New Parent Orientation 1 st Year Scouts

1. New Parent Orientation1st Year Scouts Troop 1011 Mt Bethel UMC March 17, 2014

2. Welcome to Troop 1011Agenda • Scouting Goals and Ranks – Big Picture • Boy Scouts vs Cub Scouts • Troop 1011 – Structure • 1st Year Program • Keys to Success • Parent Roles • Next Steps

3. The Objective of Scoutingknown as the “Aims of Scouting” • Character Development • Citizenship Training • Physical and Mental Fitness Provided Through Fun and Challenging Activities

4. Our Overriding Objective Prepare young men to enter manhood with the confidence, skills and maturity to be successful This is not a race, it’s more like a long hike • Takes place over time • Don’t worry about sprinting

5. Path of Progress • Scouting pushes boys through levels of rank, requiring skills, leadership and activities. • Eagle • Life • Star • 1st Class • 2nd Class • Tenderfoot • Scout

6. Timeline for Progression 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year 6th year 7th year Scout Tenderfoot 2nd Class 1st Class Star Life Eagle High Adventure Trips Venture Scouting

7. Achieving Rank • Each scout needs a handbook. The book outlines the requirements for each rank and contains the information for the requirements • Each rank is done in succession. Most requirements for Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class are signed off whenever the Scout demonstrates proficiency. • All requirements must be completed, approved, and signed off by a senior Scout Instructor, Scout Guide, or an Asst. Scoutmaster.

8. Achieving Rank • Scout through 1st Class ranks, focus on developing the patrol and a basic knowledge of Scout craft • Each boy needs a parent to help them navigate achieving rank • Patrol can achieve first few ranks together • They need adult support. • Help the Guide lead the Scouts • After 1st Class rank, scouts work more individually. They focus on demonstrating expertise, practicing leadership skills, troop service, and community service.

9. Requirements for Rank • Familiarize yourself with the requirements • Read the scout handbook, ask for a copy of rank requirements • Specific requirements • Can be learned/completed either individually or in a group setting (Patrol, classroom setting, etc) • Some are hard to reschedule, you and your Scout will make choices • Merit Badges • Can be accomplished individually • Identify counselor, develop and execute program • Can be accomplished in sponsored merit badge classes

10. Boy Scouts vs Cub Scouts • Boys are to do many of the actions that adults did while in cub scouts • Boy Led / Adult Guided • Scout must take on responsibility / accountability • Learn through mistakes • More independence / Adult Guided • Older boys lead younger boys

11. Understand the Process Troop 1011 • Is broken into patrols by age • Each patrol has a elected leader ( six months, Mar & Sep) • Each patrol will stay together throughout their tenure • Each patrol needs an adult advisor • Is Scout led • Each patrol leader and the overall scout leadership form a leadership committee (TLC) which meets at least monthly • The TLC runs the troop meetings

12. Understand the Process • Weekly troop meeting on Mondays, except school holidays (12 months) • Broken into troop needs and patrol needs • Patrols need to determine how best to use this time • 1st Wednesday is Troop Leadership Council (TLC) • Last Wednesday is Rank Advancement night • Other Wednesdays can be used for Skills Reviews • A Court of Honor is held three times per year (Mondays in mid April, late August, and early December) • rank and merit badge ceremony • families highly encouraged to attend

13. Troop 1011 – StructureCommittee Troop Committee Chair Laurie Champion Finance: Leslie Kahrs Outdoor Special Activities: Scott Reale Advancement: Dave Forestner Merit Badges: Bob Ott & Mark Weber Administration Sterling Spencer Training: John LaVoy Equipment: Kevin Hatcher

14. Troop 1011 – StructureProgram / Scoutmaster Scoutmaster: Bob Ott Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) Senior Patrol Leader Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) ASPL ASPL Guides Instructors Quartermasters Scribe Librarian Chaplain Aide Patrol Leaders Patrol Leader Patrol Leader

15. Support within the Program • Scoutmaster – Bob Ott • Asst. Scout Masters (ASM) - Lisa Brattin - Dennis Bowman - Mike Caffrey - Suzi Pike - Alwyn Joseph • 1st Year Parent help is needed • carpool • safety observers • coordinate patrol activities • help other parents • Troop Committees

16. 1st Year ProgramGoals • Ensure Safety • Learn Patrol Method / Working Together • Teach Core Scout Skills • Advance Rank (First Class by First Yr) • Have Fun!

17. 1st Year ProgramProcess • Guides serve as Patrol Leaders first 6 months • Planned activities for Patrols to do together for skill advancement • Can work independently as well if miss meetings • April & May – Monday & Wed 7pm – 8:30pm • Skills Campout April 26th • Summer Camps • Patrol takes over in September (Guides support) • Second 6 months more individualized advancement

18. Tracking Progress • Line Items signed by Guide / Instructor as learned • Make copy of page to enter into Troop computer • All scout activities by boy are tracked • Signed off requirements for rank • Merit badges • Service hours • Tent nights • General attendance • Please be aware that activities need to be recorded • Familiarize yourself and your scout in the process

19. Tips for Success • Understand the process • Troop 1011 uses an annual calendar – plan ahead • Sign up for Troop emails, supplemental First Year email will come as well • Online Training is available / Must have Youth Protection Training to Participate in any way • More activities than any one scout can do: choose what works for your family to participate • Make a plan for moving through the ranks • Find an experienced parent to help you through the confusion

20. Tips for Success http://troop1011org.ipage.com/

21. Parent Role • Stay Involved! • Keep informed via emails / asking questions • Plan ahead for activities / trips – Calendar • Help son take ownership – he should complete forms, ask questions, speak for himself • Help son set goals for himself on what to achieve and help him stay on track / reminders • Don’t get stressed – marathon not a sprint • Let ASMs know of any issues or concerns • Ask Questions

22. Parent Role Find a Place to Help: • Trained Scout Leader • Merit Badge Counselor • Organize an activity/trip on calendar • Camping trips - Camps -Excursions • Pinestraw -Popcorn • Everything we do needs a leader or helper • Provide transportation • Office assistance

23. Next 4 months(it’s fast paced) • ! Determine summer camp schedule for your son (Primary in mid-June, Secondary in mid-July) • Complete any needed forms remaining. (Medical Form) • Get on the troop’s group email list at Yahoo Groups. • 1st Year Skills campout on April 25th (need medical form) • Scouts get to know one another and build patrol spirit • Complete their physical fitness requirements at skills campout. Can be individually, buddy system, patrol, etc • Lots of 1st Year meetings on Skills Review Nights. (Focus on learning Scout skills) Come each evening at 7 pm-8:30pm to troop meetings and Skills Review Nights. • Earn Scout and Tenderfoot ranks (some complete 2nd Class rank by end of summer) • Get an adult advisor for your patrol