Boy Scout Troop 787

Trip Leader Training

Ron Stoffel

2011-12 Programs Chair

9/25/11

Topics

• Purpose of Outings

• Outing Selection

• Troop Calendar

• Outing Preparation

• Outing Activities

• Lead Times

• Resources Available

• Trip Planning 1-2-3

• Check List

Purpose of Outings

• Learn practical skills

• Practice leadership skills

• Quality experiences for scouts

• Have fun safely

• Earn Merit Badges

Outing Selection

• Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) overnight

planning outing in late July/early Aug to

present and prioritize outings for the next

Nov-Oct troop calendar year

• Planning outing open to all scouts and

scouters

• Outing proposals presented by both

scouts and scouters

Outing Selection (Cont’d)

• Outing proposals classified by type for

good distribution of scouting activities

• All scouts attending the overnight vote on

the outing proposals by type

• Top vote-getters are priority candidates to

be outings in the new troop calendar year

Troop Calendar

• Programs Chair creates preliminary troop calendar (Aug)

• Integrates holidays, school schedules, district, council and National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) dates

• Works with past trip leaders, high adventure team and other interested scouters to refine the calendar (Sept)

• PLC approves calendar (Oct)

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) presents to troop committee (Oct)

• Troop committee approves calendar (Oct)

• Calendar launched for new Nov-Oct troop calendar year

• Programs Chair updates calendar as necessary through year

Outing Preparation

• Trip leader is the authority on the outing

• Co-trip leaders are recruited

• SPL assigns PLC members to assist with outing

• Requirements for reservations, food, routes, drivers, special equipment, special training and other logistics are identified

• Merit Badge opportunities identified

• Tasks allocated to co-trip leaders

Special Considerations

• Medical forms

• Medications

• Medical conditions

• Troop first aid kit and medical cards

• Equipment – Rock Climbing, Camping, Backpacking, Canoeing,

Patrol Boxes, Tents, Lanterns

• Training – Rock Climbing, Canoeing, Backpacking

– YPT required for all trip leaders and co-leaders, Hazardous Weather for at least one leader

Outing Activities

• Support the boy-run troop

• Have SPL assign PLC members to help plan

and run outing activities (thru Scoutmaster)

• Have SPL for outing (thru Scoutmaster)

• Have patrols established for outing (thru

Scoutmaster)

• Have scout leadership run activities

• Trip leaders provide guidance and logistics

support

Lead Times

• Early preparation needed for some outings

– Wilderness Permits (3 months to 2 years)

• Reserved, Quota System and Walkup

– Campground Reservations (3 months to 1 year)

• County, State, Forest Service, National Park

– Commercial Activities (3 months to 1 year)

• Canoeing, River Rafting, Skiing

– Rental Equipment

• Rental providers can reserve items and have staff available

for faster service

Resources Available

• Former trip leaders

• High adventure team

• PLC

• Internet

• Books

• Guides

• Trip files in barn filing cabinets

– Info on previous trips

Trip Planning 1-2-3 – Pre-Trip

• Permission Slip – Use troop website template

• Trip Sign-Up Sheet – Troop website template available

• Tour Plan – Trip leader, co-trip leader information

– Driver, car and insurance information (operations)

– Submitted to Programs Chair right after the Monday troop meeting before the outing

– Programs Chair files tour plan electronically with the Council

– Tour plans not required for day trips within OC

Conduct on Outings

• Go over code of conduct

• Highlight safety issues particular to outing

• Emphasize that the scouts are

representing the troop

Trip Planning 1-2-3 – Post-Trip

• Trip Leader Outing Participant Payment Record

– Troop website template available

• Trip Financial Summary

– No template / summarize income and expenditures in any way that’s understandable

• Troop 787 Reimbursement Request

– Use troop website template

Checklist

• Detailed outing/event trip leader checklist will be distributed electronically to each trip leader

• Outing/event checklist is comprehensive, covering the most complicated and extended outings

• Many outings/events are single-day and uncomplicated requiring only limited planning and just a few “checks”

Bottom Line

• There are no mistakes in scouting leadership. We are all volunteers. Just jump in.

• Our troop’s adult scouting family is large and dedicated. We have a culture of helping when asked. You will not be alone.

• Your son will have some lifetime memories as a result of scouting, and they will be richer with your involvement.