Troop 317 Parent Orientation May 2, 2006
Troop 317 Vision At all times and in every way, Troop 317 will strive to be a place where: Boys become mature and impactful disciples of Christ Boys become outstanding Scouts who demonstrate the ideals of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law Parents develop a closer relationship with their boys Adult volunteers serve in the area of their giftedness and are affirmed for their support Perimeter Church benefits from our faithful stewardship of its facilities and collaboration with its ministries.
Troop 317 Personality Vision-minded: Christ-Centered Discipleship Communications Ephesians 2:8-10 High standards Personal conduct Advancement Scout-led as much as possible Trial and error and growth Planning and execution Adventuresome Wild at Heart Seeking Challenges
Troop 317 Leadership Committee Chair Committee Members Volunteer Support Scoutmaster Senior Patrol Leader Ass t Senior Patrol Leaders Assistant Scoutmasters Patrol Leaders Assistant Patrol Leaders
Troop 317 Committee The committee may be seen as a board of directors of a Troop. Members are parents and guardians of the Scouts in a Troop, as well as chartered organization members who are interested in youth programs. The committee is composed of a minimum of three members, one of who serves as chairman. There is no maximum number of committee members serving at a given time.
Committee Responsibilities Select quality leaders for the Troop Develop community service projects Arrange transportation for outings Plan and assist in fund-raising Provide for special needs and assistance for individual Scouts Serve on Boards of Review and at courts of honor Maintain records of Troop finances and advancement Assist in the charter renewal process Help with the annual Friends of Scouting campaign
Troop 317 Committee Committee Chair Communications Coordinator Secretary Treasurer Program/Outdoor Activities Coordinator Community Service Coordinator Advancement Coordinator Chaplain Training Coordinator Health and Safety Coordinator Equipment Coordinator/Quartermaster Membership Chair Youth Protection Chair Chris Clark OPEN OPEN Dean Hettenbach OPEN Rhonda Sells Saul Aldana Tony Heringer John Connell OPEN Ira Lindy Duff McDuffee OPEN
Troop 317 Committee Support Each Troop Committee position will have a pool of parents who are responsible for supporting that particular Committee position. The Committee Member could call on his/her pool of parents in times of need. This support may be as simple as coming to a Troop meeting to assist the Committee Member with their tasks (collecting money for campouts, coordinating service projects, etc.) or it may involve sharing a role with a Committee Member. Our desire is that parents would volunteer to serve in an area of interest or giftedness. Please see Chris Clark to volunteer to support a particular Committee Member position.
Adult Leaders Must be the correct age Must subscribe to the BSA Declaration of Religious Principle Must consent to a criminal background check Must abide by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law
Adult Leader Training Youth Protection Training about 20-30 minutes, available online. Required for ALL adults that participate in any form with Scouting. Fast Start Training about 20-30 minutes, available online New Leader Essentials about 90 minutes, classroom setting SALT (Boy Scout Leader Specifics) 3 X 3-hour sessions, classroom setting, interactive ITOLS (Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills) one orientation afternoon (usually on a Sunday), then a 2-night campout 2-3 weeks later.
