Boy Scout Troop 1018

1. Boy Scout Troop 1018 Introduction to Our Troop Version 2 May 2010 Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

2. Introduction • History of Scouting • The Scouting Program – what and why • Organization • Differences between Cub & Boy Scouts • Meetings and campouts • Advancement and Merit Badges • Expectations • Costs • Other “odds and ends” • Wrap-Up & Questions Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

3. History of Scouting • Founded by Lord Baden-Powell in the United Kingdom • (Brownsea Island – 1907) • Brought to America by William Boyce • Founded - 8 Feb 1910 (Feb is our “anniversary month”) • 2010 - Centennial Year – special activities planned • Chartered by Congress in 1916 • Worldwide movement, Scouting programs exist in over 200 countries and territories Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

4. What is Scouting? • B-P – “Fun with a purpose” • BSA Mission Statement: “To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law." • The Scout Oath • Duty to God and Country • Duty to Others • Duty to Self • Scout Law • 12 Points of the Scout Law Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

5. The Scouting Program • Preparation for the future • Life skills, citizenship through merit badges • Leadership through “on the job training” • Teamwork through the patrol method • Uniform: pride in organization, self-appearance • The Outdoor Program • The centerpiece of Scouting • Understand and appreciate our natural resources • Leave No Trace activities • Self reliance; working together toward goals; teamwork • Association with adults • Boards of Review; Merit Badge Counseling • Service to others Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

6. Getting Started with 1018 • Troop Handbook • Good source of info for new Scout families • Boy Scout Handbook • Definitive guide on Scouting for the boys • New version for 2010 • Troop website (troop1018.org) • Information • Updated troop calendar • Pictures of past activities Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

7. BSA Organization Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

8. Troop Organization Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

9. The Troop Committee Mission Statement The troop committee, which is the troops Board of Directors, supports the troops adult and youth leaders in delivering a quality program to the troop’s Scouts

10. The Troop Committee Assure that quality adult leadership is recruited and trained and encourage adult leader training in the areas of program and support.

11. The Troop Committee Ensure that the troop has an active, safe outdoor program each year

12. The Troop Committee Assist with transportation

13. The Troop Committee Carry out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America

14. The Troop Committee Manage troop finances

15. The Troop Committee Obtain and maintain troop equipment

16. The Troop Committee Serve on Boards of Review

17. The Troop Committee Support Youth Recruitment

18. The Troop Committee As you can see, it takes a lot to run an effective troop, so your participation is important to the troop and any level!

19. Scout Information Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

20. Scout Organization Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

21. Carrying out the Program in 1018 • Patrol Method • Patrol consists of 8-12 boys • Each patrol headed up by a “patrol leader” elected by the patrol • New Scout patrol • New Scout patrol will have a “Troop Guide” – an older Scout that will assist the younger Scouts Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

22. The 1018 Program • Weekly meetings during the school year • Skills instruction, activity planning • Guest speakers • Game nights • Advancement nights • Tours, special activities • Outdoor program • Monthly campouts – different themes – hikes • Camporees • Summer Camps – regular and high adventure Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

23. Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts • The Scouts themselves lead • PLC plans agenda; SPL runs meetings • Scouts active in annual planning conference • Scouts plan their outings – menus, etc • Emphasis on leadership and teamwork • Boys are responsible for their own advancement • Advancement done at their own pace • Adult role: mentor, suggest, safety • Adult leaders, not parents, sign off advancement & merit badge requirements Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

24. Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts The “Prime Directive” (with apologies to Star Trek): “Never do for a boy what he can do for himself.” Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

25. Advancement Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

26. Advancement • Boys advance in rank as they learn more skills and take on more responsibility • 1st three ranks (Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class) emphasize “traditional” Scouting Skills (camping, first aid, nature) • Next ranks (Star, Life, Eagle) emphasize a variety of skills (merit badges), community service and leadership. • Requirements listed in the Scout Handbook • Scouts advance at their own pace (there is no “right” pace) • 1st Class rank is the goal of a “successful Scout” Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

27. Advancement (con’t) • Requirements for 1st three ranks can be worked on simultaneously • Upon completion of requirements a Scout schedules his: • Spirit Board (scheduled with the Senior Patrol Leader) • Scoutmaster Conference (scheduled with the Scoutmaster) • Board of Review (Scheduled with the Advancement Chair) • Goal: 1st Class at the end of second year Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

28. Merit Badges • Merit Badges enhance a Scout’s knowledge or skills or introduce him to an entirely new field. Examples: • Professions: Chemistry, Nuclear Science, Journalism • Hobbies: Stamp Collecting, Winter Sports, Genealogy • Nature, outdoors: Hiking, Swimming, Climbing, Backpacking • Life Skills: Personal Management, First Aid, Cooking, Lifesaving • Citizenship: Community, Nation, World • Basic procedure for Scouts: • Find a MB counselor; get Scoutmaster to sign “blue card” • Read the MB pamphlet (we have many in the troop library) • Meet with the counselor and go over the requirements, plan • Complete the requirements; the MB counselor signs, the Scout turns in the completed form to the troop. Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

