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The troop handbook provides guidance to our members and their parents on the matter of Boy Scouting, troop organization, policies, program and procedures.
Index Part 1. The Aims and Methods of Scouting. The Three Aims or Goals of Scouting. The Eight Methods of Scouting Part 2. The troop, Its Goals and Organization. Scout Troop 138 is sponsored by Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church of Naugatuck, Connecticut. Membership is open to all boys regardless of religious affiliation. The troop program of activities includes regular meetings and camping trips, bicycle hikes, an annual bike tour of Cape Cod, family orientated day activities and a week at Scout Summer Camp to end the program year.
Our goal is to provide a Scouting program that is fun and challenging through: Part 3. Troop 138 Annual Program. Our program year starts on the third Wednesday of September. It is generally preceeded by a gathering of the PLC (Patrol Leaders Council) at which the major program events are selected and scheduled. After scheduling, applications are made for permits for camping and other reservations are applied for. From time to time some changes may be made to the calender as some desired dates at some camps may not be available to us. It is important for everyone to consult the troop calender to stay current. From year to year, our program tends to have the same foundation of several events which are complimented by new events or activities. Some of the basics of our annual program are these. September; begin the new program year. October; Open House. December; Christmas party. February; winter cabin camping. April; the fishing campout. May; participation in the Memorial Day parade. June; Cape Cod cycling campout. July; summer camp planning meeting. August; summer camp. In addition to these, we generally go camping once a month, except in December. There will also be bike hikes planned. Add the weekly meetings, service projects and other activities and it is clear that a Scout can be very busy if he chooses to be. The program provided by troop 138 provides each boy with the opportunity to learn skills and receive recognition in the form of rank advancement and merit badges. 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. The program provides opportunities for every boy to advance if he chooses to. Program plans can be and are often adjusted to accommodate those boys who require certain types of activities to permit them an opportunity to advance. Many requirements may be earned by participating in troop meetings, camp outs, and other activities. The first rank earned is Scout. The joining requirements require the boy to learn the basics of Boy Scouts, like the 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. These, the next 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. The troop activities are oriented to giving the boys opportunities to complete these requirements. The summer camp that the troop attends also offers a full program for these ranks. There are some requirements that the parent can assist the boy in: physical fitness (Tenderfoot); swimming (2nd & 1st Class); visit with civic leader (1st Class); and drug awareness program (2nd Class). After completing each rank's requirements, the boy will then participate in a Scoutmaster's Conference and a Board of Review. The Board of Review consists of 3 to 6 Troop Committee members or parents who meet with the boy to determine how the boy is doing and to encourage further advancement. 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 some merit badge pamphlets which a boy may borrow when working on a merit badge. There are two ways for boys to earn merit badges. Many merit badges are earned at summer camp. A boy signs up for badges and attends classes taught by camp counselors. The second way to earn merit badges is through a troop or district merit badge counselor. Parents are encouraged to become counselors. Some counselors will have the boys work on their merit badge at troop meetings or camp outs. Others will schedule time for the boys to work on the badge away from troop activities. Counselors will not conduct meetings one-on-one, but will meet with a group of Scouts at one time. The next two ranks require the boy to participate in troop activities, be in a leadership position, perform service to the community and earn merit badges. The troop requires that the service requirement become incrementally more challenging as a Scout addresses Star and Life rank requirements so as to prepare the Scout to be a successful Eagle candidate. The highest rank in Boy Scouts is Eagle. The requirements are the most demanding and specific. The Scoutmaster 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 Service Project, the boy will complete an Eagle Application and have a Scoutmaster's Conference. The application is then sent to the Council Office and an Eagle Board of Review will then be conducted. The aims of Scouting are accomplished by and through Scout camping, the outdoor program and other troop activities. Members are encouraged to participate in these outdoor activities.
The summer camp experience is the culmination of our annual program. Much of what we do during the year prepares the Scout to safely enjoy his week long summer camp adventure. This long term camping opportunity permits the Scout to participate in numerous programs and adventures designed to advance his rank, expand his merit badge knowledge and to experience outdoor activities with his pals, patrol and troop that cannot be done elsewhere. The parents page contains additional references designed to help prepare for summer camp.
