TROOP 853 BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WENTZVILLE, MISSOURI TROOP INFORMATION Boy Scout Troop 853 is sponsored by Wentzville Christian Church, and also receives support from the American Legion Post 323 of Wentzville, Faith United Church of Christ, and the Wentzville Community Club. The troop meets bi-monthly September through May. Summer and High Adventure camps are scheduled June through August. SCOUT UNIFORMS Troop 853 is committed to the high ideals of the Scouting program as set forth by the Greater St. Louis Area Council and the Boy Scouts of America National Office. All scouts are expected to wear full uniform for all troop meetings and functions unless otherwise directed by the Scoutmaster. Full Scout uniform (Class A ) includes: Scout shirt with proper insignias Troop 853 history necklace (Scout neckerchief for formal attire) Scout shorts or pants Scout socks All scout uniform items can be purchased at the Scout Shops or Thro's in St. Charles. For anyone needing assistance with uniform shirts or pants, please contact the Scoutmaster. Troop members recycle uniforms whenever possible. Red "Troop 853" T-shirts are generally worn under the scout uniform shirt, if desired, or worn in place of the scout uniform shirt as a Class "B" uniform when called for by the Scoutmaster. Troop T-shirts are purchased from a person in charge of them in our troop, Scout hats are to be worn with the scout uniform. All other hats shall be removed during troop functions. Scouts are required to have their Scout Handbook at each meeting. It is suggested that Scouts carry the handbook on campouts to aid in their advancement.
MEETINGS Troop meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month. Meetings are held at Wentzville Christian Church, 1507 Highway Z, Wentzville MO. Meetings start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and are usually over by 8:30 p.m. Parents dropping off scouts must make sure the building is open and adult leaders are present prior to leaving and must be back no later than 8:30 to pick up scouts. Patrol leaders conferences (PLC) are held on the third Monday of each month at the Church. Any Scout needing a Board of Review for advancement is required to attend this meeting. PLC meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Courts of Honor for Scout recognition and advancement are scheduled each year on a quarterly basis. Dates and times are announced by the Scoutmaster. Committee meetings are held once a month. Meetings are held the 4 th Monday of the month at Wentzville Christian Church, and start at 6:30 PM All of these regular meetings are held in the months of September through May. Due to holiday conflicts or other events, the Scoutmaster will notify the troop of any changes in dates and times of regular meetings. Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought to meetings on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities except those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a certified BSA or National Rifle Association firearms instructor.
ADULT PARTICIPATION Adults are encouraged to participate in many troop functions and positions. The strength of our troop lies in the support it receives from the adults! There are many jobs and positions within the troop that need adult leadership in order for the troop to run smoothly. Please attend regular meetings as much as possible and join our Troop Committee. We need your input and ideas! One of the most important functions is for you to continue to be involved with and promote your son in advancing in rank. Although your son is ultimately responsible for his advancement now that he is in Boy Scouts, you should continually check his handbook for needed rank requirements and discuss his progress with him. The adult leaders are in the troop to assist all scouts with advancement whenever possible and are happy to do so. Please remember - your son and his family are responsible. Each adult is asked to become a registered merit badge counselor for at least one merit badge. All adults have various careers, hobbies and interest, which correspond to a Scout Merit Badge. Check with the troop Advancement Chairperson or Scoutmaster for a list of merit badges. A complete list can also be found on the web at www.stlbsa.org.
