Parents.  Although many of our adult volunteers are parents of a Scout in Troop 55, they must focus on the needs of all of our Scouts, not just one or two.  Parents provide encouragement, financing, and transportation; and show pride in their Scout’s accomplishments.  Our adult volunteers work as a team to help give all of our Scouts and their parents more to be proud of.

Scoutmaster.  This unit leader is the primary volunteer responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop.  The Scoutmaster trains youth leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.  All youth membership applications must be approved by the Scoutmaster.

Assistant Scoutmasters.  These unit leaders are volunteers who assist the Scoutmaster in delivering the troop program, working directly with the Scouts on a regular basis.  Assistant Scoutmasters typically are assigned to key support roles, and are expected to step into the Scoutmaster’s shoes whenever the need arises, if they are 21 or older.  When a Scout turns 18, they must become an Assistant Scoutmaster to remain active with Troop 55.

Committee Members.  These are volunteers responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities.  The troop committee also provides adults for boards of review, which require at least 3 adults, all of whom are not related to the Scouts being reviewed.  This important responsibility is an area where help always is needed and appreciated.

Committee Chairman.  This volunteer supervises the troop committee and unit leaders.  The committee chairman appoints all committee members and unit leaders.

Reserve Committee.  Some volunteers keep helping Troop 55 after their Scout turns 18, so our Scouts can continue to benefit from their years of Scouting experience.  Some might choose to continue participating at a high level in their current position, but most would rather participate on an “as needed” basis.  The reserve committee gives adults an opportunity to participate at a reduced level, serve on an occasional board of review, and perform other tasks that arise.

All of the above volunteers must be registered with Troop 55 and the BSA, subject to the approval of the Grove Methodist Men and the Chester County Council Scout Executive.  The Scoutmaster, committee chairman, and all committee members must be 21 or older, while Assistant Scoutmasters must be 18 or older.  The annual cost of this registration is $20.

Merit Badge Counselors.  These volunteers use their expertise to act as a teacher and mentor to Scouts as they work on a merit badge and learn by doing.  All merit badge counselors must be 18 or older, and must be registered with Chester County Council and the BSA.  There is no cost for this registration, but counselors must respond to a renewal request from Chester County Council each fall, or they will be dropped from their list of approved merit badge counselors.

Helpful Parents.  These volunteers handle those occasional tasks that require little or no interaction with the Scouts, so no registration is required.