1

Troop 175 New Parents Orientation

February 2011

Agenda

• Mission Statement• Troop 175 Expectations• Cub/Boy Scout Differences• Joining Scouting• Uniform Policy• Meetings• Service Projects• Camping• Finances

• Boy Scout Advancement• Merit Badges• Parent Responsibilities• Adult Leadership• Training• Troop Policies & Safety• Communications• Resources

2

Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Aims of Scouting – three specific objectives: character development, citizenship training & personal fitness.

The principal focus is on the boys and in making it

fun

Troop 175 Expectations

• Good Attendance – 75% of meetings & activities• Proper Uniform• Bring Scout Handbook• Follow the Scout Oath & Scout Law• Buddy System• Respect PL and each other• Work together and follow directions• Do your part

Cub/Boy-Scout Differences

• Troop is structured differently than Pack• “Boy-Led” – Scouts have more responsibilities

– Planning, running Troop meetings; campouts, etc.

• Scout is responsible for initiation of advancement• Patrol Method

– Each Scout is assigned to a Patrol– Each Patrol is assigned an Assistant Scoutmaster– Patrols function as cohesive units– Patrols are led by Patrol Leader

• Meetings are more frequent

Joining Scouts

• Joining is easy• Adults – New Adult application, $15.00

– Background criminal check– Completed Medical Form signed by doctor– Youth Protection Training

• Scouts – New Youth application, $15.00– Completed Medical Form signed by doctor– Signed Code of Conduct (parent & Scout must sign)– Signed Uniform Policy (parent & Scout must sign)

• Re-charter annually; $15.00 for each Scout and Adult

Uniform Policy

• Boy Scouts of America is a uniformed organization• Class A uniform – tan Boy Scout shirt, green

epaulets, BSA trousers with a BSA belt and socks, Circle 10 Council patch, rank patch, troop position patch, American Flag, troop year patch and Patrol patch (see Boy Scout Handbook)– Class A is worn to all Troop meetings, Courts of Honor, other

functions and is also the Troop travel uniform

• Class B uniform – trousers, jeans or shorts with Patrol t-shirt.– Class B is worn at camp and on other occasions as approved by

the Scoutmaster

Meetings

Troop Meetings• Every Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:30pm

• Northgate United Methodist Church Irving TX• Meeting Activities may include: merit badge work, planning for

campouts, time with ASM or SM for signoff, fun activities

PLC Meetings• Last Wednesday of each month, 7:00 – 8:30pm

• Northgate United Methodist Church Irving TX• PLC consists of Senior Patrol Leader, Asst. Sr. Patrol Leader,

the Patrol Leaders, the Troop Guide, the Scribe and the Chaplain.

• The PLC meets 2x/year to plan all meetings and activities for the Troop

8

Meetings

Committee Meetings• First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 – 8:30pm

• Northgate United Methodist Church Irving TX• The Troop Committee is responsible for supporting the

Scoutmaster in delivering quality Troop programs and handling Troop administration.

• All registered and trained parents are encouraged to hold a working position on the committee to ensure an active Troop

Courts of Honor• Last Tuesday of every quarter, 7:00 – 8:30pm

• Northgate United Methodist Church Irving TX• Scout recognition of advancements

9

Service Projects

• Our scouts are encouraged to participate in service projects. The purpose of this activity is to build a sense of community.

“One influences community by being involved”

• The Troop will participate in various service projects. Service projects include Eagle projects for Scouts in our Troop as well as District, Council, and community sponsored events.– Clothes Closet– Scouting for Food

10

Camping

• T175 camps on a monthly basis– Fees range from $15 - $35 depending upon activities; Scout may

use his ICA (Individual Camping Account)– Transportation to camps is via private vehicles– Equipment – see the Handbook or go to

www.texastroop175.com for a complete list– Meals & Cooking– Medical Information & Medications– Permission Forms

• Summer & Winter Camps• Summer camp is week long, in June, July or August and costs

between $275 - $500• Winter camp is week long in December and costs around $200

Finances

• Joining Fees - $15.00 each Scout and Adult• Re-charter Fees - $15.00 each person per year• Dues - $41.00 per year per Scout, due by January 31;

MUST be current for Scout to participate in activities and campouts

• Activity Fees – Pay-as-you-go basis. Any fees due, as well as deadlines, will be announced via meetings, email, handouts and website

• Refund Policy – Campout fees are non-refundable once menus are planned

• Individual Camping Accounts (ICAs)• Fundraisers

Boy Scout Advancement

• Scouting Ranks– Boy Scout – Tenderfoot– Second Class– First Class– Star– Life– Eagle

Tenderfoot 2nd Class

Star

1st Class

Life Eagle

Requirements are in the book and on the website.Each rank requires a Scoutmaster Conference and eventually a Board of Review (Committee).

