Boy
Scouts of AmericaTroop 436
Lakewood, Washington
Troop Guidelines
APRIL 2003
Boy
Scouts of America
Troop
436
Lakewood,
Washington
Troop
Guidelines
APRIL
2003
Contents
I.
Introduction
II.
Parental Agreement
III.
Dues and Registration Fees
IV.
Meetings
V.
Attendance for Scouts
VI.
Uniforms
VII.
Scout Leadership
VIII.
Advancement
IX.
Troop Funds
X.
Outings
XI.
Conduct
Approved by Troop Committee:
April
2003
Robert
W. Bennett
Committee
Chairman
All registered members of Troop 436, Scout and Adult, will adhere to the policies and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America, Pacific Harbors Council, Lakes District, and the local, state and national laws. The Scout Oath and Scout Law apply to Scouts and Adults alike.
These Troop 436 guidelines and policies will address troop specific needs and point out some of the more important policies of the Boy Scout Program. These guidelines and policies are based on the Official Boy Scout Handbook, The Scoutmaster Handbook, Troop Committee Guidebook, The Official Patrol Leader Handbook, Insignia Control Guide, and other BSA references.
The Boy Scout Program can not work without parental support. Adult Leaders have volunteered to serve as Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Merit Badge Counselors, and Committee Members to assist the Scouts in organizing and managing an effective Scout Program. The resources required to execute the Scouting Program are beyond the means of the Scouts and their Adult Leaders. If we are to have an effective program which develops character, builds citizenship, and develops personal fitness, then we must have parental support and participation. When your son joined this troop you incurred an obligation to familiarize yourself with the Boy Scout Program, to properly clothe and equip your son, to participate in Scout activities, and to enforce proper discipline. You will find that your efforts are an excellent investment in your most valuable possession: your children.
It is recommended that the parents read their son's Official Boy Scout Handbook to have a better understanding of the program and what it has to offer.
III. DUES AND REGISTRATION FEES
Dues, paid by all Scouts in Troop 436, are $50 Payments shall be made in full by December 1st or semi-annually, quarterly or at the rate of $5.00 per month for 12 months and/or by participation in Troop Fund raising activities. These dues are used to purchase the Scout's awards and re-registration and insurance for the next year. New Scouts also pay for the first year's registration and insurance on a prorated basis as required. Awards will be withheld until dues are up to date.
At the beginning of the charter year, or upon joining the Troop, Adult members will pay $10.00 registration fee.
Refer to Chapters 3, 5, and 10, The Scoutmaster Handbook and Chapter 3, Patrol Leader's Handbook.
Troop Meetings will be held each Monday from 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Scouts are to arrive in uniform on time, go straight to the meeting room, and be ready to start the meeting. No Scout will leave the meeting room for any reason without the permission of the Adult Leader. The rest of the church grounds are off limits without Adult Leader permission.
The following are required of Scouts attending troop meetings: Uniform, Scout Handbook, Pencil & Paper (loose-leaf binder is preferred), Monies for outings and dues if not already paid. Completed assignment from the prior week for merit badge classes and trail to 1st class.
The Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) will meet at least quarterly as scheduled. The Senior Patrol Leader will announce the meeting at Troop meetings and call all members the day before the meeting as a reminder. The PLC will also hold an annual program planning meeting in August after the Council calendar has been released
Troop Committee Meetings will be as scheduled by the Troop Committee . In attendance will be all Committee Members, the Scoutmaster, and the Assistant Scoutmasters. The Senior Patrol Leader is encouraged to attend. Parents are always welcome. Specific duties of Committee Members' summarized in the Troop Committee Guidebook.
When a boy joins Troop 436, an obligation is incurred to attend meetings and to actively participate. It is understood, however, that sometimes events prevent the Scout from attending some meetings. Examples of excused absences are illness, family vacations and outings, and mandatory school functions. School assignments and projects given at short notice, or ones which are unusually heavy are also valid excuses. The Scout or parent should call the Patrol Leader to notify them of the absence and the reason for the absence. If the Patrol Leader can not be reached, the Senior Patrol Leader should be called.
