TROOP 28 Wenham, MA YANKEE CLIPPER COUNCIL, OF AMERICA

Information for Scouts & Parents 2015

MEETINGS Barn Iron Rail Property Grapevine Road Wenham, MA

WWW.TROOP28BSA.COM GENERAL INFORMATION ON TROOP 28

 Originally formed in 1927, with first Eagle Scouts in 1929.

 Part of Spirit of Adventure Council.

 Chartered by the First Congregational Church in Wenham.

 Troop is comprised of patrols, with each patrol consisting of 6- 8 scouts, led by patrol leaders for each patrol.

 Troop meetings held weekly on Monday evenings during the school year at the Scout Barn from 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Troop meetings are planned and conducted by boy leaders under the coaching and guidance of the adult Scoutmaster.

 Courts of Honor are held usually 2 or 3 times a year to recognize rank advancement and other activities. Families are encouraged to attend and support his membership in the troop and all the hard work your son has done.

 Monthly campouts, with parents are encouraged to join in. Additional outings may include sporting events or other fun and enriching experiences.

 Adult scout leaders and parent volunteers make up the Troop Committee, which meets monthly to plan programs and activities and to manage the administration of the Troop. All parents are expected to participate. MISSION OF The mission of the is to provide for character building by preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Scout Oath

One my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and obey the ; 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 Reverent Boy Scouting is a program for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel of an adult Scoutmaster. (Boys also may become Boy Scouts if they have earned the Arrow of Light Award or have completed the fifth grade.)

The program builds lifetime skills of self-esteem, self-reliance and self-respect through a blend of outdoor experiences, educational and instructional skills, value-building and fun. Among the activities offered are more than 120 hobby and career skills available through the merit badge program, year-round camping and outside activities, an honor camping society, recognition, leadership training, service projects and special events.

Boy Scouting helps each Boy Scout to:  Develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit;  Have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness;  Have personal values based on religious concepts;  Have the desire and skills to help others;  Understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems;  Be knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation’s role in the world;  Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people;  Be prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society

The Scouting program is fun and adventurous, helping each Scout to “be prepared” to shape his own future. Scouting will enrich your son’s life. To Join

When your son applies to be a Scout, our Scoutmaster and the Troop Guide will work with him to see that he understands and subscribes to the Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law; that he understands the Scout motto, Scout slogan, salute, sign, and handclasp; and that he know the significance of the Scout badge and the Outdoor Code. Then he is a Scout.

Financial Information

The Registration Fee for 2015 is $100 for each scout. (Webelos Scouts “crossing-over” have their scout membership transferred at no additional cost.) (Scout scholarships are available for those in need)

The Troop budget is derived from the annual registration fees, the fall popcorn sale fund-raiser, and the ongoing bottles and cans recycling program. From this budget, the Troop pays for its meetings, activities and administrative costs, and subsidizes other special activities and events. Troop expenses include, but are not limited to:  Council Fees: Charter, Registration, and Insurance  Troop Meeting Program Materials and Speakers  Advancement Insignia / Awards  Boys Life Magazine Subscription

Additional family costs not included in the registration fee are uniforms scout handbooks that may be purchased at the New England Scout Shop in North Andover, MA.

Trip / activity fees are determined for special activities such as camping weekends and sports events. You, Your Son and the Troop

Troop 28 is organized and administered by a group of volunteer adults, most are parents of boys in the troop, who are approved by our chartered organization, the First Church of Wenham.

Our institution is granted a charter annually by the Boy Scouts of America when they agree to provide an adequate meeting place, select men of good character to serve as Scoutmaster and assistants, and use the program of Scouting as offered in the handbooks and other literature.

Troop meetings are planned and conducted by boy leaders under the coaching and guidance of the adult Scoutmaster. This is part of the plan to help your boy grow; to make decisions and take an active part in making the troop program successful.

