New Parent & Scout Orientation Troop 420 St. John

slide1. New Parent
& Scout
Orientation Troop 420
St. John Roman Catholic Church
Carroll District
Baltimore Area Council<br>
slide2. Mission Aims Character Development
To build self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-respect
Citizenship
To foster love of community, country and world, along with a commitment of service to others and an understanding of democratic principles.
Personal Fitness
To develop social, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness and physical health that will stay with a Scout for the rest of his life. It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, and in other ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law. Scouting is A Values Based Program<br>
slide3. AIMS Are Delivered By Methods
Ideals
Patrols
Outdoor Programs
Adult Association
Advancement
Personal Growth
Leadership Development
Uniform<br>
slide4. History of Troop 420 Chartered for 43 continuous years
Actually older, but a break in the charter
Sponsored by St. John Catholic Church, Westminster, Md.
20 Eagle Scouts since 2001<br>
slide5. Cub/Boy Scout Differences A Boy Scout Troop is NOT
structured like a Cub Pack We give the boy’s the chance to try and learn things, and make mistakes in a safe environment<br>
slide6. Cub/Boy Scout Differences Boys have more responsibility
Planning, packing, setting up camp, cooking, activities
Scout is responsible for initiation of advancement
Parents cannot sign off on items they have completed. Adult Leaders (SM, ASM, or Troop Leaders (SPL, ASPL, Troop Guide, Patrol Leaders) are the only persons in the troop that that can sign off individual items in your handbook. “An invaluable step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.” Robert Baden-Powell<br>
slide7. Troop Leadership<br>
slide8. Key Positions Jack Lusby, Committee Chair
Al Schultz, Advancement Chair
Chris Joneckis, Scoutmaster
Joey Dell, ASM
Colin Scott, ASM
Nick Wagman, ASM
Joseph Worthy, ASM

SCOUTS LEADERS
Charles Yodinse, SPL
Brady Lowe, ASPL
Evan Hill, ASPL
Will Spaar, Troop Guide

Hank Reinhardt – Scoutmaster Emeritus<br>
slide9. Youth-Led Patrol Patrol – group of scouts who operate as a team
Patrol Leader
Is responsible for himself
Is responsible for the well-being of his patrol members
Is responsible for individual patrol members
Communicates to patrol members
This is a learning activity. Each boy will get their opportunity to lead and to learn how to lead effectively “It is up to the patrol leader to take hold of and to develop the qualities of each boy in his patrol. It sounds like a big order, but in practice it works.” Baden-Powell<br>
slide10. Scout Leadership Leadership
Scouts elect their own major leadership
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) (entire troop) (yearly)
Patrol Leader (each Patrol) (twice a year)
Other positions appointed by Scout and adult leaders
Leadership (positions of responsibility) is a major requirement to advance to Star, Life and Eagle
Scouts must attend meetings and trips to learn and show leadership for rank advancement
Plan accordingly with schedules<br>
slide11. Patrol Method “The Patrol method is NOT one way to run a troop it is the ONLY way” Robert Baden-Powell

BSA Policy<br>
slide12. Youth-Led Troop“Don’t Do Anything for a Scout that he can do himself” -Baden-Powell The Patrol Leaders Council Runs the Show
With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.
Monthly Meeting SPL, ASPL, PL, Scribe, etc.
Annual Planning Meeting plan out the year
Planning daily campout schedules, campsite layout
Not travel logistics, not money, not medicine
Troop meetings<br>
slide13. The Scouts Organization Troop Youth Leaders
Senior Patrol leader - top youth leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other youth leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
Assistant Senior patrol leader - fills in for senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.
Instructor - teaches one or more advancement skills to Troop members.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - Scout at least sixteen (16) years old who supervises and supports other boy leaders as assigned.
Patrol Leader - gives leadership to members of his Patrol and represents them on the PLC
Assistant Patrol leader - fills in for the Patrol Leader in his absence.
Troop Guide - advisor and guide to new Scout Patrols.
Den Chief - works with a Cub Scout Den as a Guide.
Quartermaster - responsible for Troop supplies and equipment.
Scribe - the Troop secretary.
Troop Historian - collects and maintains Troop memorabilia and information on former Troop members.
Librarian - keeps Troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by Troop members.
Leave No Trace Trainer – Certified as a LNT Trainer who trains & advises the Troop
Webmaster – Webmaster for the Troop Website<br>
slide14. Troop 420 Scoutmaster’s Goals for 2011 -2012 Emphasize Boy Lead Troop
Strengthen Patrol Method
Develop Boy Leadership<br>
slide15. Implementing Goals Emphasize Boy Led Troop
More active role for the PLC
More active role in planning yearly activities
More active role in campout planning
More active role in advancement of scouts<br>
slide16. Implementing Goals Strengthen Patrol Method
Patrol cooking and menu planning
Working through scouts and SPL
Positions of responsibility that have expectations and are evaluated<br>
slide17. Leadership Development Develop Boy Leadership
- Training & Mentoring
Main Job of Scoutmaster, ASMs, & selected adults

