We did a survey in several Facebook Groups. It’s an often asked question – what does a new leader need?
This applies to ALL scouting organizations.
Here are the top ten answers we saw from experienced leaders from several years of answering that question:
- Stay Organized with Physical and Digital Tools:
- Durable file folders or boxes for scout information (health forms, attendance, financials).
- A dedicated troop backpack for essentials like first aid kits, forms, and a whistle.
- Rolling toolboxes, camping totes, reusable bags, and color-coded storage systems for supplies.
- Google Drive or similar digital systems for event planning and document storage.
- Effective Communication:
- Use apps like BAND for seamless communication with parents—great for event registrations, booth sign-ups, reminders, and sharing photos.
- Keep It Simple, Make It Fun (KISMIF):
- Focus on enjoyable, low-prep meetings. Save detailed planning for special events to keep stress down.
- Patience and Flexibility:
- Adapt when things go wrong and embrace changes. Encourage scouts to plan, prepare, and adapt alongside you.
- Delegate and Ask for Help:
- Reliable parent helpers, co-leaders, or other volunteers can share the workload.
- Set Boundaries and Expectations:
- Respect your own limits. Don’t over-invest your energy when others aren’t equally committed. Deadlines and clear expectations are key.
- Inspiration and Ideas:
- Old badge books, resources from Facebook groups, and listservs can spark creativity for troop activities and meetings.
- Essential Supplies:
- Coffee, Sharpies, a whistle, and a well-stocked craft bin. For personal sanity, some leaders recommend Excedrin migraine or a good therapist!
- Encourage Scout Participation:
- Let scouts learn by doing—including cleaning up. Balance planning and “winging it” for a flexible yet structured approach.
- Build Skills and Emotional Intelligence:
- Develop patience, kindness, creativity, accountability, and emotional intelligence. Don’t forget a sense of humor—it’s invaluable when meetings veer off course!
With these tools, strategies, and mindset, you’ll be well-equipped to lead with confidence while ensuring your troop has an engaging and meaningful experience.
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Make sure to complete your organization’s training to understand their approach to scouting. If you’re with GSUSA, you can also check out The Badge Archive, which features a helpful Leader 101 FAQ page.
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