What do you look for in boys who are to be your Battalion’s teen leaders?

1. Choose boys who know Jesus Christ as Savior and who will work toward the spiritual objectives of the Battalion. Attitude and direction of life are significant considerations.
2. Seek to recruit boys who are eager to assume responsibility and who are respected by others.
3. Find young men with a combination of natural leadership potential, acceptance by other boys and enthusiasm for Christian service.

Age is also a consideration when recruiting teen leaders. A 12-year-old, in most cases, is too young to command the respect of boys older than him. By the age of 14 or 15, most boys are ready for the challenge of leadership, although they should not be expected to lead a squad of older boys.

When you have identified the boys you wish to approach, meet and discuss the matter with them. Explain the responsibilities and privileges of the Battalion leadership team. Mention the qualities which the adult leaders are seeking. Then let them know that you want them on the team and are confident they can do a good job.

A boy’s appointment then depends on his commitment to do his best to fulfill the responsibilities, both for the Lord and for the Battalion. Through this recruiting process, the boy learns what is expected of him; he sees how important the job is, and he makes a personal commitment to it.

The interview should end with a brief prayer by each of you. In some cases, you may want to invite him to think and pray about this decision for a few days.

The responsibilities of a teen leader are to plan and lead the squad meeting, help conduct the game period, and to set an example to the rest of the boys by his cooperation, achievement progress and spiritual interest. He may also take on other assignments when the captain believes he is ready (e.g., lead the Council Ring).

We ask our current noncoms for their opinion on who will succeed them.

An Example

Dan Schroth is the captain of an outstanding Battalion at the North Syracuse Baptist Church in western New York. Five boys have earned the Herald of Christ award from this unit. Achievement and strong teen leadership are distinguishing features. Dan has been a leader since 1980. He teaches music in a junior high school. Here’s what Dan’s experience has taught him:

Getting boys to achieve

“We rely upon positive peer pressure from our noncoms (teen leaders). To be a noncom, a boy has to advance one achievement level per year. The other boys follow their example. We also require all the boys to complete the Explorer rank in order to go to the Camp-0-Rama at Hickory Hill Camp. I guess it’s a combination of older boys setting the example and requirements we set.”

Recruiting boys to attend

“We have an average attendance of 25 boys. Our promotion is basically word-of-mouth. If a new family comes to the church with a teenage boy, one of the leaders talks to him and invites him. Boys also tend to bring their friends. Of course, we have about 70% retention of boys from Stockade.”

Choosing teen leaders

“We look for boys with reliable leadership traits. Our youth leaders help us to identify them. We ask our current noncoms for their opinion on who will succeed them. We especially want guys who will be followed by others. When we recruit them, we tell them the position is not hereditary. There are expectations of them.”

Outings

“We have three major events each year. In late August, we have a special backpacking trip for the noncoms, either in New York, Pennsylvania or Canada. This is our time for leadership training. Secondly, we go to Hickory Hill Camp for a weekend to do an Activity Patch, play Capture the Flag and sometimes do a service project. Finally, is the Camp-0-Rama when we compete against other Battalions.”

This article first appeared in Brigade Leader, Fall 1990