug.com/upload/7BN89G/Cycle 
• October Shooting Sports Campout - https://pack631.smugmug.com/upload/PxbTmg/Shoot
• September Chimps Project Campout - https://pack631.smugmug.com/upload/TmG7S6/Chimp
• NEW (replacement after ??):  September 2023 Court of Honor - https://Pack631.smugmug.com/upload/GPnNRk/SeptCoH2023
• August 2023 Rafting Plus Horseback Plus Camping Pictures at https://Pack631.smugmug.com/upload/37TdMC/August2023
• Troop Meetings 2023-24, use https://Pack631.smugmug.com/upload/HN4qt6/TroopMeetings2324

Questions?  Want a new Gallery?  Trying to alter / delete / create Galleries?  Email webmaster@atlanta631.mytroop.us. 

From Scoutmaster Renee Bottie-Wheeler: Dear Parents of Fifth Graders:  Your scouts are "crossing over" from Cub Scout Pack 631 to Scouts BSA Troop 631 and you have questions!  This is a parent meeting to talk about what to expect as your scout moves from the pack to the troop.  I'll present a RIVETING power point, and answer questions about your scout making the leap to Scouts BSA! 

Topic: WELCOME TO TROOP 631 - Parent Orientation
Time: May 2, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85659329313?pwd=TEtSUDNpeXlUWEVHTGVPTUdmVWMvdz09

Meeting ID: 856 5932 9313
Passcode: 631

See this page for how Scouts BSA Troop 631 applies the Advancement Method of the Scouting program.

Key Topics are Listed below -- click on the link to jump to that Section:

• Advancement Overview
  
• Four Steps of Advancement (A Scout Learns, is Tested, is Reviewed, is Recognized)
• Advancement through First Class
• Advancement from First Class to Eagle
• Advancement Details, Instruction and Signoff
• Scout Spirit
• A Note about Parent Advancement Signoff
• Merit Badges
• Merit Badge Process
• Three Notes about Merit Badge Signoffs
• Advancement Process and Rank Advancement Paperwork
• Scoutmaster Conference
• Board of Review
• Court of Honor
• “Scout of the Year” Award 

Here is the content of this Section of the Troop 631 Operating Handbook:

Advancement Overview.  Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them – skills to learn and master – through the advancement method.  Scouts plan their own advancement and progress at their own pace as they meet each challenge.  Scouts are recognized and rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence.  The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.  The Scouts BSA advancement program provides a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at the Scout’s own pace.  A Scout is assisted by and supported by the Troop in acquiring these skills and moving up through a series of ranks for which badges are awarded.  Upon joining the Troop, one may work not only on the Scout rank, but also Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class because there are similar skill elements at each level; after First Class, a Scout works in sequence towards Star, Life, and, eventually, Eagle.  The higher the Scout climbs, the more challenging the tasks, and the more rewarding it becomes.  All advancement must be completed before the Scout’s eighteenth birthday. 

The Advancement method includes:

• Learning skills that enable the Scout to experience Scouting’s more exciting outdoor challenges.
• Developing body and mind, growing self-confidence, and helping younger Scouts climb the advancement ladder.
• Discovering how it feels to go further than you ever thought you could.
• Becoming a true leader. 

Advancement is a natural outcome of a planned, quality Troop program.  And Advancement is but one method of Scouting, no more important than the Ideals, the Patrol method, Leadership Development, and the Outdoor Program, all of which help meet the aims of Scouting.  

There are four steps of advancement:

1)    The Scout learns

• The Scout learns by doing, and as they learn, they grow in the ability to do their part as a member of the Patrol and Troop.  
• As they develop knowledge and skill, they are asked to teach others, and by this the Scout learns about developing leadership.

2)    The Scout is tested

• The Scout approaches a qualified adult to sign-off on specific requirements.  
• Unit leaders such as the Scoutmaster and trained Assistant Scoutmasters test and pass the Scout on rank requirements.  
• Merit Badge Counselors teach and test them on requirements for Merit Badges.  

3)    The Scout is reviewed

• After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, the Scout meets with the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster Conference.  
• Once this is completed, the Scout requests a Board of Review with the Advancement Team – the Scout may sign up for a Board of Review (often, on the Troop Website).  

4)    The Scout is recognized

• When a Scout’s advancement has been approved by a Board of Review, the Scout deserves recognition as soon as possible.  This is typically done at the next Troop meeting or event.  
• The certificate for their new rank will be presented later, during a formal Troop Court of Honor.   

More on advancement is found in the Advancement Files and Advancement Links on the Troop Website, and in this BSA National page on Advancement and Awards.