Starting a new leadership role in the Troop can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Below is a curated collection of essential resources, handpicked to help you succeed in your role and empower your Scouts to lead.
📅 Annual Troop Program Planning
Plan your year the Scout-led way!
Scouts should lead the planning, but it’s your job to guide and support the process. Start with the Annual Troop Planning tool, found on the left sidebar of the page. It offers structure, checklists, and a framework to help your Scouts build a well-balanced calendar for the year.
🧭 Program Features: Monthly Themes
Inspire Scouts with ready-made monthly themes!
Each program feature includes activity ideas, advancement tie-ins, and troop meeting outlines designed to engage Scouts and reinforce the core values of Scouting. Encourage your PLC (Patrol Leaders’ Council) to use these tools when planning meetings.
🗺 TAP: The Adventure Plan
Plan epic outdoor adventures with confidence!
TAP provides guidance for organizing treks, from historic trails to high-adventure bases. It’s your go-to resource for helping youth plan outdoor experiences that challenge and inspire.
🔗 Get the Adventure Plan
👨🏫 Troop Leader Resource Hub
Your one-stop shop for Scoutmaster tools.
This site is packed with articles, guidance, and resources tailored for adult leaders. Whether you’re looking for leadership tips, meeting templates, or advancement advice, start here.
🔗 Visit Troop Leader Resources
⚠️ Safety Moments
Keep safety front and center.
Short, topic-based reflections on common Scouting safety issues—ideal to discuss with Scouts on the spot or include in your meetings.
📰 Scouting Magazine Blog
Stay informed with official updates.
This blog from the National Council shares program changes, inspirational stories, and practical advice for leaders.
📘 Guide to Advancement (2025)
Your rulebook for advancement.
Avoid confusion and ensure fairness by referencing the official guide. It outlines the policies and procedures every leader must follow—no extra rules allowed!
📊 Scoutbook: Track Advancement Online
Simplify record keeping with this official tool.
Scoutbook allows your troop to log advancement, track progress, and communicate with families. Delegate responsibility to your Advancement Chair if possible.
💬 Scoutbook Forums
Resolve issues and learn from others.
Get support from other Scoutbook users and experts—ask questions, troubleshoot problems, and stay updated on changes.
🌐 Unofficial Resource: U.S. Scouting Service Project
Volunteer-driven and full of useful content.
Although unofficial, this site is a treasure trove of program ideas, forms, and historical insights for Scout leaders.
🎓 Get TRAINED!
Training is your foundation as a leader.
To wear the official “TRAINED” patch, complete the following courses:
- Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training
Online at my.scouting.org or in-person through your council (recommended for networking and hands-on learning). - Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
A required in-person course that teaches practical Scouting skills. Check the council’s training calendar—or a neighboring one. - Hazardous Weather Training
Must be completed online through your My.Scouting account.
Your Scoutbook account connects to My.Scouting.org, including your training status. Just check the “Training” tab!
🧭 Aims and Methods of Scouting
What are we really trying to accomplish?
The Scouting program is designed to help young people grow into responsible, ethical, and capable adults. To do that, the BSA has three core aims — the why of Scouting:
- Character Development
- Citizenship Training
- Personal Fitness
To achieve those aims, Scouting uses eight methods — the how we deliver the program.
⚜️ The Eight Methods of Scouting
- Ideals – The Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan guide everything we do.
- Patrol Method – Scouts learn responsibility, leadership, and teamwork by organizing into patrols.
- Outdoor Program – Nature is our classroom—camping, hiking, and adventure are central to growth.
- Advancement – A personal journey of progress. Scouts set goals and achieve them step-by-step.
- Adult Association – Positive interaction with caring adult role models.
- Personal Growth – Reflection, goal-setting, and Scoutmaster conferences help Scouts grow.
- Leadership Development – Scouts lead meetings, activities, and each other.
- Uniform – Builds identity, equality, and pride.
🔁 A Closer Look at the Patrol Method & Advancement
- The Patrol Method isn’t just a structure—it’s the foundation of Scout-led leadership. A well-functioning patrol teaches independence, teamwork, and problem-solving like no classroom can.
- Advancement is not the goal of Scouting—it’s one of the methods. It gives Scouts milestones to aim for and a structured way to grow in skills and confidence. Every requirement is an opportunity to learn by doing.
🎖️ Advanced Youth Leadership: NYLT, NAYLE & NYLT Leadership Academy
🧑🎓 NYLT: National Youth Leadership Training
Develop youth leaders the right way.
NYLT is an immersive leadership training course for Scouts who are ready to step up. It’s one of the most effective ways to instill leadership skills in a Scout-led troop.
🔗 Atlanta Area Council: NYLT Schedule
🌄 NAYLE – National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
After Scouts complete NYLT, they can take leadership to the next level with NAYLE. This is a week-long advanced training experience held at national high-adventure bases like the Summit or Philmont. It emphasizes servant leadership, team-building, ethical decision-making, and applying those skills in the backcountry.