Scouts will be required to be an active participant in the Troop for the time required by the Official Scout Handbook to receive their next rank. This time will immediately precede the board of review. Scouts who are inactive will not be allowed to simply "show up" after a prolonged absence and be advanced in rank.
Participation is defined as taking an active role (as defined by the Scoutmaster).. Absences may be excused by the Scoutmaster prior to the outing if the Scout shows sufficient reason as to why he cannot attend.
Refer to Chapter 13, Scoutmaster Handbook and pages 51 - 53 Official Boy Scout Handbook and the current Insignia Guide.
Wearing of the complete uniform by all Scouts and registered Adults is encouraged. The complete official uniform is shown in the Boy Scout Those who cannot afford a complete uniform will wear the parts that they own and will encouraged to complete the uniform when possible. First Class Scouts and above will be required to obtain as a minimum olive green pants as substitute for the official scout pants; however, Scouts are encouraged to obtain official pants through the uniform banks or thrift stores. The only exception is that Eagle Candidates must have a complete (Class 'A') uniform for the presentation of the Eagle packet, the Eagle Board of Review and the Eagle Court of Honor.
The Official Boy Scout Handbook, although not an article of clothing, becomes a uniform part because it contains what a Scout needs to know to advance. It will be brought to all meetings and outings.
All clothing worn to Scout meetings and activities must be clean, and in good repair. If pants other than Scout pants are worn, they must be appropriate (i.e., one color and dark). NO sweat pants or camouflaged pants (Military Apparel of any type) are allowed. Socks and shoes are required for all meetings and activities. Dark vinyl or leather shoes are preferred for Courts of Honor since it is a formal event.
Troop 436 has an official Troop neckerchief. Each Scout will be presented this neckerchief when they earn the Tenderfoot rank
Complete uniforms (Class 'A') are required for all Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review and Courts of Honor for First Class and above. No awards will be presented to a Scout who is not in uniform.
Uniform inspections will be held quarterly and will include personal grooming and proper wearing of the uniform.
The uniform will not be worn when soliciting funds or engaging in any commercial activity (except when council approved and does not involve the sale of a commercially produced product or service) or when engaging in any political event. Uniforms are not required on camp-outs and outings unless specified by the Scoutmaster.
Refer to Chapters 3 and 4, the Scoutmaster Handbook.
Age, rank, and tenure requirements for Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders will be set by the PLC. Elections for these positions will be held every six months.
The Scout leadership is expected to set the example for the Scouts regarding uniform, conduct, participation, and Scout spirit. The quality of the leadership will be reflected in the advancement/non-advancement of the Scout. Time in position is not automatic fulfillment of the leadership requirement.
Scouts will attend appropriate training for their position when given by the Troop at the next PLC.
The Troop Guidelines require that adults who are in direct leadership roles have successfully completed Scoutmaster Fundamentals and Youth Protection Training. A direct leadership role is defined as "a registered adult member of the Troop who provides primary guidance and supervision on a regular and continuing basis". Specifically, the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.
Prior to completion of required training, transitional adult leaders are welcomed as members of the Troop Committee. While serving on the Committee, the individual has time to complete his training, gain important insight to the organization and operation of the Troop at the adult level, and allow for a period of adjustment to his new role.
Advancment guidelines will be published by the Advancement Chairman. Copies will be provided to every Scouting family of Troop 436 Changes to the National Scouting Program are always being made, therefore, updates will be handed out periodically. Current requirements for Scout Advancement are found in the Official Boy Scout Handbook. No more than 5 merit badges may be signed by a parent or guardian, who is a registered Merit Badge Counselor, for his or her Scout.
The Troop committee is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements as stated in the approved Troop budget plan. All fund raising activities must be planned ahead and approved by the committee.
