What You Need to Know as a Parent of a New Scout.
Troop 123 is a volunteer driven, cooperative program. Parents
work together to help each other’s sons achieve their potential. Every parent has a role to play in their son’s
Scouting career as was as the life of the Troop. Active parents ensure a healthy Troop.
New Scouts must complete a Boy Scout Application and turn it in to the Membership
Chair, along with the annual dues. Dues are collected at “Re-charter” time in the Fall of each
year. If you join the Troop at any other time, dues will be pro-rated. Dues pay
for such things as Troop insurance, and National Membership, with the balance going into the Troop Treasury Account to be
used for Scout activities and expenses.
The
money in the Treasury Account does not cover the cost of outings. Troop 123 is a pay-as-you-go program.
If you have financial challenges, there are confidential scholarships available. While the Troop generally does not
fundraise, it will help Scouts raise money for activities if help is needed.
Buy a Boy Scout Handbook for your son.
It can be purchased at the Scout Shop (3120 Rainier Avenue South). You and your son must read “A
Parent’s Guide” on pages 2-23. It is one of the requirements for your son to earn his Scout
rank.
Buy a uniform shirt
at the Scout Shop or through the on-line catalog. The Troop occasionally has uniform “swaps”
where you can get an “experienced Scout uniform” from an older, bigger Scout. You will also
need a red Scout neckerchief and slide. The first neckerchief and slide are given to your Scout when they
cross-over from Webelos. Remember to label all items with your son’s name.
Different Levels of Uniforms
Scouts always
wear neat, clean and appropriate clothing while participating in Scouting activities.
Field Uniform – Worn at Troop meetings, Courts of Honor,
Eagle Courts, formal Scout functions and at District and Council activities (Summer Camp, Camporee, etc.). The
Field Uniform is also worn at regular Scout meetings.
o Field Uniform – Khaki uniform shirt, Scout shorts or khaki pants with
belt, Scout socks and dark shoes or hiking boots. Scout hat and Order of the Arrow sash are optional. The
merit badge sash should be worn at Courts of Honor and Boards of Review only.
Activity Uniform – Worn at all other Scout functions unless
it is a non-uniform event (see below).
o
Activity Uniform – Scout polo shirt or T-shirt with clean and neat pants or shorts.
Non-uniform – Activity-appropriate clothing
for outdoor activities "Blue Moon" and fun events.
o Non-uniform – Dress for weather, activity and occasion. Most outdoor activities
are non-uniform events.
The Scout
Handbook is part of the uniform. Bring it to everything except Eagle Courts, Courts
of Honor and other such activities. It is an essential part of your packing for overnights and meetings.
You should write you name in several places, including the closed end across all pages. When
you earn a rank or take your book on overnighters, you should make copies of the advancement pages in case you lose your book.
Troop 123 Uses the Patrol Method
A
Patrol, while part of the Troop, functions independently as a unit. Patrol members share all tasks and
activities. They tent, eat, share chores and function collectively. The purpose is to
maintain efficient Troop organization and safety while forming bonds of camaraderie, and interdependence.
Patrol members assure the success of their Patrols, and therefore the Troop.
Scouts do not want to
let down other Patrol members. Each Patrol has a leader and assistant, but there are responsibilities for
all Patrol members. Patrol pride is shown in a Patrol yell, song, flag and campfire participation.
When camping, each Patrol has their own area, That area is to be respected by other Patrols. Permission
to enter and friendship fires are not only inter-Troop, but inter-Patrol.
Patrol Leaders report to the Senior Patrol Leader (the "SPL"). The SPL
works closely with the Scoutmaster to ensure a well-run Troop. The Patrol Method, by putting leadership authority in the hands
of the Scouts, may occasionally appear chaotic while boys work through leadership challenges. That is part of the learning
process that makes a good Troop.
What Equipment Does My Scout need?
The equipment needed by a Scout is indicated in the Boy Scout Handbook. Some activities require specialized equipment. However,
as a new Scout family, do not run out and purchase everything at once. A new Scout needs just the basics.
