PROGRAM
All programming starts with the ideals of Scouting, this is the heart of Scouting. These standards are exemplified in:
- The motto “Be Prepared”
- The slogan “Do a good turn daily”
- The Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
- The Scout Oath:
“On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
And to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake, and morally straight.”
LEADERSHIP AND TROOP STRUCTURE
The youth (scout) leadership is the backbone of scouting. The scouts run the troop, and most importantly they learn to be leaders, while learning commitment and responsibility. The Senior Patrol Leader and his cadre of officers lead the troop. While the troop may vary in size from 15 to 75, it is broken down into patrols of 5 to 20 boys. Elections for positions within the troop occur every 6 months. Each patrol elects leaders, beginning with the PL (Patrol Leader), and so on. Every scout will have an opportunity to try his hand at one of the many areas of responsibility, (Senior PL, ASPL, Jr. Assistant Scoutmaster, Den Chief, Bugler, Chaplain’s Aide, Librarian, Troop historian, Troop Guide, Quartermaster, and Scribe, as well as many other possible positions.) Youth leadership meets regularly to run the troop functions and activities.
The troop has a Committee of adults that usually meets on the 3rd Monday of the month to oversee the business mattes of the troop. All adults may register with the troop and become members of the Committee. We encourage parents to join us and contribute anytime.
The Scoutmaster’s role is to guide the boys as they plan the activities of the troop. He meets with the Leadership Corps.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
All youth members shall pay a BSA registration fee that includes Boy’s Life subscription and scout insurance. It is approximately $27.00. Adult fees for registration are $10.00. Camping fees run from $15 to $25. Summer camps run $175-$250 approximately. The Scoutmaster, Chairman of the Committee and the Committee will insure that no youth is deprived from Boy Scouting for financial reasons. Exact fee amounts vary from year to year.
MEETINGS
Troop meetings are held each Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. At the Elliot School during the school year. During the summer, meetings are held at Westminster Presbyterian church on Columbia Avenue. Meetings are not held during winter or spring vacations. We meet at the parking lot of Elliot school for weekend campouts. Go to Elliot to pick your boys up after campouts.
Youth often have additional meetings such as patrol meetings or advancement meetings, or big activities such as the Bieker Woods Night Walk that the troop does every year.
CAMPING
Camping is a major activity in this group. Camping is scheduled each month. There are a few “traditional” campouts every year, such as: a Father-Son campout in winter is held in the dining hall at Camp Betz (scouts still go even if their dads can’t make it); summer camp every year, where scouts can earn from 1 to 6 merit badges in one week (it’s the best time to do the water merit badges like swimming, canoeing, small boat sailing and etc); and Philmont every couple of years. NYLT (National Youth Leader Training) occurs every year. We recommend that EVERY Boy Scout attend this week long program to strengthen their understanding of the PATROL METHOD of scouting. The troop usually helps with the fee for NYLT. There’s lots of fun and lots of learning!
It is VERY important that scout parents (moms and dads) or guardians participate in these activities with our scouts.
A minimum of 3 adults must attend each campout (plus a minimum ratio of 1 adult for every 5 scouts) and we ask each scout to have a parent, relative, or other adult to join him on at least 2 campouts a year. Equipment is the responsibility of each scout, but ask around. You do not need to run out and purchase all equipment. The troop has tents. Some scouts take their own tents. An excellent checklist of items suggested for a campout is found in the Boy Scout Handbook. Campouts are run by the patrols. Camping is a good place for Scouts to work on skill requirements for ranks and badges.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents and guardians are encouraged to be involved in the troop. Leaders are needed. Talk and plans with your son, read his Boy Scout Handbook, encourage him to advance in rank and earn merit badges. You should plan to attend the Courts of Honor, parent’s night for summer camp, and the family picnic in the summer (Bring the whole family). BECOME A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR!!!! Talk with the registered adults in the troop about other ways to be involved, but keep in mind that THE BOYS RUN THE TROOP. Adults are here to serve the needs of the boys. All adults should register with the troop and become members of the Committee.