Empowering Youth to be Leaders
Start slow
They will make mistakes
Maturity takes time, and different boys mature at different rates<br>
slide18. Youth Training: Troop - PLC
After each PLC
In Patrols/ Troop
Campouts
District
6 scouts DYLT trained
Den Chief Training
Council
1 scout NYLT trained
OA training<br>
slide19. Boy Scout Advancements Process by which a Boy Scout Progresses
Advancement is a means to an end, not an end in itself
Designed to help the Scout have exciting and meaningful experience
Education and fun are key to advancement principles
Growth the Scout achieves overcoming obtainable goals
Scout through First Class Ranks focus on Scouting’s basic skills
Goal of BSA and Troop 420: every Scout achieves First Class in about 1 year,<br>
slide20. Boy Scout Advancements Rank Advancements
Scout
Tenderfoot
Second Class
First Class
Star
Life
Eagle<br>
slide21. Advancement Principles Personal growth is the prime consideration in the program
Learning by doing - EDGE Method
Each youth progresses at his own rate
A badge is recognition of what a young person is able to do, not just a reward for what he has done
Advancement encourages Scouting Ideals<br>
slide22. Boy Scout Rank Advancement There are four steps in the Boy Scout Advancement Process:
Learning
Testing
Reviewing
Recognition
Scoutmaster oversees Scout advancement
Learning - with anyone, including parents
Testing - Only adults and scouts designated by the Scoutmaster may sign off on Rank Advancement requirements
PL, ASPL, Instructors, Troop Guide, SM ASM, selected adults<br>
slide23. Rank Advancement Scout Advancement
Reviewing –
Scoutmasters Conference
Board of Review

Recognition
Troop Meeting
Court of Honor – Quarterly

Advancement Coordinator maintains records
and arranges Boards of Review and Courts of Honor