From time to time your son’s patrol may meet to carry out a project or practice some skill in preparation for a coming activity. Quite possibly this will be in one of the boy’s homes. You can help by making your home available for such a meeting.

Encourage your son to take his share of the responsibility by taking an active part in all patrol and troop meetings and activities. This is how he will grow in Scouting.

Frequently (try for every month), our troop will conduct a special event. It may be an overnight camp, a visit to some location of special interest or significance, or a troop service project to stimulate his interest and self-reliance. Encourage his participation in these events, but let him prepare for them on his own as much as possible. For instance, if he is going on a troop overnight—let him collect his own gear and pack it. He may make some mistakes, or forget something—but let him do it—that’s part of the learning experience in Scouting. The activities of Scouting are vigorous. It is hoped that each boy will have a physical exam soon after joining to be sure he is fit for the program.

As your son moves through scouting and gains experience, he may be selected to serve as a patrol or a troop leader. If invited, you will want him to take advantage of the district leadership development courses for troop leaders to add to his personal growth.

As a concerned and interested parent, the role you play will be vital in determining just how much effect these Scouting experiences will have on your son’s development.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Summer Camp: Yankee Clipper Council operates and maintains one Boy Scout camp, Camp Wah-Tut-Ca in Northwoods, NH. National Camps: BSA National Council operates 3 high- adventure programs at (1) , New ; (2) Northern Tier National High Adventure Programs, Minnesota and ; and (3) Florida National High Adventure Sea Base. : BSA conducts a National Scout Jamboree every four years and participates in World Scout (also held at four- year intervals). Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, has been the site of the National Scout Jamboree since 1981. The next National Jamboree is scheduled for 2010. AIMS AND METHODS OF THE SCOUTING PROGRAM The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. As he reaches for these goals, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where they can easily relate to each other. They determine troop activities through their elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs Boy Scouts is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and humankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Boy Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources. Advancement Boy Scouts 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 and 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.

Personal Growth As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others daily. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine 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. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

Shirt identification insignia is attached as follows:

Right sleeve: American Flag (comes with shirt)

Left sleeve: Troop town & state, charter years, troop number, troop leadership patch

Right pocket: Any special patch earned

Left pocket: Badge of rank

Below left pocket: Arrow of Light award BOY SCOUT RANKS

Tenderfoot

Second Class

First Class

Star

Life

Eagle Expectations of Parents

As a parent, you want your son to grow up to be a person of worth . . . a self-reliant, dependable and caring individual. Scouting has these same goals in mind for him. Since 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to assist young men in strengthening character, developing good citizenship, and enhancing physical fitness in youth. These values help your son make good decisions throughout his lifetime and give him confidence as he becomes an adult leader of tomorrow.

To counter the many negative influences in today’s society, Scouting provides your son with a positive peer group. Its adult leaders serve as mentors and good examples. In a society where your son is often taught that winning is everything, Boy Scouting teaches him to “do his best” and be helpful to others as expressed in the Boy .

When parents recognize the benefits of Scouting and understand the Scouting program, they will encourage participation. Scouting takes time to grow on kids—they may become temporarily discouraged. Most of the successful boys (Eagle Scouts) have benefited from parents’ support. Parents must encourage participation.

Parents accept a number of responsibilities when their son becomes a Scout:

 Certain financial obligations, such as council and troop registration fees and uniforms. (See Financial Information.)  Parents are expected to oversee and support their sons’ progress toward ranks. Some achievements will be completed during Troop meetings, but many must be accomplished at home.

 The Troop leadership puts in many volunteer hours to create a meaningful Scout program; the help of parents is necessary in order to bring the program to fruition. The work involved in arranging programs, outings, special events and meetings cannot be done without the help of all parents. When all parents help, the time commitment for each individual volunteer is minimized. You will be given the opportunity to choose what capacity you wish to serve in, or you may be assigned to a Troop committee.

