|
|||||||||||||
|
Here is an working example of a Troop Parents handbook as developed by Troop 524 of the Viking Council Troop 524Parent’s Handbook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to the Boy Scouts of America organization and specifically the experience of Troop 524. Troop 524, which was founded in 1964, has a proud heritage. Members of the Troop work hard to promote the excellence in the program that has allowed the Troop to attain this tenure. This handbook has been developed to help answer questions that parents may have about the Troop, how it functions and what is expected from the family, the boy, and the Troop. Troop 524 has a large number of Scouts and the support of strong adult participation. Parental involvement is one of the major keys to success in Scouting. Parents are welcome to attend any meeting, but are especially encouraged to attend all Courts of Honor and Committee Meetings. Presence at the Court of Honor is particularly important to the effectiveness of the Troop's programs. In Cub Scouts, to a very great extent, advancement is the product of adults running the program. If a Scout attends his den meetings and takes part in the activities, then he will advance. In Boy Scouts, a Scout’s advancement is his own responsibility -- his advancement is in his own hands. Selecting a Boy Scout Troop to join is an individual decision for each family. Every Troop is different. In selecting a Troop, consider the following: Are the Troop activities the kind that the boy would enjoy? How do the Scouts interact with each other? How do the older Scouts interact with the younger Scouts? Are there older Scouts active in the Troop? Is the Troop boy-led or is it led by the adults? (The best answer is boy-led.) Are you comfortable with the adult leaders in the Troop? Are the adult leaders trained, do they follow BSA policy, and do they welcome input and participation by all parents? A Scout does have the freedom to transfer to another Troop if, for any reason, he changes his mind after joining a Troop. When comparing Troops, it is not too important how large a Troop is, how many Eagle Scouts it has, or how many high-adventure trips they go on. The measure of a successful Troop is how well it meets the aims of Scouting which include: encouraging participatory citizenship, building strong moral character, and helping boys to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In other words, do boys leave the Troop a better person than they were when they joined? By joining the Boy Scout program, parents give permission for their son to participate in an organization whose purpose is to provide an effective program designed to build these desirable qualities into the boy. How this is accomplished involves a diverse program of methods and activities. The path to Eagle Scout, even though a lot of fun, is a big challenge. The Troop is not a baby sitter for those parents wanting to dump their sons off for a while to gain more free time for themselves. The Scouting program works at its best when generous amounts of parental involvement and encouragement are there to help the Scout along the way. From time to time, parents will be called upon to provide assistance to the Troop. For those who would like to become more active in the organization, there are openings in the leadership and committee positions. Scouting will teach young men to be masters of their own destiny and give them the self-respect and confidence to make their own decisions. The only way to do so is for the adults to step back and allow them to do so. Train them - trust them, even if they choose a path other than our own. It is better to build boys… than to mend men!
It is easy to become a Scout ... it is not easy to BE ONE. To be a good Scout a boy needs courage and determination. It means knowing and living the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. A Scout’s words and actions should be consistent with these ideals. It means PARTICIPATING and playing by the rules of the game in order to be a good member of the team. The Scouting program is built on the theme that education should be fun. The program must be fun in order to keep boys interested in Scouting. The program works toward four basic aims or goals referred to as the purpose of Scouting:
The Scouting program offered by Troop 524 accomplishes its aims and goals through:
Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Slogan Do a Good Turn Daily.
Scout Motto Be prepared.
The outdoor experience is ideal for the Troop's program because:
PATROL
METHOD
Troop 524 strives to use the Patrol Method in all of its activities. The
Patrol Method promotes a feeling of belonging and allows the boys to experience
leadership and responsibility. The boys really need some space to try things
out. And to paraphrase Baden-Powell…We shouldn’t do anything for the
Scouts that they can do for themselves. The adult leader can help at difficult moments, encourage the boys when things get tough, give helpful advice when needed, and still keep enough distance to allow the boys to take on the chunks of leadership that they can handle The trick is to find a happy medium between simply ignoring the Scouts, and becoming so involved that they don’t have a chance to learn on their own. Remember that each Scout is different and consequently each Patrol is different. Each will need varying degrees of coaching support and room to grow. Adult leaders are there to give them the support they need while restraining enthusiasm enough to let them try out things and learn along the way.
