1. Troop 73 Parent Orientation
Date:
Ryan Weaverling – Scoutmaster
Schad Davis – Committee Chair

2. Houskeeping
Restrooms are located to the back of the room to the right of the bar.

3. Agenda What is scouting about Methods of Scouting
Elements of a Boy led Troop
Cub/Boy Scout differences
Boy Scout Advancement
Parents Role
Money/Fundraising
Uniform Policy
Adult Leadership
Training
Supporting the Troop
Troop Policies
Programs
Troop Meetings

4. Scouting in a nutshell
“Here, then, is Scouting in a nutshell: A game for boys under the leadership of boys with the wise guidance and counsel of a grown-up who has still the enthusiasm of youth in him. A purposeful game, but a game just the same, a game that develops character by practice, that trains for citizenship-- through experience in the out-of-doors.”
- Boy Scouts of America's third edition of Handbook for Scoutmasters in 1936

5. What Scouting is All About
Aims of Scouting – three specific objectives:
character development
citizenship training
personal fitness.

6. Methods of Scouting
Ideals. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan define what it means to be a good scout and a good citizen.
Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in interacting in small groups which provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork and competition.
Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors where their skills are put to the test and developed to become more self-reliant.

7. Methods of Scouting (cont)
Advancement. Boy Scouting program through rewarding achievement teaches important skills and builds self-reliance and self-confidence.
Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop.
Personal Growth. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster, service projects, camping and leadership opportunities help each Boy Scout in his growth toward Scouting's aims.

8. Methods of Scouting (cont)
Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role personally and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. The uniform signifies Boy Scouting unity while allowing each boy to show his achievement. It is your son’s outward expression of inward attitudes and commitment to work personally and as a team towards the goals of scouting.

9. Troop Organization

10. Elements of a Boy Led Troop
Scouts choose their activities during their Annual Planning Conference
Scouts run the Troop meeting
Scouts organize themselves during campouts and activities
CAUTION: Many activities will seem very disorganized and can possibly be made more efficient if an adult were doing it.
Remember, never send a
man to do a boys job!

11. Ask questions, guide, train but ….. DON’T DO IT FOR THEM!!!!!

12. Boy Scouts vs Cub 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. SM, ASM, MBC, and First Class Scouts (on certain things) are the only persons in the troop that that can sign off.
Scouts & parents MUST understand this. Do not baby the boys. They are BOY SCOUTS now. Learning to deal with failure is an important maturity skill. Failure sometimes can be the best teacher. Teach and Motivate but don’t do anything for a boy that he is capable of doing himself!

13. BSA Joining Requirements
Meet the age requirements. Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old.
Find a Scout troop near your home.
Complete a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian.
Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake.
Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot).
Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, motto, and slogan, and the Outdoor Code.
Describe the Scout badge.
Complete the pamphlet exercises. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Participate in a Scoutmaster conference. Turn in your Boy Scout application and health history form signed by your parent or guardian, then participate in a Scoutmaster conference

14. The Scout Badge
The Scout badge has been earned once the scout has completed the BSA Joining requirements.
Once he has completed these steps, he is now officially a Boy Scout earning him the right to attend outings without a parent/guardian and he may now begin to work on requirements for other ranks.

15. Rank Advancement
These revolve around scoutcraft and reading the Boy Scout Handbook
These revolve around earning Merit Badges, serving your troop, and serving the community
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16. Advancement The parent’s role is not to carry the scout
The parent’s role is to monitor, motivate, and support the scout

17. Monitoring Progress at home
To monitor, you have to understand what is required.
Your Assignment:
Read Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the Boy Scout Handbook
Track his progress

18. Be Encouraging at home
For Tenderfoot, most items are taught by older scouts and Adult leaders. But they can get stuck. Use the website videos!
Your Assignment:
Encourage working on the fitness requirement - especially pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups!
Help him memorize Scout Oath, Scout Law and to really understand what they mean

