1. Troop 21 Boy Scout Basics
WELCOME TO OUR TROOP!!

2. TROOP LEADERSHIP Scoutmaster – Chris Martin
Assistant Scoutmaster – Dean Polster
Committee Chair – Beth Moberg-Wolff
Advancements – Laura Toth
Treasurer – Steve Turicek
Pack/Troop Liaison – Ricki May
New leaders always needed!
Fill out an Adult Application - it’s free!

3. TROOP 21ACTIVITIES! Troop Meetings
1st and 3rd Sunday at Trinity Church
6:30 to 8:00pm
Parents typically attend
We understand if scouts have to come late or leave early
Troop Committee Meeting (parent leaders)
4th Sunday of each month – all are welcome

4. OTHER TROOP 21 EVENTS Monthly campouts or outdoor activities
Service projects – church, Pack 45, etc.
Merit badge clinics - many sites and sponsors have ½ or full day or weekend clinics to earn badges
Summer camp – 3rd week of July
Special events – Laser tag, Escape room, etc.
2 Family cookouts/gatherings per year ( Feb and Sept)

5. COMMUNICATION - WEBSITE
Website contains all the info you need!
Sign up for events
Event flyers
Troop calendar
Pictures of events
Phone numbers, addresses of troop members
Ability to all scouts and leaders
Passwords available from Laura Toth

6. DRESS CODE Class A – formal Scout tan shirt and nice pants/shorts
To all ceremonies
To service events
To Pack events
When in transit
Class B –Troop t-shirt or BSA shirt, shorts or jeans
To troop meetings
At camp

7. COSTS DUES are $125 a year SCOUT ACCOUNTS ACTIVITY FEES
They cover merit badges, chaperone fees , troop equipment, activities and supplies
SCOUT ACCOUNTS
Each scout has their own account, and their money covers their activity fees and dues
Scouts can sell popcorn and wreaths to fill their coffers !
ACTIVITY FEES
Campouts, merit badge clinics, etc. all have individual fees for gas, food, registration, etc.

8. Boy Scouts vs. Cub Scouts
TROOP = Pack and Den
RANKS advance by effort, not age
MERIT BADGE activities are decided upon by the scout -- they do what they are interested in
BOY LED – scouts have to ask for what they need, parents step back and let their scout lead and advocate for themselves
EAGLE SCOUT – top rank earned by 1% of scouts, after completing leadership, merit badge and a rank advancement activities.

9. Rank Advancement Scout Rank Tenderfoot Rank 2nd class Rank
1st class Rank
Star Rank
Life Rank
Eagle Rank

10. Rank Advancement
Ranks are geared toward developing skills introduced in Webelos, and building leadership capabilities as scouts get older
Some scouts are happy to just have fun and not advance, others are motivated by this
Scouts change the rank patches on their shirts as they advance (teach them to sew!)

11. Rank Requirements Most ranks require Merit Badges to be earned
Most require service hours
Some ranks have a time requirement
Some Merit badge clinics or summer camp activities require a specific rank to be held
SUMMER CAMP has a specific track for each rank
***NEW SCOUTS SHOULD DO THIS!!

12. Rank Documentation Your scout book is officially signed as you advance
Who can sign off individual requirements?
Senior Scouts
Eagle Scouts
Adult Leaders
Keep track of camping nights and service hours in your scout book!!

13. Advancing a Rank When all requirements are met...
Scouts request a “Scoutmaster Conference”
Scoutmaster meets and reviews their efforts
Scouts request a “Board of Review”
Scout meets with 3 parents who ask him questions
Done at troop meeting usually
Awarded rank badge at next meeting
Scout Book and Council records document this for potential Eagle candidates

14. MERIT Badges – Over 100! Scouts pick anything they are interested in!
They can do these at camp, as a group, or on their own
For Rank advancement –merit badges are needed
For Eagle Scout –a total of 21 are needed
13 specific badges are “Eagle“ required
No limit – and troop purchases these for scouts

