Transcript Troop 381 New Parents Orientation

Troop 102
New Parents
Orientation
Agenda
• Mission Statement
• Methods of Scouting
• Elements of a Boy led
Troop
• Cub/Boy Scout
differences
• Boy Scout Advancement
• Parents Role
• Service Projects
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Money/Fundraising
Uniform Policy
Adult Leadership
Training
Supporting the Troop
Troop Policies
What Will Boys Do?
Troop Meetings
“Training boy leaders to run their troop is the
Scoutmaster's most important job.”
“Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.”
“Never do anything a boy can do.”
“Every Scout deserves a trained leader.”
—Robert S. S. Baden-Powell
Mission Statement
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is 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.
Aims of Scouting – three specific objectives:
character development, citizenship training &
personal fitness.
The principal focus is on the
boys and in making it fun
Life Skills in a
Values-Based Environment
Scouting is a values-based program with its own
code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help
instill the values of good conduct and honesty. A
boy who spends one year in a Scout troop will
learn lifetime skills. He will learn basic outdoor
skills, self-reliance, and how to get along with
others. Scouting will prepare him to live a more
productive and fulfilling life.
Methods of Scouting
• Ideals. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout
Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan define
what it means to be a good scout and a good citizen.
• Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in
interacting in small groups which provides opportunities for
leadership, teamwork and completion.
• Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place
outdoors which their skills are put to the test and developed to
become more self-reliant.
• Advancement. Boy Scouting program through rewarding
achievement teaches important skills and builds self-reliance and
self-confidence.
• Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching
how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role
models for the members of the troop.
Methods of Scouting (cont’d)
• Personal Growth. Boys grow as they participate in community
service projects and do Good Turns for others. Frequent personal
conferences with his Scoutmaster, service projects, camping and
leadership opportunities help each Boy Scout in his growth toward
Scouting's aims.
• Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages
boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the
opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership
situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy
accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the
citizenship aim of Scouting.
• Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force
for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. The
uniform signifies Boy Scouting unity while allowing each boy to show
his achievement.
What is a “boy-led” troop?
The BSA's definition is that “empowering boys
to be leaders” is the core of Scouting.
A Boy Scout troop is a small democracy. With
the Scoutmaster's direction, the boys are formed
into patrols, plan the troop's program, and make
it a reality.
Elements of a Boy-led troop
• Scouts choose their activities during their
Annual Planning Conference
• Scouts run the Troop meeting
• Scouts organize themselves during
campouts and activities
• CAUTION: Many activities will seem very
disorganized and can possibly be made
more efficient if an adult were doing it
The adult leaders role is to provide guidance for the scouts
Difference between Cub
Scout and Boy Scout
Advancement
• A Boy Scout Troop is not structured like a Cub
Pack
• Boys have more responsibility
– Planning, packing, setting up camp, cooking, activities
– Scout is responsible for initiation of advancement
– Parents cannot sign off. SM, ASM, or Troop Eagle
Scouts and Instructors are the only persons in the
troop that that can sign off.
Scouts & parents MUST understand this. Do not baby the
boys. Let them fail once in awhile! Failure sometimes
can be the best teacher.
Boy Scout Advancement
• Scouting Ranks
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Boy Scout
Tenderfoot
Second Class
First Class
Star
Life
Eagle
Tenderfoot
2nd Class
Star
Life
1st Class
Eagle
Requirements are in the book.
Each rank requires a Scoutmaster Conference and
eventually a Board of Review (Committee).
Advancement
• The parent’s
role is not to
carry the scout
• The parent’s
role is to
monitor,
motivate, and
support the
scout
What to do in 1st Month?
• Earn Scout rank (p. 4)
• With patrol plan and
go on first campout
(This would be a good time
to open your camping merit
badge.)
• Work on Tenderfoot
requirements #’s 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8. Or More!
Merit Badges
Scout advancement lets you move ahead in your own way and at your
own speed. There are 121 merit badges to choose from.
•Decide on which badge to earn
•Get a signed merit badge application (blue forms?) and the name of a
qualified counselor for that merit badge from your Scoutmaster
•Along with another Scout, a relative, or a friend, set up and attend your
fist appointment with the merit badge counselor who will explain
requirements and help you plan ways to fulfill them.
•Complete requirements.
Parent Responsibilities
Monitor Progress
• To monitor, you have to understand what
is required.
• Your Assignment:
– Read Chapters 1 and 3 of the Boy Scout
Handbook
– Track his progress
Parent Responsibilities
Be Encouraging
• For Tenderfoot, most items are taught by
older scouts and Adult leaders. But they
can get stuck.
• Your Assignment:
– Encourage working on the fitness requirement
- especially pull ups!
– Help him memorize Scout Oath, Scout Law
Parent Responsibilities
Be Supportive
• There are some things that the scout
cannot do without help
• Your Assignment:
– Select camping gear
– Help him get to troop meetings and functions
– Prepare for Summer Camp
Service Projects
• Our scouts are encouraged to participate
in service projects. The purpose of this
activity is to build a sense of community.
“One influences community by being involved”
• The Troop will participate in various
service projects. Service projects include
Eagle projects for Scouts in our Troop as
well as District, Council, and community
sponsored events.
All About Money/Fundraising
• The troop is operated
through a combination of
dues and fundraising
activities.
• Dues are $?? per year.
