1. 1 New Parent Meeting BSA Troop 64 May 22, 2014

2. New Parent Meeting Goals of Scouting Cubs v. Boy Scouts Scouts Organization Adult Leaders / Training Troop Committee Rank Advancement Scout Handbook Merit Badges Recognition Uniform Policy Recommended Equipment Troop Outings Record Keeping Meetings Finances Communications How can you help? Summer Camp Q & A?? 2

3. Goals of Scouting The Aims of Boy Scouting –Character development –Citizenship training –Physical, mental, and emotional fitness Aims are Delivered by these Methods –Ideals –Patrols –Outdoor Programs –Advancement –Personal Growth –Leadership Development –Uniform 3

4. Cub Scouts v. Boy Scouts A Boy Scout Troop is not structured like a Cub Pack Boys have more responsibility –Planning, packing, setting up camp, cooking, activities –Scout is responsible for initiation of advancement –Parents cannot sign off. Adult Leaders (SM, ASM, CC, or CM), or Troop Leaders (SPL, ASPL, Troop Guide) are the only persons in the troop that that can sign off. We give the boy’s the chance to try and learn things, and make mistakes in a safe environment 4

5. Scout Organization 5 National Council of Boy Scouts Region Local Council Greater Western Reserve Council District Grand River District Chartered Organization The Catholic Community of St. Gabriel’s Chartered Organization Rep.: Father Chris Zerucha Troop Committee Troop Senior Patrol Leader – Cody Thompson

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7. Scout Organization 7

8. Scouts Organization Patrols –Grouping of six or more boys who work together. Each patrol elects its own boy leader, called a patrol leader. Troop Youth Leaders –The troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers. –Senior Patrol Leader - top boy leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council (PLC) and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed. –Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - fills in for senior patrol leader in his absence. –Patrol Leader - gives leadership to members of his patrol and represents them on the PLC. –Assistant Patrol Leader - fills in for the patrol leader in his absence. –Additional positions include, Quartermaster, Librarian, Historian, Instructor, Troop Guide, Scribe, Chaplain Aide, etc….. 8

9. Adult Leaders The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the program of the troop and is responsible for training boys to be Troop leaders. With the ASMs, they are responsible to bring Scouting to the boys, helping the boys grow into good Scouts and responsible citizens and Interfacing with the Troop Committee to ensure that the necessary resources are available to ensure a good Scout program is provided to the boys. Scoutmaster – Paul Powers ASM’s – Ed Pollock, Dave Hasak, Tim Valentine, Joe/Robin Nunes, Jim Ferro, Mike Nagle, others... 9

10. Adults - Training VIRTUS –Requirement of Catholic Diocese of Cleveland –100% of adults working with youth (mandatory for staying at camp, leader or parent – doesn’t matter) –In-person training with periodic online refreshers Youth Protection Training –Requirement of Boy Scouts of America –100% of registered leaders (mandatory – 2 year re-training schedule) –Recommended for all parents –Online training through www.myscouting.orgwww.myscouting.org Position-Specific Training –This is Scouting, Scoutmaster, Troop Committee, Climb on Safely, Weather Hazard,……many, many more….. –Online training through www.myscouting.orgwww.myscouting.org 10

11. Troop Committee The Troop Committee is responsible for seeing that the necessary resources are made available to support the Scouts as necessary. These resources include funding, record keeping, adult recruiting, boards of review, re-chartering and more. Specific Committee positions include: –Committee Chair – Pete Rado –Advancement – Brian Wofford –Treasurer – Bob Petti –Chaplain – Fr. Chris Zerucha –Equipment Chair – Jim Thompson –Training Chair – Marcia Joseph –Jeff Trumbull, Whitney Slaght, Amy Ferrell and others… 11

12. Rank Advancement Process by which Boy Scout Progresses –Designed to help Scout have exciting and meaningful experience –Education and fun are key to advancement principles –Scout through First Class Ranks focus on Scouting’s basic skills –Goal of BSA and Troop 64: every Scout has opportunity to achieve First Class within 1 year of joining the Troop –The last two steps of each Rank advancement is the Scoutmaster Conference and the Board of Review 12