19. Be Supportive at home
There are some things that the scout cannot do without help
Your Assignment:
Help select camping gear (Tools on Website)
Transportation: Help him get to troop meetings and other functions
Reinforce the ideals of the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan in his everyday life.
Prepare for Summer Camp
Become a Merit Badge Counselor
Become a Committee Member – or even better, invest in the time, training, uniforming, etc… to become an Assistant Scoutmaster

20. What about money/fundraising?
The troop is operated through a combination of dues and fundraising activities.
Troop 73 has 2 types of Dues. One is the annual dues you paid when your scout joined. The other is the weekly troop dues of $1 that each scout earns on his own and pays.
The primary fundraiser for the Troop is participation in the annual Boy Scout popcorn sale although others may be offered as well.
Most campouts and troop activities are based on a “pay as you go” fashion
Primary costs for most of the activities are: food, campground fee and Gas
Fundraising is encouraged not discouraged: a scout is responsible, thrifty and carries his own weight.

21. Break Time! – Smile!

22. Uniform Policy
All Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to wear the full Scout uniform. Troop 73 has identified the minimum uniform elements for each Scout:
Shirt (required) – All Scouts are expected to wear the official Boy Scout shirt during meetings and appropriate outings, including while traveling to/from all Scouting activities.
Slide and Neckerchief (required) – Scouts may wear the official Scout slide or one that they have made themselves. A Troop 73 neckerchief will be presented to each Scout when they join the Troop.
Belt (required) – Any official Scout belt (web, Philmont, Order of the Arrow, etc) may be worn.

23. Uniform Policy (cont’d)
Insignia – All insignias that are worn will be worn in the correct position. (required) The troop number (73), council patch, patrol patch, patrol/troop position patch, and current rank patch. (optional) Year pins, activity patches.
Troop 73 Activity Class B T-shirt - The Troop/Scout t-shirt will be worn in lieu of the official scout shirt for designated activities. When in doubt wear your Class A uniform with the T-shirt underneath or carried in your activities pack. Be Prepared!
Scout Pants – The official BSA pants are required as part of the Class A and B uniforms

24. Uniform Summary All scouts will need: Shoulder Loops (provided)
Custom Neckerchief (provided)
Troop Numerals (provided)
Neckerchief Slide
Council Patch
World Brotherhood Patch

25. Patrol Camping Gear The troop will provide for the boys…
Tents
Tarps
Patrol Boxes (for cooking)
Stoves & fuel
Cookware
Pots & Pans
Dutch Ovens
Kitchen tools
Trailer
Lanterns
Axes & Saws
Water Jug/Water Cooler
Shovel
Rake

26. Personal Camping Equipment
Recommended equipment:
20 degree sleeping bag,
Pillow, pad
water bottles
bag for camp stuff (backpack, duffel)
mess kit
Sunscreen
Flashlight (headlamp)
Waterproof boots
shoes (no open toes)
extra blanket for cold
scout book
knives (only when trained & approved!!!)
pencil and paper
Don’t forget : hat, warm clothes, extra change of clothes,
Toiletries (toothbrush & paste, comb, be minimal here)
meds (including extra glasses, contact solution, etc)

27. BSA’s 10 Essentials Pocket Knife or Multi-tool Personal First Aid Kit
Extra Clothing
Rain Gear
Flashlight or Headlamp
Trail Food
Water
Matches &/or Fire Starter Kit
Sun Protection
Trail Map & Compass

28. Troop 73’s Top 10 Boy Scout Handbook Rope Totin’Chip Card
Knife Sharpener
Paper & Pencil
Leather work gloves
Hand Sanitizer
Insect Repellent
Carabineer Clips
Day Pack / Back Pack
One with adequate size to fit the BSA 10 Essentials and T73 Top 10

29. Camping Policies What is not allowed in on campouts:
Energy drinks, guns, swords, drugs, etc in accordance with the Guide To Safe Scouting Pop/Soda or snacks are at the discretion of the driver but we recommend not having them until the scouts are in camp. Sick scouts on the road can ruin an outing.
Food/Pop/Drinks of any kind are NOT allowed in tents – it attracts animals and insects
Cots are not allowed in TROOP tents – it destroys the floor.
There are specific protocol/permission procedure for using fires, knives, axes and saws. Scouts must be trained and/or supervised in their use.
The Scout Oath and Law are the primary rules of the troop.
These policies are for the protection of the boys and troop property. Failure to obey is grounds for removal from the outing, forfeiture of fees and payment for any damage that may have occurred. Continued willful disobedience is grounds for dismissal from the troop.

