New Parent s Guide 1 P a g e
Boy Scout Troop 714 Welcome to Troop 714! Our Troop is 45 years old! Throughout those years there have been many of our adult leaders who still hang around, even after their Scouts have grown to have families of their own. If you ask any of those old timers who have experienced Scouts from Tiger to Eagle, they will tell you that the value of this program cannot be expressed in words. We have come to recognize that when you first join our large Troop it can be intimidating but there are many advantages to our size. We offer a wide range of opportunities for merit badges, fun outings, and a variety of ways for leadership and advancement. We realize there is a lot of information thrown at you when you first start. We have created this guide to address all of these issues that will come up in your first year. As parents of current and past Scouts, we have come to see the importance of parent participation in your Scout s journey through Scouting as well as other young boys. The journey is filled with adventure and learning. Shared with other adults in the Troop, it can be one of the most treasured experiences you will have. The Difference between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Cub Scouts: Come as a boy, leave as a boy Parent Led Involves supervised activities Boy Scouts: Come in as a boy, leave as a young man Scout led, parent advised Involves activities requiring greater degrees of self-supervision 2 P a g e
IMPORTANT TROOP 714 RULES That every Scout should know! Three Simple Rules: No unkind words! No unkind or inappropriate touches! Respect other s personal property! These three rules are intended to ensure that Troop 714 is a safe and comfortable place for all scouts, parents, and leaders. Failure to follow these rules, or otherwise acting in a non-scout-like manner, will result in suspension from troop actives for a period of time to be determined by the Troop Committee Chair and the Scoutmaster. A single severe infraction or repeated non-scout-like actions will result in more severe consequences including possibly a requirement for a parent to be present at all times or even expulsion from Troop 714. 3 P a g e
Your Role as a Scouting Parent Stay Informed We are a very active Troop. Most young Scouts cannot hope to keep track of all the events going on. We recommend that parents: Talk to your son Meet and converse with other parents and leaders Attend the beginning and end of Troop meetings when announcements are made Review sign-up sheets and flyers located inside meeting room Attend parent meetings on the first Monday of every month Scan/ read the newsletters (given at parent meeting and on web) Like us on Facebook Subscribe to us on Twitter Troop web site www.troop714.org you will find: o Announcements o Newsletters o Troop calendar o Photos of recent trips o Forms needed o Goals o Checklists o Merit Badge Counselors o Links to various sites Encourage, Support, and Engage Read your Scout s handbook and understand the purpose and methods of Scouting. Actively follow your Scout s progress offer encouragement and a push when needed. Show support to both the individual Scout and the Troop by attending all Troop Courts of Honor. Assist and encourage your Scout to participate in Troop fund-raisers and Troop service opportunities Be aware of your Scout s leadership or patrol level responsibilities. As a parent, be aware and encourage. How can I be involved? Be an Assistant Scout Master (ASM) Be a Committee Member o Advisor for boys in troop positions o Board of Review Committee Drive to/from an event Be an Adult in Charge for an event Be a Merit Badge Counselor Volunteer for 3 activities per year Go to an event Driver to/from an event Plan an event (Adult in Charge) 4 P a g e
Uniform & Equipment What to Buy? Boy Scout Handbook Available at the Scout Shop. Boy Scout Uniform Also available at the Scout Shop or the Troop s uniform closet (check there first). The uniform by itself cannot make a good Scout or a good Troop, but its use has been proven to improve both the Scout and the Troop because it is a visible symbol of Scouting and unity. Each scout is required* to have and wear the following uniform items: o Uniform shirt with appropriate insignia, patches and Troop numbers o Boy Scout Uniform pants/shorts o Boy Scout Belt o Boy Scout Socks o Sensible shoes or hiking boots The boys elected not to have a neckerchief and a hat is optional but if worn should be a Scout hat. What not to Buy? (even for family camping check out our Shed) Uniform Check the Uniform closet first Class B Shirts Class B is a T-shirt that has Scout related items printed on it. Troop T-Shirt, Scout Camp T- Shirt, Boy Scouts of America T-shirt, etc. When your scout joins he will receive a Class B shirt. Camping & Hiking gear The troop has a well-equipped equipment shed. o This will give you time to decide what your scout wants or needs. o Your Scout may not like backpacking, camping, etc Cooking Gear o Each patrol is assigned an Action Packer which holds all the kitchen utensils & cooking equipment needed for a campout. o The Troop has stoves, ovens, propane etc. 5 P a g e
Equipment Equipment for scouting is broken down into three categories: Troop The troop will provide items necessary for group activities, such as troop trailer and items needed for overall troop support, such as saws, axes, water buckets, dining fly, shovels, dutch ovens, ropes, etc. Patrol The troop will provide patrol items such as an Action Packer which contains basic cooking items, including pots, pans, utensils, cleanup kit etc. Personal Personal gear is provided and maintained by each scout. Don t go overboard as a new scout by purchasing lots of top-of-the-line equipment that you will rarely, if ever use. Before making any expensive purchases, talk to some older scouts and adult leaders they will have valuable advice about what to buy and avoid. Tents and backpacks are available from the Quartermaster shed. All gear should be clearly labeled with the Scout s name! Quartermaster Shed The Quartermaster Shed is owned by Troop 714. It is maintained by appointed Quartermasters. These are the only individuals allowed to enter the shed. All items in the shed may be checked out by any member of the troop. There are backpacks, tents, camp stoves, dutch ovens and much more available. Check the troop website for a current inventory. The shed is open 15 minutes prior to and after each troop meeting. So, remember to plan ahead if you are going camping and pick up needed gear at the meeting prior to the camp out. Gear is reserved for scouts first and then adults. 6 P a g e