Troop 317 Leadership Committee Chair Committee Members Volunteer Support Scoutmaster Senior Patrol Leader Ass t Senior Patrol Leaders Assistant Scoutmasters Patrol Leaders Assistant Patrol Leaders
Assistant Scoutmasters Troop 317 s vision of an Assistant Scoutmaster is that of a Patrol Discipler. This is an individual who: Models a solid walk with Christ Offers insights from God s Word in the course of Scouting Holds the Scouts accountable Reaches out to the least and the lost in and outside the Troop Prays for the patrol regularly Is committed to the vision of Troop 317 Works with the Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader to develop leadership skills Provides a point of contact into the Troop from the parents Works with patrols on advancement opportunities Reviews requirements and signs off on completed requirements
Immediate Volunteer Needs TC: Secretary Chris Clark TC: Outdoor Activities/Program Coordinator Chris Clark TC: Communications Coordinator Chris Clark TC: Health and Safety Coordinator Chris Clark Committee Support Team Chris Clark ASM (Great Whites) Luke Van Cleave ASM (Horned Vipers) Luke Van Cleave Adult Grubmaster Graham Pifer (404-558-4010) Merit Badge Counselors Michael Barker General Parent Volunteers Chris Clark
Troop 317 Organization Troop 317 Spartans Regiment Great Whites Scorpions Ravens Titans Regiment Horned Vipers Flaming Arrows Bobcats Wolverines Chiefs Empire
Troop 317 Leadership Committee Chair Committee Members Volunteer Support Scoutmaster Senior Patrol Leader Ass t Senior Patrol Leaders Assistant Scoutmasters Patrol Leaders Assistant Patrol Leaders
Troop Leadership Scouts Senior Patrol Leader: Is elected by the Troop (elections are held twice per year) Takes charge of Troop meetings Works with Scoutmaster and Patrol Leaders Is in charge of the Patrol Leader s Council Is the Senior Scout in the Troop Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders: Are appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader Is in charge of a particular regiment Fills in for the Senior Patrol Leader during absences Works with Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader
Troop 317 Leadership Committee Chair Committee Members Volunteer Support Scoutmaster Senior Patrol Leader Ass t Senior Patrol Leaders Assistant Scoutmasters Patrol Leaders Assistant Patrol Leaders
Patrol Leadership Patrol Leader: Is elected by the patrol (elections are held twice per year) Takes charge of patrol meetings Works with Senior Patrol Leader Represents patrol at the Patrol Leader s Council Assistant Patrol Leader: Is appointed by the Patrol Leader Fills in for the Patrol Leader during absences Works with Senior Patrol Leader Represents patrol at the Patrol Leader s Council
Advancement Advancement falls into two categories: Rank Advancement Merit Badges
Rank Advancement Rank Advancement Eagle Life Star 1 st Class 2 nd Class Tenderfoot Scout SCOUT RESPONSIBILITY
Rank Advancement Fun Sense of Accomplishment
Scoutmaster Conference The final requirement for each rank prior to the Board of Review is a conference between the Scout and the Scoutmaster. It is an opportunity for the Scoutmaster and Scout to review the Scout s progress and set a plan for advancing to the next rank. The Scoutmaster will also discuss with the Scout how he has been showing Scout spirit (living up to the ideals of Scouting and Troop 317) in his everyday life. This is designed to be a time of encouragement and affirmation and is a valuable tool in the Advancement process. Scoutmaster conferences can be conducted by the following individuals: John Morrow Scoutmaster Tony Heringer Regimental Discipler Gregg Orangio Regimental Discipler It is the Scout s responsibility to be prepared, to have his Handbook with him and to arrange for a Scoutmaster Conference.
Boards of Review The Board of Review is the final step to advance in rank. It should be scheduled in advance with the Advancement Chairperson Saul Aldana. The Board consists of 3 or more committee members or otherwise involved adults who review the Scout work done, discuss troop experience, and encourage further Scout advancement. It is the responsibility of the Board of Review to verify that the Scout has completed all requirements for the rank, but the Board does not retest the Scout. Adult Association is an important part of Scouting, and both the Scoutmaster Conference and the Board of Review are excellent times for encouragement and affirmation.
Merit Badges Merit badges provide an opportunity for a Scout to learn more about things he likes to do as well as try out new things that he might like to do. Many Scouts end up pursuing a career that they were first exposed to through a merit badge. Merit badges are completed under the guidance of a merit badge counselor. The merit badge counselor is an adult volunteer registered with BSA to assist Scouts in their study of the many merit badge subjects offered by BSA. Most counselors are parents of the Scouts in the troop. The first step is for the Scout to obtain a merit badge application (Blue Card) and name of a counselor from the Scoutmaster for the merit badge he wants to earn. The Scout then meets with the counselor to understand the requirements and develop a plan. The Scout completes the requirements and meets with the counselor as needed. It is against the Youth Protection policy of the Boy Scouts of America for a Scout to ever meet with his merit badge counselor alone.