Parents and scouts are expected to support Troop 28’s two primary fundraising programs:

1) Popcorn: The Trail’s End popcorn sale is held each autumn. Each scout sells popcorn with the profits of this sale directly contributing to off-setting the troop’s trips and special programs. For each scout who has at least $250 in popcorn sales, 10% of the total sale is placed into the scout’s personal Individual Scout Account. Money in this account can be spent to offset the cost of any scout activity or to pay the yearly registration fee.

2) Recycling: The troop also raises money throughout the year from the redeemable bottles & cans program currently held on the Iron Rail property. All scouts help out with this program throughout the year by sorting the cans and bottles on a specified Saturday, usually every 2-3 month. Specific scheduling information is discussed and assigned at the weekly troop meetings. The Rewards of Leadership Scouting operates through volunteer parent leadership.

In truth, the time commitment is minor, the resources and support are vast, and the rewards are tremendous. The more involvement and enthusiasm you demonstrate for your son’s Scouting activities, the more you share in his pride in his accomplishments. He will be proud that you have devoted your time and effort on his behalf, and he will place a higher value on the life lessons that Scouting teaches him.

Furthermore, being a Scout volunteer offers many other dividends that will enrich your life as you dedicate your time, talent and enthusiasm to Scouting:

 A chance to help shape boys into men who have strength of character and who are sensitive to the needs of others

 The opportunity to develop your leadership and organizational skills

 The privilege of helping to enrich and strengthen your community

 The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of boys as they grow strong in mind and body

 A code to live by which teaches good citizenship and sets a worthwhile example in youth and adults Parent Sign-Up Position Summaries

Committee Chairperson – Leads and directs the Troop Committee to plan, coordinate and execute Troop activities, Committee Planning Meetings and oversee the running of the entire Troop. Serves on Troop Committee

Assistant Committee Chairperson – Helps Committee Chairperson with above duties and acts as Chairperson when needed. Serves on Troop Committee

Scoutmaster – Adult Leader who oversees weekly Troop meetings and other troop activities. Serves on Troop Committee

Assistant Scoutmaster(s) – Helps plan, coordinate and execute Troop activities. Participates in weekly Troop meetings and assists Scoutmaster as needed. Serves on Troop Committee

Treasurer – responsible for the fiscal organization of the Troop including balancing the checkbook, paying bills and making deposits. Serves on Troop Committee

Advancement Coordinator(s) – keeps track of each scout’s advancement status.

Publicity Coordinator – regularly notifies local media outlets (cable television, HW Chronicle, Salem Evening News) of Troop events and activities. Serves on Troop Committee Web Site Coordinator / District E-Mail Contact – Updates the Troop's web site and acts as an E-Mail liaison between the Troop and North Shore District Council. Serves on Troop Committee

Popcorn Sales Committee – coordinates and implements this annual autumn fund-raising event.

Hospitality/Food coordinator(s) – coordinates refreshments for Troop courts of honor, Veteran’s Day Luncheon, and other events as needed.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor Coordinator: organizes and implements Boy Scoutings’ final and most prestigious award, the Eagle Court of Honor.

Eagle Scout Adviser: works directly with the Eagle Scout candidates, particularly with the leadership service project. Troop Committee:

Officers:

Chairman Jeff Davis 978-468-6161 Assistant Chairperson Cindy Purdy

Scoutmaster Matt Bailey 978-468-7331

Assistant Scoutmasters  Ron Chane  Marty Cooke  ______

Treasurer Kerry Werisma 978-626-1415

Advancement Stephanie Moffat 978-744-5851

Popcorn Fundraiser Cindy Purdy

Eagle Advisor John Clemenzi

Troop 28 Committee generally meets on the second Sunday of the month at the First Church of Wenham, 1 Arbor Street, Wenham at 7:00PM.

Parents of each scout are expected to support Troop 28 by assisting in the numerous activities planned throughout the year.

Attending committee meetings throughout the year will keep parents aware of the upcoming events Troop 28 will be undertaking, as well as to provide the opportunity for parents to express opinions and ideas.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

www.troop28bsa.com