Troop
524 has a basic set of goals that are focused toward giving each Scout who
participates in the Troop's program a rich and unforgettable Scouting
experience. These goals are to:
- Operate Troop 524 true to the purpose of Scouting.
- Offer
an advancement program for all Troop members and regularly recognize their
achievements.
- Have
a boy-planned and boy-led
Troop program with appropriate adult guidance.
- Offer
a leadership development program to provide personal growth for each Scout and
to ensure continuity of leadership.
- Work
toward BSA aims through growth in moral strength and character, participating
citizenship, and development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
- Promote
individual and family involvement in Scouting.
- Place
special emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, and instilling
- HAVE
FUN!
These
goals develop character, citizenship and leadership ability and can best be
achieved by giving members responsibility for organizing themselves to plan and
implement the Troop programs. To
the maximum extent and being consistent with safety and the National BSA Policy,
Troop 524 Scouts learn by having the opportunity to try, occasionally fail, and
more often succeed -- but to do so while the adults stand aside and let the
Scouts take the initiative and have the experience and pride that comes from
their own efforts. This is what we
mean by a BOY-LED TROOP -- THIS IS TROOP 524’S ULTIMATE GOAL!
There are general responsibilities that need to be followed by both the boys and the adults. It is very important that the boys receive a consistent message that is in line with the goals of the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 524.
By following and practicing these responsibilities, the boys can and will grow into mature, responsible, young men.
It is important that all adults do everything in their power to help the boys grow up to become mature, responsible, young men!
Registration fees collected each year are a major income source for the Boy Scouts of America National Organization. Troop 524 recharters and pays registration fees to the National Organization in February of each year. The entire registration fee is forwarded to National. Boy’s Life magazine is an optional expense that is strongly encouraged as it reinforces that Scouts participate in a world-wide organization. When a youth joins the Troop he initially pays the registration fee and a Troop fee. The Troop fee is used to help defray the cost of the initial items provided to the Scout by the Troop. Scouts pay monthly dues. The fee structure is outlined in the back of the Troop By-Laws.
Boy Scouts of America actively promotes training and awareness to protect Scouts from modern risks of verbal and physical abuse, kidnapping, assault, and drug abuse. It is National Boy Scout Policy that no Scout should be alone or alone with any adult leader or parent, other than their own. There must be a “buddy” (another Scout, adult, relative or friend) present at all times. Troop 524 offers both the adult and youth versions of the Youth Protection Training produced by National. It is highly recommended that all Scouts, adult leaders, and parents attend a Youth Protection Training program no less than once every other year.
It is important to create a safe haven, a place where everyone feels physically and emotionally secure. There are several things required for this:
The Scouting program is not designed to solve youth discipline problems. The program is designed to build into the youth the necessary character and responsibility to prevent discipline problems. The program needs all of the time available to it to accomplish these aims. Administering the program to Troop 524's membership does not provide the Troop leadership any extra time to waste in dealing with discipline problems. We believe it is the PARENTS who should have the direct responsibility to instill and reinforce, in their sons, good manners, socially acceptable behavior, and the respect for authority. All Troop activities will be under the supervision of the Scoutmaster with assistance from the Assistant Scoutmasters. Committee members and parents shall participate and assist in Troop activities when requested by the Scoutmaster. A Scout is responsible and will be held accountable for his own behavior.
In the event that an issue arises and a parent or Scout has a complaint it should be addressed through the following chain-of-command. If the issue is with one of those in the chain-of-command, that person would probably not be initially involved.
The Troop will not permit the use of inappropriate language, abusive
attitudes, or threatening physical behavior while attempting to resolve a
problem. The lack of a constructive attitude by any party may lead to separation
of the boy or the family from the Troop. A good part of the Scouting program consists of an active outdoor program and it is necessary to take basic steps to protect the health and welfare of the Scouts and the Troop. It is imperative that the uniformed leaders have a thorough knowledge of the Scout's medical background, including authorization for treatment should the need arise. Each youth member and adult Troop leader is to have the appropriate medical examination form on file with the Troop. The following describes the three medical forms in use and which one is appropriate for the situation. Class 1: Required for all new Scouts and is filled out by the parent. Includes treatment authorization and medical history. Needs to be updated annually. Class 2: Includes the above plus a physician's examination. Required for summer and/or winter camp. Needs to be updated every thirty-six months. Class 3: Similar to the class 2, including the physician's examination. Required for high adventure activities and for any adult over 40 years old. Updated annually. In additional to the Health Form, on each outing, each Scout is required to have a parent or guardian’s signature on a ‘Permission to Participate’ form that includes a medical release for the time period of that outing.