The parents or guardians of the members of Troop 138 are expected to participate in their sons Scouting experience. This participation may be accomplished by providing rides to or from troop events when asked by the troop committee, by being an adult leader at an event, by volunteering as a uniformed adult leader such as an assistant scoutmaster, by being involved in supervising the troop program, by being an active committee member or sub committee chairman. There are numerous opportunities for parents to share in and make successful the Scouting experience of their sons. The troop commitee chairman can answer any questions. The involvement of parents helps make the troop successful. Committee meetings are open to all parents who are invited to attend at any time. Troop 138 exists for the boys' benefit. Without input from parents we cannot manage the troop and the program successfully.
See part ten.
Wearing the scout uniform is a major part of being a Boy Scout. It signifies that a boy is a member of one of the largest and most worthwhile youth movements in the world. At certain scouting events, the full "Class A" uniform is required and at other times the troop wears only the "Class B" uniform.
Class A uniform is required at the following events: regular troop meetings (except the meeting after camp outs), Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, travel to and from summer camp, and other activities as indicated. The Class A uniform consists of the following: So that we operate in an orderly manner the troop has established a few policies which will govern some of our activities or behavior. Our rules of behavior are the Scout Oath and Law. The following policies however, will apply as appropriate. Adult leaders may be contacted through the committee chairman who will provide contact infomation on request.
Part 1. The Aims and Methods of Scouting.
Part 2. The Troop, Its Goals and Organization.
Part 3. Troop 138 annual program.
Part 4. Advancement.
Part 5. Scout camping and our other troop activities.
Part 6. Summer camp.
Part 7. The role of parents in scouting.
Part 8. Medical forms and permission slips.
Part 9. The Boy Scout Uniform.
Part 10. Troop policies.
Part 11. Adult leader roster.
Scouting can be described as "a fun game played by boys."
The Three Aims and Eight Methods make Scouting "a game with a purpose."
The Scouting program is built on the theme that learning should be fun. It must be fun to keep boys interested in Scouting. Scouting is educational because it works toward four basic aims or goals referred to as the purpose of Scouting.
Aims are the basic outcomes Scouting seeks for each Scout.
1. To build character.
Character can be defined as what the boy is himself: his personal qualities, is values, his outlook, self-confidence and self-respect. Scouting builds a boy's character by emphasizing the basic values defined by the Ten Commandments, respect for fellow man and a love of nature. The troop strives to build self-confidence and self-reliance through participation in the Scouting program.
2. To foster citizenship.
Citizenship should be considered more than knowledge of the history of our country and the working of our government. It also includes a person's relationship with his fellows. A Scout learns the full meaning of citizenship from the emphasis of helping others, for the shared efforts within the troop and patrol, from the knowledge gained in the advancement program and from the service projects required for rank advancement. Scouting fosters the love of community, country and world, along with a commitment of service to others and an understanding of democratic principles.
3. To develop fitness.
In addition to physical fitness, personal fitness is also mental and emotional fitness as well as. The troop strives to improve a scout's overall personal fitness through the outdoor and advancement programs, through his relationship with fellow Scouts and adult leaders and through the satisfaction of overcoming the challenges that the Scouting program presents.
The ideals of Scouting are stated in the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and Motto. Each Scout in the Troop is encouraged to strive for these ideals, and must understand them to begin his advancement program.
Methods are how Scouting pursues the three Aims.
Ideals
Each Scout commits himself to the personal behavior guides and standards in the Scout motto, the slogan, the Oath and the Law.
Patrols
The patrol is the basic unit of Scouting. Patrols are comprised of from six to eight boys. Much of the Scouting program is designed to be presented to and employed by a patrol size group. Troop 138 employs this organization, called the patrol method and uses it in its program. Some objectives of the patrol method are to emphasize the importance of teamwork, create a sense of camaraderie and a community environment, assign specific responsibilities and require performance and provide a format for practicing leadership skills and a practical understanding of democracy.
Outdoors
Scouting emphasizes outdoors activities which foster an appreciation of nature and our ecology. Along the way, Scouts practice and learn new skills and develop confidence in their own abilities to cope with obstacles. The outdoor experience is ideal for the Troop's program because it develops physical fitness; allows a Scout to develop new skills; allows a series of new and unique challenges to be presented to each Scout that are demanding yet fun; provides a laboratory for the study of conservation and ecology, two very important concepts in today's world and it demonstrates the magnitude of God's handiwork and improves the Scout's appreciation of it. Scouting is outing!
