Welcome to Troop 215 The following presentation will provide the history of our troop and the scouting program. Thank you for your interest in the scouting program and our troop!

Troop 215 Troop 215 was chartered in The troop is 86 years old! Making us one of the oldest troops in the Blue Ridge Council. First Presbyterian Church has been a continuing sponsor of the troop since that time. The troop has helped 133 scouts achieve the Rank of Eagle Scout during that time. With more still to come!!

Scouting at First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church is extremely important to our troop. They are our chartered organization and they truly support our program here at Troop 215. They provide the facilities for us to use and the church buses when needed. First Presbyterian Church also provides a very generous annual gift to help with the Scouting program. First Presbyterian Church is one of just a hand full of organizations that sponsor a Cub Scout Pack, a Boy Scout Troop, a Venture Crew and a Girl Scout Troop. Scouting is very important to them as a youth outreach ministries and it shows!

Our Troop’s Weekly Meetings Troop 215 meets every Tuesday night at 7:00 pm until 8:30 pm. Scouts are expected to arrive in Class A uniform to any and all meetings. Class B uniforms can be worn underneath the Class A uniform. Just like Basketball Practice, Band Practice, Piano Lessons, and everything few and far between, we need your scout to attend the meetings. Coming to the meetings will not only help your scout advance but, also help the troop grow. Please make sure they come as often as possible

Class A Uniform Class A Uniform includes the following Tan Official BSA Shirt Patches required on the shirt include the World Crest, American Flag, Troop Number, and Blue Ridge Council Shoulder Patch. Olive Green Loops are required as well. Scout Belt (Can be any type of Scout Belt) Scout Socks Neckerchief (The troop has their own that is given out at time of joining the troop) Scout Pants or Shorts (Usually required at ceremonies or major trips) Class B shirts – Can be from any event or level of the scouting program.

2 Deep Leadership Rule Whenever a scouting function, meeting, or event happens, 2 Deep Leadership is required by BSA. This isn’t something that is taken lightly and is strictly followed. Not only is this a safe guard for the scouts but also the leaders.

Troop 215 Scoutmasters Chris Lemmons Troop 215 Scoutmaster Assistant Scoutmasters Bill Masek Russell Buchanan David Gray Ricky Murphy Doug Larson Ben Cothran Brian Little Vince Price Mark Stamey Adam Gathers

We are able to use the church buses on our trips at no cost other than gas. This allows the troop to travel together.

Our Troop Website

Scout Sunday at First Presbyterian Church Scout Sunday occurs on the first Sunday in February. It is very important for our Troop to show First Presbyterian how much we appreciate their support.

Troop Equipment 20 Brand New Tents from Alps Mountaineering was purchased this year!!! Troop 215 has everything a troop needs to go camping from Tents to Lanterns to Pots and Pans. The only thing a scout needs to be concerned with is their own personal gear.

Summer Camp During the Summer the troop goes on a week long camp to Camp Old Indian. This will usually occur around late June. New Scouts will be placed in a program called Pathfinder. Pathfinder is the first year program that helps teach scouts their requirements for the first ranks in scouting.

Ranks – Scout to 1 st Class These four ranks are the beginning ranks on the trail to Eagle Scout. These ranks require the scouts to know all the different items within the BSA handbook. Everything from citizenship requirements, knots, lashings, first aid, map and compass, cooking, …. along with many other things. Merit Badges are not required for these ranks but it is a good idea for the scout to start earning them early in their scouting career. Troop positions are not needed until reaching the higher ranks.

Ranks – Star to Eagle These three ranks define themselves as the higher ranks of scouting. These ranks require the different merit badges, service hours, positions within the troop, and scoutmaster conferences and boards of review The Boys who have earned these ranks, are the leaders within the troop. They have been taught everything in the book but, are refining the skills and teaching the younger scouts as well.

Merit Badges Merit Badges allow the scout to learn about different skills, careers, or hobbies that might interest him in the future. 21 merit badges are required for Eagle. The “white ring border” merit badges are known as the Eagle Required Badges. It is highly recommended to work on the other badges as well.

Dues and Payments Dues in Troop 215 are $50 for the year. They required during January when rechartering happens for the troop. $25 of the $50 is a National fee to pay for BSA national registration and insurance. $25 of the remaining $50 is for Troop 215 operating cost. Any adult that wants to join Troop 215 is only $15 for the year. The troop pays part of the BSA fee. Scouts who cross over from Cub Scouts only have to pay the $25 Troop 215 operating cost since they have already paid the BSA national fees during the start of the year. Payments for campouts are due before the event, activity, or scouting function. This helps eliminate late payments. Fundraisers – During the year, fundraisers will occur that allows the scout to raise money so that dues and profits can be placed into individual scout accounts. Money placed into the individual scout accounts will occur after the initial fee is obtained.

Dues and Payments Dues and Payments are a topic that we look at very closely. We make every possible effort to limit the cost of trips and functions. If there is a trip that does require a great deal of money; we take steps to set up payment plans or potentially set up fundraisers for the larger activities. The Troop Committee and Troop as a whole wants every scout to have an equal opportunity to grow within the scouting program. Where there is a will, there is a way. We do everything we can to make sure a scout isn’t hindered by cost of activities.

Fundraisers Troop 215’s main fundraiser is selling BSA popcorn. Every Scout is expected to sell popcorn to help the troop. After the 1 st $ in sales, 33% of the profits from any sales over the $ goes into a Scout Account to be used for summer camp fees or other scouting activities in the troop. So if a scout sells $300 worth of popcorn, the scout would have about $67 in their scout account. Troop 215 has in the past held other fundraisers such as; Pancake Breakfast Car Wash Yard Sale Selling discount cards

Troop 215 “An individual step in character training is to put responsibility on the individual.” “The Scoutmaster teaches boys to play the game by doing so himself.” Both of these quotes come from scouting founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell We strive to be a boy lead troop. Meaning the scouts plan the program and decide what activities/events we plan to take part in. Adults are there to make sure the program happens and that the scouts have everything they need. Also Adults are there to ensure the scout safety. Sometimes even the leaders can learn from the scouts as well.

Troop 215 “To get a hold on boys you must be their friend.” - Lord Robert Baden-Powell Troop 215 isn’t just an organization. It is by all means a family first. Your scout will be treated like a son to every leader and a resource for them in life. Scouts make lifelong friends throughout their scouting career. Many incorrectly assume the goal of a Scouting program is to have a boy reach the rank of Eagle. The goal of the program is to mold and shape the scout to become a better man, father, and leader in the future. On average 2 scouts out of 100 scouts earn the Eagle Rank nationally. It is our responsibility to make sure 100 scouts out of 100 scouts are able to take something positive away from the program.

Adult Leadership Opportunities As an adult there are plenty of different opportunities for you to not only help your scout but the program as well. This can include: Troop Committee Serve on Board of Reviews Help the program by working on Advancement, Finances, Equipment, Merit Badge Instructors, …. Etc Be a resource for the boys Assistant Scoutmaster / Future Scoutmaster Help Run the program with the scouts first hand Review the techniques and skills with the scouts Be a resource for the boys District Committee Help serve on the District Committee that would benefit all of the county’s scouting units Commissioner Be a third party resource to evaluate and help guide the scouting program within a unit.

Thank You Thank you for taking the time to visit with Troop 215. We hope this presentation has helped you understand the program here at Troop 215. We truly hope you strongly consider becoming part of our scouting family. If you have any questions about the scouting program or our troop’s program, please feel free to ask anything to any of our members.