Troop
524 and the Viking Council maintains a Unit Accident Insurance Policy as
required by the Boy Scouts of America. Parents
should be aware of the fact that this is a SUPPLEMENTAL accident insurance
policy, and as such has limited coverage. It only pays costs that are not covered by the individuals’
existing medical insurance, and the injury must occur at a Scout function.
Proof of insurance is required for all vehicles used in Scout functions for transportation. The following DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS will be adhered to when Scouts are transported by a motor vehicle:
A PUBLIC LIABILITY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY MUST COVER ALL VEHICLES USED FOR THE TRANSPORTION OF TROOP MEMBERS. The amount of this coverage must meet or exceed the insurance requirement of the state in which the vehicle is licensed and the state where travel will occur. It is recommended that coverage limits are at least $50,000 / $100,000 / $50,000. Buses and vans must carry $100,000 / $300,000 / $100,000 automobile liability. Vehicles not meeting at least the minimum insurance requirement CANNOT be used to transport Scouts to Scouting Activities.
PATROL
ORGANIZATION
Patrols consist of groups of 8 to 12 boys. The patrol size will depend upon the number of boys available and the number of patrols that are set up. Ages of the boys may vary within each patrol so that the older, more experienced boys can teach and guide the younger ones. New boys entering the Troop are kept in their own patrols until they have become accustomed to how the troop operates and then those boys are put into the other patrols. New Scout Patrols have a Troop Guide (older Scout) assigned to them by the Scoutmaster. The Troop Guide serves as the Patrol leader and mentor for the Patrol. Each regular Patrol elects their own Patrol leader (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). The Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders are in their own patrol called the Leadership Corps. When the members of the Leadership Corps are no longer in one of these leadership positions, they return to a regular Patrol. The Troop adult leaders have their own patrol called the Growly Bears. The Growly Bears set the example of how to set up camp, cook and interact as a patrol. Teaching by example and making occasional suggestions are two of the best ways to help the boys learn.
Boy Scouting encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concept of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him towards the citizenship aim of Scouting. The Boy Scout program is for boys and therefore is led by boys with guidance and assistance from the Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmasters Team and the Troop Committee. The Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) is charged with the responsibility of deciding what the Troop wants to do, planning it, and carrying it out. Every Scout, through his Patrol Leader, has a voice in the planning and execution of the Troop activities. The Patrol Leaders’ Council is composed of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL), Scribe, Historian, Librarian, Chaplain’s Aide, Order of the Arrow Representative, Troop Guides, and the Patrol Leaders. These leadership positions are considered very important and are not to be taken lightly. A Scout is REQUIRED to be involved in leadership if he is to advance in the higher ranks of Star, Life and Eagle. Some leadership positions are elected and some are Scoutmaster appointments. Elections are held twice a year.
See Appendix D for
Election Process See Appendix E for Leadership Position Descriptions
SCOUTMASTER/ASSISTANT
SCOUTMASTER TEAM The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the actions of the Troop. This job is summed up in the following basic duties:
The Scoutmaster is backed up by the Assistant Scoutmasters. Some of the
Assistant Scoutmasters serve as Patrol Advisors. The Troop Committee consists of adults who are interested in and wish to make a contribution to the Scouting program. These adults are parents of Scouts in the Troop and other adults with an active interest in Scouting. The Troop Committee’s primary responsibilities are to support the Scoutmaster in delivering a quality Troop program and handling the Troop’s administrative functions. The Troop Committee has a number of administrative roles as follows:
It is the function of the Troop Committee to support the Troop program, not to operate it. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are responsible for directing the Troop program, and for guiding the boy leadership who execute the Troop program.
See Appendix B for
Member Duties and Responsibilities.
