Transitioning from Pack to Troop Detailing specifics to Troop 55 and Defining general cultural shifts

Fast Facts: Troop 55 Troop 55 Handbook is available for download through the troop55.org website. It contains useful information and hyperlinks. The Troop’s Web site, www.troop55.org, contains useful information, including forms, calendar, contact lists, each Scout’s advancement status, and more. Scout and adult personal information is password-protected. Who to call: 1) A Scout’s first point of contact with questions, concerns, etc., should always be his Patrol Leader, then, his Patrol Assistant Scoutmaster (“PASM”). 2) A parent’s first point of contact should be his son’s PASM or, if a problem persists, the Scoutmaster. Troop meetings: The Troop’s weekly meetings are on most Tuesday nights during the school year. First Class Trail generally begins at 6:30 pm, while the full Troop Meeting begins at 7:00 pm in the Scout Room at The Church of St. John the Divine.

Fast Facts: Troop 55 Patrols: Same age through First Class, then mixed Patrols with elected Scout leadership. Scouts are likely to be with some friends. Older patrols for Scouts 10th through 12th grade provide new opportunities. See Scoutmaster for additional information. Troop leadership: We strive to have the Troop run as much as possible by the Patrol Leader Council, a.k.a. the PLC or “Green Bar,” with adult oversight by the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. Campouts: The Troop goes on one weekend campout each month during the school year, as part of an annual program that is planned and executed by the Scouts themselves. Adult volunteers are needed for various positions. The equipment list in this Handbook will give you an idea what you will need to purchase for your Scout. Sign up is online via a DoubleKnot link. Summer Camp is strongly encouraged: Merit Badge Camp, Mid-adventure (13 yr.), High adventure. Summer Camp solidifies the Patrol Method.

Troop 55 Summer Camps and Adventures A variety of Troop 55 summer opportunities are offered. It is expected that each Scout will attend at least one Camp/Adventure each of his first two years in Troop 55 and most summers thereafter. Merit Badge Camps: Troop 55 offers an in-state merit badge camp and out-of-state merit badge camp each summer; these are designed to allow Scouts to try new activities while encouraging personal growth, practicing leadership and, solidifying the Scout Patrol Method. Mid and High Adventure Camps: A variety of Mid and High Adventure Camps are offered for older Scouts. These have specific age requirements and may involve Troop training sessions. Mid and High Adventure Camps are more activity specific and may include Sailing, Canoeing, Scuba, Cycling, Hiking, Fishing and/or Backpacking.

Troop Summer Camps and The BSA National Camp Standards The BSA National Camp Standards provide the following as directives a council camp should be following: ‘Merit badge coursework should not consume the majority of a youth’s waking time on any program day.’ ‘While merit badges are an important part of the resident camp program, they are not the main purpose of Scout camp. A Scout should have the opportunity to try new skills and activities just to learn about it or to have fun ‘ ‘The measure of a Scout’s experience in camp is what he comes home with in his head (values, growth)—not in his hands (badges).’ Perhaps Lord Baden-Powell said it best: “The most important object in Boy Scout training is to educate, not instruct.”

Summer Adventures: Exploring Interests

Fast Facts: Troop 55 Advancement and Merit Badges: Individual Pace. One goal is First Class within 9-12 months. Merit Badges should reflect the Scout’s interest. See the Troop 55 Handbook for recommendations. Parents are encouraged to take Merit Badge Counselor training and find areas that interest them where help is needed. Eagle Scout Advancement: Most T55 Eagle Scouts are normally between 15-17. Requirements must be met before the Scout’s 18th birthday. An involved Scout may achieve this in 9th or 10th grade if desired. Troop Provides: T55 Neckerchief and Boy Scout Handbook. Troop/BSA Dues: $130/year for first Scout. $110 for additional Scouts in the same family. Scout Expenses: uniform; campout grub & transportation fees, and activity fees; Summer Camp fees, Merit Badge Book fees. Financial Assistance is available as needed; Scouts should participate in T55 fundraising efforts.

Defining Changing Roles Webelos and Parent Boy Scout and Parent Assisted with activities; hands- on parenting, work on achievements together. Parent takes a role in guiding behavior and participation. You watch out for your own son. Family Camping in a shared tent set by parents with the car nearby. Dependence. Parents sign off on advancement requirements. Scout does the “work” on his own. Parent may ask guiding questions to remind Scout of what needs to be done especially to help young Scouts learn to organize. Help from the sidelines. Parent encourages Scout to follow the Oath & Law, may have them rehearse what they need to do and, then, steps aside and let’s the Scout do his job. You guide other Scouts, letting other leaders guide your son. Scouts tent with their patrol, not with parents. Parents avoid the area of their son’s patrol. Parents do not sign on any advancement requirements for their own son.

