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Troop
540's Online Handbook
Parents and Scouts
This book is a guide and set of rules for parents and Scouts. Use and refer to
this guide as long as you are in Troop 540. Your Troop Committee has taken time
to put this information together for you. It is our goal to give you the
information you need as well as advising you of the Troops standards.
A Troop calendar of events is included so you will know in advance the
Troops plans. Please place these into this book and refer to it. This is your
guide to what is happening and it is the parents and Scouts responsibility to
follow and refer to it often.
The Boy Scout uniform helps to promote unity and pride. There are two types
of the Boy Scout uniform, the Class 'A' and the Class 'B' uniform.
Class A Uniform:
The Class 'A' Uniform worn September thru May
BSA olive green trousers or shorts
BSA Class 'A' shirt, either long or short sleeve with:
American flag (position 1 right sleeve)
Patrol Patch (position 2 right sleeve)
Greater Atlanta Council strip (left sleeve)
'540' numerals (left sleeve)
Junior Leader position (Patrol Leader, Scribe, Historian,
etc.; left sleeve)
Trained Patch (after training course for Junior Leader
position is completed)
Rank Insignia (center of left shirt pocket)
Arrow of Light (if earned in Cub Scouts; bottom of left shirt
pocket)
Religious Knot (if completed one of the God and Country
programs in either Cub or Boy Scouts; centered above left shirt pocket)
Patch from a Boy Scout event such as a camporee, Boy Scout
camp, etc. (one only; center of right shirt pocket)
BSA belt (web or leather)
BSA socks (long or short)
Neckerchief & slide (Troop neckerchief is black with red insignia, special
BSA neckerchief, or bolo tie;)
Optional: Troop 540's or other scout cap
Tennis shoes may be worn at Troop meetings; leather shoes are to be worn at
formal Scout events (Courts of Honors, Board of Reviews, Scout Sunday, etc.)
Merit Badge Sash (at formal Scout events)
NOTE: The Class-A uniform is required at all Boards of Review, Troop
traveling, and Courts of Honor.
Class B Uniform:
The Class 'B' Uniform worn June thru August
Troop 540's Troop T-shirt or a BSA Tee Shirt
BSA olive green trousers or shorts BSA belt (web or leather)
BSA socks (long or short)
Optional: Troop 540's cap (or the BSA cap)
The Troop Committee has met and set the annual registration of Troop 540 at
$65.00. The amount pays for registration, Boys Life, insurance, and all awards
throughout the year. The amount can be paid in two payments. The first payment
of $35.00 is due November 1 of each year and second payment of $30.00 by
December of each year. Or you can pay $60.00 by November 1, and receive a $5.00
discount.
Any family with a hardship relating to dues, uniforms, or other activity
fees should notify the Scoutmaster or committee and possibly some kind of
co-pay arrangement can be established.
All boys and leaders are covered by a blanket health and accident policy. In
the event your son I injured please contact a Scout leader for the proper forms
need.
It is the Scout's parent's responsibility to transport the Scout to and from
the Troop meetings. Meetings start at 7 PM and pickup is at 8:30 PM. The
meetings are held on Monday nights. Parents should plan to help with
transportation for at least one Scout outing per year. The Monday following a
campout is a Troop Leadership Meeting and only adults and boy leaders are
required to attend.
KNOW the Scout Law and Oath
KNOW what they MEAN and LIVE by them!
All ranks require participation in Troop meetings and activities.
70% Participation---What that means:
For 12 months - 12 activities and 3 regular Troop meetings
per month.
You must attend 8 of the 12 activities.
You must attend 25 of the 36 meetings.
Troop officers must attend 4 out of the 6 TLC meetings for
their 6 months of service and provide a substitute for the ones they miss.
Scouts must bring this handbook and a notebook (pocket type) and pen/pencil
to all Troop meetings and all other Scout functions. Information will be given
which should be written in the notebook for future reference. The Handbook
contains the advancement record and information used for instruction at the
Scout functions.