30. Electronics
In this day and age, electronics are nearly unavoidable. They have their place. Most electronics don’t have a place at a campout or troop activity.
Electronics can be used to and from campouts as long as they are not disruptive in nature.
Electronics are to be put away while at camp unless they are being used for navigation, note taking, or photos/video. Ideally, you will leave them in the vehicle.
Troop 73 and it’s leaders are not responsible for lost or stolen items. If you don’t want to lose it, don’t bring it on a campout.

31. Electronics (cont’d)
Electronics are allowed in vehicles and can be use to and from events. While at camp and doing activities, cell phones should be put away unless they are being used to communicate with family members to coordinate early/late pickups/drop-offs or other important family items.
Scouts found using them for other purposes (games, texting without need, etc) will be warned to put the devices away. Second time, the device will be confiscated and delivered to the parent at pickup.

32. Adult leadership: Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster works directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster’s job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.
The Scoutmaster is responsible for training boys to be Troop leaders, working with and through other responsible adults (Assistant Scoutmasters/registered leaders) 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 quality Scout program is provided to the boys.

33. How does he do this? Baden Powell once said…
“The Scoutmaster teaches boys to play the game by doing so himself.”

34. Adult leadership: Troop Committee
The Troop Committee is a group of parents and adults interested in the general welfare and operation of the Troop. The Committee is responsible for seeing that the necessary resources are made available to support the Scouts as necessary. These resources include record keeping, adult recruiting, boards of review, transportation, and more. Specific Committee positions include:
Committee Chair
Advancement Chair
Troop Chaplain
Trainer
Treasurer
Secretary
Outdoor/Activities Coordinator
Equipment Coordinator

35. Troop Committee Intros
Scoutmaster – Ryan Weaverling
Committee Chair – Schad Davis
Secretary – Christy Fiedler
Advancement –Lori Biermann
Training – Brad Boeckmann
Webmaster/Communications – Charley Miller
Chaplain – Christina Campbell
Quartermaster – Derek Campbell
Charter Representative – Paul Moritz

37. Troop Positions Needed
Treasurer
Membership Chair
Fundraising Chair
Publicity Chair
Let’s take a look at the Scoutmaster side of things…

39. How both sides work together

40. Training Scouts Committee / Parents
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)
Conducted immediately following elections in Feb and Aug
Committee / Parents
Parent Orientation (You are here!)
Youth Protection – every 2 years
District Adult Leader training offered spring/fall
Boy Scout Roundtable Meetings
Wood Badge
Philmont

41. Training Parents / Scouts Leaders Should be Trained 2-Deep Leadership
How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse
First section in Scout Handbook
Leaders Should be Trained
Youth Protection
This Is Scouting
Fast Start: Boy Scouting
BSA Policies & Procedures
Creates linkages to immense reserve of resources
2-Deep Leadership

42. Supporting the Troop
The boys have nothing to run if there is no parent support – they lack the life experience that we have. They need our help to coach them and guide them – NOT micro manage. If a scout is trained and capable let HIM do it. If not, train him & LET HIM DO IT.
The troop needs help in many forms – driving to outings, summer camp planning & support, advancement, etc. Join the Committee or be a Merit Badge Counselor if you do not have the desire and/or time to be an ASM. Scouting is a family activity and ALL adults should be active in supporting the troop.
Start with adult leader training – it helps you, your son, and the troop….Plus it’s FUN!
Scouts are more likely to succeed and stay in the program long term if they have a parent involved!