TROOP Meetings Organized Chaos: The Meeting: Meetings are held every Monday from 7 to 8:30pm all year. Try to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before that time. The 4 th Monday of the month is for PLC (Patrol Leaders Council) boys with a troop positions and patrol leader attend. Months with 5 Mondays: One of the Mondays is reserved for a Patrol Outing. 1) Gather in Fellowship Hall 2) Boys will form Patrol Lines 3) The Program Patrol will lead us in The Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, and Law 4) Announcements are made 5) The Senior Patrol leader will dismiss the Venture Patrol and ask the Program Patrol to start their program. 6) Program (the program patrol will demonstrate or instruct the other patrols on a variety of topics) 7) Patrol Corners each patrol takes 10 or so minutes to discuss upcoming events, advancements, service projects etc. 8) Patrol Games 9) Circle up Announcements & Scout Master Minute What is PLC? PATROL Leaders Council (PLC) The Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) selects, plans, and leads Troop activities, and is the key to having a Boy-Led Troop. When is PLC? The last Monday each month from 7 to 8:30pm Scouts Who attends PLC? Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) The members of the troop elect a SPL & ASPL to serve as their Troop leaders. The SPL runs the Patrol Leader Council meetings. Assistant Patrol Leader (ASPL) assists the SPL and fills in when needed. Creates PLC report. Patrol Leaders from each patrol (Assistant Patrol Leader in the absence of a Patrol Leader). The members of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as patrol leader. The Patrol Leader reports PLC decisions to his patrol. Troop Scribe keeps a log of PLC meetings, creates the agenda, reports and keeps attendance. The SPL & ASLP appoint this position from a list of candidates. Quartermasters reports on the condition and availability of equipment and needs. The SPL & ASPL appoint this position to about three scouts from a list of candidates. Troop Guides report on New Scout training. They also work with the New Scout Patrol leader during PLC. The SPL & ASPL appoint this position to about three scouts from a list of candidates. Chaplains Aide reports on religious services on Troop activities. The SPL & ASPL appoint this position to about list of 1 st Class Scout candidates. Librarian reports on condition and availability of the troop library and needs. The SPL & ASLP appoint this position from a list of candidates. 7 P a g e
PATROL Leaders Council (PLC) continued Historian reports on the Troop scrapbook. The SPL & ASLP appoint this position from a list of candidates. O/A Troop Rep reports to PLC news from Order of the Arrow meetings. Other Troop officers do not need to be present, but will submit a monthly report to the ASPL, who will in turn, incorporate those notes into his PLC Report. Adults Leaders Scoutmaster guides the PLC *Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) from each patrol are there as advisors to the PLC. Committee Chair Activities Chair reports on upcoming activities Other key Troop Committee members *Parents are welcome to come at any time to learn about the program, it is very important that the ASM s attend PLC to learn what they need to do and what is going on in the troop. What is discussed? Patrol attendance for the month. Troop Officer reports Patrol Leader reports Reflection on that month s meetings Program/Service Patrol commitments Upcoming Activities Review calendar for the next several months Review Status of the years Scout Goals 8 P a g e
What does that mean! 9 P a g e
Boy Scout ACRONYMs AAC Atlanta Area Council NAYLE National Advance Youth Leadership Experience ALM Adult Leader Meeting NESA National Eagle Scout Association AOL Arrow of Light NLS National Leadership Seminar APL Assistant Patrol Leader NOAC National Order of the Arrow Conference ASM Assistant Scoutmaster NYLT National Youth Leadership Training ASPL Assistant Senior Patrol Leader OA Order of the Arrow BASR Bert Adams Scout Reservation PL Patrol Leader BL Boys Life Magazine PLC Patrol Leader Council BOR Board of Review QM Quartermaster BSA Boy Scouts of America SA Assistant Scoutmaster BW Bethlehem Walk SALT Scoutmaster and Assistant Leader Training CAAB Camp Allatoona Aquatics Base SE Scout Executive CC Committee Chairman SFF Scouting for Food CM Committee Chair SM Scoutmaster CO Charter Organization SMC Scoutmaster Conference COH Court of Honor SPL Senior Patrol Leader COPE Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience SR Southern Region COR Charter Organization Representative SWC Scouter s Winter Campout DE District Executive TDC Training Development Conference EDGE Explain Demonstrate Guide Enable TG Troop Guide FOS Friends of Scouting UC Unit Commissioner ILST Introduction to Leadership Skills WB Wood Badge ITOLS Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skill s WSR Woodruff Scout Reservation JASM Junior Assistant Scoutmaster YIS Yours in Scouting, Yours in Service JOTA Jamboree on the Air YLT Youth Leadership Training JLT Junior Leader Training YPT Youth Protection Training LNT MB MC Leave No Trace Merit Badge Master of Ceremonies 10 P a g e