New Parent & Scout

Orientation

Troop 420St. John Roman Catholic Church

Carroll DistrictBaltimore Area Council

Mission Aims· Character Development – To build self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-respect

· Citizenship – To foster love of community, country and world, along with a commitment of service to others and an understanding of democratic principles.

· Personal Fitness – To develop social, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness and physical health that will stay with a Scout for the rest of his life.

It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, and in other ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law.

Scouting is A Values Based

Program

AIMS Are Delivered ByMethods

IdealsPatrolsOutdoor ProgramsAdult AssociationAdvancementPersonal GrowthLeadership DevelopmentUniform

History of Troop 420

Chartered for 43 continuous years– Actually older, but a break in the charter

Sponsored by St. John Catholic Church, Westminster, Md.

20 Eagle Scouts since 2001

Cub/Boy Scout Differences

A Boy Scout Troop is NOT structured like a Cub Pack

We give the boy’s the chance to try and learn things, and make mistakes in a safe environment

Cub/Boy Scout Differences

Boys have more responsibility– Planning, packing, setting up camp,

cooking, activities– Scout is responsible for initiation of

advancement– Parents cannot sign off on items they have

completed. Adult Leaders (SM, ASM, or Troop Leaders (SPL, ASPL, Troop Guide, Patrol Leaders) are the only persons in the troop that that can sign off individual items in your handbook.

“An invaluable step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.” Robert Baden-Powell

Troop Leadership

Key Positions Jack Lusby, Committee Chair Al Schultz, Advancement Chair Chris Joneckis, Scoutmaster Joey Dell, ASM Colin Scott, ASM Nick Wagman, ASM Joseph Worthy, ASM

SCOUTS LEADERS Charles Yodinse, SPL Brady Lowe, ASPL Evan Hill, ASPL Will Spaar, Troop Guide

Hank Reinhardt – Scoutmaster Emeritus

Youth-Led Patrol Patrol – group of scouts who operate as a team Patrol Leader

– Is responsible for himself– Is responsible for the well-being of his patrol members– Is responsible for individual patrol members– Communicates to patrol members

This is a learning activity. Each boy will get their opportunity to lead and to learn how to lead effectively

“It is up to the patrol leader to take hold of and to develop the qualities of each boy in his patrol. It sounds like a big order, but in practice it works.” Baden-Powell

Scout Leadership

Leadership– Scouts elect their own major leadership

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) (entire troop) (yearly)

• Patrol Leader (each Patrol) (twice a year)• Other positions appointed by Scout and

adult leaders– Leadership (positions of responsibility) is a

major requirement to advance to Star, Life and Eagle

– Scouts must attend meetings and trips to learn and show leadership for rank advancement

– Plan accordingly with schedules

Patrol Method

“The Patrol method is NOT one way to run a troop it is the ONLY way” Robert Baden-Powell

BSA Policy

Youth-Led Troop“Don’t Do Anything for a Scout that he can do himself”

-Baden-Powell

The Patrol Leaders Council Runs the Show With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his

assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.

– Monthly Meeting SPL, ASPL, PL, Scribe, etc.– Annual Planning Meeting plan out the year– Planning daily campout schedules, campsite layout

• Not travel logistics, not money, not medicine – Troop meetings

The Scouts Organization Troop Youth Leaders

– Senior Patrol leader - top youth leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other youth leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.

– Assistant Senior patrol leader - fills in for senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.