See Appendix C for Troop
By-Laws
The organization of any Troop begins with a charter organization. The Church of Epiphany Usher’s Club charters Troop 524. This organization, in effect, owns the Troop equipment and is responsible for seeing that Scouting Principles are fully employed in the Troop's operation. The Usher’s Club is represented in the Troop organization by the Charter Organization Representative.
IV. ADVANCEMENT
Boy Scouts provides each boy with the opportunity to learn skills and receive recognition in the form of ranks and merit badges. This advancement in the Scouting program rewards achievement and allows a Scout to be recognized for his work. The requirements for each of the seven ranks and the required merit badges are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook. Boys attain rank by earning merit badges, performing service activities, demonstrating the leadership skills that they have learned, and by participating in routine troop activities such as meetings and campouts. Requirements for rank are often earned during Patrol and Troop activities and some requirements are covered during campouts. Merit badge counselors, Junior Assistant Scoutmasters, and registered adult leaders (with the exception of parents and siblings) are qualified to approve a Scout's skill mastery. Summer camp is an excellent time for a boy to demonstrate many of the basic Scouting skills needed on his road to the rank of First Class and to earn merit badges. The following are the Boy Scout Ranks and general criteria for their attainment The first rank earned is Scout. The joining requirements require the boy to learn the basics of Boy Scouts, like the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, etc. One requirement is to work with his parents through an abuse exercise contained in the front of the Boy Scout Handbook. Once the boy completes these requirements, he participates in a Scoutmaster Conference. The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster reviews the boy's progress, makes sure the boy knows the basics, and discusses what the boy would like to do in Scouting. The next three ranks are Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. These three ranks concentrate on outdoor, first aid, citizenship, swimming, and patrol skills. The requirements for these three ranks can be earned in any order, i.e., a boy could complete the cooking requirements for First Class rank before he earns the Tenderfoot or Second Class ranks. However, the ranks must be earned in order. Troop 524's activities are oriented to giving the boys opportunities to complete these requirements. The summer camp that the Troop attends also will offer a full program for these ranks. After completing each rank’s requirements, the boy will then participate in a Scoutmaster’s Conference and a Board of Review. The next two ranks, Star and Life, require the boy to participate in Troop activities, be in a leadership position, perform service hours, and earn merit badges. After completing each rank’s requirements, the boy will then participate in a Scoutmaster’s Conference and a Board of Review. The highest rank in Boy Scouts is Eagle. These requirements are the most demanding and specific. The Eagle Rank Advisor works directly with each Life Scout to help them understand these requirements. After being in a leadership position, earning 21 merit badges, participating in Troop activities, and completing an Eagle Scout Service Project, the boy will complete an Eagle Application and have a Scoutmaster's Conference. The Eagle Board of Review will then be conducted under the direction of the Eagle Rank Advisor. Then the application is sent to the Council and National Offices for approval. For more information, see the 12 steps to Eagle.
Merit badges provide the boy an opportunity to learn skills or to be introduced to many subjects. There are specific requirements to earn each merit badge. The Troop maintains a library of merit badge pamphlets which a boy may borrow when working on a merit badge. Merit badge pamphlets may also be purchased at the Scout Shop. There are three ways for boys to earn merit badges:
Another desirable characteristic of a Boy Scout is his ability to demonstrate and perform meaningful service to others as part of his home, school, religious and community activities: Service projects are means to teach boys the value and importance of being a giving and helpful person without the want or need for some type of financial or material reward. Service projects MUST BE approved by the Scoutmaster. There is a special service project for the rank of Eagle which will be discussed in detail with the boy when he has earned Life Rank. Boys also earn credit toward rank advancement through the holding of
leadership positions within the Troop and their Patrol. These positions are
either elected or appointed positions and must be approved by the Scoutmaster.
A Scoutmaster’s Conference is required after a Scout completes all of the rank requirements and before the Board of Review for promotion to the next rank. This is an opportunity to review accomplishments, set goals, and deal with concerns and problems. A Scoutmaster Conference can only be performed by the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster. All Eagle Rank Scoutmaster Conferences must be performed by the Scoutmaster, unless the Scoutmaster appoints an Assistant Scoutmaster to perform the Conference. It is the Scout's responsibility to arrange the Scoutmaster Conference. The Scout wears his full Class A uniform and brings his handbook with all advancement requirements properly approved.