CAMPING POLICIES A weekend campout in planned each month, September through May. Campouts are generally schedule from the weekend following the third Monday, but are moved due to conflicts in scheduling at the direction of the Scoutmaster. All Scouts are required to wear full scout uniform when traveling to and from the campout location. We do not allow any electronic devices on campouts. (Walkmans, game boys, MP3, PSP, etc). Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities except those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a certified BSA or National Rifle Association firearms instructor. "Be Prepared' A frame backpack, sleeping bag, mess kit, eating utensils, and canteen are the basic items your son will need to begin camping. Extra clothes and other basic personal items should be packed sparingly. Each scout will be told of any special or seasonal clothing or equipment before the campout. The troop supplies tents and cooking supplies through the Quartermaster. Departure and return from all campouts will be from the American Legion Post located on Business Route 61. No parent should leave the Legion parking lot until the troop is ready to depart. A permission form will be handed out at the meeting prior to departure or at Wentzville Christian Church on the day of departure. This form will have all information regarding the campout and will have a section that must be filled out and signed by the parent before each Scout can leave. Each patrol will assign a "grub master" to buy food for the campout. Each Scout needs to bring $7.00 for food to give the "grub master" at the first meeting of each month. Any additional money needed by the "grub master" after purchasing food should be settled up prior to departure for the weekend. After food has been purchased for a campout there are no refunds. We do not allow soda on our campouts. "A Scout is Reverent" The troop will attend Wentzville Christian Church when camping in the Wentzville area on the Sunday morning of the campout at the Scoutmasters discretion. All Scouts at the campout are required to travel and attend church with the troop in full scout uniform. Any parent that does not wish for their son to attend church with the troop must make alternate arrangements with the Scoutmaster prior to departure for the weekend. Any Scout not picked up prior to departure will attend church with the rest of the troop. When camping away from the Wentzville area, the troop will conduct its own Sunday morning service at the campsite.
TROOP FINANCES All registered Scouts and registered parents are required to pay an annual fee at recharter time in the month of March. It is the responsibility of the Scout and the Parent to do so at the proper time. Failure to do so will result in dropping those unpaid names from the Council and Troop roster. No monthly dues are currently collected to fund our troop. The Troop holds fundraisers during the year in order to earn money for the troop treasury. Each scout family will be notified of the fundraisers and may be required to work at the event or choose a "buy out". In addition to troop fund-raisers there are also individual Scout fundraising events offered during the year. Scouts earning money through any individual fund-raisers will be credited with those amounts into their "personal accounts".
PERSONAL ACCOUNTS "Personal accounts" are set up for each Scout. The vast majority of the money in the personal account comes from fundraisers that the Scout and Parent(s) participate in. These fundraisers are almost always advertised to the community as a benefit for the Boy Scouts. Therefore, the money should only be used for scouting purposes. 1) A Scout may use his personal account for these two purposes: Scouting functions/activities. Reimbursement for scouting items. Scouts may be reimbursed for scouting items, so long as the item has been used at a scouting function and they submit a receipt. Sufficient balances in the Scout s account are required for reimbursement. The committee has the right to deny reimbursement for questionable items. 2) If a Scout changes troops, he may transfer his account balance directly to the new troop. 3) A Scout's registered parent may use his son's personal account for these two purposes: Scouting functions/activities. Reimbursement for scouting items. Parents may be reimbursed for scouting items, so long as the item has been used at a scouting function and they submit a receipt. Sufficient balances in the Scout s account are required for reimbursement. The committee has the right to deny reimbursement for questionable items. 4) An older Scout may transfer his account balance into his younger brother's account, if the younger brother is registered in our troop, should the older scout leave the troop. 5) A Boy Scout leaving the Scouting program completely forfeits his balance to the troop s general fund. 6) Neither the Scout nor his parents may borrow against their account or withdraw money for any non-scout related purpose. 7) The only exception to the above rules is when someone deposits money directly into their account to help save money for something like summer camp or high adventure. The scout or parent would submit a check (or cash) to the troop. It would be marked as such in the personal account. The scout or parent could withdraw that amount later if it was not used. However, if there was a negative balance at the time of deposit, the difference at the time of the deposit would be noted and restricted for withdraw. The other restriction would be that at the time of the withdraw, the account balance would not be allowed to go negative.
8) After 12 months of not rechartering, non-chartered member balances go to the campership account.
