Download - Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Boy Scout Troop 1018 Introduction to Our Troop Version 2 May 2010
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Boy Scout Troop 1018
Introduction to Our TroopVersion 2
May 2010
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Introduction
• History of Scouting• The Scouting Program – what and why• Organization• Differences between Cub & Boy Scouts• Meetings and campouts• Advancement and Merit Badges• Expectations• Costs• Other “odds and ends”• Wrap-Up & Questions
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
History of Scouting
• Founded by Lord Baden-Powell in the United Kingdom– (Brownsea Island – 1907)
• Brought to America by William Boyce • Founded - 8 Feb 1910 (Feb is our “anniversary month”)• 2010 - Centennial Year – special activities planned• Chartered by Congress in 1916
• Worldwide movement, Scouting programs exist in over 200 countries and territories
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
What is Scouting?
• B-P – “Fun with a purpose”• BSA Mission Statement: “To prepare young
people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law."
• The Scout Oath– Duty to God and Country– Duty to Others– Duty to Self
• Scout Law– 12 Points of the Scout Law
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
The Scouting Program
• Preparation for the future– Life skills, citizenship through merit badges– Leadership through “on the job training”– Teamwork through the patrol method– Uniform: pride in organization, self-appearance
• The Outdoor Program– The centerpiece of Scouting– Understand and appreciate our natural resources– Leave No Trace activities– Self reliance; working together toward goals; teamwork
• Association with adults– Boards of Review; Merit Badge Counseling
• Service to others
Getting Started with 1018
• Troop Handbook– Good source of info for new Scout families
• Boy Scout Handbook– Definitive guide on Scouting for the boys– New version for 2010
• Troop website (troop1018.org)– Information– Updated troop calendar– Pictures of past activities
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
BSA Organization
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
B S A O rga n iza tion
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B S A N a tio n a l H e ad q u arte rsIrv in g , T e xas
Troop Organization
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
T reasure r Advancem ent Chair Registra r e tc
S u pp o rtT ro o p C o m m itteeC o m m itte e C h a ir
Assistant SM s
P ro g ramS co utm as te r
T ro op 10 18D ra n e sv ille U M C
The Troop Committee
Mission Statement
The troop committee, which is the troops Board of Directors, supports the troops adult and youth leaders in delivering a quality program to the troop’s Scouts
The Troop Committee
Assure that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained and encourage adult leader training in the areas of program and
support.
The Troop Committee
Ensure that the troop has an active, safe outdoor program each year
The Troop Committee
Assist with transportation
The Troop Committee
Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America
The Troop Committee
Manage troop finances
The Troop Committee
Obtain and maintain troop equipment
The Troop Committee
Serve on Boards of Review
The Troop Committee
Support Youth Recruitment
The Troop Committee
As you can see, it takes a lot to run an effective troop, so your participation is important to the troop and any level!
Scout Information
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Scout Organization
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
T ro op L ea d e rs(Q M , H is torian ,
S cribe, L ibrarian ,G uid e
A ss ista n t S P L
P a tro l L ea d erW o lves
P a tro l L ea d erV ik in gs
P a tro l L ea d erM o n ke ys
P a tro l L ea d erD ra g o ns
S e n io r P a tro l L ea d er
Carrying out the Program in 1018
• Patrol Method• Patrol consists of 8-12 boys• Each patrol headed up by a “patrol leader” elected by
the patrol
• New Scout patrol– New Scout patrol will have a “Troop Guide” – an older
Scout that will assist the younger Scouts
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
The 1018 Program
• Weekly meetings during the school year– Skills instruction, activity planning– Guest speakers– Game nights– Advancement nights
• Tours, special activities• Outdoor program
– Monthly campouts – different themes – hikes– Camporees
• Summer Camps – regular and high adventure
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts
• The Scouts themselves lead– 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
– Advancement done at their own pace
• Adult role: mentor, suggest, safety• Adult leaders, not parents, sign off advancement
& merit badge requirements
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts
The “Prime Directive” (with apologies to
Star Trek):
“Never do for a boy what he can do for himself.”
Advancement
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Advancement• Boys advance in rank as they learn more skills and take
on more responsibility– 1st three ranks (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class)
emphasize “traditional” Scouting Skills (camping, first aid, nature)
– Next ranks (Star, Life, Eagle) emphasize a variety of skills (merit badges), community service and leadership.
• Requirements listed in the Scout Handbook• Scouts advance at their own pace (there is no “right”
pace)• 1st Class rank is the goal of a “successful Scout”
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Advancement (con’t)
• Requirements for 1st three ranks can be worked on simultaneously
• Upon completion of requirements a Scout schedules his:– Spirit Board (scheduled with the Senior Patrol Leader)– Scoutmaster Conference (scheduled with the
Scoutmaster)– Board of Review (Scheduled with the Advancement Chair)
• Goal: 1st Class at the end of second year
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Merit Badges
• Merit Badges enhance a Scout’s knowledge or skills or introduce him to an entirely new field. Examples:– Professions: Chemistry, Nuclear Science, Journalism– Hobbies: Stamp Collecting, Winter Sports, Genealogy– Nature, outdoors: Hiking, Swimming, Climbing, Backpacking– Life Skills: Personal Management, First Aid, Cooking, Lifesaving– Citizenship: Community, Nation, World
• Basic procedure for Scouts:– Find a MB counselor; get Scoutmaster to sign “blue card” – Read the MB pamphlet (we have many in the troop library)– Meet with the counselor and go over the requirements, plan– Complete the requirements; the MB counselor signs, the Scout
turns in the completed form to the troop.