– Instructor - teaches one or more advancement skills to Troop members.– Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - Scout at least sixteen (16) years old who supervises and

supports other boy leaders as assigned. – Patrol Leader - gives leadership to members of his Patrol and represents them on the

PLC– Assistant Patrol leader - fills in for the Patrol Leader in his absence. – Troop Guide - advisor and guide to new Scout Patrols. – Den Chief - works with a Cub Scout Den as a Guide. – Quartermaster - responsible for Troop supplies and equipment. – Scribe - the Troop secretary. – Troop Historian - collects and maintains Troop memorabilia and information on former

Troop members.– Librarian - keeps Troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge

counselor list available for use by Troop members. – Leave No Trace Trainer – Certified as a LNT Trainer who trains & advises the Troop– Webmaster – Webmaster for the Troop Website

Troop 420 Scoutmaster’s Goals for 2011 -2012

1. Emphasize Boy Lead Troop2. Strengthen Patrol Method3. Develop Boy Leadership

Implementing Goals

1. Emphasize Boy Led Troop• More active role for the PLC• More active role in planning yearly activities• More active role in campout planning • More active role in advancement of scouts

Implementing Goals

2. Strengthen Patrol Method• Patrol cooking and menu planning • Working through scouts and SPL• Positions of responsibility that have expectations and

are evaluated

Leadership Development

3. Develop Boy Leadership - Training & Mentoring

– Main Job of Scoutmaster, ASMs, & selected adults

Empowering Youth to be Leaders– Start slow– They will make mistakes– Maturity takes time, and different boys mature at different rates

Youth Training: Troop - PLC

– After each PLC– In Patrols/ Troop – Campouts

District– 6 scouts DYLT trained– Den Chief Training

Council– 1 scout NYLT trained– OA training

Boy Scout Advancements Process by which a Boy Scout Progresses Advancement is a means to an end, not an

end in itself– Designed to help the Scout have exciting and

meaningful experience– Education and fun are key to advancement

principles– Growth the Scout achieves overcoming

obtainable goals– Scout through First Class Ranks focus on

Scouting’s basic skills– Goal of BSA and Troop 420: every Scout

achieves First Class in about 1 year,

Boy Scout AdvancementsRank Advancements

– Scout– Tenderfoot– Second Class– First Class– Star– Life– Eagle

Advancement Principles Personal growth is the prime consideration in

the program Learning by doing - EDGE Method Each youth progresses at his own rate A badge is recognition of what a young person

is able to do, not just a reward for what he has done

Advancement encourages Scouting Ideals

Boy Scout Rank Advancement There are four steps in the Boy Scout

Advancement Process:– Learning– Testing– Reviewing– Recognition

Scoutmaster oversees Scout advancement– Learning - with anyone, including parents – Testing - Only adults and scouts designated by the Scoutmaster

may sign off on Rank Advancement requirements• PL, ASPL, Instructors, Troop Guide, SM ASM, selected adults

Rank Advancement

Scout Advancement – Reviewing –

• Scoutmasters Conference• Board of Review

– Recognition • Troop Meeting • Court of Honor – Quarterly

– Advancement Coordinator maintains records and arranges Boards of Review and Courts of Honor

Keep records for your son as well.

Merit Badges Approximatedly 110 Merit Badges Star, Life & Eagle require Merit Badges Qualified Merit Badge Counselors must

approve requirements that are laid out in the Merit Badge Book - no more no less

Scout must obtain a Blue Card from Mr. Al or Scoutmaster before taking the merit badge

Troop has many MB counselors, other exist in District and Council

Wilderness Survival

Merit Badges Some troop meeting have time for Merit

Badges, but when other troop activities are occurring scouts are expected to attend those activities.

Meeting with Merit Badge Counselors should also occur outside of troop meetings – have your son arrange the meeting

Parents should volunteer based upon interests hobbies, occupations, to be Troop Merit Badge Counselors

Wilderness Survival

Outdoors Outcome Three Quarters of SCOUTING

is OUTING Improved Physical Fitness Growth in ability to take care of

themselves A sense of communion with

nature Greater appreciation for the

outdoors Troop 420 has a trip each month

except December – June & July extended trips – Summer Camps– High Adventure trip each year