Refer to Chapter 9, the Scoutmaster Handbook.
Those Scouts or Adults who are not willing to comply with all Troop policies and guidelines will not be allowed to attend outings.
The committee must approve all Troop activities and outings.
A first aid kit will accompany the Scouts on each outing.
Troop 436 will earnestly attempt to provide a camp-out or hiking outing once a month and to provide at least 10 nights of camping for every Scout (including a long term camp-out) per year.
All Scouts should attend all Troop activities. Attendance is considered part of Scout spirit and participation requirements for advancement.
At least two Adult Leaders are required to attend every Scout outing and will remain in attendance throughout the outing. This means that if there are optional side hikes planned for the outing, there will have to be an additional two Adults present. There will also be a local point of contact assigned (someone not going on the outing) who has full details available.
If aquatic activities are involved in the outing, an Adult over 21 years of age must be present who is certified in the Safe Swim Defense and/or Safety Afloat Programs.
Patrols are encouraged to have their own outings. All rules that apply at the Troop level apply to Patrol outings.
Most outings may require a sack lunch/dinner and/or money for a fast food restaurant depending on the length of travel between outing location and home. Meal requirements should be settled at least a week before the outing and money due for troop/patrol meals/activities must be paid no later than the Monday prior to the outing
The Adult Leader of the outing will have in their possession the signed permission slips of all Scouts in attendance and shall also have an emergency phone number for each Adult in attendance.
Patrol Leaders will call all their Patrol members to remind the Scouts and to verify details no less than 24hrs before the outing.
Health Records - For regular Troop meetings and activities, a current health history filled out by the parents should be filled out and updated every-year. For long term camping (over 72 hours), it is required that a physical examination by a physician, current within the last two years, be on file with the Troop (Form #4414 Class 3). All adult leaders will comply with BSA policy for health requirements.
Refer to Chapter 10, the Scoutmaster Handbook.
All Scouts and Adults will follow the Scout Oath and Law at all times.
Hazing (i.e., physical abuse, dares, verbal abuse, initiations, etc.) has no place in Scouting and will not be tolerated.
Items not appropriate to a Scouting activity will be confiscated for the duration of the event and eventually returned to the parent. Items considered inappropriate are the same as prohibited items for the Clover Park School District. If you can't take it to school you can't bring it to a Scouting activity. Exception: pocket knives may be carried by scouts who are also carrying a "Toting Chip".
The use and possession of alcohol and/or narcotics at Scout events and activities will not be tolerated. Any youth or adult member who comes to a Scouting activity in possession of or under the influence of any controlled substance will be suspended from that event and a minimum of two following events. Repeated incidents may result in a member being permanently suspended from the troop.
Use of tobacco and tobacco products by youth members during Scouting activities is prohibited. Youth members under 18 may not possess tobacco or tobacco products. Adult members should limit their use of tobacco to adult or neutral areas. No tobacco should be used in the patrol areas.
MEDICATIONS prescribed by a physician that must be taken at Troop activities will be brought to the attention of the Scoutmaster or Adult Outing Leader and must be carried in the original prescription container. Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin or Tylenol must be kept in their original marked containers. It will be at the Scoutmaster's or Adult Outing Leader's discretion on the management of prescription and non-prescription drugs. All medication taken shall be listed on the individual outing permission slip to include if the Scout is authorized to self administer prescription or non-prescription drugs.
It is the duty and right of every Scout to report anything they feel is not right. No one should be afraid to come forward and report. Speaking up could prevent something from going wrong or, more importantly, prevent someone from getting hurt. Speaking up is not "snitching".
Enforcement of the rules is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster or Adult Leader in charge.
SUPERSEDES
ALL OTHERS AS OF _April 2003_
.............................................................................................................................................................
I have read and understand the troop guidelines of BSA troop 436 and agree to abide by them.
Scout signiture____________________________________________date:______/________/20_____.
Parent/Guardian
signiture____________________________________date:______/________/20_____.