A Parent ’ s Intro to Scouting

1. A Parent’s Intro to Scouting Troop 39 NE Georgia Council, BSA

2. Welcome / Introductions • Existing Troop 39 members • Name • Role in the troop • New Parents • Name • Previous Scouting experience as a youth and as an adult

3. To welcome you to the troop Overview of Troop 39 Program Area Troop Committee Answer questions Complete paperwork Why are we having this meeting?

4. Program Area • Weekly Troop Meetings • Typical Meeting Agenda • Outings • Summer Camp • Equipment • Rules of Engagement • Discipline • Troop/Parent Partnership

5. Meetings • Troop Meeting • Monday evenings 7:00pm – 8:30pm • Year round • Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) • Monday following an outing 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm • Court of Honor • Awards ceremony to recognize boys for their accomplishments • Held two or three times a year • Annual Planning • Held in August • Plan out outings for 12 months

6. Typical Troop Meeting Agenda • Opening (7:00 pm) • Brief announcements • Trip Information • Skill Instruction • Patrol Meetings • Game • Detailed Announcements (around 8:20pm) • Closing / Cleanup (8:30 pm)

7. Uniforms • Field (class A) uniforms to be worn at Meetings, Courts of Honor, Scoutmaster Conference, Board of Reviews and when traveling to and from scout outings • Activity (class B) uniform for all troop activities unless specifically exempted, campouts • Uniform inspection held periodically • Used uniform closet • Registered adults should wear uniforms as well • Field Uniform: • BSA shirt w/ appropriate insignia • Slacks/Shorts • Belt, Socks • Pen, Paper • Name Tag • Closed toe shoes • Activity Uniform: • T39 T-shirt (red) • Pants/Shorts • Socks • Closed toe shoes

8. Outings • Monthly ($10-$25) not including food • Annual Health and Medical Record required • Permission Slip – Required for each outing • Equipment lists • Learning what you actually need is more valuable than the list • Share as much gear as possible with patrol-mates • Low impact philosophy (Leave no Trace) • Varied experiences • Backpacking • Car camping • Biking, Rafting, Caving, Climbing etc…

9. Equipment Needed (scoutdirect.com) • Backpack – beginner external frame • Sleeping bag - 20 degrees • Sleeping pad • Boots • Water Bottle • Mess kit (plate/bowl/spork)

10. Grubmaster Member of the Patrol who shops for food Each outing will have a food fee Collected from boys prior to outing Number of meals x $2.50/$3.00 Grubmaster shops for food selected by patrol 10

11. 2012 Troop Outings

12. Adults on Troop Outings • Registered Leader • Youth Protection Training – Two deep • Trained ASM preferred • Drivers • Info for Tour permit • Year/Make/Model of vehicle • Everyone needs a seat belt • Drivers License Number • Insurance Liability Limits $50K/$100K/$50K

13. Summer Camp • Logistics: • Camp Rainey Mountain – Clayton, GA • June 17 – 23, 2012 (Sun-Sat) • Scout fee is $265 • Adult fee is $150 • Boat-load of summer fun • Obtain early rank requirements • Adults are welcome and needed • Contact: Mark Stevens 770 886-9315 mdstevens@bellsouth.net

14. Not Permitted • Cell Phones • IPod’s, MP3 players, etc… • Gameboys, PSP, Wii, etc… • Sheath Knives • Tobacco, Alcohol, Illegal drugs • Fireworks • Throwing rocks, sticks etc.. • Physical contact

15. Campouts: Rules of Engagement • Boys will camp in Patrols • Learn leadership • Take on responsibility • Will get direction from SPL or ASPL • Adults will camp in a Patrol (Geezer) • Need to have taken Youth Protection Training • Help out with logistics and support • Mistakes will happen, let the boys run the show

16. New Scouts • Assistant Scoutmasters • Mark Strozensky • Bill Hamilton • TBD • First Year expectations • Attendance • Campouts • Advancement

17. Troop Committee Committee Chairman John Pirrello Advancements Becky Ridings Communications Amy Barish (until June) Membership Angie McLendon Hutmaster Open Outdoor/Activities Open Treasurer Scott Tourtillot Chaplain Open Webmaster Elizabeth Nicholson Membership Joanne Seymour Troop Trailer Scott Fuller & Randy Watson Tour Permits Mark Stevens Popcorn Judie Gafford UGA Football Sylvester Ridings Advancement Assistant Open Board of Reviews Mike McFadden Starter Kit Open Landscape John Thompson Equipment Coord David Bird and Suzanne Tiernan Fair Parking Anne/Don Hoover VFW Activities Open Merit Badge Coordinator Bill Hamilton Uniform Closet Donna Snyder Hutmaster Asst. Open Summer Camp Mark Stevens Turkey Shoot Dean Cole Community Service Open Swim Test Garth Ruhlin Camp Card Jamie Ragen Fundraisers Open Meeting on 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:00 pm

18. Communications • Weekly Troop meetings • Yahoo Group & email • Receive emails sent to the group - moderated • Not a chat room – intended to be for important, troop-level announcements. • Website (www.troop39.net) • Has information on upcoming activities as well as longstanding troop practices/policies • Forms and items needing troop-wide distribution

19. Membership • Boys - required for all boys. • Adults - required for all adult volunteers and Merit Badge Counselors • Background check on adults

20. Finances • Includes: • Registration, Insurance • Awards, Operations, Equipment • Starter Kit (Loops, Troop numerals, Name Tag, Class B, patrol emblem) • The Troop 39 policy is that any Scout who has not paid dues may not receive any awards or go on any outings. • Scholarship may be available: See Mr. Pirrello

21. Fundraisers $cout Buck$ ! • Earned as part of each fundraiser • Can be spent on troop fees, outings or at the Scout Store (receipt) • Adults working fair parking, $ goes into boys account • Major fund-raisers • Popcorn (Fall) • Fair Parking (Fall) • Turkey Shoot (Fall) • Camp Card (Spring) • Other ideas welcome • All these need an adult to be the coordinator in order for them to occur

22. Annual Health and Medical Record Part A & B • Completed annually by all members • Events less than 72 hours • Part C • Required if event exceeds 72 hours • Activity is strenuous or demanding • Signed by licensed health care provider • Prescriptions • Boys responsibility • Adults can assist if necessary

23. Scout Hut / Property • 6 Patrol rooms • Scoutmaster office • Central Meeting room • Restroom • Outside area • Outdoor Pavilion • Park in front of building or along driveway, not in back

24. Rank Advancement: T39 Averages • Scout 30 days • Tenderfoot 6 months • 2nd Class 12 months • 1st Class 18 months • Star 31 months • Life 44 months • Eagle 67 months

25. Merit Badge Counselors • Vocation, Avocation or Special Training • Complete BSA Adult Application • Complete Merit Badge Counselor Information • Merit Badge Counselors are approved at the Council level • MB application must be renewed annually (expires 12/31) • Youth Protection Training required • www.meritbadge.com Excellent resource !!!

26. Community Service • Eagle Scout Projects • VFW activities • UGA Football • Individual by Patrol • Adopt a stream • Hands Across Forsyth

27. Adult Training: Troop Committee Basic Training • Adult Application • Fast Start Boy Scouting (online) • This is Scouting (online) • Troop Committee Challenge (online) • Youth Protection (online) • Renewed every 2 years Website: https://scoutnet.scouting.org/elearning

28. Adult Training: Asst Scoutmasters What makes a trained leader? • Adult application • Youth protection (online) renew every 24 months • Fast Start Boy Scouting (online) • This is Scouting (online) • Assistant Scoutmaster position specific SALT ITOLS

29. Things to do: • Troop Registration Form • Complete Youth Application • Complete Adult Application • Complete Troop Resource Survey • Pay Dues • Get Medical Record completed and returned • Join T39 Yahoo Groups • Review: “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” with your son

30. Resources: • READ THE PARENT GUIDE • Scoutmaster – Russ McClelland (770) 235-3153 tmcclelland@bellsouth.net • Troop Committee Chair - John Pirrello (770) 889-3337 jpirrello@comcast.net Websites: • Troop www.troop39.net • National www.scouting.org • Council www.nega-bsa.org • District www.etowah-bsa.org

31. Reflection & Discussion: • What did you learn that surprised you in this meeting? • How is what we discussed different than your son’s view of Scouting? • What challenges will you be facing as a Scouting parent? • How do you see yourself participating as a parent? • Q & A

32. Backup

33. Sign up to be a counselor! How Merit Badges Work • Select a Merit Badge of Interest • Find a Buddy • Find a Merit Badge Counselor (list in Hut) approved by Scoutmaster • Meet with Scoutmaster to obtain Blue Card and Approval • Obtain/Read MB Pamphlet • Complete all Requirements • Turn in Blue Card to Adv. Coord • Awarded at Court of Honor See: www.troop39.net

34. Rank Advancement A Scout Learns On Outings, at his own pace A Scout is Tested By Scoutmasters or Troop Guides A Scout is Reviewed By Scoutmaster then Board of Review A Scout is Recognized At Court of Honor 34

35. Rank Advancement Procedure Check w/ Advancement Coordinator Show progress in handbook Schedule Scoutmaster Conference Attend Scoutmaster Conference One-on-one time Encourage next rank Prepare for BOR Attend Board of Review Don’t forget, full class A uniform! Bring handbook to review Show signed book to Adv. Coord Receive Rank advancement 35