Merit Badges Earning merit badges is a necessary process for the completion of only the three(3) advanced ranks in Scouting: Star, Life, and Eagle. Since the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class must be earned (in that order) before any work can be done towards the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks, merit badges are not encouraged too early in the Scout's career. Additionally the process can be confusing, intimidating, and distracting to boys and their parents when new to Scouting. However, merit badges may be earned at any time in the boy's Scouting career and will still apply to the achievement of the advanced ranks. Since also there are merit badges available in 100+ subject areas, it may be worthwhile to have boys work on merit badges when opportunities present themselves.
Merit Badge Process Scout decides to pursue a Merit Badge Scout requests a Blue Card from the Merit Badge Coordinator, Michael Barker Scout is assigned a Merit Badge Counselor Scout interacts with the Merit Badge Counselor for guidance, instruction, and/or advice while working to complete the Merit Badge requirements (note YPP) Scout completes requirements for the Merit Badge and is signed off by the Merit Badge Counselor Scout receives his Merit Badge at a Troop Meeting and is recognized at the following Court of Honor
Courts of Honor Courts of Honor are family gatherings that are generally held twice a year (February and August) by the troop to formally recognize the achievements of troop members. As with all parts of the Boy Scout program, Courts of Honor are planned and run by the boys. It is important to the boys that their families make every effort to attend each Court of Honor.
Troop Campouts Three-quarters of Scouting is outing. Troop 317 plans an overnight outing for every month that it meets (January June, August November). Outings are planned by the Patrol Leaders Council during an annual Program Planning Conference. Adult leaders are assigned as campmasters and help the Scouts put together the resources necessary to execute on the annual plan.
General Campout Guidelines Youth Protection Training BSA policy states that all adults who accompany our Troop on campouts must have completed Youth Protection Training. YPT is available online and takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. The Troop Training Coordinator John Connell keeps the records of who has completed the training.
General Campout Guidelines Payment and Permission Slips The cost of a campout is dependent upon the activity and the venue. Our intention is to keep the cost between $15-25 per campout. We have two super-trips, one per set, that are an exception to this rule. Cost should never keep a Scout from participating in a campout. Camperships are available on an asneeded basis. Work with your ASM or other Troop leader to pursue this option.
General Campout Guidelines Once an activity is decided upon, the campmaster sets the cost and deadline for the campout. Our intention is to take payment (checks only) and permission slips at the same time for the campout two Tuesdays prior to the campout. Depending on the event, we may need payment and permission slips sooner, in order to provide accurate headcounts.
General Campout Guidelines Grubmaster If your son is the grubmaster for the patrol for a particular campout (and he WILL be), he is responsible to buy, organize, store, and transport the food for his patrol for the weekend. All food costs are reimbursed by the Troop out of the campout fees. We have a budget of $12 per person per weekend (4 meals Sat am, Sat noon, Sat night, Sun am). Meal plans are prepared by the patrol and are reviewed for completeness and suitability for the campout.
Upcoming New Scout Schedule See separate handout
Upcoming Campout Request Due to the nature of our upcoming campout (backpacking and hiking May 19-21), we are needing early and firm commitments for numbers. We are also needing a number of parent volunteers to help us coordinate the activities. Please check your e-mail and see Gregg Orangio or Chris Clark to volunteer your services for this campout.
Summer Camp Schedule Day Morning Afternoon Sunday Travel to Camp Swim Test / Camp Setup Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Mountain Man Program Swimming Merit Badge Mountain Man Program Swimming Merit Badge Mountain Man Program Swimming Merit Badge Mountain Man Program Swimming Merit Badge Mountain Man Program Swimming Merit Badge Ocoee River Rafting (older Scouts) Patrol / Troop activities Patrol / Troop activities Patrol / Troop activities Nantahala River Rafting (younger Scouts) 5-mile Hike Patrol / Troop activities Travel Home
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