New Parent Orientation Boy Scout Troop 2012 New Parent Orientation April 2017

TROOP LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE 2 GROUPS: Committee which oversees finances & logistics and ASMs who oversee the Program Charter Organization Rep Gina Latorre COMMITTEE CHAIR Ryan Sauder SCOUTMASTER Jason Stripling Fundraising Activity Coordinator Board of Review Advancement Secretary Treasurer Webmaster MB Coordinator Registrar Uniforms Troop Communications Webelos-to-Scouts Assistant Scoutmasters Senior Patrol Leader ASM - Training/Eagle Patrol Leader Council (scouts in leadership roles) ASM-New Scout Patrol ASM - High Adventure Junior ASM

TROOP 2012 LEADERS Scoutmaster: Jason Stripling (Trained SM, Search & Rescue MB counselor) ASM: Rich Eitzel (Trained ASM, High Adventure) ASM: Dean Leonard (Trained ASM, Eagle Advisor) ASM: Robbie Schmand (Trained ASM) ASM: John Aller (Trained ASM) Committee Chair: Ryan Sauder Advancement: Gina Latorre Activity Coordinator: Gina Latorre Charter Organization Rep.: Gina Latorre Fundraising: Mary Bergamini Treasurer: Michelle Moomey Troop Communications: Gina Latorre Webmasters: Dean Leonard/Gina Latorre

CUB SCOUTS vs. BOY SCOUTS CUB SCOUTS (ADULT LED) Adults plan & run monthly “Pack” Meetings Adult Committee meets monthly on: finances, awards, calendar, membership, and program events. Den Leaders plan/run bi-weekly meetings Adults help dens advance as a group Adults track advancements New handbook & hat/neckerchief with each rank Adults ensure success of the program BOY SCOUTS (BOY LED) Scouts plan & run weekly “Troop” Meetings Adult Committee meets monthly: finances, calendar, members. Conducts Board of Review ______________________________ Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) and scout’s Patrol Leader Council (PLC) meet monthly to plan Troop Meetings and Program events. Patrol Leader scouts plan/run monthly meeting Individual scouts see to their own advancement at their own pace* Each scout tracks his own advancement One handbook & neckerchief for the duration of scouting Adults guide but allow scouts to succeed or fail

RANK ADVANCEMENT Scouts receive one Boy Scout Handbook. IN GENERAL Scouts receive one Boy Scout Handbook. All rank requirements are explained and tracking logs are provided in the book. As a scout learns a skill or completes a task, it is up to them to demonstrate it to a Scout Leader or senior scout. The Leader or senior scout signs off on the requirement (see handbook slide) After completing all requirements for each rank, a scout participates in a Scoutmaster Conference (SMC). Finally, scouts meet with 3 member of the Committee in a Board of Review (BOR). This check-in allows us to find out how they are enjoying the troop and where they feel we can improve.

RANK ADVANCEMENT FIRST CLASS GOAL The first four ranks are: Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, & 1st Class. These are the “learner” ranks. They teach outdoor skills, self-sufficiency, physical fitness, and citizenship. There is a lot of camping involved in completing the first 4 ranks. The goal of every Boy Scout is to achieve First Class. Average time to First Class is 18-months. SCOUT TENDERFOOT SECOND CLASS FIRST CLASS

RANK ADVANCEMENT The last three ranks are: Star, Life and Eagle. LEADERSHIP RANKS The last three ranks are: Star, Life and Eagle. As scouts advance, they shift from ‘learner’ to ‘leader’ and are expected to teach new scouts. Scouts earn merit badges, perform service projects, and serve in leadership roles in the Troop. In 2014, six percent of all Boy Scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. STAR LIFE EAGLE

PAY-AS-YOU-GO TROOP Sign-ups go out for scouts to register and pay to attend that month’s outing. Participation is optional and financial aid is available. *Sign-up Rule #1: Never use a scout’s last name (always first name, last initial). Trained leaders do not pay for outings (except for summer camp & some large ticket campouts like white water rafting). Other adults chaperones may pay a reduced fee. Cost varies depending on the activity & facilities. Cabin camping costs more than tent camping, but less than a battleship campout.

EXPENSES Camping is the largest expense. All weekend trips and day trips are optional and pay-as- you-go events. Camping cost covers site fees, food, travel fees, activity fees. Annual dues are paid in October (~$115). Cost covers Council fees for the scout and adults, badges/patches/pins throughout the year, Boys Life, patrol box supplies, event supplies, etc. Occasionally, other costs will arise like a Class B T-shirt ($15). We attend summer camp every year. The cost is usually $400 for one week for scouts and about $50 for adults (most of the adult cost is paid by the Troop). Recently added is High Adventure activities for upper level scouts aged 13+. These are expensive trips. Our August 2016 Seabase Trip is a 10-day trip to the Florida Keys. Cost is ~$2,000. Next is the 2017 National Jamboree in West Virginia (~$1,500). We’ll be returning to Seabase in 2018 for a St. Thomas adventure (~$2,000) Fundraising can offset cost. Scouts can earn money for the Scout Account. Financial aid is also available. Types of fundraisers done in the past include: Popcorn Sales, Concession Sales at community events, Camp Cards, Yard Sales, and Holiday Wreath sales.

TIME COMMITMENT Because advancement is spearheaded by the individual scout, a missed meeting does not mean the scout will fall behind. Troop Meetings occur weekly. Scouts may learn skills, have guest speakers, learn about hiking gear, play capture the flag, or prepare a campout duty roster with their patrol. Patrols are like Dens. They are led by a scout patrol leader. Patrols consist of 6-8 scouts. During Patrol Meetings, they may also learn new skills, do fun team-building activities, plan for an upcoming campout, etc. Patrol meetings may occur during a Troop Meeting or separately. There is an optional Troop Activity once a month. Usually 7 to 10 campouts a year and some day trips like hikes or kayaking. This year’s campouts included Water Sports at Lake Anne, Cooking at Camp Highroad, and Caving in WV. Summer Camp: 6-days. A great program for new and veteran scouts. This year we’re returning to Ovid, New York for the 3rd time.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? ASK QUESTIONS - There is a lot to learn about Boy Scouts. Don’t be afraid to ask the same question two or three times and share what you know. ENGAGE - Encourage your scout to prepare for meetings or sign up for a Merit Badge Class. Find out if they need help with requirements. Review the handbook and practice with them. GENTLY REMIND - Remember, this is new to them too. It takes scouts a while to get into the habit of being responsible for their own advancement. On the way to the meeting, ask if they have a skill they can show someone. Ask if they need to get a signature. Remind them who to talk to about Blue Cards. BE PREPARED - Get the handbook cover. Start a 3-ring binder with trading card sleeves for your blue cards! BE ACTIVE - Scouts who are the most likely to become an Eagle Scout have parent(s) who participate in some way. Be a committee member, be an ASM, attend some troop meetings, make call to reserve a campsite. Whatever you can do, no matter how small, helps the troop and ultimately your son. It’s easy to drop off, it’s rewarding to be a part of helping your scout succeed.

ADVANTAGES OF TROOP 2012 SIZE - As a small troop we have more opportunities for placement in leadership roles, required for advancement. More chances for personal growth. SUPPORT - Boy Scouts is very different from Cub Scouts. As a small troop we have plenty of parent/leader support from familiar faces. YOUTH - As a new Troop you and your scout can help shape how we grow and what our next adventure will be.

UNIFORMS Neckerchief (provided) & slide (not provided) Troop # (provided) World Crest NCAC Council Patch Scout Leader patch (earned) Rank Badge (earned) AOL Neckerchief (provided) & slide (not provided)

SCOUT CAMPING GEAR Chair Tarp Rope Stakes Tent Backpack Sleeping bag Pad Clothes Pillow Rain Suit Hygiene Mess Kit Gloves Tarp Rope Stakes H2O Personal 1st Aid Camp Ash First Aid Chair Whistle, Flint, Compass Bivvy Headlamp Lamp

PATROL BOX Cooking/Supplies PATROL CAMPING GEAR PATROL BOX Cooking/Supplies DRY BOX Non-fridge food CAMP STOVE 2-burner Pot/Pan set Dutch Oven Collapsible 5-gallon Water Cooler with Ice/Ice Packs

Q & A It’s a lot of information. We’re happy to answer questions or explain it again.