What to do at a weekly meeting: Stay, volunteer, and get informed! Scout and Parent Webelos and Parent Meeting: Webelos and Parent attend meeting together. Leader: Parent may assist Den Leaders with activities, lessons, or advancement. Parents may work in groups or individually with their Webelos on activities. Uniforming: Official Field Uniform is worn in almost all meetings and activities. Activity Uniform may be worn at designated events. Scout meeting is Scout-led. See organization chart in the T55 Handbook for leadership roles. Adult Troop leaders are nearby for consultation and to offer assistance, but most often stand outside the meeting. Parents congregate outside the meeting room. They may chat about adult leadership positions/participation, take a class (YPT, Merit Badge Counselor Training, Parent Talks), or assist with a Board of Review. Uniforming: Official Field Uniform (meeting), Full Official Field including kerchief and BSA socks for BoR, Travel, CoH, Activity Uniform (Camping, Camp, Most Projects)

How to Camp: Old Goats and New Patrols Webelos and Parent Scout and Parent Family camps together. Family acts as a part of the Den and is involved in Den Activities. Parents camp with Goat Patrol, set up their own tent, and assist with Goat duties. Scouts camp with their patrol. Set up their tent (often in the dark). Participate in Patrol and Troop Activities and duties. Scouts cook their own food and clean their dishes. They take care of their own camp site and follow a Troop duty roster. **How you can help your Scout “Be Prepared”: Purchase a tent, head lamp, pack, sleeping bag in compression sack, rain gear, hiking boots, and sleeping mat. In the fall, have your Scout practice packing his pack and setting up his tent on his own during the day and in the dark with you nearby. Practice packing for rain (use trash bags and Ziplocs). Ask your Den Chief for help.

The Golden Book: Your Boy Scout Handbook (A Message for Scouts!) Information: Your Scout Handbook is an important resource offering information that will help you learn to be a Scout. Read, learn, and do. Advancement: Through First Class Rank, the Patrol PASM will sign off on your advancement requirements and conduct your Scoutmaster’s conference prior to your Board of Review. Make sure that you have the requirements including Patrol leadership, service log, and camping log filled in and signed off immediately. Copy your most recent advancement pages before heading to a campout or summer camp. The Troop will only honor what is recorded by the T55 Advancement Chair if the book is lost, but a copy will help you. Rank requirements may have to be repeated. Keep your Boy Scout Handbook protected from weather damage in a functioning Ziploc bag when on campouts or at summer camp.

Merit Badges: How to and General Information What: There are over 100 merit badges. A Scout should choose what interests him. Merit badges are not the focus of Scouting. Rather, they are an additional avenue to encourage Scout participation and acknowledge accomplishments. Consult Troop 55 Handbook for recommendations and registration rules. No merit badges are required to reach First Class. Upper ranks require merit badges. To reach Eagle, Scouts must complete 21 merit badges, of which 12 are specifically “Eagle- required.” When and Where: Merit Badges can be worked on through the Troop (sign-ups at weekly meetings), at District Merit Badge Fairs in the fall and spring, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and (Summer) Merit Badge Camp. How: Scouts should purchase and read the Merit Badge Book for the badge at the Scout Shop. Some are available in our Troop Library. Worksheets are available at meritbadge.org in addition other information about individual badges. Printing the worksheets and organizing a notebook for a merit badge is very helpful. Not all Merit Badges are created equal. Some may take more effort, maturity, and time. Review the requirements. Help your Scout pay attention to wording like “do the following” and “explain/describe/review” which may be verbal requirements as opposed to “list/write/define” which indicate written requirements.

Lead on for Adults: Many important roles that require training While you and your Scout will have more independent roles in Scouting, a team of BSA trained, background-checked adults will mentor all the Scouts. We hope you will join that team! Youth Protection Training (Required for adult participation in Troop activities.) Live at Troop, District, Council, or on-line at bsascouting.org. Register as an adult leader under the role in which you will serve. (Troop Committee, Merit Badge Counselor, Assistant Scoutmaster, etc.) On-line BSA and Fast Track Training at bsascouting.org will help you be informed about policies/Troop structure and enhance your participation. Every Scout deserves a trained leader. ASM (Assistant Scoutmaster)/IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills) Training (Required for adults attending summer camps/mid and high adventure outings). This training will enhance your participation and understanding of BSA. Yes, these opportunities apply for both women and men.

Stay in the Loop: Communication Website: The Troop 55 Website is regularly updated during the school year with information on advancement, merit badges, campouts, summer camps, and service projects. Check the Website weekly when you transition into the Troop so it will become a habit for you and your Scout. “Like” The Facebook page to get up to date news as well. Sign in for the remind text app the Troop uses. E-mail: Sign up for both adult and Scout e-mail rosters. Troop News: The Troop communicates information weekly via e-mail through the school year. Your Scout will begin handling his own communications with Scout leaders. Please, monitor his e-mail account and have him copy you or have him send e-mail from your account making it clear it comes from him.

Boy Scouts & Personal Growth: The more responsibility you give your son, the more responsible he will be. Boy Scout of America provides young men with the opportunity to become more self-assured, independent leaders and cooperative teammates. Your son will mature as he is given the opportunity to embrace his role within Troop organization and is given appropriate responsibility in a safe environment. Boy Scout Aims: Growth in moral strength and character. Participation in citizenship. Development in physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Your Scout will aim to embody the Scout Oath and Law and Be Prepared through thoughtful reflection. 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. Law: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent