A PARENT’S GUIDE TO TROOP 21 AT

ST. JOHN THE <= st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

Troop Operations

- Joining Procedure

- For Parents Too

- How the Troop Works

- Costs of Scouting

Responsibilities of the Scout

-Expectations

-Conduct Policy

-Attendance Requirements

-Service Projects

Leadership Roles

-Patrol Leaders’ Council

-Leadership Position Job Descriptions

Advancement

-Rank Advancement

-Merit Badges

Trips and Programs

- Information about Trips and Programs

- Policies Regarding Food

- Outdoor Policies

Troop Operations

Joining Proc= edure

To become a Boy Scout, a youth must have complet= ed fifth grade, or be 11 years old, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award as= a Webelos Scout and be at least 10 years old.

If a boy is interested in joining Troop 21, he s= hould visit during one or two regular Tuesday night meetings. This will enable hi= m to meet the Scoutmaster, other adult leaders, and Scouts. Every November the T= roop holds a campout called “Trail of Promises,” this is an opportunity for = our troop to show our Scouting Spirit to Cub Scouts as well as other boys interested in the Scouting Program. The Scoutmaster and other adult leaders are always available to answ= er questions.

When a boy decides to join Troop 21, he must pro= vide the following:

= 1.    A Boy Scout Application form signed by a parent = or guardian

= 2.    The national registration fee and Troop 21 dues<= o:p>

= 3.    A completed Adult Application form (optional, but strongly encouraged for parent or guardian)

For Parents Too

Parents are stron= gly encouraged to register and become involved in the troop. Participating in t= he Scouting Program will help you make a strong and positive impact on your so= n’s life. The Boy Scouts of America offers a variety of training opportunities = both online and in a camping environment that will prepare you to be an adult leader. Your first step in t= he process is to attend a Safe Environment Training workshop that is offered by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. <= /span>See the Adult Training Coordinator for further details.

How the Troop Works

One of the chief founding principles of Boy Scou= ting is the "Patrol Method." Very soon after joining, a Scout is assig= ned to a patrol. A patrol is a group of 6-10 boys, led by a Patrol Leader elect= ed from within the group. New Scouts are assigned to a New Scout Patrol and assisted by a Troop Guide, who is an experienced Scout. A Scout’s patrol = will be his team for games and contests, his closest buddies in camp, and his pe= ers as he works on advancement.

Troop 21 is run by the Scouts. The adult leaders mainly guide and advise the Scouts. One of the purposes of Scouting is to develop leadership in these young men, and the Troop feels this can be done only if the Scouts take leadership responsibility.

Troop 21 is sponsored by the chartered organizat= ion, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Church arrange= s for a regular Troop meeting place and approves the adult leaders who administer= the Troop’s affairs. The adult leaders are the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutma= sters, and members of the Troop Committee. All are unpaid volunteers, and most are parents of Scouts in the Troop.

The regular meeting night is Tuesday from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM. Troop 21 does not suspend operations in the summer; we are b= usy all year. A typical Troop meeting includes a patrol meeting (for advancemen= t or planning a future event); a program theme (such as outdoor skills, first ai= d, fitness, or citizenship); and possibly a game, competition, or other team building activity.

Troop 21 Typical Meeting Format

· &n= bsp;    Opening Formation = and Ceremony - starts promptly at 7:00PM

· &n= bsp;    Patrol Meeting - t= o plan patrol activities and work on advancement or menu planning

· &n= bsp;    Program Theme – = Planned program decided by the boys in PLC and assigned to patrols usually related = to a Scout skills or an upcoming event

· &n= bsp;    Closing Formation - ending promptly at 8:30 PM

Scouting requires family involvement. To encoura= ge participation of families, a Court of Honor will be scheduled twice during = the year. A Court of Honor is where rank advancement and merit badges are award= ed, as well as any other achievements or recognition that a Scout has earned. T= he ceremony is followed by a reception which gives families an opportunity to = get to know each other.

Regularly Scheduled Events

· &n= bsp;    First Sunday of ea= ch month: Patrol Leader’s Council at 7 PM

· &n= bsp;    Second Thursday of= each month: Eagle District Roundtable at 7:00 PM at F= irst United Methodist Church in Edmond

· &n= bsp;    Fourth Tuesday of = each month or Tuesday meeting after weekend campout: Troop Committee Meeting at = 7:00 PM

· &n= bsp;    Third Weekend each month: Planned campout

Costs of Scouting =

Listed below are the = costs each Scout family should be aware of:

Dues for the troop are $60 per year paid annually. Dues cover the cos= t of awards, merit badges, and re-chartering fees.

The cost for troop campouts is typically $20 (ca= sh, not check) per person attending and covers the cost of food for the campout= and expenses associated with the location of the campout.

Summer camp opportunities are offered each year = by the Troop all will cost several hundred dollars. We strongly encourage all Scou= ts to participate in a summer camp. It is a valuable experience in maturity, as well as offering advancement and lots of fun. Camp scholarships are availab= le if needed, contact the Scoutmaster to express a need.