15. “Blue Cards” and Merit Badge work
Blue Cards track scout progress and document completion of a badge
Scouts request a blue card from troop leaders when they want to work on a specific badge
They must be signed by a troop leader to start work
A merit badge counselor signs the cards when completed
Troop Advancement chair registers these with council when completed and updates the troop website

16. the scout’s, the troop’s ,the counselor’s
Blue Cards have 3 parts!
TRIFOLD CARDS
the scout’s, the troop’s ,the counselor’s
When all requirements are completed, the scout gets the blue card signed by their merit badge counselor – they keep one part
The troop Advancement Chair is given the card and registers it in the scout’s file at Council and on website– they keep the second part
The scouts keeps the 3rd part!! Keep these in a plastic “sports card” sleeve in a binder so they are not lost!

17. Merit Badge Clinics ½ to whole day events around Milwaukee
Listed on Potawatomi and Three Harbors Council websites, troop website and meeting flyers
Minimal fee of $5 – 25. Food usually included!
Typically really well organized -some pre-requisites may need to be done beforehand
Examples: Coin collecting, small boat sailing, snow sports, first aid, etc.

18. Merit Badge Counselors
PARENTS with expertise or interest in the merit badge area serve this function!
All Eagle Required badges must be covered by the troop, so our scouts can complete these …..
A list of counselors is available on the troop website
Sign up for what you are knowledgeable about! Training is easy….

19. Merit Badge Counselor Training
Requirements
Must fill out (troop has these forms for free!)
Adult Application Form
Merit Badge Counselor Form
Online Youth Protection training – 30 minutes
In-person Merit Counselor Training (1 hour) – schedule by council
Scouts from other troops may call you to ask help if their troop does not have a counselor in that area

20. More on Parent Volunteers...
Troop 21 functions because of volunteers!
We need drivers, trip organizers, food shoppers, calendar updaters, board of review members, etc.
All parents going on campouts and outings, who serve as merit badge counselor, etc. must complete….
On-line Youth Protection Training (30 minutes)
Training for outdoor camping, water sports, shooting, etc. is also available

21. Summer Camp! (we need volunteers of course…)
3rd week of July at Tesomas (near Rhinelander)
Eagle Quest – program for new scouts to obtain rank advancement (Tenderfoot, 2nd Class and 1st Class)
Merit Badges – older scouts sign up for individual areas of interest
Microtrek – ½ day off-site events for teen scouts (whitewater rafting, ATV, etc.)
All scouts can do zip line, climbing wall, swimming, etc. and have free time daily!

22. Summer Camp details Sunday to Saturday- 3rd week of July
Troop pays fees!
Parents can go for ½ a week and share rides
Internet is available and there is free time during the day to connect with home as needed
Food and bathrooms are modern!
Go to guide scouts, keep the younger ones on task and see the older ones away from their electronics!

23. Scouting is fun in all seasons!

24. A note regarding kids who might have special needs….

25. We encourage parents to let leaders know if their Scout has ADHD or other concerns.
Tell leaders
what
works well
AND
does not help.

26. If a Scout takes medication to help him focus at school,
it will likely help him focus better
during Scout activities
as well!

27. A BSA Medical Form is required for all scouts to attend events.
MEDICATION
Prescription medication is the responsibility of the Scout taking the medication and/or his parent.
During camp, Scout leaders can agree to accept the responsibility of making sure a Scout takes the necessary medication at the appropriate time.
A BSA Medical Form is required for all scouts to attend events.

28. Overall, Boy Scout Programs are:
individualize-able, structured
and provide a sequence of skills
for scouts to master,
while having FUN, making FRIENDS, exploring CAREERS, and learning to be LEADERS.

29. We look forward to working with you and your son!
WELCOME TO OUR TROOP!
There are enormous social, educational, leadership and recreational benefits to participating in scouting-- both as a Scout and volunteer!
We look forward to working with you and your son!