There are 7 ranks in Scouting:
Scout
Tender Foot
2nd Class
1st Class
Star
Life
Eagle
Troop leaders encourage all Scouts to advance in rank, but a Scout's main
encouragement must come from himself and his parents. Parents should know what
their son is doing and encourage his progress. There are several other optional
awards as well as individual religious emblem awards, which are available to
Scouts. Please see the back of the BSA Handbook for more information on these
awards.
Merit badges may be earned from the first day in Scouting, until the boy's
18th birthday. Which badges, when, where, and how is the boy's responsibility.
Merit badges are not a regular part of the Troop meeting, but from time to
time, the Troop leaders may make arrangements for merit badges to be introduce
to the Scouts at a normal Troop Meeting. Finishing the class will be done out
side normal Troop meeting hours.
Merit badges such as swimming and lifesaving may be efficiently attained at
Summer Camp. No matter how the merit badge is presented, it is the Scout's
responsibility to follow through and complete the requirements for the badge.
Merit badges are required for the higher ranks such as Star (6), Life (11), and
Eagle (21). An adult counselor is needed to pass you on any merit badge. A list
of merit badge counselors is available from the Scoutmaster or Assistant
Scoutmasters. Merit badge counselors must register as a Troop Leader by
completing a BSA Adult Leader Application form. Parents may conduct merit badge
classes that include their own son, however the class must include at least one
more scout.
Merit Badge Blue Cards must be obtained from the Scoutmaster, and signed by the
Scoutmaster before any Merit Badge is started. The completed Blue Card with the
signatures of the counselor should be returned to the Scoutmaster upon
completion of the badge requirements. You should retain your portion of the
Blue Card, as this is your record of achievement of that particular Merit
Badge. Put this in a safe place!
Any 1st Class Scout who seeks to advance in rank needs to fulfill a
leadership responsibility. The Scout must accept an active leadership position
and perform the required duties. The following is a list of Troop Leadership
Positions:
Elected - Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Patrol
Leader.
Appointed - Scribe, Librarian, Quartermaster, Historian, Chaplain Aide, and
Bugler, Den Chief, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Instructor.
The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) consists of the Patrol Leaders and Troop
Guides from the Troop. The PLC plans and runs the Troop programs. Every Scout
is represented by his Patrol Leader at the PLC, so let your PL know your needs
or suggestions. If your son is not involved in the PLC meeting, there is no
scout meeting that evening. This council meets the Monday following every
campout.
Before a Scout completes the requirements for a rank, he must present
himself to his Scoutmaster in a Class "A" uniform. The scout should
also have his Scout handbook with him. All advancement should have already been
sign off. The purpose of this meeting is to let the Scoutmaster get to know the
Scout as well as providing a review of all advancement and make set goals for
the future. Scoutmaster conferences will be held the second Monday of each
month.
To advance in rank, each Scout must attend a Troop Advancement Board of
Review after all requirements for that rank have been completed. Each Scout is
required to appear before the Board individually. The Scout must report to the
Board in full class A uniform. Scouts who miss the Board of Review, or who are
not in full Class A uniform will not be advanced.
Troop Advancement Board of Review meetings are organized and run by the Troop
Advancement Committee persons. Eagle Project Review Boards are conducted by the
entire Committee. Parent presence and/or participation during these Board
meetings is not appropriate. Parents, who are also members of the Board, will
normally dismiss themselves from the meeting during their son's appearance
before the Board. Parents who wish to discuss their son's progress with either
the Troop Board or the Eagle Project Review Board should feel free to do this
after the Board has completed its Scout Reviews, or during a separate special
meeting. Boards of Review will be held the fourth Monday of each month.
This is when all rank, merit badges and other awards are presented. We have
4 Courts of Honor per year (see Troop Schedule). All Scouts and their parents
are invited and strongly encouraged to attend. The Court of Honor is a time
when the Troop celebrates the accomplishments of the Scouts. Because of this,
Scouts who are not receiving awards or rank, as well as their parents, should
plan to attend and support and affirm those who are receiving awards. This is
the major contact between parents and the Troop, and is the only meeting where
Troop Committee members are typically attending. Please bring a pencil and
paper to take notes, as information about Troop activities is announced at
these meetings. Awards and rank advancement patches will normally be presented
with a signed record card. This record card is your record of achievement. Keep
this for future use and put it in a safe place! It is the Troop's current
policy to supply a "Mother's Pin" for each ranks Scout earns.
