1. Joining Boy Scout Troop 944
A Brief Guide for New Scouts and New Scout Parents

2. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Topics
About Boy Scouts
How to sign up
About the costs
What uniforms and supplies are needed
How Boy Scouting works
Ranks and advancement
Troop organization
Patrols
A word about disorganization
Role of adults and scout leaders
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

3. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
About Boy Scouts
Boy Scouting – a program of:
fun outdoor activities,
peer group leadership opportunities, and
a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests,
Designed to achieve the BSA's objectives:
strengthening character,
personal fitness and
good citizenship.
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

4. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
How to sign up
A boy is eligible who
has earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or
have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or
are 11, but not yet 18 years old
A boy joins Boy Scouts by
Selecting a troop
Completing a membership application and
Paying the dues (financial assistance available)
Suggestion: Select a troop
That has boys you like
Has fun activities you want to do
Is convenient to your home
Join a Boy Scout Troop
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

5. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
About the costs
Annual BSA dues w/insurance: $11
Boys life subscription: $12
Annual Troop 944 dues: $107
Dues pro-rated for boys joining after January 1
Fees for various activities
campouts, summer camps, and outings, and food expenses
Depends on the events you choose to participate
Troop 944 holds two bake sales each year as fundraising activities
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

6. What uniforms & stuff are needed
Boy Scout Handbook (about $10)
The Handbook has most everything a Boy Scout needs to know
Lists advancement requirements
Serves as record of achievement and
Scout encyclopedia
Boy Scout uniform
Scout Shirt, kerchief slide (about $30)
Patches (international scouting, NCAC)
Scout Pants, Hat, belt, socks are optional
Merit badge sash is not needed until later
Troop provides:
Troop 944 kerchief, troop numerals patch, patrol patch, advancement patches
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

7. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
A note about uniforms
Troop 944 has an inventory of slightly used scout uniforms & accessories
Mostly outgrown
Shorts, socks, hats, belts, etc.
Class A refers to the uniform shirt, neckerchief, and slide;
Our optional Class B uniform is the official black T-shirt with a red “944” logo over the heart.
These are available from the troop for $10.
You may not carry a pocketknife until you earn your “Tot’n’ Chit” and know the safety rules for knives and other cutting tools like axes and saws.
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

8. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Camping Equipment
Troop provides:
Tents & tarps
Cookware
Stoves
Other camping items
Scout provides:
Sleeping bag (to at least 15 degrees)
Sleeping pad to cushion/insulate the sleeping bag
Mess kit or equivalent and utensils
Water bottle or canteen
Flashlight or head lamp
Backpack, and a good pair of boots
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

9. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
How Boy Scouting works
Troop 944 Meets Thursdays 7:30 to 9:00 PM
During the school year.
Follows the Montgomery County Public Schools calendar
Meetings include activities, games, skills development and rank advancement
At least one weekend activity/campout per month
Other weekend activities
Service projects
Hikes
Merit badge day
Etc.
Remember – three quarters of “Scouting” is “outing”!
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

10. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Our Troop Meetings
Thursdays 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
At St. Raphael Catholic Church
1513 Dunster Road, Rockville, MD 20854
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

11. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Ranks and advancement
Ranks and advancement show your level of skill and experience in Scouting.
When you join the troop, you complete the "Joining Requirements." and attain the rank of scout
You then begin working on ranks and Merit badges.
You may work on all requirements for the first three ranks all at the same time – Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class
Will be awarded each rank in order
Each time you complete work on a rank,
Ask a uniformed leader for a "Scoutmaster Conference,"
you and the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster review the skills you have learned, your goals, strengths, and areas that need more attention, and how you are living the Scout Oath and Law.
If the uniformed leader is satisfied that you are ready to advance, you can then request a Board of Review from our Advancement Chair
The Board of Review (a group of three parents who are not uniformed leaders) will meet with you to assess your progress.
If the Board is satisfied, they will notify the Advancement Chair so the advancement can be recorded and the new rank awarded.
A scout’s accomplishment is recognized at a formal Court of Honor (3/year)
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

12. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Ranks
Scout
Youth protection, square knot, scout oath, law and slogan
Tenderfoot
Basic camping skills, whip rope, initial first aid, physical exercises, & ID local poisonous plants
Second Class
Basic orienteering, fire building, handling sharp tools, ID ten animals, basic swimming, additional camping skills, community service
First Class
Advanced orienteering, complete cooking, ID ten native plants, advanced knots and lashings, advanced first aid, BSA swimming test, citizen rights and responsibilities
Star
Six merit badges, participate in a community service project, troop leadership position
Life
Five more merit badges, participate in a community service project, troop leadership position
Eagle
Ten more merit badges, plan and lead a major community service project, troop leadership position
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

13. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Merit Badges
To earn a merit badge, skills must be mastered in the specific area of study
Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time
Over 120 merit badges to choose from
6 merit badges are required for Star, 5 more for Life and 10 more for Eagle
Certain merit badges are required for Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. These are called “Eagle Required”
Work with a merit badge counselor who is qualified in that subject area
Obtain counselor sign off on each requirement until done
A scout may earn merit badges at special “merit badge days”, summer camp, or on your own
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

14. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Troop Organization
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

15. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Patrols
Troop 944 is organized into five patrols
Marconi Penguins
Camo (Camouflage)
Bulldogs
Lost Patrol
Scout Leadership Corps (Uniformed Leaders)
Patrols consist of 4-6 scouts who are close in age
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

16. A word about disorganization
The purpose of Scouting is for the BOYS to LEARN the skills necessary to
Do the activities and
To LEAD their fellow Scouts in accomplishing all of the tasks and planning
Things sometimes seem disorganized because,
usually, the boys aren't as efficient as parents are at getting activities planned and tasks completed.
The troop adults are responsible for
maintaining health and safety,
taking care of things like advancement reviews, activity permits, and money,
and providing support (like transportation) for activities that boys plan.
In Boy Scouts, adults and parents play a supporting role rather than taking charge of activities and telling the boys what to do.
Sometimes, the hardest thing for new parents is learning to sit back and let the boys do it themselves.
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

17. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Role of Adults
Scout leaders
Advise the SPL
Review and approve rank requirement completion
Monitor rules and troop safety
Teach scout skills
Parents
Provide support (logistics, transportation, etc.)
Administration (treasury, registration (chartering), insurance, authorizations)
Coordination (reservations, deposits, sign-ups, permission slips, etc.)
Tour permits
Advancement documentation
Boards of Review
Merit Badge Counseling
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

18. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
About Scout Leaders
Scout leaders
Have background checks
To include Fingerprint checks
Undergo extensive training
New Leader Essentials
Leader Specific training
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (IOLS)
Youth Protection training for both BSA and the Catholic Archdiocese
Must stay current with retraining on most courses
Optional training
Climb on Safely*
Safe Swim*
Hazardous Weather*
CPR Training*
Rock Climbing Instructor
Woodbadge
University of Scouting
*at least one leaders must have current training in this course for every scout outing
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC

19. BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC
Come visit us
Stop by for any troop meeting or
Contact our Scoutmaster Jerry Beaulieu at
BSA Troop 944, Montgomery District, NCAC