Boy Scout Leadership Philosophy



WelcomeTOTROOP Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Boy Scout Leadership Philosophy PAGEREF _Toc387324596 \h 3Youth Protection Training PAGEREF _Toc387324597 \h 3Joining The Troop PAGEREF _Toc387324598 \h 4The Troop Program PAGEREF _Toc387324599 \h 6Troop Meetings PAGEREF _Toc387324600 \h 6Monthly Events PAGEREF _Toc387324601 \h 7Summer Camps PAGEREF _Toc387324602 \h 7Avancement Program PAGEREF _Toc387324603 \h 9Rank Advancement PAGEREF _Toc387324604 \h 9Merit Badges PAGEREF _Toc387324605 \h 10Courts Of Honor PAGEREF _Toc387324606 \h 10Opportunities for Involvement PAGEREF _Toc387324607 \h 11Annual Dues & Fund Raisers PAGEREF _Toc387324608 \h 11Volunteering PAGEREF _Toc387324609 \h 11Appendix A: Troop 29 Adult Leadership PAGEREF _Toc387324610 \h 12Appendix B: Typical Scouting Supplies For Camping PAGEREF _Toc387324611 \h 16Appendix C: Merit Badges Required For Eagle (White Rings) PAGEREF _Toc387324612 \h 17Appendix D: Useful Websites PAGEREF _Toc387324613 \h 18Appendix E: Glossary Of Terms PAGEREF _Toc387324614 \h 19Appendix F: Becoming a Follower of the Troop’s Website PAGEREF _Toc387324615 \h 20Boy Scout Leadership PhilosophyThe purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide an educational program for boys to build moral strength and character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop physical, mental, and emotional fitness.We are committed to providing an exciting, challenging and fun environment to develop boys into strong independent leaders. The adults firmly believe that Scouts should run the troop in developing and executing the program. A boy led troop allows greater participation and growth in boys as they mature in young responsible men. The Adult Leaders provide mentoring, support and assistance in accomplishing the boy’s goals and program while ensuring the safety of all the youth. The Boy Scouts of America has developed its program using eight methods to promote its objectives:Ideals. The Scout Oath, Law, motto and slogan spell out the ideals Scouts can use to guide their life.Patrols. The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it.Outdoors. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors where Scouts can share responsibilities, learn to live with each other and use the skills they learn in Scouting.Advancement. Scouting provides a series of challenges and steps to meet them. Scouts plan their advancement and progress at their own pace as they gain self-confidence and are recognized for their accomplishments.Adult Association. Boys learn from the examples set by their adult leaders. Personal Growth. As Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Leadership Development. Boy Scouting encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and individual 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 Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout’s commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. Youth Protection Training (YPT)The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources.The Boy Scouts of America has developed Youth Protection training (YPT) to prepare its leaders to help scouts who have been, or are being, abused. A basic tenant of the Youth Protection plan is “two deep leadership” where an adult is never alone with a scout during troop meetings or activities.YPT is required for all BSA registered adults such, as leaders and committee membersTroop 29 encourages ALL adults to complete YPT, but any adult accompanying scouts on troop events must complete YPT and remain current in it.Youth Protection training must be taken every year.Visit to set up your own training account and complete the training. Print the completion certificate and deliver it to the troop’s Training Coordinator. If you become a BSA registered adult in the future, be sure to update your account with your BSA ID number. Joining The TroopAs your scout joins Troop 29, the following paperwork will be needed for your scout to register as a member of Troop 29. As you register your youth, consider a subscription to Boy’s Life magazine. Boy’s Life has fiction, comics, jokes, scouts in action and much more to inspire your scout. If your scout is transitioning from a Cub Scout pack or another Boy Scout troop, no registration fee will be needed at this time. If he is new to scouting, a pro-rated registration fee will need to be paid to the troop. Youth Registration: HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" youth registration form: We also encourage you, as an adult, to become a scout leader, committee member and/or merit badge counselor. These roles require you to register as an adult troop member. No registration fees are collected for adults. Adult registration: HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" Adult Registration Form: Each year, in the fall, the Troop must reapply for their BSA Charter. The annual dues that are collected in September will cover all rechartering fees for the upcoming year (January through December).. Scouts and families will have the option of establishing or renewing their scout’s Boy’s Life subscription.The Troop ProgramTroop 29 of Franklin is chartered through the Franklin United Methodist Church (our “chartered organization”). It is part of the Seven Rivers District within the Old Colony Council. Please see Appendix A for the list of current adult leaders and committee members of Troop 29.Every Monday, from September through June, an email is sent out from the Troop’s website with important announcements and forms. These announcements are also available on the troop’s website, , under the News tab. In order to receive these weekly announcements you must be a “follower” of the website. Please refer to Appendix F for instructions on how to become a follower of . Troop MeetingsThe troop meets each Wednesday during the school year. Each meeting takes place at the Charter School in Franklin. This is the current schedule, and the troop is currently evaluating how Wednesdays are utilized to be effective in training and preparing for events.The first Wednesday of each month is reserved for the leadership meetings.Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meets from 6:30 – 7:30pm. This is the time that the youth patrol leadership, with the guidance of the scoutmaster, defines the upcoming troop meetings’ focus, goals, and activities. The meeting is led by the Senior Patrol Leaders (SPL) and is attended by all patrol leaders.The Troop Committee (Adult leadership) meets from 7:30 – 9:00pm. This is the time that the adult leadership and support meet to handle the “business aspect” of the troop and is led by the Committee Chair. Upcoming events, fundraisers, recruitment efforts, administration needs are discussed. All adults are encouraged to attend to learn upcoming events of the troop.On the remaining Wednesdays of each month, Troop Meetings are held from 7 – 8pm. All scouts should attend in uniform (shirts tucked with bolos) and bring along their scout handbooks.Time before or after the Troop meeting, as well as time during a meeting (rarely), may be used for Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review. Scouts are responsible for approaching the Scoutmaster in person, by email or by phone to schedule a conference and a Board of Review. The Scoutmaster will alert the Advancement Coordinator when a scout is ready for his Board of Review. Boards are held on the last Wednesday of each month when the Troop meets.Time before or after the Troop meeting may be used by a Merit Badge counselor to work with scouts.Meetings close to a weekend trip are used for parents participating in the event to meet to make final arrangements.Monthly EventsLearning by doing is a hallmark of outdoor education. Much of Scouting is designed to take place outdoors in settings where boys can find real adventure. Outdoor activities put the sizzle into Scouting. Troop meetings offer information and knowledge used on outdoor adventures. A leader may describe and demonstrate a Scouting skill at a meeting, but the way Scouts truly learn an outdoor skill is to do it themselves on a troop outing.Typical outdoor Scouting activities include: Camping—learn to live in the outdoors. Camping takes you on exciting adventures into the natural world.Camporees—Councils and districts plan camporees and other outings during the year that give Scouts an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in competitive events with other troops and patrols.Day hikes—reasonably short hikes (3 to 10 miles) in terrain without excessive gain or loss in elevation. Service projects—doing service projects is one way for Scouts to keep their promise "to help other people." These daylong projects may be related to conservation, food collection, building shelter, or healthy living activities.Troop high adventure—the highest level of challenge for a troop or group of scouts is to plan and carry out its own high-adventure experience. These activities for more experienced Scouts are planned and implemented by youth members with coaching from their adult leaders.Important facts to know:The Troop holds at least one overnight activity each month, usually a camping trip. A parent or guardian must attend the first camping trip with their new scout. This helps the scout to better integrate into the troop and assists the leaders in learning about your scout during the first overnight trip. New scouts must attend 1 troop campout before they can attend BSA summer camp with the troop.Most trips depart on Fridays and return on Sunday mornings. All trips will require the payment of a fee that covers food for the patrol and other expenses such as rental fees for the location or equipment. The permission slip will state the trip’s fee.In the event your scout needs to cancel after signing up for a trip, the troop will do it’s best to refund the payment to you if the troop has not already spent the money to help fund the trip – such as purchasing food and other needed supplies.Each event will require signed permission slips. In most cases, the Troop is required to file trip plans with our BSA Council office. Most camping trips will require scouts to sleep in tents that they have set up themselves. Usually there will be 2 scouts per tent. Scouts are responsible for cooking and cleaning up their own meals as part of their patrols.During the winter months, an indoor trip may be planned or camping may include sleeping in cabins. Parents or guardians become part of the adult patrol for the camping trip. They are responsible for cooking their own food and cleaning up as part of the patrol.. Adults need to complete Youth Protection Training before attending a campout.Please refer to Appendix B for a checklist of recommended camping supplies.Summer CampsSummer camp — summer camp is what many Scouts enjoy most. Camp programs provide numerous opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Resident Scout camping includes at least five nights and six days of fun outdoor activities. Troop 29 has recently been attending Camp Squanto in Miles Standish State Forest, in Plymouth. Each year, the Troop evaluates the best location and time to attend summer camp. Although families are responsible for the full cost of the camp, the troop is sometimes able to provide some financial assistance to families in need.High adventure — a high-adventure experience includes at least six - eight nights of trekking in wilderness and other rugged, remote locations and is usually done by older scouts. Trekking may include backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, horse packing, mountain climbing, rafting, kayaking, and a host of other outdoor adventures. Troop 29 has attended a high adventure camp in Maine. To prepare the scouts for a high adventure camp, the scouts would practice the activity beforehand to make sure that they understand what is expected of them. Avancement ProgramThroughout the Scout’s experience in the Troop, he will earn a variety of rank badges and merit badges. In order to be prepared for pursuing the Eagle rank, keeping track of all these badges is very important. All Scouts are encouraged to use a 1.5” 3-ring binder with plastic pocket inserts to store all awarded badge documentation and badges no longer on the uniform and merit badge “blue cards” in chronological order. Plastic pocket sheets intended for baseball cards are ideal.The troop uses a software package, TroopMaster, to record and track relevant information on all scouts and adults. All rank advancements and merit badge data are recorded and should be reviewed and cross-checked periodically with the cards in the Scout’s notebook. The Advancement Coordinator will distribute TroopMaster data reports annually or on request. TroopMaster data will also need to be compared to the data stored by the Old Colony Council before completing the Eagle rank paperwork to insure accuracy and a smooth Eagle approval process. Rank Advancement1473200238125Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.The first rank that must be completed is the Scout rank. That is followed by the Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life ranks. The ultimate rank to be earned is the Eagle rank, an outstanding accomplishment!The Scout Handbook lists all the requirements that must be done in order to earn the next rank level. Most require active participation in the troop, community service and living the scout spirit. The Handbook is the place where the Scoutmaster’s or Assistant Scoutmaster’s signoffs are recorded for each requirement. The Scout Handbook illustrates where all patches and badges are to be placed on a uniform. Badges for rank advancement are to be attached to the left hand pocket of the scout uniform shirt. 00Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.The first rank that must be completed is the Scout rank. That is followed by the Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life ranks. The ultimate rank to be earned is the Eagle rank, an outstanding accomplishment!The Scout Handbook lists all the requirements that must be done in order to earn the next rank level. Most require active participation in the troop, community service and living the scout spirit. The Handbook is the place where the Scoutmaster’s or Assistant Scoutmaster’s signoffs are recorded for each requirement. The Scout Handbook illustrates where all patches and badges are to be placed on a uniform. Badges for rank advancement are to be attached to the left hand pocket of the scout uniform shirt. Board of Review Information: Whenever a Scout completes all the requirements for any rank he appears before a board of review. He does so after having a conference with his Scoutmaster, which can take place at any time while the Scout is working on the rank. Note that when a Scout has completed all the requirements for a board of review and then requests to have a board of review, he may not be denied a board of review.The troop committee conducts a board of review to evaluate each Scout's progress to encourage him, to learn whether he is enjoying his Scouting experience, and to evaluate the troop's effectiveness in conducting the Scouting program to benefit him. The troop committee appoints three to six individuals to conduct the board of review.Merit BadgesYou can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn merit badges. There are more than 120 different subjects covered by merit badges. A Boy Scout can begin taking merit badges as soon as he joins a troop, but no merit badges are required for advancement until he receives his First Class rank. Advancement to Star, Life, and Eagle all require completion of merit badges, service, and leadership. To reach Eagle rank, a scout must complete a total of at least 21 Boy Scout merit badges, 13 of which come from the Eagle-required badge list. Please see the Troop Librarian for a copy of the booklet for your chosen merit badge.Green vs. White Ring Badges: The merit badges on the mandatory list for Eagle rank have a white border instead of the green border used on other merit badges. Please see Appendix C for complete list of white ring merit badges.Steps for completing merit badges:Encourage your scout to think about his interests and have him read the requirements of the merit badges he thinks might interest him. Pick one to earn. The scout should talk with the Scoutmaster to obtain a signed “blue card” that is used to track and record the completion of the badge requirements. A list of parents that have volunteered to be merit badge counselors is available from the Scoutmaster. These counselors have registered with the Old Colony Council and have completed Youth Protection training. The Scoutmaster can assist the scout with choosing an appropriate counselor.Scouts should contact the counselor directly – at a troop meeting, via email or phone – to arrange to work on the selected merit badge. The scout, not the counselor, should always retain blue cards.Worksheets for the merit badge, used to write down the answers for many of the requirements, can be found at .When the requirements are completed, the merit badge counselor must complete the blue card. Then the scout has the blue card signed again by the Scoutmaster.The fully signed blue card then is given to the Advancement Coordinator by the scout.For a complete list of merit badges –Introduction to Merit BadgesCourts Of HonorTraditions and ceremonies are great motivators of young boys. Making advancement special by having a unique presentation makes scouting more fulfilling.A Boy Scout Court of Honor (COH) is an important event, a time to recognize all the work each Scout and the Troop has done over the past few months, including merit badges, rank advancement, and trips--like camping or hikes--all in front of the Scout's families. Troop 29’s COH typically place 3 times: Sept/Oct, Jan/Feb and May/June of each year and families and friends are encouraged to attend. The location of the Troop’s COH is the Charter School. Troop families are asked to supply light refreshments which are served following the ceremonies. Eagle COHs are scheduled for those scouts earning the Eagle rank. The location of these very special events is usually the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street in Franklin. More extensive planning and preparation is required for these events, including invitations, decorations, and refreshments. In addition to family, friends, and troop members, local dignitaries are invited to attend the ceremony.Opportunities for InvolvementAnnUAl Dues & Fund RaisersStarting in September of 2014, Troop 29 will charge an annual fee of $125 per scout, payable in full in September or over 5 months ($25/mo). In the past, the troop sold candy bars and required each scout to sell $120 worth of bars, which brought in a profit of $60 per scout. Then the troop charged a rechartering fee of $65 in December. Since selling candy bars was becoming much more difficult for a variety of reasons, the troop decided to charge a single fee which covers rechartering and the profit expected from a troop-wide fundraiser. The annual dues help pay for the administrative expenses of the troop, such as badges, merit badge booklets, camp stoves, water jugs, trailer repair, and some expenses of the monthly camping trips.Troop families are still interested in having opportunities for their scouts to help pay their way through scouting and so occasional fundraisers may be organized, such as a car wash or a Spaghetti Dinner. The profit of these fundraisers will go directly to subsidizing the scouts’ more costly camping trips. In 2015, the troop piloted participation in the council’s popcorn fundraiser. Based on promising results, plans are in place to expand this program in 2016.VolunteeringThere are many ways that you can help Scouting in our troop. Whether you are volunteering directly with Scouts or helping out behind the scenes, you can make an impact on the lives of Scouts by volunteering your time. The future of the troop is dependent upon maintaining a strong group of volunteers.Here are some of the roles that will need new volunteers at some point in the future:ScoutmasterAssistant ScoutmastersTroop Committee:Committee ChairAdvancement CoordinatorTreasurerActivities CoordinatorActivities AdministratorMembership Coordinator (new scouts)Eagle Court of Honor CoordinatorEquipment CoordinatorFundraising CoordinatorsTraining Coordinator/Merit Badge Counselor CoordinatorCommittee MemberMerit Badge Counselor (for selected topics)Refreshments Coordinator (for Courts of Honor & Eagle COH)Appendix A: Troop 29 Adult LeadershipScout LeadershipScoutmaster Mike McGuireAssistant Scoutmasters Tim Cook Dan Conatser Craig Maloney Kevin Cronin Aidian Cronin Wes Kerns Troop Committee MembersCommittee Chair Deb RyanAdvancement Chair/ Communications Amy PepinTreasurer Iain BairdActivities Coordinator Currently shared among small group of parentsActivities Administrator Gregg KlawsonMerit Badge Counselor Coordinator/ Adult Training Coordinator Jennifer ParellaEquipment Coordinator Marty RyanEagle COH Coordinator Anna dos SantosCommittee Members Jeff Maloney, Charter Rep Steve Jolie Caroline Cronin Jean RocheAppendix B: Typical Scouting Supplies For CampingAt a minimum, each Scout will need a uniform and a handbook. Additional supplies and equipment maybe needed for certain activities such as camping trips. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the troop will vary. Troop leaders will provide parents with information about any special supplies for a particular trip. Below is a summary of general supplies that are helpful for a scout: 99060026035000Appendix C: Merit Badges Required For Eagle (White Rings)First Aid Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Communications Personal Fitness Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving Environmental Science OR SustainabilityPersonal Management Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling Camping Family Life CookingAppendix D: Useful Websites Troop 29: Seven Rivers District:Old Colony Council:Boy Scouts of America:Online BSA Training:Additional information on Merit Badges:Scout Supplies:Appendix E: Glossary Of TermsASMAssistant Scout MasterASPLAssistant Senior Patrol LeaderBoard of ReviewGroup of Committee members that will approve a Scout’s completion of rank requirementsCOHCourt of Honor – see page 9 for more detailsJASMJunior Assistant ScoutmasterOAOrder of the Arrow – Scouting’s national honor societyPLPatrol LeaderPLCPatrol Leaders CouncilSMScout MasterSPLSenior Patrol LeaderAppendix F: BECOMING A FOLLOWER OF THE TROOP’S WEBSITEThe Troop’s website is built on the Wordpress platform. The News function of the website is actually a blog which is sent to all email addresses that have been entered by followers of our News blog. Follow these easy steps to become a follower of the Troop’s website and receive our weekly Troop News: Go to Click on the “Follow” box on the lower right side of the screen.Enter the requested information in the box that will appear and then hit enter.An email will be sent to the email address you entered.When you receive the email from our website, follow its instructions to confirm that you do want to be a follower of the website. ................
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