Scouts will come back more confident, inspired, and ready to lead at a higher level.
🔗 https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/resources/nayle/
🏛️ NYLT Leadership Academy
This program is for Scouts who are (or want to be) NYLT staff. It trains them how to run NYLT well—focusing on communication, presentation skills, evaluation techniques, and how to mentor other youth. Held in Washington, D.C., it’s a prestigious opportunity for serious youth leaders to sharpen their leadership and represent their councils.
🔗 https://nylt-leadershipacademy.org/
🏕️ Atlanta Area Council Camps & Programs
☀️ Summer Camp – Woodruff & Bert Adams Scout Camps
The Atlanta Area Council offers two amazing options for Summer Camp:
- Woodruff Scout Camp (Blairsville, GA) – Nestled in the mountains with a scenic lakefront, Woodruff is known for its traditional summer camp experience, great food, and a wide variety of merit badge programs including aquatics, climbing, shooting sports, STEM, and more.
- Bert Adams Scout Camp (Covington, GA) – Newer camp facilities, great food, and a wide variety of merit badge programs including aquatics, climbing, shooting sports, STEM, and more, also offers a tech-forward merit badge offerings and some unique programs like robotics, 3D printing, and advanced leadership opportunities. Great for both first-year Scouts and older youth.
Scouts can register individually as provisional campers, joining another troop for the week, or can attend as a troop if we have at least 5 Scouts and two registered adult leaders (or distribute the days and nights on more than 2 registered adults).
Both camps are fully accredited and offer rich experiences with trained staff, advancement opportunities, and high-adventure extras.
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/woodruff
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/bertadams
❄️ Winter Camp – Bert Adams Scout Camp
Held at Bert Adams Scout Camp in Covington, GA, Winter Camp is a fun and productive way to spend the winter break.
Same as summer camp, scouts can register individually as provisional campers, joining another troop for the week, or can attend as a troop if we have at least 5 Scouts and two registered adult leaders (or distribute the days and nights on more than 2 registered adults).
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/wintercamp
🌊 Allatoona Aquatics Base – Summer Weekend Aquatics Program
Located on Lake Allatoona, this camp is perfect for troops and patrols wanting to focus on aquatics. Weekend programs include Swimming, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, Motorboating, and Lifesaving merit badges. You can also do Standup Paddleboarding!
Great for patrol outings or skills-focused troop trips.
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/allatoona
🧭 Additional AAC Programs: Merit Badge Summits & STEM Days
🎓 Merit Badge Summits – Fast-track learning for Scouts
These full-day events are held throughout the year across the Atlanta Area Council. They focus on Eagle-required and specialty merit badges taught by qualified counselors.
Classes often include First Aid, Citizenship series (World, Nation, Community), Emergency Preparedness, Communications, and others.
Merit Badge Summits are perfect for helping Scouts complete partials, explore new interests, or work on difficult-to-schedule badges.
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/mbsummit
🔬 STEM Academy & STEM Days – Where Science meets Scouting
STEM programs give Scouts hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The STEM Academy is a multi-day event, while STEM Days are often one-day sessions held in collaboration with local institutions or at Bert Adams.
Badges like Programming, Robotics, Engineering, Digital Technology, and Game Design are commonly offered, along with NOVA Award workshops.
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/stem
📚 All Resources in One Place
You can find most official materials listed above on Scouting.org:
Go to Programs
Select Scouts BSA
Scroll to Scouts BSA Program Resource Links
Click:
🔗 Scouts BSA Resources📍 Atlanta Area Council Resources
For events, council-specific training, camping reservations, district contacts, and official updates in the Atlanta area, use the Atlanta Area Council site as your go-to local source.
- Main Site – Events, council calendar, forms, district info
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org- Training Hub – Youth and adult training courses including NYLT, IOLS, BALOO, and online registration
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/training- Camping Info – Reservations and details for Woodruff, Bert Adams, and Allatoona
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/camping- Council Calendar – Upcoming events, summits, and program deadlines
🔗 https://www.atlantabsa.org/calendar📍 Northeast Georgia Council Resources
Serving Scouts across northeast Georgia, this council offers strong camping, training, and merit badge programming based at Camp Rainey Mountain and Scoutland.
- Main Site – Events, registration, district info, and announcements
🔗 https://www.nega-bsa.org- Training Center – Adult leader training, youth leadership programs, and links to in-person and online options
🔗 https://www.nega-bsa.org/training- Camping Info – Camp Rainey Mountain, Scoutland, summer and winter camp info
🔗 https://www.nega-bsa.org/camping- Council Calendar – Year-round overview of all upcoming district and council events
🔗 https://www.nega-bsa.org/calendar
Original Idea Credit: Ursula-Hershey Seefeld