Boy Scout Troop 1018

1. Boy Scout Troop 1018 Introduction to Our Troop Version 1.5 Feb 07 Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

2. Introduction • History of Scouting • The Scouting Program – what and why • Differences between Cub & Boy Scouts • Advantages of Troop 1018 • Expectations • Costs • Other “odds and ends” • Wrap-Up & Questions Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

3. History of Scouting • Founded by Lord Baden-Powell in the UK • Early 1900’s (Brownsea Island – 1907) • Brought to America by William Boyce • Founded - 8 Feb 1910 (Feb is “anniv month”) • Chartered by Congress in 1916 • Worldwide movement, Scouting programs exist in over 190 countries Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

4. The Scouting Program • B-P – “Fun with a purpose” • Program Objective: Develop character, self-reliance, citizenship, and leadership in values-based environment • Scout Law • 12 Points of the Scout Law • The Scout Oath • Duty to God and Country • Duty to Others • Duty to Self Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

5. The Scouting Program(con’t) • The Outdoor Program • The centerpiece of Scouting • Understand and appreciate nature • Much more – life skills, service, leadership • Leadership opportunities • Teamwork • Service to others • Self reliance • Preparation for the future Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

6. The Harris Survey • In 2005 BSA commissioned the Harris Interactive research organization to study the influence of Scouting • Polled youth and adults • Divided into 3 groups • Non-Scouts (never in the program) • Scouts • Those in Scouting program for 5+ years • Entire report is available on BSA Nat’l website Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

7. The Harris Survey (con’t) • Over 2/3 of men who were Scouts say there have been real-life situations where having been a Scout helped them to be a better leader • Men who were Scouts are more likely to have: • Higher levels of education • Higher earnings • Own their own homes • Scouts are more involved in after school activities • Sports (Scout: 75%; never a Scout: 72%) • Music, dance, drama (Scout: 36%; never Scout: 22%) • Arts & crafts (Scout: 29%; never Scout: 21%) • Yearbook or newspaper (Scout: 12%; never Scout: 5%) Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

8. The Harris Survey (con’t) • Grades in School • Reporting mostly A’s • Scouts: 25% • Scout for 5+ years: 29% • Never a Scout: 17% • Percentage who agree that Scouting has improved their performance in: • Athletic skills: 66% • Science: 56% • Reading: 52% • Math: 50% • Being a Scout does not necessarily guarantee success, but there are clear indicators of the positive influence of the program in many areas Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

9. Preparing for the Future • Merit Badges – learning about new areas • Professions: Chemistry, Nuclear Science, Oceanography, Journalism, Electronics, Engineering, Medicine, Composite Materials; Composite Materials, Law • Hobbies: Stamp Collecting, Winter Sports, Genealogy • Nature, outdoors: Hiking, Swimming, Climbing, Backpacking • Life Skills: Personal Management, First Aid, Cooking, Lifesaving • Citizenship: Community, Nation, World • Conferences with adults • Scoutmaster Conference • Board of Review Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

10. Preparing for the Future II • Leadership opportunities • Senior Patrol Leader • Patrol Leader • New experiences • Trip to Switzerland, Sea Base, Philmont • Camporees • Museums, historic sites • Advancement • A template for gaining new skills • Wide variety of requirements (skills + service) • Teaching self reliance Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

11. Preparing for the Future III • Eagle Scout – Universally recognized as a sign of high achievement • Why? 21 merit badges; Eagle service project; last of seven advancement levels – approx 4% of Scouts • “Being an Eagle Scout will definitely impress admission officers at top colleges” – College Confidential website • Hundreds of scholarships • Job networking (National Eagle Scout Association) • Unique opportunities: NSF “Antarctic Scout” program Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

12. Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts • Scout led • PLC plans agenda; SPL runs meetings • Scouts active in annual planning conference • Scouts plan their outings – menus, etc • Emphasis on leadership and teamwork • Boys are responsible for their own advancement • Adult role: mentor, suggest, safety • Adult leaders, not parents, sign off advancement & merit badge requirements Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

13. Advantages of Troop 1018 • Small size • One-on-one mentoring • Flexible programs & scheduling • Advancement closely monitored; individual attention • All Scouts included in all activities • Lots of interaction between older & younger Scouts • All have opportunity for high adventure Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

14. Advantages II • Trained, motivated, and stable adult leadership • Wide variety of activities • Outdoor program • Tours • Game Nights • Strong outdoor program • Monthly campouts – different themes -- hikes • Monthly camping is essential to staying with Scouting • 51% of boys that leave Scouting come from troops with 5 or few camping outings per year • Only 15% come from units that camp every month Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

15. Advantages III • International Flavor • Kandersteg Scout Centre in Switzerland; summer 2006 • Contact with other Scout troops overseas • Boys come from throughout local area • Fun Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

16. Summer Camps • “Traditional” • Goshen (2007) • Resica Falls, PA (2006) • Hawk Mountain, PA (2005) • High Adventure • Florida Sea Base (2007) • Kandersteg, Switzerland (2006) • C&O Canal – 60 mile hike (2005) + Jambo Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

17. Expectations of Scouts • Live by the Scout Oath and Law • Support the Scouting program • Work toward advancement • Fully participate in the troop and patrol • Inform us when you can’t participate • Participate in troop fundraisers • Wear the uniform • Perform community service Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

18. Expectations of parents • Help/encourage your son • Monitor his progress • Enable his participation • Help the troop • Actively participate as an adult leader • Committee member, Assistant SM, trainer, merit badge counselor • Participate in specific activities • Fund raising, driving, planning an activity Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

19. Costs of Scouting • $50 Annual Dues • Registration, patches, misc troop expenses • Activities – registration & food ($20) • Uniform ($50 - $75) – uniform exchange • Camping equipment (?) • Lots of troop gear available for checkout • Summer camp ($100 - $1400) • Nobody denied Scouting experience for financial reasons • Scoutbucks can defray most costs • Camperships Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

20. Other Info • Fundraisers – wreaths & mulch • Flexibility – we work around your family schedule • Troop gift to new Scouts • Scarf, slide, handbook,1018 patch • Uniforms Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

21. Other Info (con’t) • Communications via email • Monthly newsletter mailed to each family • Website (www.troop1018.org) • New Scout orientation (Saturday program) • “Scoutcraft basics” campout in April • Summer camp Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

22. Wrap - Up • Importance of finding a good “fit” with a troop • Bridging ceremonies; early joining • Thanks for your interest in 1018 Questions? Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC