Troop XXX Our Town Here, CT Parent Orientation Meeting April 3, 2012

Troop Chaska, MN2 Agenda Scouting Facts Why are we here? BSA Organization Charter Organization Troop Organization Troop Guidebook Advancement Recognition Communication Recruitment Service Projects Fundraising Training Programs Meetings Upcoming Events Future Trips How can we do all this? Troop Needs Questions

Troop Chaska, MN3 Scouting Facts Founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell –1908 Founded in the U.S. on Feb. 8, 1910 Chartered by Congress in 1916 Scouting Programs Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing Purpose of BSA Aims and Methods of Scouting Program Membership Youth – 2,938,698, Adults – 1,146,320

Troop Chaska, MN4 Why Are We Here? For The Boys!

Troop Chaska, MN5 BSA Organization Boys Troop Charter Org. District Local Council Regional / National Council

Troop Chaska, CT6 BSA Organization

Troop Chaska, MN7 Charter Organization I.O.R.M Tribe 13 John Troop’s Original Charter Organization Holds our Charter – “owners” of the Troop Charter Organization responsibilities: Meeting space Approval of adult leaders Guidance for Troop policies and activities Troop responsibilities: Service Project (Clean-up Day)

Troop Chaska, MN8 Troop Organization

Troop Chaska, MN9 Troop Guidebook & Code of Conduct Given to every new Scout Family Updated Yearly New Parent Conference session New parent material Scout and Parent must read and sign If Scout does not abide by Code of Conduct and has been given opportunities to correct, we will ask Scout not to participate in activities.

Troop Chaska, MN10 Advancement Scouting Ranks Boy Scout Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle Tenderfoot2 nd Class Star1 st Class LifeEagle

Troop Chaska, MN11 Advancement Ranks Advancement Typically Requires: Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class: Skills and Ability Demonstrations* (camping, first aid, etc.) Community Service Hours Demonstrate Scout Oath in Daily Life Star, Life and Eagle: Merit Badge Completion (required and optional) Leadership Positions (the boys run the Troop!) Community & Service Projects / Eagle Project Demonstrate Scout Oath in Daily Life Scoutmaster Conference Board of Review * Alternative requirements are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities

Troop Chaska, MN12 Advancement Merit Badges Require Scoutmaster approval before starting. Require a counselor to lead and approve completion. Counselors should be knowledgeable in subject and must be approved by District. Troop maintains merit badge counselor list. District provides list of all merit badge counselors at least annually. Requirements can be completed at any time. Some merit badges classified as Eagle Required. Star, Life and Eagle ranks require a set number of Eagle Required merit badges as well as optional merit badges. Two-year cycle for presenting Eagle Required badges.

Troop Chaska, MN13 Scout Leadership Positions Patrol Leaders can be of any rank ASPL, Quartermaster, Assistant Quartermaster, Historian, Librarian, Scribe and Chaplain Aide must be First Class rank or above ASPL automatically graduates to SPL at next election. SPL should be Star rank or above Board of Review is held before each Court of Honor (or more often as required) Rank advancements and merit badges are presented at Court or Honor. Advancement

Troop Chaska, MN14 Recognition Court of Honors Three to four a year Special presentations or guest appearance Potluck, candles, ceremony, go all out! Media News, newspaper Web site Merit Awards Patches and certificates for Model Scout, Uniform Inspections, Scout Sunday, and others

Troop Chaska, MN15 Recognition Eagle Court of Honors Scout to organize own Eagle Court of Honor Highlight for each Scout Name added to scout trailer and web site All Scouts expected to attend

Troop Chaska, MN16 Communication Web site – s – Troop Notes sent out weekly Parent Meetings – All parents welcome! Troop Meetings and Court of Honors Ask your scout! Let him update you on events! If scout commits to event, follow through. Call if they can’t. Ask your Patrol Leader or Sr. Patrol Leader

Troop Chaska, MN17 Recruiting Reach out to 4 area Packs Calendar planning includes events that Webelos are invited to Communicate early with Pack and Webelos leadership Help Packs when requested with their events Invite to regular Scout meetings Invite to Camporees Make special arrangements for enjoyable weekend

Troop Chaska, MN18 Service Projects Must have hours to advance Assist Jonathon Association with projects Community needs Adopt-a-Highway cleanups Ask Chamber of Commerce, city, and county BSA / Troop Planned Activities Food drives, banquets, etc.

Troop Chaska, MN19 Fundraising 20% of all fundraising goes to Troop 80% goes to individual Scout Accounts Current ongoing fundraisers: Aluminum Can Recycling Trailers - $75 per trailer Cologne Recycling Center - $60 Once signed up, Scout is responsible for completing or finding a replacement!! Current one-time fundraisers River City Days – Sell buttons and run raffle Compost Bins in Spring for Carver County Council Popcorn Sale in Fall New Ideas Always looking for new ideas! Ideas presented to Parent Committee for discussion and approval Size of Troop requires new fundraising approach going forward

Troop Chaska, MN20 Training Scouts Orientation campout in Spring for new Scouts Troop Junior Leader Training Council level Pine Tree Junior Leader Training Committee / Parents Youth Protection – every 2 years District Adult Leader training offered spring/fall Roundtable and District Meetings Wood Badge Philmont Troop Pays for Training!!!

Troop Chaska, MN21 Training Parents / Scouts How to Protect You Children from Child Abuse First section in Scout Handbook Leaders Should be Trained Youth Protection Scouting Fundamentals BSA Policies & Procedures Creates linkages to immense reserve of resources 2-Deep Leadership

Troop Chaska, MN22 Programs Troop Meetings Monthly Activities Camporees / District Events Summer Camp High Adventure Camps

Troop Chaska, MN23 Meetings Every Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:15pm Except holidays, school breaks, or when Chaska schools are closed. Uniforms look good! Organized by PLC Meeting Activities can included Merit badge work Preparing for campouts, trips, activities, etc. Board of Reviews Fun activities

Troop Chaska, MN24 Upcoming Events Mandatory Campout / Highway Clean Up - April 20 Range Day – May 5 Memorial Day Parade – May 28 Court of Honor – May 29 Ripley Rendezvous - June Spooner River Campout – June 22 to June 24 Canoe Trip – Date TBD Backpacking Trip - Date TBD River City Days Fundraiser – July 20 to 22 Many Point Summer Camp – July 29 to August 4 Check out the Calendar at

Troop Chaska, MN25 Future Trips High Adventure Base Sea Base, Florida Keys Philmont, Cimarron, NM Other future trips – ideas? National Boy Scout Museum - Irving, TX State Parks? Patrols encouraged to plan trips

Troop Chaska, MN26 Troop Needs Scout Involvement!! Parent Volunteers!!

Troop Chaska, MN27 How Can We Do All Of This? It’s Easy!! Scout Involvement Make if Fun! Make it a learning experience Parent Involvement Volunteer - Troop Committee Encouragement to scouts

Troop Chaska, MN28 Questions / Answers

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