Parent Meeting BSA Troop 1833 February 7, 2012

1. Parent MeetingBSA Troop 1833February 7, 2012

2. Parent Meeting • Goals of Scouting • Scouts Organization • Adult Leaders • Rank Advancement • Merit Badges • Recognition • Uniform Policy • Recommended Equipment • Troop Outings • Record Keeping • Meetings • Dues/Fundraising/Scout Bucks • Communications • Troop Committee • How can you help? • Summer Camp • Q & A??

3. Goals of Scouting Character development Citizenship training Physical and mental fitness

4. Aims and Methods of Scouting Ideals Patrol Method Outdoor programs Advancement Association with adults Personal growth Leadership development Uniform

5. Scouts Organization • Patrols • Grouping of eight to 12 boys • Mixed age patrols* • Troop Youth Leaders • Boy Run Troop! • Senior Patrol Leader • Assistant Senior Patrol Leader • Patrol Leader • Assistant Patrol Leader • Quartermaster, Librarian, Historian, Instructor, Troop Guide, Scribe, Chaplain Aide, etc…..

6. Scoutmaster and ASM’s • Responsible for guiding and training scouts to run the Troop. • Responsible to bring Scouting to the boys • Interfacing with the Troop Committee • ensure that resources are available and maintain a safe program. • An ASM is assigned to each Troop outing • to coordinate the activity with the PLC and trip SPL. Scoutmaster – James Chaplin (jhchaplin@comcast.net) after March 1st, Don Miller (donmiller@holder.com)

7. Adults Provide Logistic Support Supervision / Guidance Transportation Financial Support

8. Adult Role On-Site Safety • Immediately Stop Seriously Dangerous Activity • Fire Knife Fighting Water Etc. • Advise the Scoutmaster of Any Health Issues • Direct Corrective Action to the Scoutmaster or Sr Patrol Leader • Avoid Initiating Corrective Action – Work Within the Patrol Method • Alert Scoutmaster of Any Hazing Incidents – Hazing is NOT Allowed If It’s Not Serious Let the Scouts Manage

9. Troop Committee • The Troop Committee manages • Program resources • These resources include funding, record keeping, adult recruiting, boards of review, re-chartering and more. • Specific Committee positions include: • Committee Chair, Merit Badge Coordinator, Life-to-Eagle Coordinator, Advancement, Board of Review Coordinator, Quartermaster, Training, and Treasurer • Chartered Organization Representative (Selected by the EVFD) • Committee approves • All adult leadership including the scoutmaster Committee Chair – Chris Ridings (christina.ridings@gmail.com)

10. Rank Advancement • Process by which Boy Scout Progresses • Designed to help Scout have exciting and meaningful experience • Education and fun are key to advancement principles • Scout through First Class Ranks focus on Scouting’s basic skills • Goal of BSA and Troop 1833: every Scout achieves First Class within 1-2 years of joining the Troop • The last two steps of each Rank advancement is the Scoutmaster Conference and the Board of Review

11. Merit Badges • Over 120 Boy Scout Merit Badges • Teach Scouts about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers • Required for rank advancement beyond First Class Scout • 21 Merit Badges required for Eagle Scout that include 12 specific badges (Silver Merit Badges) • Troop 1833 currently has Counselors for 74 of the 120+ Merit Badges (including most Eagle Required Merit Badges) -see Mr Bush

12. Process to complete a Merit Badge Merit Badges done in three ways Independently outside the troop Done as a group within the troop Done at a scouting event like summer camp or MB Day Steps or Process to complete a merit badge Scout (not Parent) requests a blue card and counselor from Mr. Bush Scout contacts counselor or takes part in an event that completes the requirements Counselor signs blue card once completed (2 places) Scout requests unit leader signature from Scoutmaster Scout hands in the signed Blue Card to Advancement Committee member

13. Scouts Learn by Doing Leadership Teamwork Communication Problem Solving Conflict Resolution Project Management

14. Recognition • Court of Honors are held three times per year • Replaces Troop Meeting for that week • Ceremony to celebrate the achievements • Rank Advancement • Merit Badges • Additional awards or recognition • Slide show that documents the Troops activities • Not for Eagle Court of Honors (done separately)

15. Eagle Scout Different advance path from Life rank Life to Eagle training Eagle Project documentation before, during and after Prior approval SIGNED Focus on LEADERSHIP w/ Project and position Collect accurate record of blue cards Resolve any disputes or inconsistent information Goes to Council and then National for review

16. Scout Uniform The uniform makes the Scout Troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. the uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals.

17. Uniform Policy • Field Uniform/Class A (generally worn) • Scout uniform shirt, Scout pants, Scout socks, and Scout belt. • Full Field Uniform (special occasions, COH) • Same as Class A plus neckerchief and slide, MB Sash • Activity Uniform (worn during work activities) • Scout pants and Troop or Boy Scout T-Shirt Troop 1833 Scouts always travel in Class A uniform to District or Council events!!

18. Before You Even Think About Camping What To Buy What Not To Buy • Tent –start cheap or share • Buy at Walmart for 1st Year • Water Bottle, or Two - Nalgene • Good Sleeping Bag • Sleeping Pad • Durable Flashlight • Clothing You Will Use Everyday • Inexpensive Items • Items That Retain Utility When Your Son Grows • Any Expensive Equipment • Large Lost & Found • Big Bulky and Fragile Equipment • Nothing Is Unbreakable • Backpacking Backpack, Stove, Water Filter, Etc. • Nothing Is Unbreakable • 1st Real Backpacking Trek Is a Long Way Away and Your Son Is Growing • Electronics Spend Wisely – If In Doubt Talk with Other Parents

19. Recommended Equipment • Equipment needed for weekend trips • Flashlight • Mess kit (includes fork/spoon) • Tent • Water bottle • Scout Handbook • Sleeping bag • Change of clothes • Pocket knife (once approved) • Troop provides • Food unless otherwise noted

20. Anatomy of a Troop Campout Friday Eve Assemble at EVFD around 5:30 & Travel to Destination Canoeing Rock Climbing White Water Rafting Backpacking Camp Fire Swimming Cooking Hiking • Sunday • Break Camp • Religious Service • Return to EVFD Between 1 & 2 Saturday Have Fun! Friday Eve Set Up Camp Advancement (Bring Scout Handbook)

21. Record Keeping(Committee Advancement Chair) • Troop keeps Merit Badge & Advancement records in advancement database (TroopMaster) • Critical that you also keep your own records • Campouts attended • Camped days, miles hiked/backpacked/floated • Service hours and projects • Leadership positions and time • Rank Advancement cards • Merit badge blue cards • Managed by the Advancement Committee member

22. Meetings “Scouts do not join scouting to go to meetings” • Troop Meetings • Tuesdays (except 4th Tuesday of month) at the EVFD from 7:00 to 8:15 PM • Patrol Meetings • Fourth Tuesday of the month, time and location determined by Patrol • Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Meetings • Fourth Monday of Each Month at the Deja Brew or Wegmans from 7:00 to 8:30 PM • Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) Meetings • Twice a year or as needed, location and time TBA • Committee Meetings • Second Monday of each month, location TBA from 7:00 to 9:00 PM

23. Dues/Fundraising • Annual dues (Jan), for re-charter and troop needs • Full year scouts - $70 / year (includes Boy’s Life) • $50 / year obligation from Christmas Wreath sales • Transfer scouts - $1 transfer fee + pro-rated dues • Adult Leaders – Dues paid by the Troop • Major fundraisers (performed by entire Troop) • Christmas wreaths (generally sold in October and Early November). • Chair person to organize Fundraising is needed • “Pay as you go” vs Fund raising • All funds raised go to a Scout accounts minus “obligation fee” for each scout involved, used to pay for scouting “things and activities”

24. Communications How do we get the word out? • Troop Web Site • www.troop1833.org • Troop Meeting agenda • Completed at PLC then emailed to ASM, SPL, ASPL & PLs • e-mail listing • At the start of the Troop meetings • Troop Calendar on website • Google Calendar coming soon • Communication Chain of Command • Scout => PL => SPL => SM

25. How can you help? • Troop Resource Survey • ASM • Committee • Merit Badge Counselor • Specific skill or interest • Plenty of other ways…….

26. Summer Camp • Camp Ockanickon, Buck County Council, Pipersville, PA • June 24-30, 2012 • Cost : $348 per Scout, $119 per Adult • http://www.ockanickon.org • New Scouts participate in a specific program with other Scouts their age. • Focus on requirements and a few Merit Badges including swimming. • Very important for new scouts to take part

27. Why Summer Camp? Scout learns independence Not home, pride of independence Banking system at camp Pride in success Writing letters to your scout How and what to write Special program targeted to new scouts Covers most outdoor requirements towards 1st Class Swimming (Eagle Req) and another merit Badge usually earned If not a swimmer, lessons are offered to help improve to that level New experiences and new friends Bad food and no A/C , but they survive

28. No matter how bad it gets, the scouts run the troop! And within safe limits

29. Wrapping Up Boy Scout Camping is Fun for the Scouts and The Adults…. … Any Questions? Let’s Go Camping!