Joining Boy Scout Troop 944 A Brief Guide for New Scouts and New Scout Parents

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Topics About Boy Scouts How to sign up About the costs What uniforms and supplies are needed How Boy Scouting works Ranks and advancement Troop organization Patrols A word about disorganization Role of adults and scout leaders BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC About Boy Scouts Boy Scouting – a program of: fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, Designed to achieve the BSA's objectives: strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC How to sign up A boy is eligible who has earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or are 11, but not yet 18 years old A boy joins Boy Scouts by Selecting a troop Completing a membership application and Paying the dues (financial assistance available) Suggestion: Select a troop That has boys you like Has fun activities you want to do Is convenient to your home Join a Boy Scout Troop BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC About the costs Annual BSA dues w/insurance: $11 Boys life subscription: $12 Annual Troop 944 dues: $107 Dues pro-rated for boys joining after January 1 Fees for various activities campouts, summer camps, and outings, and food expenses Depends on the events you choose to participate Troop 944 holds two bake sales each year as fundraising activities BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

What uniforms & stuff are needed Boy Scout Handbook (about $10) The Handbook has most everything a Boy Scout needs to know Lists advancement requirements Serves as record of achievement and Scout encyclopedia Boy Scout uniform Scout Shirt, kerchief slide (about $30) Patches (international scouting, NCAC) Scout Pants, Hat, belt, socks are optional Merit badge sash is not needed until later Troop provides: Troop 944 kerchief, troop numerals patch, patrol patch, advancement patches BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC A note about uniforms Troop 944 has an inventory of slightly used scout uniforms & accessories Mostly outgrown Shorts, socks, hats, belts, etc. Class A refers to the uniform shirt, neckerchief, and slide; Our optional Class B uniform is the official black T-shirt with a red “944” logo over the heart. These are available from the troop for $10. You may not carry a pocketknife until you earn your “Tot’n’ Chit” and know the safety rules for knives and other cutting tools like axes and saws. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Camping Equipment Troop provides: Tents & tarps Cookware Stoves Other camping items Scout provides: Sleeping bag (to at least 15 degrees) Sleeping pad to cushion/insulate the sleeping bag Mess kit or equivalent and utensils Water bottle or canteen Flashlight or head lamp Backpack, and a good pair of boots BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC How Boy Scouting works Troop 944 Meets Thursdays 7:30 to 9:00 PM During the school year. Follows the Montgomery County Public Schools calendar Meetings include activities, games, skills development and rank advancement At least one weekend activity/campout per month Other weekend activities Service projects Hikes Merit badge day Etc. Remember – three quarters of “Scouting” is “outing”! BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Our Troop Meetings Thursdays 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM At St. Raphael Catholic Church 1513 Dunster Road, Rockville, MD 20854 BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Ranks and advancement Ranks and advancement show your level of skill and experience in Scouting. When you join the troop, you complete the "Joining Requirements." and attain the rank of scout You then begin working on ranks and Merit badges. You may work on all requirements for the first three ranks all at the same time – Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Will be awarded each rank in order Each time you complete work on a rank, Ask a uniformed leader for a "Scoutmaster Conference," you and the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster review the skills you have learned, your goals, strengths, and areas that need more attention, and how you are living the Scout Oath and Law. If the uniformed leader is satisfied that you are ready to advance, you can then request a Board of Review from our Advancement Chair The Board of Review (a group of three parents who are not uniformed leaders) will meet with you to assess your progress. If the Board is satisfied, they will notify the Advancement Chair so the advancement can be recorded and the new rank awarded. A scout’s accomplishment is recognized at a formal Court of Honor (3/year) BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Ranks Scout Youth protection, square knot, scout oath, law and slogan Tenderfoot Basic camping skills, whip rope, initial first aid, physical exercises, & ID local poisonous plants Second Class Basic orienteering, fire building, handling sharp tools, ID ten animals, basic swimming, additional camping skills, community service First Class Advanced orienteering, complete cooking, ID ten native plants, advanced knots and lashings, advanced first aid, BSA swimming test, citizen rights and responsibilities Star Six merit badges, participate in a community service project, troop leadership position Life Five more merit badges, participate in a community service project, troop leadership position Eagle Ten more merit badges, plan and lead a major community service project, troop leadership position BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Merit Badges To earn a merit badge, skills must be mastered in the specific area of study Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time Over 120 merit badges to choose from 6 merit badges are required for Star, 5 more for Life and 10 more for Eagle Certain merit badges are required for Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. These are called “Eagle Required” Work with a merit badge counselor who is qualified in that subject area Obtain counselor sign off on each requirement until done A scout may earn merit badges at special “merit badge days”, summer camp, or on your own BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Troop Organization BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Patrols Troop 944 is organized into five patrols Marconi Penguins Camo (Camouflage) Bulldogs Lost Patrol Scout Leadership Corps (Uniformed Leaders) Patrols consist of 4-6 scouts who are close in age BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

A word about disorganization The purpose of Scouting is for the BOYS to LEARN the skills necessary to Do the activities and To LEAD their fellow Scouts in accomplishing all of the tasks and planning Things sometimes seem disorganized because, usually, the boys aren't as efficient as parents are at getting activities planned and tasks completed. The troop adults are responsible for maintaining health and safety, taking care of things like advancement reviews, activity permits, and money, and providing support (like transportation) for activities that boys plan. In Boy Scouts, adults and parents play a supporting role rather than taking charge of activities and telling the boys what to do. Sometimes, the hardest thing for new parents is learning to sit back and let the boys do it themselves. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Role of Adults Scout leaders Advise the SPL Review and approve rank requirement completion Monitor rules and troop safety Teach scout skills Parents Provide support (logistics, transportation, etc.) Administration (treasury, registration (chartering), insurance, authorizations) Coordination (reservations, deposits, sign-ups, permission slips, etc.) Tour permits Advancement documentation Boards of Review Merit Badge Counseling BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC About Scout Leaders Scout leaders Have background checks To include Fingerprint checks Undergo extensive training New Leader Essentials Leader Specific training Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS) Youth Protection training for both BSA and the Catholic Archdiocese Must stay current with retraining on most courses Optional training Climb on Safely* Safe Swim* Hazardous Weather* CPR Training* Rock Climbing Instructor Woodbadge University of Scouting *at least one leaders must have current training in this course for every scout outing BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC Come visit us Stop by for any troop meeting or Contact our Scoutmaster Jerry Beaulieu at Jerry@daniandjerry.com BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC