Troop 349 Handbook
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TROOP 349 HANDBOOK We are establishing the foundation for America’s next generation of leadership and planting the seed for developing critical thinking. We are developing world-class leaders. 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: Outdoor Code: A Scout is As an American, I will do my best to— Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Be clean in my outdoor manners Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Be careful with fire Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Be considerate in the outdoors Brave, Clean, and Reverent. Be conservation-minded. We follow the program established by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). If discrepancies exist, BSA policies take precedence. When you observe that programs or policies in this Handbook are not followed, assume it is because of a lack of volunteers and the program is idle. Jump in and help. Changes to this Handbook may be proposed at a regularly scheduled Parent Committee Meeting by the Senior Patrol Leader, the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, or Parent Committee member, provided a Quorum of 25% or more of registered members is present. Changes are accepted by a majority vote of registered members present. The Handbook shall be reviewed, and approved annually by our Parent Committee. Handbook revised: June 2013 Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 349 of Falls Church, Virginia Troop 349 Basics Established in April 2009 by Steve Valley, Tony Ulses, Capt. Jim Custer and Bob McComas. Chartering organization: American Legion Post 130, 400 N. Oak Street, Falls Church, VA. Purpose: We are focused on developing boys into leaders by mentoring and by teaching problem solving and risk management skills. Meetings: We meet at the American Legion Hall on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm (September through June). On the last Tuesday of each month, we conduct a Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) in lieu of a regular meeting; attendance at the PLC is only reQuired of elected and appointed Scout leaders, but all Scouts are welcome to attend. Outings and Summer Camp: Our troop’s outdoor program includes monthly weekend (Friday night to Sunday noon) activities such as canoeing, snow sports, and hiking. Most often, the outing takes place on the third weekend of the month. Each summer, Scouts may attend a week-long resident Scout camp, especially important for new Scouts because it provides an excellent opportunity to work on basic rank reQuirements and merit badges. Older Scouts are eligible to attend high adventure camps such as Philmont or SeaBase, opportunities that are planned one to two years in advance. Parents: To thrive, we need a parent from every family to actively support our troop. Please consider how you can contribute to the success of Troop 349, and talk to the Parent Volunteer Coordinator. Dues and fees: Scout dues are $120 for our Scout year (March through February). Fees for campouts and individual events are collected separately. Troop 349 holds fundraisers to fund troop expenses and to defray some of the costs of the outdoor program. Table of Contents I. Purpose of the Boy Scouts of America II. Troop 349 Philosophy: Boy-Led, Adult-Mentored A. Boy-Led Program B. Adult Mentoring III. Expectations of Troop 349 A. Expectations of You, Our Scouts B. Expectations of You, Our Parents IV. Troop Organization A. Troop 349 History B. Charter Organization C. Parent Committee 1. Parent Committee Role and Responsibilities a. Policy and Oversight b. Scoutmaster Selection c. Boards of Review 2. Parent Committee Membership 3. Parent Committee Positions 4. Parent Committee Meetings D. Scouts 1. Scout Membership 2. Scout Patrol System 3. Scout Leadership E. Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) 1. PLC Membership 2. PLC Meetings a. Monthly Meetings b. Semi-Annual Long-Range Planning Meetings 3. Scoutmaster’s Role in the PLC F. Uniformed Adults 1. Uniformed Adult Membership 2. Uniformed Adult Leadership a. Scoutmaster b. Assistant Scoutmasters i. Patrol Advisors ii. Position Advisors iii. Event Coordinator G. Communications 1. Chain of Command: Verbal or email 2. Weekly Email to Parents and Scouts 3. Troop website: www.Troop349.us V. Troop Schedule A. Regular Troop Meetings B. Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) Meetings C. Parent Committee Meetings D. Assistant Scoutmasters’ Meetings E. Outdoor Program F. Summer Camp G. Other Troop Activities VI. Camping A. Weekend Campouts B. Summer Camp C. Camping Logistics 1. Camping Permits 2. Medical forms 3. Permission slip 4. Fees 5. Packing 6. Transportation 7. Pick-up D. Campout Do’s and Don’ts E. Patrol System on Outings F. Campout Food G. Camping Equipment 1. Personal Equipment 2. Troop Equipment 3. Troop Trailer Maintenance VII. Advancement Process A. Overview of Advancement Process B. Personal Records C. Rank Advancement Process 1. Rank ReQuirements a) Timeline b) Attaining Rank Requirements c) Service Hours and Projects 2. Scoutmaster Conference 3. Board of Review 4. Court of Honor 5. Eagle Projects and Eagle Court of Honor D. Merit Badge Process 1. Background 2. Steps to Obtain a Merit Badge 3. Merit Badge Booklets 4. Other Merit Badge Notes E. Order of the Arrow VIII. Troop Finances A. Troop Budget and Checking Account B. Revenue C. Registration and Dues D. Scout Account (“Scout Bucks”) E. Expenses F. Authorization of Expenditures, Reimbursement G. Camping Reimbursement Policy H. Insurance I. Special Funds IX. Standards of Conduct A. Chain of Command for Dispute Resolution B. Discipline X. Safety A. Buddy System B. Youth Protection Guidelines C. Two-Deep Leadership D. Parent’s Guide E. Troop 349 and Youth Protection XI. Strategic Outlook A. Troop Size B. Rate of Growth and Size Guidelines C. Growth and Size Strategies D. Growth Below Optimum Size E. Growth Above Optimum Size Agreement of Scout and Parents to Troop 349 Guidelines and Policies Appendix A References Appendix B Troop 349 Parent Committee Positions Appendix C Youth Leadership Positions Appendix D Uniform Guide Appendix E Written Disciplinary Action Agreement Appendix F Driver Information Form Appendix G Medical Information Form Appendix H Personal Equipment Checklist I. PURPOSE OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ORGANIZATION A. Ends: It is the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America to provide a program to instill desirable Qualities of character in our youth, to train them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to help develop their personal fitness, providing our country with citizens who: Are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. Are self-reliant; having initiative, courage, and resourcefulness. Have stable values firmly based on religion-consistent concepts. Have the desire and skills to help others. Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people. Understand the American social, economic, and government systems. Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage. Understand America’s role in the world. Are prepared to fulfill the responsibilities of participating in leadership of American society and the world. B. Ways: Boy Scouting subscribes to eight methods of developing boys: 1. Ideals: the ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. A Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high. As he reaches for them, he learns he can control his destiny. 2. Patrols: Lord Baden-Powell designed the Scouting program to function using small groups of 4-8 boys. The method permits experiences that a larger group denies, because in a large group a Scout would be just one of many. The patrol method allows each Scout to have a role and to easily relate to one another. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches Scouts how to accept such responsibility. 3. Outdoors: the Boy Scout program is designed to take place in the outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is where the skills and activities learned and taught at troop meetings come alive. 4. Advancement: Scouting provides a series of objectives (rank advancement and merit badge achievement) and teaches the skills necessary to achieve them. The Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. 5. Adult Association: Scouts learn from the examples set by their adult Scouters and from mentoring. Troop adult leadership may be male and female. Association with adults of high character is necessary for a young man’s development. 6. Personal Growth: as Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. “Do a good turn daily” is a concept that is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. 7. Leadership Development: Scouts will take on leadership positions of increasing responsibility in their patrols and in the troop. Boys will learn planning, organization, and decision-making. 8. Uniform: boys develop a sense of belonging to their patrol and troop in wearing their uniform. C. Means: The structured Boy Scout program is defined by the national BSA organization. At our local troop level, oversight is provided by the parents. II. Troop 349 Philosophy: Boy-Led, Adult-Mentored A. Boy-Led Program Troop 349 is committed to our Boy-Led Program in which the youth leaders plan and run most meetings and activities, while the Scoutmasters provide guidance. This process is not as smooth as it would be if the adults took charge. However, the Scouts are mentored and they learn from their mistakes and improve markedly over time. In general, we let the boys try out their ideas, even when we're skeptical. This reQuires the adults to give up control (VERY difficult for many of us) and be proud of what they achieve on their own.