A Board of Review is required after the Scoutmaster’s Conference for promotion to the next rank. The purpose of the Board of Review is to make sure the Scout has completed the requirements for the rank, to see how good an experience the Scout is having in the Troop, and to encourage the Scout to progress further. The Board of Review provides “quality control” on advancement within the Troop, it provides an opportunity for the Scout to develop and practice those skills needed in an interview situation, and it is an opportunity for the Scout to review his accomplishments. The Board of Review is NOT a retest. The Scout has already been tested on the skills and activities required for the rank. This is a check of the Scout's attitude and practice of the ideals of Scouting. Care is taken to see that the review does not become a re-examination. The Board should ensure that all the requirements have been signed off in the Scout’s handbook and that leadership and merit badge records are consistent with the requirements for the rank. The Board of Review for Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star Scout and Life Scout are conducted by three or more members of the Troop Committee and Chaired by the Advancement Chairperson. This can include any combination of members of the committee. The Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are not present unless requested by the Board. Parents may NOT be present at the Board of Review. It is the Scout's responsibility to arrange for a Board of Review with the Advancement Chairperson. The Scout wears his full Class A uniform and brings his handbook with all advancement requirements properly approved. Eagle Rank Boards of Review are chaired by the Eagle Rank Advisor. A
Three Rivers District
Advancement Committee Member is required as one of the Board members. The Chair
will determine the other participants on the Board, a minimum of 3. The
Scoutmaster presents the Eagle Rank Candidate to the Board and remains in the
room during the Review, but only speaks if asked to do so by the Board. The
parents are not present for this Board of Review, but are usually eagerly
waiting outside the room to hear the decision of the Board. It is the Scout's
responsibility to arrange the Eagle Rank Board of Review with the Eagle Rank
Advisor. The Scout wears his full Class A uniform and brings his handbook with
all advancement requirements properly approved.
RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS
12th Point of the Scout
Law: A Scout is Reverent Troop 524 encourages Scouts to earn their religious emblems. The Ad Altare Dei is the religious emblem for Catholic boys in 7th and 8th grades and the Pope Pius XII is for Catholic boys in 9th-12th grades. Information about religious emblems for other faiths is also available from the Troop.
The Order of the Arrow is a national brotherhood of Scout campers. The honor of becoming a member of the Order of the Arrow is one that a Scout cannot set out to earn. The members of the Troop bestow this honor on those who have proven themselves worthy of receiving it through active participation in Troop activities and by being an outstanding and unselfish camper. Scouts must also be at least First Class in rank.
Activities include camping events, service projects, training activities,
tours, and just plain fun activities. It is very important that the Scouts
attend activities on a regular basis. Troop meetings are on Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 at the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids. Summertime meetings are at the discretion of the Patrol Leader’s Council and may be held at other locations. Throughout the year other special meetings are scheduled, such as Courts of Honor and Patrol Leaders’ Council Meetings. The Troop meeting agenda is the responsibility of the Senior Patrol Leader with Patrol Leader’s Council and Scoutmaster input. Meetings are held:
PATROL LEADER’S
COUNCIL MEETING
The
Senior Patrol Leader chairs the meeting and may invite others to attend as
necessary. The Scoutmaster attends
all Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings.
Recognition of achievement is a powerful motivator and it is important to hold
at least (4) Courts of Honor per year in order to properly recognize the
advancement of the Scouts. The Court of Honor program affords an excellent
opportunity for Scouts in the Troop to fulfill requirements for Public Speaking
as part of a Ceremony where the youth lead and the Adult Leadership
participates. All advancement information is prepared ahead of time by the
Advancement Chair of the Troop Committee and presentation of the awards is done
in the Court of Honor Ceremony. This is an important function that family
is always asked to attend. There are many different program formats
available for Courts of Honor and it is good to let the Scout that acts as the
Master of Ceremony have some flexibility to use a variety of these
resources.
TROOP
O
|
The
ScoutingBSA.org web site is a
legacy site of the Viking Council BSA, now Northern Star Council.
|
|
||||||
Last Update May 15, 2023