How these Scouts BSA youth leaders impressed the Scouting America National Executive Board

The Scouts BSA program is designed to be led by youth and guided by adults.

You’d have a hard time finding a better illustration of that philosophy than at this week’s Scouting America National Executive Board meeting when a handful of members from the Scouts BSA National Youth Council spoke eloquently and powerfully to a roomful of Scouting America’s most prominent national adult leaders.

“We are here to serve our Scouts, so it’s critical that we hear from them about their experiences, what they love about Scouting and what they wish could be made better,” says Laurie Champion, a board member from  Saline, Mich. “I was impressed with the insights and wisdom they shared. They bring an incredibly important perspective. It was a very valuable experience.”

There is no precedent in our organization for bringing youth into the boardroom to talk directly with the National Executive Board. However, as Scouting America’s national Key 3 spent more and more time over the last few months getting to know the members of the youth council, the more impressed they were, and the clearer it became that now was the time to make it happen.

 “I think that one of the things that keeps many of us engaged is the fact that young people are creative, and they see no limits,” says Scouting America National Chair Brad Tilden. “And they don’t come at problems with a lot of preconceived notions or solutions. Truthfully, they bring wisdom to issues we are wrestling with.”

Not surprisingly, when you ask Scouts to be honest, they’re going to be honest — about both the good and the not-so-good.

“It was absolutely amazing,” says Sophia Carroll, a Scouts BSA National Youth Council member from Philadelphia. “Even when we shared thoughts that maybe weren’t so great for the board to hear, it was good, and it was good that they were able to hear it, because that’s how the program is able to get better.”

What is the Scouts BSA National Youth Council?

The purpose of the Scouts BSA National Youth Council is to make sure that the youth have a voice in the discussions happening across Scouting America about how to improve the program and ensure that it’s ready to grow and serve all youth.

“We talk about all the ideas we have on how we can improve Scouting,” says youth council member Cooper Harding from Greensboro, N.C. “It’s been a really cool experience.”

Scouts BSA National Youth Council members are at least 14 years old and not yet 18 during the entire term they serve. All of them are currently in the Scouts BSA program, have achieved First Class rank or higher, and are currently serving or have previously served in a position of responsibility in a Scouts BSA troop.

The current iteration of the Scouts BSA National Youth Council began its work in October 2024 and will serve through May 2025.

“Because the model for the youth council is based on moving Scouting policy and program discussions — often conducted and decided in adult committees — to a youth-led space, we get to see how smart, observant, engaged and ready to comment our youth are,” says Kaleen Deatherage, a member of National Executive Board and advisor to the National Youth Council.

For the Scouting America National Executive Board, the meeting with the National Youth Council was an opportunity to go directly to their customers to find out what they truly think about the Scouting program.

“These youth were articulate, well-spoken and passionate about Scouting,” says Dale Werts, a board member from Edgerton, Missouri. “All spoke about how Scouting has positively affected their lives. Nonetheless, they all had stories to tell to remind us that more work is needed to ensure our fellow Scouts and Scouters live their lives and treat others in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

“They reminded me why I remain involved and committed to Scouting and that our nation’s future is bright.”

For the youth council, it was an opportunity for them to speak freely and openly to the adults most equipped to effect change.

“It took a lot of preparation,” says Aiden Pianalto, a youth council member from Riverside, Calif. “We got together in advance and talked about the different kind of questions from the board that we might be answering. It was important to us that the board have the most accurate information we could give them.”

There are 39 Scouts serving on the 2024-25 cohort of the Scouts BSA National Youth Council, seven of whom spoke to the National Executive Board.

“Any one of them could have represented their peers and the Scouts BSA program on this trip to meet with the National Executive Board,” Deatherage says. “They are that good — all of them.”

What is the Scouting America National Executive Board?

The National Executive Board consists of nearly 50 members elected to serve for a term of four years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms.

“It was really cool that we got to meet some friendly members of the executive board,” says J.J. Stukel-Werner, a youth council member from Mora, Minn. “We enjoyed some good conversation.”

Board members come from across the country and excel in a variety of careers, but the one thing they have in common is a passion for and longtime involvement with Scouting America.

“The National Executive Board has come to appreciate that when we sit in a boardroom making decisions that have an impact on Scouts, the youth are not present to inform our thinking on those decisions,” Deatherage says. “We need to understand the youth experience and listen to their perspectives. Bringing Scouts into the boardroom is a way to put their input front and center.”

When it was all said and done, the board members came away with a better understanding of what’s working with Scouts BSA — and what isn’t. And the youth council members went home with a better idea of how the National Executive Board works.

“The experience was life-changing,” says youth council member Zoe Kloss from New Orleans. “I loved being able to talk one-on-one with so many board members about their experience in Scouting and how Scouting has changed their lives.”