Uniform costs are set by BSA, and suppliers all = have comparable prices.

Equipment costs can be expensive. It is suggeste= d to only buy the necessities listed in the "Campout Checklist" at first. The troop has investe= d in an extensive amount of equipment. Your scout will need a good “mummy type” sleeping bag useful in = summer and winter, and shoes or boots that are comfortable to hike in for long per= iods of time.

Leadership training opportunities are periodical= ly offered by the Council or National and have fees for attendance. Troop 21 encourages the boys to participate in leadership training camps and will pay 50% of the cost for the program.

Troop 21 has been fortunate to maintain a good financial position in the past. Our major source of operating funds has been our annual fund raising event(s). Our major fund raiser has been our Winter Chili Supper and Auction. Fu= nd raising has been a tradition of Troop 21 in order to offset a large portion= of the annual costs incurred by the Troop. Fund raising requires a lot of work= by the Scouts and parents. Parental assistance is needed and expected.

Responsibilities of the Scout

Expectations=

Good conduct is expected at all times. (See "Conduct Policy" below.)

Regular attendance is expected at Tuesday night meetings and on weekend camping trips. (See "Attendance Requirements&q= uot; below.)

Scouts are required to wear their uniforms to th= e meetings. The style of uniform to be worn varies with the season, and the appropriate uniform is designated by the Scoutmaster. Scouts are required to have a full class “A” uniform for most events which consists of BSA shirt^{1,
pants², belt³, socks⁴, and neckerchief5} or bolo⁵. If a Scout has problems acquiring the proper uniform, = he should speak to the Scoutmaster.

The Scout who had not yet reached the rank of 1<= sup>st Class should bring his Boy Scout Handbook, and pen to every meeting.=

Scouts are expected to participate in Troop 21 s= ervice projects. (See "Service Projects" below.)

Scouts are expected to participate in Troop 21 f= und raisers.

Scouts are expected to attend Courts of Honor, occasions of Eagle Scout Award or Religious Award Presentations.

As the Scout matures, he will be expected to participate in leadership roles. (See "Leadership Roles" below.) =

Conduct Policy

Troop 21 intends to maintain the high standards = to which each Scout ascribes under the Scout Oath and Law. However, certain ru= les must be stated and accepted to avoid misunderstandings or problems. These r= ules apply when a scout is under the responsibility of the Troop, (i.e., any tim= e he is with the Troop, either at a weekly meeting, on a campout, or attending a Troop-sponsored activity). We do not tolerate the use of profanity, any for= m of hazing, physical or verbal harassment, malicious behavior, or blatant disre= gard for the principles of the Scout Oath or Law.

Discipline must be maintained for the adult lead= ers to manage a large group of Scouts. Inappropriate behavior, such as described above, will result in a conference with the Scoutmaster. A Scout may be pla= ced on probation, at which time he will not be eligible for rank advancement or= to attend Troop outings. If the infraction is serious enough a Scout may also = be suspended from the Troop. Suspensions will occur for, but are limited to, t= he possession or use of any illegal drug, firearm, alcoholic beverage, or toba= cco product.

Reinstatement of a suspended Scout will be under= terms specified by the Scoutmaster, with the concurrence of the Troop Committee. =

Attendance Requirements

Attendance is important because each Scout is ne= eded for his patrol to function at its optimum level. The older and experienced Scouts are needed for their leadership and skills. If a Scout does not atte= nd meetings regularly, and if he does not go on the camping trips, he is missi= ng opportunities to learn Scouting skills and earn merit badges. He is thereby= not going to advance at the typical rate.

Active status in Troop 21 is maintained by regul= arly attending the weekly meetings and the monthly weekend outings, and by consistently taking part in Troop service projects and fund raisers. If a Scout’s attendance is not deemed adequate by the Scoutmaster the scout ma= y not be eligible for leadership positions and Scoutmaster conferences for rank advancement may be postponed.

Because it is especially important to attend mee= tings prior to outings, attendance of all trip participants is required at the Tuesday night meeting preceding any trip. This will ensure that accurate information is received about the outing and adequate preparation is made f= or the trip.

  <= o:p>

Service Projects

To help foster a sense of personal responsibilit= y and citizenship, Scouts are required to participate in a service project approv= ed by their Scoutmaster for the ranks of Second Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. =

Leadership Roles

Patrol Leaders’ Council

The Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC), with the gu= idance of the Scoutmaster is responsible for conducting the Troop’s activities. = The PLC is composed of the following members: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader(s), Patrol Leaders, Troop Guide(s), and Scribe. The Troop’s Indoor and Outdoor Programs are voted on during the annual program selection meeting in the April timeframe. The PLC then organizes and assigns Indoor Program responsibilities for the weekly meetings to the various Patr= ols. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters (to include the Outdoor Program Coordinator) arrange for the monthly Outdoor Program selected by the scouts= .