A conversation with the Troop leadership will help to determine what the basics are, depending on the time of year
and the upcoming activities of the Troop. For instance, you can borrow a pack until you know that your boy is really
interested. Gear for cold weather camping may not be necessary if you joined the Troop in the spring. Within the troop, there
will be gear that older Scouts have outgrown. Search rummage sales and garage sales for good, used items.
With Scouts, things get broken and
lost. Your Scout is responsible to keep track of his own gear. While learning how to exercise that responsibility, he will
lose things. Resist the temptation to buy top-of-the-line equipment. Also, do not send irreplaceable items on Scout outings,
such as grandpa’s favorite whittling knife.
LABEL EVERTHING! Use permanent marker, iron-on
labels and fingernail polish. Things will be misplaced and it is much easier to find the home for items
with a Scout's name on them.
Please access the Troop 123 or the BSA websites for additional equipment information.
The Basics
Troop 123 is an adult-advised, boy-run organization.
Adults provide coaching and mentorship, and engage to maintain health and safety. The youth leadership is headed up
by a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Assistant (APL).
The
Troop is comprised of Patrols. Each patrol has six-eight Scouts and its own Patrol Leader (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leader.
(APL). Troop 123 uses “Perpetual Patrols”, meaning our Patrols have boys of mixed ages and experience. New Scouts
are placed in Patrols to ensure compatibility and balance among the Patrols.
The combined SPLs and PLs is called the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).
The senior leadership works directly with the Scoutmaster (SM) and his Assistants
(ASM). The most senior Scouts in the Troop may become Junior Assistant Scout Masters.
The PLC meets monthly with the SM to plan the upcoming month’s program.
The PLC plans meetings and events, assigns tasks and discusses other Troop business.
The SPL communicates with the PLs who in turn communicates with his
Patrol members.
The Troop meets almost weekly
during the school year. Currently, we meet on Wednesday evenings promptly at 7:00 p.m. until about 8:30 p.m. at the Whitman
Middle School cafeteria. Generally, the meeting on the Wednesday after the month’s outing is the
PLC meeting.
Every Scout is welcome to attend the PLC meeting, but the business of this planning meeting is
conducted by the SPL and his Patrol Leaders. Some meetings may occur off-site.
The Troop observes a “Blue
Moon” meeting on the fifth Wednesday in months that have such. It is important that the boys attend
these meetings.
Communications
Effective communications is necessary for the Troop to function. All Scouts and parents need to be proactive in communicating
to ensure that the program runs smoothly. This means making a call or sending an email whenever there is a question about
what is going on, rather than simply waiting to hear from somebody. Here are the main parts of our communications strategy.
We use email and the web extensively. The calendar, contact
list, and event descriptions are kept up to date on the Troop website, www.troop123seattle.com. Every Scout and Troop family has access to the secure side of
the website. Permissions for access are granted by the Webmaster. Access to the secure website ends when a Scout’s registration
expires.
Check the website regularly. When an
important change or addition to the website is made, the Webmaster sends an email to all families alerting them to look at
the website.
Email reminders are sent to families
prior to important meetings, outings, and parent and Troop committee meetings. Other alerts, opinion polls or items of interest
are also sent by email. We encourage each Scout to have and regularly check his own email for Troop business sent to him.
Parents should remind their Scouts to stay current with information.
The Scoutmaster and SPL make announcements about upcoming events at every Troop meeting. The Troop
Committee meets every month except July and August. We hold three all-parent meetings each year. All these meetings are on
the Troop Calendar at http://www.troop123seattle.com/.
Every Scout is responsible to know what is happening in the Troop. With
all these resources available, there is no reason for a Scout or his family to not be informed about the Troop program. The
Troop contact roster on the website is kept up to date. When in doubt, telephone or e-mail someone.
Ranks and Advancement
The
purpose of rank advancement is to recognize the developing skill and competence of our Scouts. We train our Scouts to "Be
Prepared", to be active, reliable team members, to be skilled outdoorsmen, good decision makers and to provide effective
leadership for the community. A Scout’s rank will often determine what is expected from him. Scouts are expected
to maintain mastery of the skills they learned to attain their rank.
The ranks are: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle.
Please refer to the Boy Scout Handbook for details on each rank’s advancement requirements.
Once your
Scout reaches First Class, each subsequent rank has tenure, service and merit badge requirements. These are outlined
in the Boy Scout Handbook, as well as, on the BSA website. In order to reach Eagle rank, your Scout will need to complete
21 merit badges, 11 required and nine elective. In addition, there are 135 other merit badges which may be earned, something
for every interest. Requirements for every merit badge can be found on the web.
Rules of the Troop There is to be two-deep (two adults with the boys)
leadership at all times. Scouts use the buddy system on all outings. We are a no-hands-on organization. No one (including you) should manhandle
your scout while on a Scouting event. No hazing is allowed in any form! We adhere to the “Guide to Safe Scouting” which explains prohibited
activities. We must follow this guide in order to be covered by the troop insurance if a scout is injured. This
guide can be found on-line at:
http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx No boy is allowed to “trash talk”
another boy. Nor should a parent belittle his/her son in front of other scouts. We follow the credo “praise
in public, discipline in private.” We
have expectations for behavior. The program is for ALL boys, so we try to accommodate everyone, but there is a time
where you have to identify unacceptable behavior and salvage the program for the rest of the boys. A Scout does not use profane, abusive or obscene
language. Words and gestures that are intended to shock or offend have no place in Troop 123. All scouts are equal and should be respected. We are all part
of a big community. Working through problems to ensure tolerance and acceptance is part of the growth experience of every
Scout. If you feel you child is being
treated unfairly, or if something is “amiss,” please talk to the Troop leadership, such as the Scoutmaster or
Committee Chair. If another scout is involved, talk to the troop leadership. Do not allow it to “fester.”
It is best to get it out in the open and deal with it. Communication is essential. Your son (and you) will have
a better scouting experience. If
you feel there is a problem which cannot be resolved within the troop, the appropriate avenue would be to talk with a Unit
Commissioner. The Unit Commissioner is a district-assigned liaison who is trained in the program, correct Troop etiquette,
and counseling. Parents should
ensure that their Scouts are fit and healthy before sending them on Scout outings. Troop activities are often strenuous. Scouts
should have plenty of sleep before attending a Troop overnight event. Certain events, such as summer camp and long term outings,
require a Scout Physical form for a Scout to participate. This information is detailed on the website. Parents need to show particular care regarding their Scout's medications.
Parents must inform the adults in charge if any Scout requires medication for any regular, chronic or acute condition. This
includes medication for mood and behavior control and any allergy medication, including epi-pens, inhalers and allergic reaction
medication. Occasionally a doctor
will recommend a "drug holiday" for a child on regular medication, particularly a behavior-enhancement medication.
PLEASE, if you are considering such a "holiday" for your Scout during a troop outing, inform the trip leader. You
may be asked to accompany your son, be available to retrieve your son, or have your son not attend the outing if he is at
risk of experiencing adverse effects from withdrawal from medication.
Drug changes often affect a child in unpredictable
ways when the child's environment changes (such as heading off to camp). Also inform the leader if there has been a recent
change in a Scout's medication or medical condition. This is a boy-led Troop and we must remember that they are doing their best at their skill level. We
are to respect the leadership, particularly during presentations and meetings. Boys and parents are encouraged to make suggestions for events and activities.
This is your Troop and your ideas should be shared. Please remember that the Troop Committee must approve the calendar
of events and it is expected that all adults will support it. Participation is required in order to fulfill the “show scout spirit” and “be active
in your Troop” parts of earning rank.
Adult Support Organization While the Troop activity program is boy led, adults
play important roles to ensure that the overall Troop organization is safe, appropriate and well run.. It is the
adult’s job to guide (not take over) the Scout to learn what is needed. Adults also perform behind the scenes
roles, particularly in dealing with the larger adult world outside the Troop. Our job is to make things happen. Each of us has special abilities, skills
and knowledge that we can share. We are all responsible for the success of our scouts and there is a job for everyone.
