This section will describe the Scouting program for the parents. Hopefully, this information will assist you in understanding the activities of Troop 940.
All the Scouts in a unit form a Scout Troop. The Troop is divided into
groups of eight boys called a patrol. Each patrol elects a Patrol Leader.
The Patrol Leader becomes a member of the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC).
The leader of the PLC is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who is elected by
all the Scouts in the Troop. The PLC is responsible for planning the Troop
activities and implementing them. The adult leaders are present only as
advisors. The PLC meets in July and plans the activities for the upcoming
year. Our Troop meetings are held at St. John's Pavilion every Thursday
evening at 7 PM. Three meetings each month will feature a Scouting skill
as part of the Troop meeting. The fourth meeting each month may be scheduled
as a patrol meeting and for Boards of Review and Scoutmaster Conferences.
You will find that Troop 940 is extremely active. We normally plan one camping
activity each month. To minimize cost we try to intersperse the expensive
trips like skiing and fly-away with hikes, caving, canoeing and rappelling.
In addition, the Troop attends District and Council camporees which feature
inter-troop competitions.
Parents are always welcome to join the Troop activities. However, the parents
are cautioned to not plan on staying too close to their sons. The Scouts
need to work within their patrols so that they can develop as a team.
The following equipment is required: Scout Handbook, Uniform Shirt with
patches (which may be purchased from the Scout Shop) and Troop Neckerchief
and hat. The troop neckerchief and hat are included in the registration
fee. The Troop encouraged Scout pants and belt, however, they are not required.
Neat, clean blue jeans may be worn instead.
Eventually your son will need a sleeping bag, backpack with frame, mess
kit and utensils and hiking boots. For the first few camping trips most
of this equipment can be borrowed. See complete lists in the Appendix.
Registration is a one time fee of $25. This includes a Troop hat and
neckerchief. Annual dues are $30 and are payable in September. The dues
include a subscription to Boyís Life Magazine.
The Troop plans several fund raisers during the year. These funds are required
to pay for advancement badges, maintaining Troop equipment and other needs.
In the past we have sponsored the sale of Holly wreaths, pancake breakfasts,
spaghetti dinners and Gold C Coupon books. Each year a decision will be
made by the PLC and Committee which fund-raisers will be conducted. In some
cases the profits are shared with the Scouts directly. Each Scout has a
Scout Account which is maintained by the Troop. Moneys accrued by the Scouts
can be used to pay for Troop activities, purchase camping equipment or to
defray the cost of summer camp.
Fees are established for each outing to pay for transportation, food, camping
fees and any other expenses as required.
The Dan Beard Council sponsors a fund raiser called Friends of Scouting.
This drive is conducted in February of each year. Proceeds go for running
the council (not to the Troop directly.)
BSA is very concerned with child and drug abuse. To become a Scout, one
of the joining requirements is to discuss with his parents "How to
protect your children from Child Abuse and Drug Abuse: A Parents Guide."
This guide is in the front section of the Boy Scout Handbook and is the
only requirement a parent may sign off.
The Dan Beard Council and Archdiocese also provide training for all adult
leaders in Youth Protection. Presentations are scheduled from time to time
and you are invited to attend. Hazing has been prohibited by Scouting.
Any adult who works directly with the Scouts must be registered with the
Boy Scouts of America. If you have any questions or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact any of the adult leaders.
Each Scout is required to have a physical exam by a doctor prior to attending summer camp. This exam is valid for three years and is updated by a parent each year. Please let us know if your son has any medical problems. Itís very hard to deal with medical surprises when we are 200 miles from home.
A permission slip, signed by a parent/legal guardian, is required before a Scout can participate in any outdoor activity. Permission slips will be sent home at least a week prior to a scheduled activity.
New Scouts in the Troop will each have an older Scout assigned as a Scout
Guide. This will insure that the new Scout learns all the ropes as fast
as possible. The Scout Guide will work with the new Scout until he earns
the Tenderfoot Rank.
NATIONAL AND COUNCIL SCOUTING ACTIVITIES Older Scouts can participate in
activities at Council or National level. These include Jamborees, Philmont,
Florida Sea Base, Order of the Arrow and several others. Older Scouts may
also work at Scout Camps as counselors. Details are often described in Boyís
Life Magazine. Please encourage your son to read it every month.
SUMMARY Parents can make a big difference in the happiness and success of
their sons in Scouting, please get involved. Encourage participation at
meetings and activities, Monitor rank advancement and fill out the Troop
Resource Survey and PLEASE VOLUNTEER.