BSA National Structure
The BSA has several levels of structure. Listed below are the various levels of BSA organization.
- National Council
- Region
- Section
- Local Council
- District
- Chartered Organization
- Unit Committee
- Units
BSA Unit Structure
Since Cub Scouts is aimed at younger kids, the yough participants are too young too lead eachother. For this reason, Cub Scout Packs and Dens are adult led. Most other BSA units, however, follow the same basic structure. They are youth led, with adult guidance and supervision. This allows the youth to gain leadership experience firsthand. There are many leadership positions in every troop. The most important positions include:
- The Scoutmaster is the overall adult leader of the whole troop.
- The Assistant Scoutmasters are the other adult volunteers who assist the Scoutmaster in leading the troop.
- The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the overall youth leader of the troop.
- The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) is another youth leader who assists the Senior Partrol Leader in leading the troop.
- The Quartermaster, Historyian, Librarian, Scribe, and Chaplain's Aide are all youth leaders who are tasked with various jobs that help the troop run smoothly. Some other similar positions not shown in the chart include the Bugler, the OA Representative, and the Den Chief.
- The Patrol Leaders are intermediate youth leaders that are tasked with directly leading the indevduals in their patrol.
- The Assitant Patrol Leaders help the Patrol Leaders lead their patrols.