Leadership P= osition Job Descriptions

<= /u>

Senior Patrol Leader

ú = ;      Sets the example a= s a servant leader for the troop

ú = ;      Chairs the Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC)

ú = ;      Leads all troop me= etings, campouts and activities

ú = ;      Works with his Pat= rol Leaders and assigns duties as necessary

ú = ;      Works with the Scoutmaster to make the troop the best it can be

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

ú = ;      Helps the Senior P= atrol Leader lead meetings and campouts

ú = ;      Leads the troop in= the absence of the Senior Patrol Leader

ú = ;      Serves as a member= of the PLC

ú = ;      Supervises New Sco= ut Advancement and Troop Guides

ú = ;      Supervises Courts = Of Honor and Campfire Ceremonies

Patrol Leader

ú = ;      Sets the example a= s a servant leader for his patrol

ú = ;      Work with SLP and represent the patrol as a member of the PLC

ú = ;      Leads patrol during “patrol time” and on campouts

ú = ;      He is responsible = for keeping his patrol members informed and working as a team=

ú = ;      Help put together = and present assigned Indoor Programs

Assistant Patrol Leader

ú = ;      Helps the Patrol L= eader lead meetings and campouts

ú = ;      Leads the patrol i= n the absence of the Patrol Leader

ú = ;      Attends the PLC in= the absence of the Patrol Leader

Troop Guide

ú = ;      Guides new scouts through early scouting activities

ú = ;      Coaches the Patrol Leader of the new scout patrol on his duties

ú = ;      Teaches new scouts= basic scout skills

<= u>Quartermaster

ú = ;      Keeps records on t= roop equipment

ú = ;      Makes sure equipme= nt is in good working condition

ú = ;      Works with Adult Equipment Coordinator(s)

<= u>Chaplain’s Aide

ú = ;      Leads troop religi= ous services on campouts and during summer camp

<= u>Scribe

ú = ;      Attends monthly PLC meeting

ú = ;      Produces PLC minut= es for the subsequent troop meeting

<= u>Historian

ú = ;      Gathers photos and= facts from past activities

ú = ;      Prepares a photo presentation for each COH

<= u>Librarian

ú = ;      Sets up and takes = care of the troop library

ú = ;      Keeps system for checking books in and out

ú = ;      Adds new or replac= ement items as needed

<= u>Order of the Arrow Representative

ú = ;      Serves as a communication link between the lodge or chapter and the troop

ú = ;      Attend chapter mee= tings

ú = ;      Encourages Arrowme= n in the troop to be active participants in the lodge
=

Advancement

Advancement is the integral part of the Scouting program which provides recognition for individual effort and accomplishment= , as well as a measure of acquired proficiency in basic skills. Advancement is a three-part obligation of:

         = The Scout to take the initiative and to work;

         = The parent to encourage and monitor excellence;

         = The adult leaders of the Troop to provide guidance and opportunity.

Requirements for advancement are described in the Boy Scout Handbook. Both Scouts= and parents should be thoroughly familiar with the requirements. The Scoutmaste= r, Advancement Chairman and other adult leaders can answer questions about get= ting started on the "Eagle Trail."

Rank Advancement

During their first year in Scouting, the Scouts = will concentrate primarily on advancement in rank. The goal of Troop 21 is for t= he Scout to attain the rank of First Class within 12 months of joining the tro= op. The individual requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class m= ay be completed in any order, but each rank advancement must be earned in its proper order.

As a Scout gains a skill required for a certain = rank, the individual requirement is "signed off" in his Boy Scout Handbook by the Scoutmaster or a uniformed adult leader. Unlike Cub Scouting, a parent is not allowed to initial the fulfillment of a requireme= nt attained by his own son.

The purposes of a Scoutmaster conference are to = see that the Scout has developed enough to be worthy of the rank he is seeking = and to further the relationship between the scout and the Scoutmaster It is the responsibility of the Scout to contact the Scoutmaster to set up a time for= the conference. The Scout should have his Scout Handbook, a pen, and be in full= class “A” uniform.

After a successful Scoutmaster Conference it is = the responsibility of the Scout to contact the Advancement Chairman to schedule= a date for a Board of Review. The Scout should appear before the Board in full class “A” uniform with his Scout Handbook. The Board is made up of thre= e adults who are Committee members. Following successful completion of the Board, the Advancement Chairman will secure the badge earned for the Scout. Rank advancement will be presented to the Scout at a weekly meeting as soon as p= racticable after being earned. His achievement also will be recognized at the next Cou= rt of Honor.

Achieving the Eagle rank is slightly different f= rom attaining the other ranks. The Scout works with an Eagle Advisor in the Tro= op; the requirements for the service project are more demanding; and the Eagle Board of Review is made up of three adults who are Council representatives. When a Scout attains the rank of Life, he will be provided with an extensive package regarding achievement of the Eagle rank. If the package is desired earlier, it is available upon request from the Advancement Chairman. <= /o:p>

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