Keep records for your son as well.<br>
slide24. Merit Badges Approximatedly 110 Merit Badges
Star, Life & Eagle require Merit Badges
Qualified Merit Badge Counselors must approve requirements that are laid out in the Merit Badge Book - no more no less
Scout must obtain a Blue Card from Mr. Al or Scoutmaster before taking the merit badge
Troop has many MB counselors, other exist in District and Council Wilderness Survival<br>
slide25. Merit Badges Some troop meeting have time for Merit Badges, but when other troop activities are occurring scouts are expected to attend those activities.
Meeting with Merit Badge Counselors should also occur outside of troop meetings – have your son arrange the meeting
Parents should volunteer based upon interests hobbies, occupations, to be Troop Merit Badge Counselors Wilderness Survival<br>
slide26. Outdoors Outcome Three Quarters of SCOUTING is OUTING
Improved Physical Fitness
Growth in ability to take care of themselves
A sense of communion with nature
Greater appreciation for the outdoors
Troop 420 has a trip each month except December
June & July extended trips
Summer Camps
High Adventure trip each year<br>
slide27. Outdoors Advancement happens at outings
We have time for advancement
Advancement is designed to be done outdoors
Adventure happens at outings
This is why the Scouts join a troop
Scouting happens at outings
Fun and companionship happens at outings<br>
slide28. Trip Guidelines Scout methods and youth leadership
SPL is in charge
Mentored by SM, ASM and identified adults – Adult Troop Guides
Parents cannot attend
Adults can attend, but in a role other than a parent – an adult
Separate camping areas when possible
Adults formed into a patrol – lead by example
Youth Protection and STAND Protection
Will have family camping trip, where parents are parents and camp as a family<br>
slide29. Trip Logistics Each trip has a trip description and,
Permission slip
Form and payment are due on the specified date (typically no later than 2 weeks before trip) turn in forms and payment
We don’t want late submissions
Payments
Can use scout accounts for major trips
Prefer checks payable to “Troop 420”
Some trips (e.g., high adventure, jamboree) require multiple payments and special agreements<br>
slide30. Trip Logistics Forms
Anyone attending (scouts, leaders, adults, etc.) must have a current medical form on file w/ troop
Current – completed one year from date of trip
Parts A & B
Part C (medical exam only needed unless activity is >72 hrs or considered strenous)
Scouts - permission slip signed by parent
Parents driving – auto insurance information on file with Troop
Medication - provide medication clearly labeled and suitably packaged (in original container and in ziplock bag) with completed Troop Medication Form to identified adult on day of the trip.
Consider completing OTC Medication form<br>
slide31. Parents Requirements Take BSA Youth Protection Training
Take STAND Training
Forms
Auto Insurance Form
Medical Form & Medication Form
Talent Survey
Merit Badge Counselor Application<br>
slide32. Personal Gear Complete Scout Uniform – Class A
Class B shirt, other scouts shirts are good too
Zipperpants – convert into shorts are great
Troop uniform exchange
Check Gear Lists for season, adjust for activity
Car camping vs. backpacking
Everything (except sleeping bag and pad) should fit in one Duffel or backpack (you can wait on a backpack)
Specific Gear Recommendations
Good sleeping bag and ground pad
+20 should be OK (bags can be made warmer with inserts)
Rain suit - Breathable is better - NOT PONCHOS
Boots – w/ ankle support is recommended – mid tops
THINK SYNTHETICS (NYLON) NO COTTON
SOFT “SMART” WOOL SOCKS and clothes<br>
slide33. Personal Gear Buy large when possible
if it won’t affect the performance or health
MARK EVERYTHING WITH “SCOUT NAME” AND “TROOP 420”
Look for sales, closeouts, specials
Check major outdoor stores, REI, CABELAS, CAMPMOR,<br>
slide34. Troop Committee “Board of Directors”
Supports the program
Quality of adult leadership,
finance,
equipment,
supports BSA policy,
provides assistance,
serves on boards of review
Jack Lusby, Chair<br>
slide35. Troop Committee 7:00pm on the 3rd Monday of each month - usually

Decisions about the direction of the troop take place

Active participation in the troop committee will help you understand the Scouting program which can help you guide your Scout through the program

Parents and Scouts of Troop 420 are encouraged to attend and join the committee.<br>
slide36. Troop Operational Policy Statement Primary Principles - Follow Scout Oath and Law
Practical Considerations - Read by parents and scouts
Medication
Advancement
Conduct<br>
slide37. Fund Raising Monthly Dues
Required participation in fund raising activities, For example - Tree Sales, Spaghetti Diner, Pizza Sales
Opportunities for some monies to be applied to scout accounts – popcorm, auction

Subsidies-
Scouts who attend specified number of camping tips, troop meetings, and perform service hours quality for a subsidy on select trips
Typical subsidized trips - Ski trip, Summer Camp, June and July trip
Subsidy may apply to one parent as well as scout on some trips<br>
slide38. Parents Requirements Be a Good Role Model
Model the Scout Oath and Law in our own behavior
Support youth development
Let them continue skills at home – cooking
Get them to meetings & campouts
Please have scouts gather & pack their gear -oversee this activity if needed
Support youth leadership development
Volunteer in the Troop – Committee, Merit Badge Counselor, Driver
Let us know about concerns, suggestions, etc.<br>
slide39. I wish you all good scouting Q & A<br>