Advancement
The Advancement program is designed to present a series of increasingly difficult challenges for the Scout to master. Advancement rewards individual effort and accomplishment at the same time the patrol method is teaching group skills and rewarding successful group effort. Benefits of the advancement program include (1) an increased self-confidence and self-reliance, and (2) improved goal setting skills and better planning techniques. Rank advancement criteria are set forth by the national Boy Scout organization. For each rank advancement and merit badge, a Scout must appear before a trained adult and present his work. This simple rule insures every Scout an equal opportunity to work with an interested adult other than his parent.
Personal growth
All of the other methods contribute to the personal growth of a Scout through experience. The quest for growth is a method, too.
Adult association
Adult leaders, male and female, provide an example to Scouts of the high character they should strive for in their personal growth.
Leadership development
The Scouting program provides an ideal setting for a boy to learn and practice leadership skills. Scouting is a boy run program and probably is a boy's first experience in dealing with peer supervision and leadership. Many of today's leaders in business and in the public sector gained the basic concepts and self-confidence of leadership from Scouting.
Uniform
The uniform reminds a Scout of who he is and what is expected of him. It identifies him as part of a patrol, troop, council and worldwide youth movement. He can take pride in being a Scout, and in the achievements shown on his uniform and sash.
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Our troop and our goals.
Our organization
Troop Committee.
The boys who participate in the troop's program enjoy a rich and unforgettable Scouting experience.
The typical Boy Scout troop is organized into patrols and is run by boys. The organization of troop 138 follows this pattern. A Scout troop is lead by a senior boy who is elected to his position of Senior Patrol Leader. Troop leadership is shared by his staff, which is comprised other senior boys who will be Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s), Troop Scribe, Troop Quartermaster, Troop Guide and the several Patrol Leaders. This group is collectively the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) and is the “board of directors” of the troop. The Scoutmaster and his staff of Assistant Scoutmasters supervise the Patrol Leaders Council.
All the boy members of the troop are members of their separate patrols. Each patrol is generally organized by age and scouting experience in order that the members of the patrol be able to organize and work well together. At the patrol level, the elected Patrol Leader manages the group and communicates between the patrol and the troop (PLC). Every patrol generally has an assistant patrol leader, patrol quartermaster, patrol grubmaster and other positions of responsibility based on the needs of the group and desires of the patrol members.
The scouting program is conveyed to the boy members at the patrol level. Every patrol is encouraged to participate in troop activities as a group. This group identity fosters confidence and learning. The patrol will plan, camp, cook and eat as a group sharing the various responsibilities. The similarity of ages in the patrols promotes participation and individual advancement, as the patrol tends to be working on common advancement and program goals at the same time.
The troop is administered by the troop committee in accordance with the policies of the Boy Scouts of America, our local council and as effected by the needs of the area community. The committee manages the business of the troop, sees that the program is properly conveyed to the boys and is properly funded and provides adult leaders for the various activities. The committee consists of parents, men and women who are interested in the Scouting program conveyed to the boy members by the troop and have completed adult volunteer applications. All parents or guardians are invited to join the committee. Should constraints of time not permit regular attendance at committee meetings, you may attend at any time. Meetings are always open. Previous experience in scouting is not required. All that is needed is an interest in the well being and future of the boy members of the troop.
Committee meetings are open to all parents. Parents are invited to attend and to voice their interests or concerns. This troop exists for your boys and your contributions are specifically solicited. Our committee is large and active which is the reason that our troop is successful.
The purpose of the committee is to assist the uniformed adult leaders in conveying the scouting program to the boys. The committee also administers the affairs of the troop and manages its fund raising and finances.
The responsibilities of the Troop Committee include:
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 guiding the boy leaders and to execute the troop program effectively. The troop program and its execution is primarily the responsibility of the boy leadership of the troop.
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Part 4. Advancement.
Core parts of the advancement program are:1. Actively participate in the troop. This involves attending meetings and outings. It also means that a Scout may have a specific job within the troop and will perform that job to the best of his ability. An integral part of a Scout's growth is the ability to accept tasks of increasing responsibility and perform those tasks competently.
