“Scouting is fun and has an important purpose! Woven through all the fun is an inspired program that really works. Scouting is about learning and living the gospel. Scouting can reinforce positive character values and leadership skills that are taught in the home.

“Scouting prepares boys to become righteous men who hold and honor the priesthood of God. Scout leaders have the responsibility to help each boy connect what he is learning in Scouting to his priesthood preparation and his future as a covenant keeping missionary, husband, and father.” — Cheryl C. Lant, Primary General President

The work of scouting is accomplished through weekday activities that are designed to help boys practice skills and learn the practical application of principles taught during Sunday Primary (see Scouting Handbook, 4).

The Leader of 11-Year Old Scouts

The Primary teacher of 11-year-old boys may serve as the group’s Scout leader, or another capable adult (man or woman) may be called to assume this role.

A newly called leader of the 11-year-old Scouts should begin by prayerfully coming to understand the importance of this calling within the ward Primary and Scouting organizations and the significance this service can have in the life of a boy. The leader of the 11-year-old Scouts should:

• Register with the Boy Scouts of America, through the local council, as an assistant Scoutmaster.
• Study the Church-published Scouting Handbook (35814) and then participate in Basic Training. To supplement training from local priesthood leaders, the Scout leader may enroll in additional classes to help learn Scouting methods and skills (see Scouting Handbook, 1).
• Serve under the direction of a member of the Primary presidency, meeting together regularly to discuss the Scouting program and each boy’s progress.
• Attend ward Primary leadership meetings.
• Supervise patrol meetings and Scouting activities for the 11-year-old Scouts, encourage each boy to advance in Scouting, and keep an accurate record of his progress.
• See that each Scout has an opportunity to participate in a day camp and help plan it if requested (see A Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts, 31374).
• Consult with the ward Primary presidency and the bishopric adviser to the Primary when organizing each overnight camping experience.
• Review the Scouting Handbook for additional information concerning the responsibilities of the Scout leader.

The 11-Year-Old Boy

A boy enters the Boy Scout program when he turns 11 years old. He becomes a member of the troop but participates in a separate patrol for 11-year-old Scouts. “Eleven-year-old boys meet separately from the Aaronic Priesthood-age Scouts because they are not yet part of a quorum” (Scouting Handbook, 4).

Scout leaders should study the Scoutmaster Handbook and Teaching, No Greater Call to better understand the age characteristics of an eleven-year-old boy.

The Program

The Patrol
A patrol is a group of six to eight boys who plan, learn, and work together in Scouting. The leader of the 11-year-old Scouts attends the patrol meeting.

Troop Activities
“Occasionally, special daytime activities for Aaronic Priesthood-age Scouts may include the patrol for 11-year-old Scouts” (Scouting Handbook, #4).

Meeting Times
“Eleven-year-old Scouts preferably meet in the daytime, but if evening meetings are necessary, arrangements should be made to ensure that these boys are not away from their homes late at night and that they are carefully supervised until they arrive home” (Scouting Handbook, 4).

Boy Leadership
One of the goals of Scouting is to help the boys develop leadership skills. Each boy in the patrol should be given leadership responsibilities.

Troop Guide: In consultation with the ward Primary president and the ward leader for the 11-year-old Scouts, the Scoutmaster may appoint an older Scout to be the troop guide. The troop guide should have a First Class or higher rank and work under the direct leadership of the leader of 11-year-old Scouts.

Responsibilities of the troop guide:

1. Serve as an instructor for basic Scouting skills.
2. Prevent harassment from older Scouts.
3. Work closely with new Scouts to acquaint them with troop procedures.

Patrol Leader: “In consultation with the ward Primary presidency and the leader for 11-year-old Scouts, the bishopric appoints an 11-year-old boy to serve as the patrol leader for the 11-year-old Scouts. The patrol leader should, with adult leader assistance, choose his own assistant patrol leader and assign other duties in the patrol as needed. The Boy Scouts of America publishes information describing the duties of these youth leaders and the qualifications for their service. This information is available through local Boy Scouts of America Council offices” (Scouting Handbook, 4).


Camping for 11-Year-Old Scouts

One-Night Camps: “Eleven-year-old Scouts may participate in a one-night camp three times each year. No other Scout-sponsored overnight camping should be planned for eleven-year-old Scouts. Each boy participating in an overnight outing should have learned and practiced the required skills before the camping experience” (Scouting Handbook, 4).

Camping for Women Leaders: Overnight camping trips should not include “mixed groups of men and women, whether adults or youth, unless it is a family camp” (Scouting Handbook, 1). Women Scout leaders do not participate in overnight camping with the boys. The bishopric adviser to the Primary or another qualified male adult should be invited to supervise the overnight camping experience when the leader of the 11-year-old Scouts is a woman.

Day Camps: For information on day camps for 11-year-old Scouts, see Scouting Handbook, page 4, and Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts.

Sabbath Day Observance and Scouting

“Church leaders should not participate in Scout training such as Basic Training or Wood Badge on the Sabbath”, nor should they plan Sunday hiking or camping trips for Scouts. (Scouting Handbook, 1)

Advancement and Awards

Advancement is one of the most exciting parts of the Scouting program because it means the boys are learning and progressing. It also means that they are being recognized for their achievements. Every 11-year-old Scout should attend and participate in a court of honor when he is ready to advance.

The 11-year-old Scout advances by:

1. Taking part in the patrol activities.
2. Occasionally participating in appropriate troop activities.
3. Working on his own.

Eleven-year-old Scouts are encouraged to attain First Class rank within their first year. See The Boy Scout Handbook for current Tenderfoot through First Class requirements.

The On My Honor Adult Recognition may be given to adult Scout leaders, including Cub Scout leaders. Requirements for the recognition and suggestions for presenting it are outlined on the application card.

Resources:

1. Scouting Handbook (35814)
2. "Primary," section 5 of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (35705)
3. Day Camp Guide for Eleven-Year-Old Scouts (31374)
4. Teaching, No Greater Call (36123)
5. Faith in God guidebook (36812 for boys; 36813 for girls)
6. On My Honor Application Card (31530 adult)
7. The Scoutmaster Handbook (BSA)
8. The Boy Scout Handbook (BSA)
9. Eleven-Year-Old Scout Primary Chart (PDF file)