Outdoors

Advancement happens at outings– We have time for advancement– Advancement is designed to be

done outdoors Adventure happens at outings

– This is why the Scouts join a troop Scouting happens at outings Fun and companionship

happens at outings

Trip Guidelines• Scout methods and youth leadership

• SPL is in charge• Mentored by SM, ASM and identified

adults – Adult Troop Guides• Parents cannot attend• Adults can attend, but in a role other than a

parent – an adult• Separate camping areas when possible• Adults formed into a patrol – lead by

example• Youth Protection and STAND Protection• Will have family camping trip, where parents

are parents and camp as a family

Trip Logistics

Each trip has a trip description and, Permission slip Form and payment are due on the specified date

(typically no later than 2 weeks before trip) turn in forms and payment– We don’t want late submissions

Payments– Can use scout accounts for major trips– Prefer checks payable to “Troop 420”– Some trips (e.g., high adventure, jamboree)

require multiple payments and special agreements

Trip Logistics Forms

– Anyone attending (scouts, leaders, adults, etc.) must have a current medical form on file w/ troop • Current – completed one year from date of trip• Parts A & B• Part C (medical exam only needed unless activity

is >72 hrs or considered strenous)– Scouts - permission slip signed by parent– Parents driving – auto insurance information on file

with Troop Medication - provide medication clearly labeled and

suitably packaged (in original container and in ziplock bag) with completed Troop Medication Form to identified adult on day of the trip.

Consider completing OTC Medication form

Parents Requirements

Take BSA Youth Protection Training Take STAND Training Forms

– Auto Insurance Form – Medical Form & Medication Form– Talent Survey– Merit Badge Counselor Application

Personal Gear Complete Scout Uniform – Class A Class B shirt, other scouts shirts are good too

– Zipperpants – convert into shorts are great– Troop uniform exchange

Check Gear Lists for season, adjust for activity– Car camping vs. backpacking – Everything (except sleeping bag and pad) should fit in one

Duffel or backpack (you can wait on a backpack) Specific Gear Recommendations

– Good sleeping bag and ground pad• +20 should be OK (bags can be made warmer with inserts)

– Rain suit - Breathable is better - NOT PONCHOS– Boots – w/ ankle support is recommended – mid tops– THINK SYNTHETICS (NYLON) NO COTTON– SOFT “SMART” WOOL SOCKS and clothes

Personal Gear

Buy large when possible– if it won’t affect the performance or health

MARK EVERYTHING WITH “SCOUT NAME” AND “TROOP 420”

Look for sales, closeouts, specials Check major outdoor stores, REI,

CABELAS, CAMPMOR,

Troop Committee

“Board of Directors”– Supports the program– Quality of adult leadership, – finance, – equipment, – supports BSA policy, – provides assistance, – serves on boards of review

Jack Lusby, Chair

Troop Committee 7:00pm on the 3rd Monday of each month -

usually

Decisions about the direction of the troop take place

Active participation in the troop committee will help you understand the Scouting program which can help you guide your Scout through the program

Parents and Scouts of Troop 420 are encouraged to attend and join the committee.

Troop Operational Policy Statement

Primary Principles - Follow Scout Oath and Law

Practical Considerations - Read by parents and scouts

Medication Advancement Conduct

Fund Raising Monthly Dues Required participation in fund raising activities, For

example - Tree Sales, Spaghetti Diner, Pizza Sales Opportunities for some monies to be applied to scout

accounts – popcorm, auction

Subsidies- – Scouts who attend specified number of camping tips, troop meetings,

and perform service hours quality for a subsidy on select trips– Typical subsidized trips - Ski trip, Summer Camp, June and July trip– Subsidy may apply to one parent as well as scout on some trips

Parents Requirements Be a Good Role Model

– Model the Scout Oath and Law in our own behavior

Support youth development– Let them continue skills at home – cooking– Get them to meetings & campouts– Please have scouts gather & pack their gear -oversee this activity

if needed

Support youth leadership development Volunteer in the Troop – Committee,

Merit Badge Counselor, Driver Let us know about concerns, suggestions,

etc.

I wish you all good scouting

Q & A