Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Boy Scout Troop 1018 Introduction to Our Troop Version 1.5 Feb 07

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Introduction History of Scouting The Scouting Program – what and why Differences between Cub & Boy Scouts Advantages of Troop 1018 Expectations Costs Other “odds and ends” Wrap-Up & Questions

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC History of Scouting Founded by Lord Baden-Powell in the UK –Early 1900’s (Brownsea Island – 1907) Brought to America by William Boyce –Founded - 8 Feb 1910 (Feb is “anniv month”) –Chartered by Congress in 1916 Worldwide movement, Scouting programs exist in over 190 countries

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC The Scouting Program B-P – “Fun with a purpose” Program Objective: Develop character, self- reliance, citizenship, and leadership in values- based environment Scout Law –12 Points of the Scout Law The Scout Oath –Duty to God and Country –Duty to Others –Duty to Self

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC The Scouting Program (con’t) The Outdoor Program –The centerpiece of Scouting –Understand and appreciate nature Much more – life skills, service, leadership –Leadership opportunities –Teamwork –Service to others –Self reliance Preparation for the future

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC The Harris Survey In 2005 BSA commissioned the Harris Interactive research organization to study the influence of Scouting Polled youth and adults Divided into 3 groups –Non-Scouts (never in the program) –Scouts –Those in Scouting program for 5+ years Entire report is available on BSA Nat’l website

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC The Harris Survey (con’t) Over 2/3 of men who were Scouts say there have been real-life situations where having been a Scout helped them to be a better leader Men who were Scouts are more likely to have: –Higher levels of education –Higher earnings –Own their own homes Scouts are more involved in after school activities –Sports (Scout: 75%; never a Scout: 72%) –Music, dance, drama (Scout: 36%; never Scout: 22%) –Arts & crafts (Scout: 29%; never Scout: 21%) –Yearbook or newspaper (Scout: 12%; never Scout: 5%)

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC The Harris Survey (con’t) Grades in School –Reporting mostly A’s Scouts: 25% Scout for 5+ years: 29% Never a Scout: 17% Percentage who agree that Scouting has improved their performance in: –Athletic skills: 66% –Science: 56% –Reading: 52% –Math: 50% Being a Scout does not necessarily guarantee success, but there are clear indicators of the positive influence of the program in many areas

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Preparing for the Future Merit Badges – learning about new areas –Professions: Chemistry, Nuclear Science, Oceanography, Journalism, Electronics, Engineering, Medicine, Composite Materials; Composite Materials, Law –Hobbies: Stamp Collecting, Winter Sports, Genealogy –Nature, outdoors: Hiking, Swimming, Climbing, Backpacking –Life Skills: Personal Management, First Aid, Cooking, Lifesaving –Citizenship: Community, Nation, World Conferences with adults –Scoutmaster Conference –Board of Review

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Preparing for the Future II Leadership opportunities –Senior Patrol Leader –Patrol Leader New experiences –Trip to Switzerland, Sea Base, Philmont –Camporees –Museums, historic sites Advancement –A template for gaining new skills –Wide variety of requirements (skills + service) –Teaching self reliance

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Preparing for the Future III Eagle Scout – Universally recognized as a sign of high achievement –Why? 21 merit badges; Eagle service project; last of seven advancement levels – approx 4% of Scouts –“Being an Eagle Scout will definitely impress admission officers at top colleges” – College Confidential website –Hundreds of scholarships –Job networking (National Eagle Scout Association) –Unique opportunities: NSF “Antarctic Scout” program

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts Scout led –PLC plans agenda; SPL runs meetings –Scouts active in annual planning conference –Scouts plan their outings – menus, etc Emphasis on leadership and teamwork Boys are responsible for their own advancement Adult role: mentor, suggest, safety Adult leaders, not parents, sign off advancement & merit badge requirements

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Advantages of Troop 1018 Small size –One-on-one mentoring –Flexible programs & scheduling –Advancement closely monitored; individual attention All Scouts included in all activities –Lots of interaction between older & younger Scouts –All have opportunity for high adventure

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Advantages II Trained, motivated, and stable adult leadership Wide variety of activities –Outdoor program –Tours –Game Nights Strong outdoor program –Monthly campouts – different themes -- hikes –Monthly camping is essential to staying with Scouting 51% of boys that leave Scouting come from troops with 5 or few camping outings per year Only 15% come from units that camp every month

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Advantages III International Flavor –Kandersteg Scout Centre in Switzerland; summer 2006 –Contact with other Scout troops overseas Boys come from throughout local area Fun

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Summer Camps “Traditional” –Goshen (2007) –Resica Falls, PA (2006) –Hawk Mountain, PA (2005) High Adventure –Florida Sea Base (2007) –Kandersteg, Switzerland (2006) –C&O Canal – 60 mile hike (2005) + Jambo

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Expectations of Scouts Live by the Scout Oath and Law Support the Scouting program Work toward advancement Fully participate in the troop and patrol –Inform us when you can’t participate –Participate in troop fundraisers Wear the uniform Perform community service

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Expectations of parents Help/encourage your son –Monitor his progress –Enable his participation Help the troop –Actively participate as an adult leader Committee member, Assistant SM, trainer, merit badge counselor –Participate in specific activities Fund raising, driving, planning an activity

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Costs of Scouting $50 Annual Dues –Registration, patches, misc troop expenses Activities – registration & food ($20) Uniform ($50 - $75) – uniform exchange Camping equipment (?) –Lots of troop gear available for checkout Summer camp ($100 - $1400) Nobody denied Scouting experience for financial reasons –Scoutbucks can defray most costs –Camperships

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Other Info Fundraisers – wreaths & mulch Flexibility – we work around your family schedule Troop gift to new Scouts –Scarf, slide, handbook,1018 patch Uniforms

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Other Info (con’t) Communications via Monthly newsletter mailed to each family Website ( New Scout orientation (Saturday program) “Scoutcraft basics” campout in April Summer camp

Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC Wrap - Up Importance of finding a good “fit” with a troop Bridging ceremonies; early joining Thanks for your interest in 1018 Questions?