2. Show Scout Spirit. Each scout should live by the Scout Oath and Law and his words and actions should be consistent with these ideals.
3. Attain a specified skill level by meeting the specific requirements for rank or merit badges. Requirements for rank are often earned during patrol and troop activities and some requirements are covered during each camp out. Also, summer camp is an excellent time to demonstrate many of the basic Scouting skills needed on the road to First Class. Senior boys, other instructors and registered adult leaders are qualified to approve a scout's skill mastery. Details of the requirements for all rank advancement are listed in the Scout Handbook, which should be brought to every meeting and scout function.
4. Perform service hours or complete a service project. These include the troop's service to the community and sponsoring organization and Eagle service projects.The troop requires that the service requirement become incrementally more challenging as a Scout addresses Star and Life rank requirements so as to prepare the Scout to be a successful Eagle candidate.
5. Serve in a leadership position. One of the most important parts of the Scouting program is developing a Scout's leadership skills and confidence in managing others to complete a task or to meet a goal. A Scout's success in growing in leadership is a result of his desire to learn and grow, of his dedication to doing the best job that can be done and in his respect of and from the other scouts in the troop.
6. Arrange for and participate in a personal growth conference with the Scoutmaster or Asst. Scoutmaster. This is an opportunity to review accomplishments, set goals and deal with concerns and problems that the Scout may have. It is the Scout's responsibility to arrange the Scoutmaster conference.
7. Pass a Board of Review. The Board of Review is not a test of rank requirements but a review of the Scout's experience in the troop, a discussion of his concerns and a check on the troop's program. It is the Scout's responsibility to arrange a board of review through his Scoutmaster. The Scout should appear in full Class A uniform and have his handbook with all advancement requirements properly approved.
SCOUT RANK
TENDERFOOT, SECOND CLASS, FIRST CLASS
MERIT BADGES
STAR and LIFE
EAGLE
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Part 5. Scout camping and our other troop activities.
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Part 6. Summer Camp.
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Part 7. The role of parents in scouting.
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Part 8. Medical forms and permission slips.
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Part 9. The Boy Scout Uniform.
The Class B uniform consists of the following:
The class B uniform will be worn for the meeting after camp outs and at the other times it is called for by the Senior Patrol Leader.
Uniforms can be purchased at the Scout Service Center in Waterbury. Additional uniform information may be had from the Scoutmaster. The troop operates a uniform exchange. Some uniform parts may be available through the troop via the uniform exchange. Used shirts or pants may be had for five dollers per garment depending on availability. When Scouts have out grown uniform parts, the troop will buy serviceable uniform parts (shirts and pants) for five dollars per garment.
Troop 138 strives to look sharp at all times. In addition to the uniform, personal appearance is important. Haircuts and cleanliness are part of the uniform. Good personal appearance reflects the the pride and spirit of both the troop and its individual members.
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Part 10. Some Troop operating policies.
Medical information and key contact telephone numbers.
It is the parents responsibility to provide important medical information on their sons' application and to keep it current should it change. At the same time key contact or emergency telephone numbers must be noted on the application and kept current.
Permission slips and activity sign in.
Permission slips are required for all troop events which do not occur at our meeting place whether a parent accompanies the Scout on an event or function or not . When a Scout is dropped off at the gathering place by a parent for a troop activity the parent must sign the Scout in with the Scoutmaster or event coordinator. A permission slip form may be found on the Forms and Templates page.
Medical forms for summer camp and high adventure activities.
In order to attend these events, a current BSA medical form, completed by a parent and signed by a doctor is required to be in the possession of the Scoutmaster prior to leaving for the event. A medical form blank may be found on the Forms and Templates page.
Electronic devices at campouts.
Electronic toys, games, radios, CD players, in short any amusement that requires batteries or electricity to operate, is specifically not permitted in camp.
Website and E-mail.
The names of boy members and the e-mail addresses of these boys and their parents or guardians will not be displayed on the troop web site. Contact information to permit replys to the scoutmaster or committe chairman, or other adults with project or activity specific need may be displayed with the permission of these individuals.
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Part 11. Adult leader roster.
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