Adult jobs are basically in two
categories – Program and Administration.
o Program – is the first line of leaders, the
people who work directly with the Scouts, help them identify, plan and execute the Troop program. These adults include
the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, merit badge counselors, event leaders and parents helping to coach and mentor the
boys.
o Administration – is the side that makes it all run smoothly. They are responsible
for making sure policies, regulations and guidelines are carried out. They are to see that quality leadership is recruited
and trained. They approve the Calendar of Events and see that adults staff it. They are responsible for finances,
communications, website, advancement records, and other administrative and coordinating functions.
These two divisions
create checks and balances that are set in place. You will find that they overlap in many areas. Registered positions require an application to
be completed and approved by the BSA National Council. The registered positions include Scoutmaster, assistants, Committee
Chairperson and Committee Members, including Advancement, Secretary, Treasurer, Charter Representative, and Activities Coordinator.
The Troop Committee calls a meeting every month in which all parents are encouraged to attend. During this meeting,
the Troop Committee, program people and any interested parents discuss events, policy and the future direction of the Troop.
This is the “housekeeping” of the Troop. Many decisions are made here. Please attend. Our intentions are to spread the work among as
many parents as we can. Each events needs at least two adults and one Scout to be in charge. We encourage parents
to group together to staff events. Policy states that we need two adults for 10 Scouts and one extra adult each extra
10 Scouts. The event leader, participating parents, drivers, etc. are needed.
Volunteer Positions Advancement Chair – This person maintains
all Scout advancement records; address and phone lists; and patrol lists. They are also responsible for purchasing badges
and insignia at the Scout Shop and reporting/verifying achievements. Assistant Scoutmasters – These positions provide program support to
the Scoutmaster and support the following areas:
o Advancement Coordinators who are responsible
for the guidance and oversight of rank advancements for the Scouts. It is ideally divided into two positions working
with boys in the following ranks:
(1) Scout through First Class
(2) Star through Eagle
o Outings
Coordinator who would ensure that events are registered with the Council and staffed.
o Order of the
Arrow Advisor seeing that OA members get to events.
o Den Chief Advisor providing guidance to Den
Chiefs and maintain ties to area Cub Scout Packs. Charter Organization Representative – This person serves as the liaison with the Whitman Middle
School PTSA and coordinates room reservations for activities held at the school. Committee Chair – Oversees the monthly committee meetings, working
closely with the Scoutmaster to coordinate adult participation. Community Service Coordinator – This person manages the Scouting for Food annual service
project; Friends of Scouting yearly BSA fundraiser; and other Troop community service events. Outdoor Events/Camp Coordinator – This person coordinates
the Troop’s Summer and Winter Camp registrations, along with certain other troop events. Registrar – This person manages the annual Troop recharter
in the 4th quarter of each year, obtaining signed applications and fees from each Scout and adult volunteer. Roundtable Representative – This
person attends the monthly Council Roundtable, retrieving any Troop materials. Secretary – The Secretary is responsible for recording and posting
minutes from the monthly Parent Troop Committee meeting and for completion of the Troop’s Newsletter. Treasurer – The Treasurer is responsible
for managing the Troop’s financial accounts, including depositing all incoming funds; writing checks for Troop activities
and expenses; and reconciling bank statements.
Webmaster - Without
question, the Webmaster has the most important job in the Troop. He can say this because he is the person
posting this information to the Troop 123 Seattle website.
The Webmaster has the formitible task of trying to make certain that everyone knows
what is happening regarding the Troop. To accomplish this he has to be not only an investigative reporter,
but sometimes an inquistor, because no one ever bothers to tell him anything. They all believe that information
should be disbursed by osmosis.
When the Webmaster does farrot out the critical information to post to the
web site, some people don't check the web site to determine what is happening. This results in the following
comments: "Oh! I didn't know that we had to register and pre-pay at the last Troop meeting for this weekend's
event", or "I didn't know that we had to pre-register for next week's Summer Camp. Is there any room
left?" |