• The primary fundraiser for
the Troop is participation
in the annual Boy Scout
popcorn sale.
• Most campouts and troop
activities are based on a
“pay as you go” fashion
• Primary costs for most of
the activities are: food,
campground fee and gas
• Fundraising is
encouraged not
discouraged: a scout is
thrifty!
Stuff Scouts Need
• Uniform
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Shoulder Loops
Pensacola Bay Council Patch
World Brotherhood Patch
Troop Numerals
• Boy Scout Handbook
• Camping Equipment
Uniform Policy
• All Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to wear the full
Scout uniform. While that might not be possible for all
Scouts, Troop 102 has identified the minimum uniform
elements for each Scout:
• Shirt (required) – All Scouts are expected the official
Boy Scout shirt during meetings and appropriate outing,
including while traveling to/from all Scouting activities.
• Belt (required) – Any official Scout belt (web, Philmont,
Order of the Arrow, etc) may be worn.
Uniform Policy (cont’d)
• Insignia – All insignias that are worn will be
worn in the correct position. (required) The
troop number (102), council patch, patrol
patch, patrol/troop position patch, and
current rank patch. (optional) Year pins, activity
patches.
• Troop 102 Activity T-shirt – The Troop t-shirt
will be worn in lieu of the official scout shirt for
designated activities and during summer
months.
• Scout Pants – (preferred, but not required)
Troop Policies
• Troop 102 policy is governed by our Troop
By-Laws which are based on Boy Scout of
America policy
• Safety is top-most concern for all Boy
Scout activity
• The Scout Oath and Law are the RULES
of the Troop
Expectations
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Good Attendance
Proper Uniform
Bring Scout Handbook
Remember Chain of command
Buddy System
Watch each others’ backs
Respect PL, SPL, and each other
Work together and follow directions
Do your part
What Will Boys Do?
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Plan and Run Meetings
Annual Planning
Plan and Do Outdoor activities
Public Service Activities
Camporees / Scout-o-Ramas / District Events
Summer Camp
High Adventure Camps (Offered by District at different times)
– Florida Sea Base – snorkeling, SCUBA, boating, and beach camping
– Northern Tier - canoeing, hiking, fishing, and winter camping in and
around the beautiful lakes of northern Minnesota and southern Canada
– Philmont Scout Ranch – hiking in mountains of New Mexico
Troop Meetings
• Every Monday, 6:30 – 8:00pm
– At GB CLC (Community Life Center) on 98
– Except holidays, or some school breaks
• Uniforms look good!
• Organized by PLC
• Meeting Activities can included
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Preparing for campouts, trips, activities, etc.
Board of Reviews
Fun activities
Merit badge work, not often
Supporting the Troop
• The boys have nothing to run if there is no parent
support – they lack the life experience that we have.
They need our help to coach them and guide them – not
delegate (micro manage).
• The troop needs help in many forms – driving to outings,
summer camp planning, advancement, etc. Join the
Committee if you do not have the desire and/or time to
be an ASM.
• Start with adult leader training – it helps you, your son,
and the troop
• Scouts are more likely to succeed and stay in the
program long term if they have a parent involved!
Adult Leadership
Scoutmaster
• The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the
image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster works
directly with the Scouts. The importance of the
Scoutmaster’s job is reflected in the fact that the quality
of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in
the troop.
• The Scoutmaster is responsible for training boys to be
Troop leaders, working with and through other
responsible adults (Assistant Scoutmasters) to bring
Scouting to the boys, helping the boys grow into good
Scouts and responsible citizens, and interfacing with the
Troop Committee to ensure that the necessary
resources are available to ensure a good Scout program
is provided to the boys.
Adult Leadership
Troop Committee
• The Troop Committee is a group of parents and adults
interested in the general welfare and operation of the
Troop. The Committee is responsible for seeing that the
necessary resources are made available to support the
Scouts as necessary. These resources include record
keeping, adult recruiting, boards of review,
transportation, and more. Specific Committee positions
include:
• Committee Chair, Membership, Secretary, Newsletter,
Merit Badge Coordinator, Life-to-Eagle Coordinator,
Advancement, Quartermaster, Training, Transportation,
Medical Records, and Treasurer (as well as the
Chartered Organization Representative and the
Scoutmaster).
Training
• Scouts
– Orientation campout in Spring for new Scouts
(tentative)
– Troop Leader Training provided to troop leadership
after every election
• Committee / Parents
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Youth Protection – every 2 years
District Adult Leader training offered spring/fall
Boy Scout Roundtable Meetings
Wood Badge
Philmont
Training
• Parents / Scouts
– How to Protect You Children from Child Abuse
• First section in Scout Handbook
• Leaders Should be Trained
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Youth Protection
Scouting Fundamentals
BSA Policies & Procedures
Creates linkages to immense reserve of resources
• 2-Deep Leadership
Resources
• BSA National Web Site - http://www.scouting.org/
• Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-503a.html
• Fact Sheets http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=mc&c=fs
• Youth Protection http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=xx&c=yp
• Eagle Scout - http://www.nesa.org/trail
• Forms - http://www.scouting.org/forms/
• Knots - http://www.proknot.com/index.html
Troop Leader Intros
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Scoutmaster –
Committee Chair –
Secretary –
Treasurer –
Advancement –
Eagle Advancement –
Camping –
Merit Badge Coordinator –