HISTORY NECKLACE TROOP 853 The History Necklace provided to each Scout in the troop shall be worn as a part of the Class "A" Boy Scout uniform for Troop 853. The necklace shall be worn and treated with pride and respect at all times, as is any other part of the Scout uniform. The following is an outline of the History Necklace program for Troop 853: Beads will be awarded to all active members of Troop 853 at Court of Honors. The schedule for earning beads is as follows: Arrow of Light - 2 small blue beads and 2 yellow washers Order of the Arrow - 2 blue cylinders and 2 yellow washers. Brotherhood - light green washers Vigil - 2 clear washers Long Term Camp - 2 bear claws (summer camp or JLTC) The beads listed above shall be worn directly above the leather "853" arrowhead in the proper sequence at all times. All other beads awarded may be worn above the bear claws in any combination or in order that the Scout prefers. Troop Meetings - 1 washer type bead will be given for each regular troop meeting attended. Each month is assigned a different color bead. Months to be used for beads will be from September to May. 1 bead of each color (9 beads) will be exchanged for 2 white 3/8 beads. 2 beads of each color (18 beads) will exchange for 2 white ½ " beads Colors for meeting months September October November Brown Dark Green Blue
December January February March April May Red Light Blue Orange Green Light Orange Purple Float Trips - 1 red canoe will be given for each completed float trip. 5 red canoes will be exchanged for 1 blue canoe. Hiking and/or Backpacking - 1 red boot will be given for each completed event. 5 red boots will be exchanged for 1 blue boot. Other Troop Functions - Local -1 wooden cylinder will be given for each completed event. 5 wooden cylinders will be exchanged for 1 blue block Other Troop Functions - Out of Town -1 purple cylinder will be given for each completed event 5 purple cylinders will be exchanged for 1 blue cylinder Hardship Camping - 1 black star will be given for enduring a camping hardship i.e. - very poor weather conditions, excessive rain, snow or freeze out. Special Beads - The Scoutmaster will award a Special Bead to any member to the troop that the feels have extended themselves above and beyond the normal Scouting duties. PLEASE NOTE: Any Scout that is misusing or abusing the History Necklace will be required to return it to the troop immediately. Unless otherwise advised, a scout shall be in uniform for all troop activities and functions. Scouts out of uniform will not receive a bead for that particular activity.
BOY SCOUT TROOP 853 WENTZVILLE, MISSOURI CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM PURPOSE: The purpose of this program is to provide funding for scouts unable to pay fees and other costs associated with troop programs and activities. Money funding this program is donated by individuals and/or businesses. ELIGIBILITY: A scout needing camper ship assistance shall submit in writing the following: a) Scout name, address, and phone number. b) Parent(s) name c) Name of activity or program d) Amount requested e) Essay: The Scout must write an essay about why he needs Campership Program assistance. (50-100 words) f) List the personal fund raising activities in which the scout and/or family has participated. g) List the personal fund raising activities in which the scout plans to participate in during the current scouting year. h) The Scout shall return his request to the Scoutmaster. i) The Scoutmaster will interview the Scout and his parent(s) to confirm eligibility. AWARDING OF CAMPERSHIP: 1) The Scoutmaster shall submit the request to the Troop Committee 2) The Troop Committee shall have the right to accept, reject or modify the camper ship request. 3) In all cases, the Troop Committee will have complete control over Campership funds and has the authority to award it as it sees fit for the best interest of the Troop.
Advancement Advancement checklists are in the back of the Scout handbook. Our Troop requires that a registered adult leader (NOT his parent) from our troop sign the checklist. Another scout life and above from our troop may initial the left side of the checklist to show that the scout has completed a requirement. Any item that deals with service time, time in rank, time in leadership position, and number of troop activities must be signed by the advancement Chairperson. This is the person with the records and the only one that would know if the scout has completed the requirement. Troop/Patrol activity. This is defined as follows. Weekend campout = 1 activity Weeklong camp = 1 activity Service project = 1 activity Eagle Scout project = 1 activity If a service project runs over 2 weekends and you work both of them it equals 2 activities. We do not count Fundraisers, troop meetings, or patrol meetings Before a scout goes for a board of review, he needs an advancement slip from the advancement chairperson that shows he has completed all requirements for that rank. Any questions on advancement see the advancement Chairperson or the Scoutmaster.
