Boy Scouts of America Mission

1. Boy Scouts of America Mission To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling them with values of the Scout Oath & Law.

2. Scout Oath On my honor, I will do my bestto do my duty to God and my countryand to obey the Scout Law,To help other people at all times;To keep myself physically strong,mentally awake and morally straight.

3. Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent 12-Points of the Scout LawA Scout is:

4. Pride & Distinction • A Proud History • Troop 623 has a strong and proud history of Scouts earning their Eagle Scout Rank. This is quite an achievement and will earn the Scout recognition and success in the future. • In 2013 the Troop will be making its 53rd consecutive trip to Mackinac Island, making it one of the longest serving Troops in the state. The duties have increased over the years and the Mackinac Troop has expanded to include Scouts and Leaders from all over the S.W. Michigan Council, while still using the banner of host Troop 623. The prestigious trip has become one of the highlights of a Scout’s career. Hundreds of Scouts and Leaders hold fond memories of the experience at Mackinac.

5. BSA Troop 623 Welcomes You • Troop Information • Our charter organization is the First Congregational Church. • Parent / Committee Meetings are held the First Tuesday of each month from 7:00 pm at the church. • Parental support is vital to the success of the Troop. • Scout Master: Mr. Rick Orsillo • Our Troop has two type of uniforms – Class A and B. • Class A uniform is the official Scout Shirt. • We encourage the Scout to take pride in the Class A uniform and wear it as much as possible to Troop Meetings. • Class B uniform is a Troop t-shirt (available for purchase through our Troop). • Activities / Event Information • Our Troop has a website www.bsatroop623.org updated regularly & posted with upcoming events.

6. Join the Scouting FUN now! Visit us at our BSA Troop 623 meeting • Where? First Congregational Church – Fellowship Hall Niles Avenue St. Joseph, MI • When? Every Monday night 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

7. Chain of Command • Scout Master – Rick Orsillo • Assistant Scout Masters – Brad Owen, Allen Ales, Helmut Jungblut • Advancement Counselor – Tim Langlois • Merit Badge Counselor – Jim Dansfield • Treasurer – Molly Owen • Secretary – Allen Ales • All adult leaders and committee members are available to answer any question or send you in the right direction.

8. Responsibility • Parent – To be involved, to encourage your Scout, to help him grow. • To go on campouts. • Volunteer or become a Merit Badge Counselor • We need a new Treasurer and Secretary. • Scout – To be an active Scout, • attend Monday night meetings • Bring his book! • Go on campouts. • Help others. • Wear a Class ‘A’ or ‘B’ uniform

9. Scouts plan and participate in a variety of activities • Camping / Cooking / Hiking / Backpacking • Skiing / Sledding / Tubing / Sailing / Swimming • Canoeing / Kayaking / Riding / Climbing • Team work / Building / Planning / Construction • Fun / Games / Songs / Stories / Fires / Skits / Shows • Physical, Mental, Teamwork and Skill Challenges • Community Service and Projects • Wilderness High Adventure Experiences and Travel • Week-long Summer Camps and Leadership Training • Hands on Learning (Aviation to Zoology) Plus Scouting is FUN!

10. Camping Information • Troop / Patrol Campouts • The Troop tries very hard to go on a campout each month. • We have done everything from a “Bike & Hike” campout to camping in the snow in the winter. Scouts have canoed, visited a museum, ridden an airplane and more. • Most outings cost between $15 to $30. • The Scouts plan for and cook their own meals. • Patrols decide upon their menu, money is then collected from Scout. • A Scout is then assigned to help purchase the food for the entire Troop / Patrol.

11. Camping Information • BSA Summer Camp • This is an exciting week of camping, working on merit badges and advancement and FUN! • We traditionally attend camp the last week of June or early July. • 2013 BSA Summer Camp is scheduled for June 23-29 at Camp Tamarack in Jones, MI. • The cost for the camp is approximately $235. • With active participation in Scout fundraising activities (i.e., brat fry, popcorn) the Scout can pay for a good portion of his cost out of his savings account. • A Junior Leadership Camp is also available after a Scout has obtained a certain rank.

12. Why go to summer camp? • For Advancement • Earn Merit Badges • Make friends • To learn a new skill • To grow as a Scout

13. Camping Information • Mackinac Trip • A week long trip to Mackinac Island to serve as the Governor’s Honor Guard and Fort Mackinac Guides. • This experience generally takes place during either of the first two weeks of July. • In 2013, the Governor’s Honor Guard Trip is scheduled for July 6 – 13.

14. Honor & Recognition • Court of Honor • Court of Honor Meetings are held to recognize significant Scout achievements like rank advancements, merit badges, etc. • The Troop holds up to three Court of Honor Meetings per year. • Parents are encouraged to attend these meetings to support the Scout as well as learn about future Troop / Patrol plans.

15. Troop & Scout Funding • Troop Fundraiser • Our Troop focuses on one major fundraising activity for the year. The “Annual Brat Fry” held over Labor Day Weekend in conjunction with the Tri-State Regatta along the St. Joe River. A portion of profits from this fundraising event will go toward replacement of worn equipment and Scouts who work the event will earn monies for their individual account. • Scout Account Information • In addition to proceeds earned from the “Annual Brat Fry”, each fall the Boy Scouts of America sells popcorn. All profits from individual Scout sales will go into each individual Scout Spending Account within the Troop. Funds collected in the individual Scout Account may be used to pay for Summer Camp, uniforms, camping supplies, dues, etc.

16. Scout Funding con’t • Scout dues are paid once a year in November for the re-charter • $45 which includes dues, insurance and a subscription to “Boy’s Life” (one per family) • $33 for additional siblings

17. Other Fundraisers • Ironman Triathlon • Bridgman Festival • Popcorn Sales • Interstate Batteries

18. Advancement • Scout • Tenderfoot • Second Class • First Class • Star • Life • Eagle • There is no time requirement for each rank but you have to reach Eagle before your 18th Birthday. To make rank requires a Scout Master Conference and a board of review.

19. Merit Badge University - Advancement • We had 35 scouts attend this years MBU.

20. Leadership roles in the Troop • As the Scout advances in Rank they will be required to hold a leadership position in order to continue to advance. • Some leadership positions are: Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, den chief (for a Cub Scout Den), librarian, historian, quartermaster, Leave no Trace trainer, Order of the Arrow troop representative

21. Merit Badges and Other Awards • There are over 100 Merit Badges to choose from. Only 21 are required to make Eagle Scout. • They cover subjects from water activities to music to electricity to animals to academic subjects to safety and first aid. • Leave no Trace, mile swim, Totin’ chip, interpreter strip, snorkeling, kayaking, World Conservation and religious emblems to name a few.

22. Earning a Merit Badge • Find out who the Merit Badge Counselor is for that particular badge. • Get your Blue card from Advancement Coordinator. • Make contact with your counselor and meet with him/her. • Get the Merit Badge Pamphlet from the Troop Librarian and/or get the requirements off the Boy Scout website. • Work on it and report back to your counselor to get your blue card signed off.

23. Scout Store • Kalamazoo M-F 0900- 1700 phone 800-272-7962 • South Bend phone 574-289-0337 1340 South Bend Ave • Book and at least one uniform shirt • Store hours are usually limited call before you go.

24. Lifetime Benefits of Scouting • Builds Character • Develops Leadership Skills • Emphasizes Useful Life Experiences • Creates Friendships • Establishes Self Worth Plus Scouting is FUN!