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop Leadership
One of the great benefits of the Scout program is the opportunity to learn leadership through “on
the job training”
“I don't think there's any organization in the world, certainly not in the United States, that better prepares young men for leadership in this country than the Boy Scouts of America”
- Robert Gates, Eagle Scout, Secretary of Defense
Troop Leadership• Boys learn leadership skills through hands on
training– Senior Patrol Leader runs the troop
• The SPL is elected by the troop and appoints other leadership positions
– Scouts in leadership positions learn what they need to do; set and carry out goals (duties are listed on the website)
– Actively serving as a troop leader is required for advancement to Star, Life, and Eagle
• Opportunities to learn– Troop Leadership Training– District and national-level leadership instruction
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Eagle Scout Rank
Universally recognized as a sign of high achievement
• Proven leader – must have served in several troop leadership roles
• Last of seven advancement levels in Scouting• 21 merit badges, including “life skills” such as Personal
Management, Citizenship, Family Life• Leading an Eagle service project • Only about 5% of Scouts achieve the Eagle Rank
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Eagle Scout Rank
Why become an Eagle?
• A tremendous learning experience• Pride that comes from setting a high goal for yourself
and achieving it• Leadership opportunities• “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
What We Do at Meetings
• Program is determined by the PLC• Flag ceremony• Announcements• Program for the evening (sometimes
includes patrol time)• Game• Scoutmaster Minute• Scout benediction
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Campouts
• Typical campout runs from Friday evening to mid-day Sunday• Adult leaders generally make reservations, arrange transportation• SPL and Patrol Leaders:
– Plan the menu, duty roster, and activities– Ensure troop and patrol gear is packed
• Individual Scout:– Packs his own gear and clothing - checklist on the website– Purchases food, if designated
• Parents– Facilitate Scout’s preparation, answer questions– Get your son to the drop off point on time– Pick him up promptly when the campout is over
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
What We Do on Campouts
• Scouts (and adults) camp as patrols• SPL and PLs lead the campsite set up• Patrols set their own general schedules• Patrols cook their own meals
– Duty roster– Clean up afterwards
• Usually have scheduled activities, such as hikes, skills training, sports, flag ceremony
• Games• Campfire
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Summer Camps
• Choice of camps is decided by the troop committee• 1018 goes to two camps each summer• “Traditional”
– Emphasis on advancement and merit badges– Live in tents; eat in a dining hall– Activities for all Scouts at all levels– This summer: Goshen Scout Reservation, VA
• High Adventure– Advanced outdoor skills (such as backpacking, sailing)– Restricted to older Scouts – This summer: Northern Tier, Canada & Minnesota
Scoutbuck Program
• Troop 1018 returns a portion of fundraiser profits to participating Scouts in the form of “Scoutbucks”
• Some Scouts have been able to fund most of their activities through Scoutbucks
• Money held in escrow for use for Scouting related activities or purchases
• Troop committee establishes rules• Treasurer monitors the balances• SM approves purchases• If a Scout leaves the troop his Scoutbucks revert to the
troop
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Expectations of Scouts• Live by the Scout Oath and Law• Support the Scouting program• Work toward advancement• Interface with leaders• Fully participate in the troop and patrol
– Inform us when you can’t participate– Participate in troop fundraisers
• Wear the uniform with pride• Carry out leadership responsibilities• Perform community service • Handout: “Troop Courtesy and Safety Guidelines”
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Expectations of parents• Help/encourage your son
– Monitor his progress– Enable his participation, but don’t do his work for him– A “gentle push” from time to time– Press him to fulfill obligations
• 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
Costs of Scouting
• $50 Annual Dues– Registration, patches, misc troop expenses
• Activities – registration & food ($20)• Uniform ($50 - $75) – uniform exchange• Camping equipment
– Do NOT need much to get started– Lots of troop gear available for checkout
• Summer camp ($100 - $1400)• Nobody denied Scouting experience for financial
reasons– Scoutbucks can defray most costs– Camperships
Do’s and Don’ts
• Do– Troop 1018 travels in Class A uniform– Be on time to meetings and activities– Sign up for activities early and follow through on
commitments
• No – Firearms, ammunition, fireworks– Sheath knives or any knife with a blade longer than 6
inches– No electronics on campouts
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Other Info
• Fundraisers – wreaths & mulch• Medical Forms – required!• Training – lots available for adults and Scouts
– Many courses now available online– Must have YPT to participate in ANY activity involving
direct youth contact
• “Two Deep Leadership”• Official troop records recorded in “Troopmaster”
data base• Uniforms
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Other Info (con’t)
• Order of the Arrow• Keep your Scouting documents together• Communications via email• Monthly newsletter mailed to each family• Website (www.troop1018.org)• Summer camp – immediate sign up
Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC
Wrap - Up
• Thanks for Joining!!!
Questions?