Boy Scout Troop 853 Discipline Policy Purpose: To provide a safe haven for boys that is of a consistent standard. How Scouts are disciplined, by whom, when, and where are important issues that must be clearly established and communicated to all Scouts, parents and leaders. Scouts have a right to know what the consequences are if they break the rules. Scouts who follow the Scout Oath and Law have a right to expect a Troop that disciplines Scouts who disrupt Troop programs and activities or threatens the safety or well being of other Troop members. Physical/emotional discipline is not an option/ General Philosophy: The principle first line of discipline is to be conducted by the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC), Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders. Their job is to clearly communicated Patrol and Troop expectations is reference to Scout behavior. If poor behavior persists, the PL and APL should give a verbal warning to sop. If the problems continue, the PL or APL will contact the Troop s Senior Leader (SPL) or Assistant Patrol Leader (ASPL) who will start observing the situation. The SPL or ASPL will issue coaching and then a second verbal warning to the offending Scout if poor behavior continues. If the behavior persists then the SPL or ASPL will inform the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scout Master of the problem. All along the physical presence of an adult leader is necessary to monitor the behavior of all Scouts in the area. The adult leader should then decide what course of action is necessary to improve the situation. It is hoped that most discipline be conducted by the boys themselves. If adults must be involved, the first course of action is to try to get the boy leaders to resolve conflicts. For Scouts who do not respond to warnings by boy and adult leaders, they are to be reported to the Scoutmaster who will have a conference with the Scout as soon as possible. If poor behavior continues, the Scoutmaster shall have the authority and discretion to suspend any Scout from the remainder of the activity. In the event such a suspension occurs, the parents of the Scout are contacted immediately and will be required to make arrangements to take custody of the Scout. The troop shall not be liable for any cost involved; these will be solely the parents responsibility. Any Scout who has been suspended may be reinstated at the discretion of the Scoutmaster, but only after the Scout and his parents have discussed the situation in detail with the Scoutmaster and be prepared to recommend a course of action to ensure that the behavior will not be repeated. Should the behavior persist, the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairman will meet with the parents to inform them about a final suspension that will lead to the dismissal of the Scout from the Troop. Dismissal from the Troop is subject to final approval by the Troop Committee.
Discipline sessions are to be conducted off to the side but in full view of Scouts and/or adults and never in private behind closed doors unless other adults are in attendance. Adults will have the right and responsibility to immediately step into any situation they consider unsafe. These situations include but are not limited to: fighting, hazing, foul language, bullying, sexual misconduct, or inappropriate behavior in public. Review of Discipline Steps: 1. Patrol or Assistant Patrol Leader COACHING 2. Patrol or Assistant Patrol Leader VERBAL WARNING 3. Senior Patrol or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader COACHING 4. Senior Patrol or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader VERBAL WARNING 5. Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster OBSERVE SITUATION & COACHING 6. Scoutmaster CONFERENCE 7. Scoutmaster 2 nd CONFERENCE & PARENT CALL 8. Scoutmaster SUSPENSION 9. Committee Chairperson 2 nd SUSPENSION 10. Committee Chairperson DISMISSAL FROM TROOP I have read, understand and discussed this policy with my parents: Scout s Signature Date Parent s Signature Date
Troop 853 Discipline Policy Acknowledgement Review of Discipline Steps: 1. Patrol or Assistant Patrol Leader COACHING 2. Patrol or Assistant Patrol Leader VERBAL WARNING 3. Senior Patrol or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader COACHING 4. Senior Patrol or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader VERBAL WARNING 5. Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster OBSERVE SITUATION & COACHING 6. Scoutmaster CONFERENCE 7. Scoutmaster 2 nd CONFERENCE & PARENT CALL 8. Scoutmaster SUSPENSION 9. Committee Chairperson 2 nd SUSPENSION 10. Committee Chairperson DISMISSAL FROM TROOP I have read, understand and discussed this policy with my parents: Scout s Signature Date Parent s Signature Date