29. Troop Leadership One of the great benefits of the Scout program is the opportunity to learn leadership through “on the job training” “I don't think there's any organization in the world, certainly not in the United States, that better prepares young men for leadership in this country than the Boy Scouts of America” - Robert Gates, Eagle Scout, Secretary of Defense Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

30. Troop Leadership • Boys learn leadership skills through hands on training • Senior Patrol Leader runs the troop • The SPL is elected by the troop and appoints other leadership positions • Scouts in leadership positions learn what they need to do; set and carry out goals (duties are listed on the website) • Actively serving as a troop leader is required for advancement to Star, Life, and Eagle • Opportunities to learn • Troop Leadership Training • District and national-level leadership instruction Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

31. Eagle Scout Rank Universally recognized as a sign of high achievement • Proven leader – must have served in several troop leadership roles • Last of seven advancement levels in Scouting • 21 merit badges, including “life skills” such as Personal Management, Citizenship, Family Life • Leading an Eagle service project • Only about 5% of Scouts achieve the Eagle Rank Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

32. Eagle Scout Rank Why become an Eagle? • A tremendous learning experience • Pride that comes from setting a high goal for yourself and achieving it • Leadership opportunities • “Being an Eagle Scout will definitely impress admission officers at top colleges” – College Confidential website • Hundreds of scholarships • Job networking (National Eagle Scout Association) • Unique opportunities: NSF “Antarctic Scout” program Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

33. What We Do at Meetings • Program is determined by the PLC • Flag ceremony • Announcements • Program for the evening (sometimes includes patrol time) • Game • Scoutmaster Minute • Scout benediction Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

34. Campouts • Typical campout runs from Friday evening to mid-day Sunday • Adult leaders generally make reservations, arrange transportation • SPL and Patrol Leaders: • Plan the menu, duty roster, and activities • Ensure troop and patrol gear is packed • Individual Scout: • Packs his own gear and clothing - checklist on the website • Purchases food, if designated • Parents • Facilitate Scout’s preparation, answer questions • Get your son to the drop off point on time • Pick him up promptly when the campout is over Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

35. What We Do on Campouts • Scouts (and adults) camp as patrols • SPL and PLs lead the campsite set up • Patrols set their own general schedules • Patrols cook their own meals • Duty roster • Clean up afterwards • Usually have scheduled activities, such as hikes, skills training, sports, flag ceremony • Games • Campfire Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

36. Summer Camps • Choice of camps is decided by the troop committee • 1018 goes to two camps each summer • “Traditional” • Emphasis on advancement and merit badges • Live in tents; eat in a dining hall • Activities for all Scouts at all levels • This summer: Goshen Scout Reservation, VA • High Adventure • Advanced outdoor skills (such as backpacking, sailing) • Restricted to older Scouts • This summer: Northern Tier, Canada & Minnesota Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

37. Scoutbuck Program • Troop 1018 returns a portion of fundraiser profits to participating Scouts in the form of “Scoutbucks” • Some Scouts have been able to fund most of their activities through Scoutbucks • Money held in escrow for use for Scouting related activities or purchases • Troop committee establishes rules • Treasurer monitors the balances • SM approves purchases • If a Scout leaves the troop his Scoutbucks revert to the troop Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

38. Expectations of Scouts • Live by the Scout Oath and Law • Support the Scouting program • Work toward advancement • Interface with leaders • Fully participate in the troop and patrol • Inform us when you can’t participate • Participate in troop fundraisers • Wear the uniform with pride • Carry out leadership responsibilities • Perform community service • Handout: “Troop Courtesy and Safety Guidelines” Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

39. Expectations of parents • Help/encourage your son • Monitor his progress • Enable his participation, but don’t do his work for him • A “gentle push” from time to time • Press him to fulfill obligations • Help the troop • Actively participate as an adult leader • Committee member, Assistant SM, trainer, merit badge counselor • Participate in specific activities • Fund raising, driving, planning an activity Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

40. Costs of Scouting • $50 Annual Dues • Registration, patches, misc troop expenses • Activities – registration & food ($20) • Uniform ($50 - $75) – uniform exchange • Camping equipment • Do NOT need much to get started • Lots of troop gear available for checkout • Summer camp ($100 - $1400) • Nobody denied Scouting experience for financial reasons • Scoutbucks can defray most costs • Camperships Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

41. Do’s and Don’ts • Do • Troop 1018 travels in Class A uniform • Be on time to meetings and activities • Sign up for activities early and follow through on commitments • No • Firearms, ammunition, fireworks • Sheath knives or any knife with a blade longer than 6 inches • No electronics on campouts Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

42. Other Info • Fundraisers – wreaths & mulch • Medical Forms – required! • Training – lots available for adults and Scouts • Many courses now available online • Must have YPT to participate in ANY activity involving direct youth contact • “Two Deep Leadership” • Official troop records recorded in “Troopmaster” data base • Uniforms Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

43. Other Info (con’t) • Order of the Arrow • Keep your Scouting documents together • Communications via email • Monthly newsletter mailed to each family • Website (www.troop1018.org) • Summer camp – immediate sign up Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC

44. Wrap - Up • Thanks for Joining!!! Questions? Troop 1018, Dranesville UMC