13. Scout Handbook Handbook purpose –Documents ALL advancement –Log camping time –Log service time –Compilation of scouting knowledge When should a boy have his handbook with him? !! ALWAYS !! 13

14. Merit Badges Over 120 Boy Scout Merit Badges –Teach Scouts about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers –Required for rank advancement beyond First Class Scout –21 Merit Badges required for Eagle Scout that include 12 specific badges (Silver Merit Badges) –Troop 64 currently has Counselors for many of the 120+ merit badges 14

15. Recognition Court of Honors are held periodically throughout the year –Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of the boys Rank Advancement Merit Badges Additional awards or recognition Show what the Troop has been doing since the last COH –An opportunity for families to get together 15

16. Uniform Policy Class A “Field” Uniform (generally worn for meetings and non-summer months) –Scout uniform shirt with neckerchief and slide, Scout pants, Scout socks, and Scout belt. Class B “Activity” Uniform (worn during work activities and summer months) –Scout pants and Boy Scout T-Shirt Troop 64 typically travels in Class A uniform when traveling outside of the Council area, but is at the discretion of the adult leaders. 16

17. Uniform Policy 17

18. Recommended Equipment Equipment needed for weekend trips –Boy Scout Handbook –Flashlight –Mess kit (includes utensil(s)/cup) –Water bottle –Toothbrush/toothpaste –Sleeping Bag (with sleeping pad) –Pocket Knife (once approved) –Sturdy boots (no open toed shoes) –Rain gear Troop provides –Tent –Food 18

19. Troop Outings The Troop goes on weekend camping trips about once a month. The boys are not required to go on these trips, however they are a lot of fun. We usually leave from St. Gabriel’s parking lot. Trips usually cost $20 - $25 dollars and include camping fees and most meals. 19

20. Record Keeping Troop keeps Merit Badge & Advancement records in advancement database Critical that you also keep your own records (in book) –Campouts attended –Camped days, miles hiked/backpacked/floated –Service hours and projects –Leadership positions and time –Rank Advancement cards –Merit badge blue cards Website (must have a valid username and password) –Troop64.scoutlander.com –Webmaster – Ed Pollock (adult) 20

21. Record Keeping Medical Forms –Part A and B Required for all activities and any campout less than 72 hours Required to be updated once per year Signed off by parents not doctor Turned into Amy Ferrell as soon as possible –Part C Required for any outing lasting more than 72 hours (including summer camp) Good for 12 months Must be completed by a physician For summer camp must be turned in before June 14 th 21

22. Meetings Troop Meetings –Every Thursday at St.Gabe’s School – Multi Purpose Room (MPR) –7:00 to 8:30 PM Patrol Meetings –As determined by the Patrol Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Meetings –TBD Committee Meetings –Once per month as determined by the Committee. 22

23. Finances Annual dues and re-charter –No Troop dues collected (presently) –Annual registration paid each November for the next calendar year Major fundraisers –Popcorn sales (October) –Mother’s Day Flower Sales (May) –Lake County Fair Clean-up (mid-August) Scout Bucks –Earned by participating in the Major Fundraisers –Help offset costs of outings and equipment 23

24. Communicating How do we get the word out? Troop Web Site! Email sent through Scoutlander Troop Calendar is maintained through Scoutlander website 24

25. How can you help? “Program Side” – working directly with the scouts –Asst. Scout Master –Merit Badge Counselor –Specific skill or interest “Business/Support Side” – working behind the scenes –Committee member Flower Sale Chair Fair Cleanup Coordinator Popcorn “Kernel” Committee Secretary Court of Honor Coordinator –Plenty of other ways…….JUST ASK!!! 25

26. Summer Camp Varies each year…determined by troop –Merit Badges –First year scouts work on T-2-1 program (requirements through 1 st Class Rank) Other summer camping opportunities –Manatoc Scout Reservation (Peninsula, OH) –Haliburton, Ontario –Northern Tier (or other high adventure camp) –Many Other summer camps.. Greater Western Reserve does not have an annual summer camp (Camp Stigwandish) 26

27. 27 Q’s & A’s