One of the main objectives of Scouting is to build leadership skills.

Unlike Cub Scouting, which many of you are familiar with, Boy Scouting is a youth-led organization. An older boy, who is elected by the youth members, leads the Troop. He is called the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). Youth members also run the Troop activities. There is a committee of adult leaders (called the Troop Committee) to oversee this process, but, Scouts are in charge of each outing. They determine which patrols will go, what the agenda will be, and coordinate transportation. They follow a program plan that is developed by the Patrol Leaders' Council (a monthly meeting of the youth leaders of the troop). Having adolescent young males in charge of a program does not set well with some parents. The Troop Committee does occasionally have to intervene, but Scouting is a program that has flourished since 1910 and youth-run units tend to produce the best leaders.