36. Backpacks Simple low price your scout is growing quickly Most packs for young adults are external frame which are adjustable Save your money for when he grows in 2 years Scoutdirect.com offers discounted prices (50% off) for scouts Red Rock $54.99 Bryce Price: $71.49 Zion Price: $76.99 Torso length 36

37. Sleeping bags For this area and our camping a 15-20 degree bag is fine Spend your money for a good bag to last scouting and beyond Items to look for: low weight 2.5 lbs, small pack size, temperature rating Size 82 in. x 32 in. x 14 in. Fits To 5 ft. 11 in. Fill Weight 1 lb. 3 oz. Loft N/A Avg. Total Wt. 2 lbs. 8 oz. Stuff Size 6 in. x 16 in. Temperature 20°F Insulation 600+ fill power goose down Inner Shell Polyester Taffeta Outer Shell 227T nylon Diamond ripstop Zipper Type N/A Color Sky blue/Cobalt/Orange Slumberjack Baffin 20°F Down Mummy Sleeping Bag - Regular Price:$129.99 37

38. Sleeping Pad Small size Insulated for 15-20 degrees Slumberjack Jr. Trekker Self-Inflating Camping MatsItem Number: 64416 Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Rectangular Pad - Short 66in. x 20in.Item Number: 24958 38

39. Location of Camp Rainey Mountain Camp Rainey Mountain Clayton, GA Cumming, GA

40. Camp Rainy Mountain Facilities • 800 seat air-conditioned H. Randolph Holder Dining Hall • Two Waterfront Facilities • Rifle and Shotgun Range • Archery Range • Centrally located Shower Houses • Two Chapels • Eleven Program Shelters • Climbing and Rappelling Tower • Mountain Trails • Adirondack Shelter in 10 Campsites Food - Professional cooks manage our camp’s food service.

41. Summer Camp Program for New Scouts TNT Second Class (The New Scout Trail = TNT) Swimming & First Aid One additional course Program for Adults ASM Position Specific Training (SALT) Introduction to Outdoor Leaders Skills Training (ITOLS) 41

42. Summer Camp Fees Scouts - $265.00 Payments First Payment of $125.00 must be made by April 11 Second Payment of $ 130.00 must be made by May 16 Adults - $150.00 Payment of $150 must be made by May 16 42

43. Summer Camp Equipment Footlocker Duffle bag Class B T-shirts (At least 3). One shirt is included in your fees Complete Class A Uniform More information coming Summer camp parents meeting $32.94 43

44. Equipment Troop Supplied Trailer Tents, Ground Cloths Stoves, Fuel Pots, Pans, Serving Utensils Lanterns Not Troop Supplied • Backpack, Footlockers • Sleeping Bag, Pad • Toiletries • Mess Kits, Cups, Water Bottles • Food 44

45. Troop Committee Scoutmaster Russ McClelland Charter Org VFW9143 ASM New Scouts Mark Strozensky Bill Hamilton ASM Venture Patrols Garth Ruhlin Assistant Scoutmasters (6) COR Dave Scharlau TC Chair John Pirrello ASM Patrol Advisors (4) ASM Patrol Advisors (6) JASM James Thornton JASM Andrew Pirrello JASM Benji Barish Patrol Leader’s Council Senior Patrol Leader Matthew Pirrello New Scout Patrol New Scout Patrol New Scout Patrol ASPL M. McClelland Caving Vikings Patrol Leader Flaming Hawks Eric Scott Patrol Leader Bobcats JT Johnson Patrol Leader Black Dragons Greg Scharlau Troop Guide Keenan Nicholson Troop Guide Norris Nicholson ASPL Grant Allen Troop Guide Josh Allen Troop Guide Scott Mondell Troop Guide Nick Fuller Patrol Leader Scorpions M. Johnson Patrol Leader Frogs G. Thompson Patrol Leader Spartans Trevor Binning Patrol Leader New Scout Patrol Patrol Leader New Scout Patrol Historian Isaac Ridings Bugler Scribe Dylan Stiteler Librarian Thomas Previti Chaplain Aide Scott Mondell OA Rep Noah Ridings LNT Trainer Jeremy Thornton Instructor Eric Strozensky Webmaster B. Smallwood Chief Quartermaster Nathan Stevens Quartermaster Christian Bird Quartermaster Chris Tourtillott Harrison Carter Instructor Alex Strozensky Instructor

46. Discipline Usually Youth Leaders will handle discipline initially. They will be taught methods of handling disruptions, in their training. Scoutmasters’ job is being consistent, firm and fair Establish ourselves as leaders and then, to the greatest degree possible, turn that leadership authority over to the Scouts Serious or recurring negative activity may require the Scoutmaster or other adult leader’s involvement. 46