Advancement

• Suggested Advancement Timetable:– Trail to First Class in 1st year of Scouting

– First Class: 12 – 18 months active, including one summer camp

– Star: 18 – 36 months active, including two camps (summer camp or Oak Leaf)

– Life: 3+ years active, including two camps (summer camp or Oak Leaf) and one high adventure camp

• Scoutmaster Conference– Review current rank requirements

– Set goals for Scout’s next rank

– Ensure Scout is applying Scouting ideals in his daily life and in the Troop

Advancement

• Board of Review– Consists of 3 committee members– Scout Schedules Board of Review– Usually scheduled 2nd Tuesday of the Month– Scout in Class A uniform– Final step in rank advancement– Board of Review is not an examination or retest of skills learned– Board of Review is an opportunity for the Scout to go over his

experiences regarding his rank, the Troop, how he is following Scouting’s ideals and principles in his daily life and his goals for his future advancement

Advancement

• The parent’s role is not to carry the scout

• The parent’s role is to monitor, motivate, and support the scout

Merit Badges

• Currently, 121 merit badges• 21 “Eagle-required” merit badges• Lots of opportunities: summer camp, merit badge

events, classes at the Scouting museum and more• How to earn?

– Talk to Scoutmaster and either get name of merit badge counselor or advice on how to get signed up for a class

– At that time, SM will give Scout a signed merit badge application (known as a “blue card”)

– Blue card will be signed off by Merit Badge Counselor– Detailed information regarding merit badges can be found at

www.scouting.org

Parent Responsibilities for Advancement & Merit Badges

• Monitor Progress– To monitor, you have to understand what is required. Read

Chapters 1 and 3 of the Boy Scout Handbook– Track his progress

• Be Encouraging– For Tenderfoot, most items are taught by older Scouts and Adult

Leaders. The Scout can get stuck. If so, the parent needs to:– Encourage working on the fitness requirement– Help him memorize the Scout Oath and Scout Law

• Be Supportive– Help select camping gear– Help him get to Troop meetings and functions ON TIME– Prepare for Summer Camp

Parent Responsibilities for Advancement & Merit Badges

• What to do in 1st Month?– Earn Scout Rank– With Patrol, plan and go on first campout– Work on Tenderfoot Requirement #’s 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8

• Read the Troop 175 Family Guide• Familiarize yourself with the Troop website:

www.texastroop175.com

Adult Leadership

• Troop 175 needs registered, trained adults to ensure we have an active Troop

• The Scoutmaster is the person responsible for the image and program of the Troop.

• The Assistant Scoutmaster(s) assist the Scoutmaster with whatever he needs to run the Troop efficiently.

• Troop Committee – Committee Chair, Secretary, Advancement Chair, Fundraising, Treasurer, Merit Badge Coordinator (we need Scout Recruiter & Coordinator)

Training

• Scouts– Orientation campout for New Scouts– Troop Leader Training provided to troop leadership after every

election

• Committee / Parents– Youth Protection – every two years– District Adult Leader training offered spring/fall– Boy Scout Roundtable Meetings; 1st Monday of every month

except June, July and August– Wood Badge– Philmont– IOLS & SALT

Training

• Parents / Scouts– How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse

• First section in Scout Handbook

• Leaders Should be Trained– Youth Protection– Scouting Fundamentals– BSA Policies & Procedures

• 2-Deep Leadership

Troop Policies & Safety

• Troop 175 policy is governed by our Troop By-Laws which are based on Boy Scout of America policy

• Safety is the top-most concern for all Boy Scout activity– Medical Information and Forms– Behavioral expectations & Code of Conduct– Buddy System

• The Scout Oath and Law are the RULES of the Troop• Troop 175 strictly follows the Guide to Safe Scouting

(more info on www.scouting.org)

Communications

• Troop 175 uses email to communicate with Scouts and Parents

• Website – www.texastroop175.com; We strongly encourage everyone to use the website as a resource.

• Information Table – Each Troop meeting has a table with handouts, flyers, sign-up sheets and permission slips.

• The Monthly Activity Planning Sheet (MAPS) will give you information for each Troop meeting and activity for a month at a time.

Resources

• BSA Publications– BSA Handbook, BSA Field Book, SPL Handbook, Patrol Leader

Handbook– Scoutmaster Handbook– Boy Scout Requirements– Guide to Safe Scouting

• Website – www.texastroop175.com• Troop 175 New Family Guide