BSA Troop 1 welcomes you as the parents of our newest scouts. Since
Boy Scouts is considerably different than the Cub Scout Pack you just came from or other youth organization, some valuable
information is provided here to ease your transition.
To join BSA Troop 1, a boy must meet the Requirements
of the Boy Scouts of America. You and your boy must fill
out a Boy Scouts of America application.
This application will be turned in to the local council office by the Troop Advancement
Chairperson.
An annual membership fee of $45.00 covers the following
This fee provides:
- Boys Life Magazine
- Our Troop Neckerchief
- BSA National Fee
- Council Fee
- Advancement Badges and Cards
Troop leadership is divided into two distinct
segments scouts and adults. Most leadership functions are delegated to the scouts
themselves. Troop 1 employs the patrol leadership method. The troop is divided into a number of smaller segments called patrols. Each
patrol has a leader and an assistant who are responsible for its overall function. Overseeing
the patrols is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and his assistant. The SPL and
the individual patrol leaders make up the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).
The PLC plans and organizes the troop's activities
and functions. This leadership method has proven to be very effective in developing
young boys into strong leaders.
The troop is overseen by a cadre of adult leaders
who are responsible for ensuring that the overall goals of Boy Scouting are achieved. The adults also provide guidance when
and where it is appropriate. However, the primary function of the adult leadership
is to ensure the safety and well-being of the scouts.
The primary difference between Cub Scouts or
most other youth organizations and Boy Scouts is that the boys and not the adults run the show. Sometimes it may appear chaotic, but the method does work and has proven to provide the most benefit to
the scouts themselves.
Troop 1's policy is consistent with national BSA policy.
All scouts are required to have a complete field uniform (Class A) when participating
in Troop related activities, i.e.: courts of honor, Board of Review, travel to and from activities, troop meetings (September
through May). Information regarding uniform articles and insignia can be found
in The Boy Scout Handbook. Uniforms don't have to be new as long
as they are in good repair. Garage sales and thrift stores are good sources for
many uniform items and the Troop maintains a uniform recycling closet. Remember, a scout is thrifty! As a minimum, the following items are required:
- Shirt (short or long sleeve)
- Scout long pants or shorts
- BSA cap (twill or mesh)
- Scout Socks
- Scout Belt with buckle (web or
leather)
- Insignia (Council Patch, troop
numeral, etc,)
- Neckerchief (Troop neckerchief
is given to the scouts when they earn their Scout badge)
Troop 1 or Camporee/Summer Camp T-shirts with Scout shorts or long pants
are used primarily for camping and other activities for which the official field uniform is not appropriate.
Parents are required to complete a medical release form
before their son can participate in any outdoor activity with the troop. The
medical form provides leaders with critical information and permission to seek appropriate medical treatment as may be necessary.
This form is available from the troop leadership.
Another form is required to provide the troop with information
pertaining to your automobile and motor vehicle insurance coverage. For a parent
to transport any scout other than their own to any scout function or activity, they must have adequate insurance coverage
and seat belts for each passenger. This form is also available from the troop
leadership.
Troop 1 does not require weekly or monthly dues. Each patrol may collect dues for special patrol activities or equipment.
Generally troop and patrol financing is done through annual fees and Popcorn Sales.
Throughout the course of the scouting year, additional
fees are required to be paid by scouts. These are primarily for the various outings
and activities that occur during the year. Campout fees range from $18.00 to
$25.00 per scout, which covers camp fees, meals and travel. Adults are only asked
to pay a fee when required for special activities such as Camporee fees, canoe rental, etc.
An active camping program is a key element to Troop 1's outdoor
program. The Troop camps throughout the year in all types of weather conditions
except severe electrical storms. The Troop normally schedules one campout each
month. Monthly Troop campouts usually start on Friday evenings (5:30 PM) and
end on Sunday mornings. The Troop returns to the scout house around 2:00 p.m.
Sundays. We're lucky in this area to have an abundance of campgrounds available for our use. Many
of these campsites offer free group camping to scout troops. For weekend outings,
we try to stay relatively close to home to ease logistical problems associated with traveling a long distance. Parents of new scouts should refer to The Boy Scout Handbook for a listing of personal gear
and clothing required for each scout. Scouts are required to have their own sleeping
bag. Once again, thrift shops and garage sales are good sources for used camping
equipment. Transportation is sometimes a problem and the adult leadership makes
arrangements for the scouts. We can always use parents help on campouts and invite you to attend. Questions regarding transportation and campouts should be addressed to the adult leadership.
The following is a listing of items that are prohibited on
Troop campouts:
- Personal electronic devices (e.g.,
radios, CD players, cell phones, etc.)
- Sheath knifes or personal axes
- Firearms, BB-guns, CO2 pistols,
paintball guns, etc.
- Fireworks
- Offensive or pornographic materials
- Alcohol
- drugs (unless prescription, under
control of Adult Scouter)
- Pets
- Cash in excess of $10.00 (unless
otherwise specified)
Each patrol is responsible for purchasing its own food for
campouts. For each outing, one scout is assigned as the patrol's Grubmaster.
This assignment is made on a rotational basis and each scout is required to perform
this function when it's his turn. The patrol, as a group, decides what their
menu will be for the outing. This occurs a minimum of two weeks prior to the campout. Once
a well balanced menu has been written and approved, the patrol then sets a budget target for their food and other supplies
(e.g., charcoal, dish soap, trash bags, etc.). At the Troop meeting before the
campout, the Grubmaster collects money from each scout attending the campout. At
this point, the scout is committed. If for some reason he is unable to attend
the outing, his money will not be refunded. This has proven to be the fairest
thing to do for the other scouts so they don't end up having to pay for the other person's share once it has already been
purchased. Questions regarding this policy may be addressed to the adult leadership.
Join the Boy
Scouts and Troop 1
BECOME A SCOUT
In order to become a Boy Scout,
you must:
- Be a boy who has completed the fifth grade, or who has
earned the Arrow of Light Award, or be 11 years of age, but not yet
18.
- Find a Scout Troop Near Your Home.
- Complete the Boy Scout Joining Requirements.
JOINING THE BOY SCOUTS
- Submit a completed Boy Scout Application and health history
signed by your parent or guardian.
- Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance
- Demonstrate the Scout salute, sign, and handclasp
- Show how to tie the square knot (also known as the joining
knot)
- Understand and agree to live by
- the Scout Oath
- the Scout Law
- the Scout Motto
- Scout slogan
- and the Outdoor Code
- Describe the Scout Badge
- With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in
the pamphlet How to protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide
- Participate in a Scoutmaster Conference