We try to plan an event once a month. In addition we will also try to have
each patrol plan one or two outings per year. All Scouts are encouraged to
attend all outings. Registration forms for the events are posted on the bulletin
board. Sign up dead line for any event the Monday two weeks prior to the event.
Cost of each event is posted on the sign up sheet and payment is due by the
final night of registration. We encourage parents to join in the outings. The
same equipment applies for parents and Scouts. Plan to eat with patrols or
Adult Leaders. Let us know in advance of any outing so that we can plan for
meals, etc. We would like to have you along. Once the registration deadline
comes and goes there will be no refunds, as reservations and food has been
purchased. Many of the Scout outings will take the Scouts away from home over
the weekend. If the Troop is in the field over Saturday night and Sunday
morning, and the Scouts are not able to attend their normal religious services,
then a field service will normally be provided (if possible). If the outing is
sponsored by the Greater Atlanta Council or Mountain Lake District, then these
services will be provided by the District or Council. If the outing is a Troop
activity, then the service will be provided by the Troop Chaplain or the
Scoutmaster. Individual Scouts who are participating in religious training
which requires attendance at a service should discuss their requirements with
the Troop Chaplain or the Scoutmaster.
Each Patrol will plan a menu for each campout. In addition they will be
require to purchase the food and bring it to the campout. Normally we charge
$12.00 for a standard campout. This cost is designed to cover the cost of food
only. Please help your son plan and purchase the food for his patrol, but
remember they are limited to $12.00 per person. Once the food is purchased, the
Scout should bring in the grocery receipt and he will then be reimbursed.
Electronic equipment including tape players, radios, game boys, etc should
not be to scout meeting or on campout. Since we sleep in tents there is no way
to secure the equipment. The leaders will confiscate any such equipment found.
Owners will have to appear before the Troop Committee to retrieve their
equipment. On rare occasions where long
trips are involved, the Scoutmaster may suspend this rule. However, even in these cases no electronic
equipment is allowed outside of the transportation vehicles and may only be
used while traveling to and from the camping site.
Scouts will be individually responsible for
their own conduct, actions and spoken language. Troop 540, Due West UMC, and
parents expect all scouts to:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.
Live the Boy Scout Oath and Law.
Treat others with kindness and respect.
Follow all guidelines and schedules as set for an event.
Respect property and rights of others.
Do nothing that might hinder another scout from enjoying or
participating in an event.
Always leave the area cleaner that you found it.
Scouts should notify an adult when a conflict arises with another scout.
Scouts should learn to work out and resolve conflicts and difficulties in a
respectful manner.
Troop 540 has established a formal “Code of Conduct”. This document provides the specifics of the
expectations of our scouts and processes for dealing with an violations of
those rules.
Scouting is fun for Scouts and Scouters. This breeds a desire to grow and
initiates achieving the goals of scouting.
Moving through the ranks from Scout to Eagle, a boy can gain ideals set
forth in the oath and law. A scout should desire to earn a higher rank each
year he is in the troop.
As we grow we are learning the skills of the woods, of Boy Leadership, and
the basic fundamentals of being a productive adult.
We promise to keep scouts informed by newsletter, sign-up sheets, permission
slips, phone calls, and personal visits.
We promise to have an outdoor program that is appropriate for all skills and
skill levels. The scoutmaster, who will be assisted by adult leaders, will
supervise this program. Any interested parents are encouraged to attend. We
expect scouts to have fun without getting into trouble. The normal code of
conduct applies to all outings. We will try to keep everyone "in
line" without bothering parents. We will call if necessary. Some locations
of the outing do allow easy access to calling. If a scout's behavior is too
disruptive, we will ask you to come and get him despite your inconvenience. The
final decision will be made by the Scoutmaster, or in his/her absence, the
Primary Designated Leaders after conferring with adults present. If we can not
get in touch with the parents we will bring the scout home and expect
reimbursement for any expense. Before the scout is allowed to participate in
any future scouting event, the Scoutmaster may have a conference with the scout
and his parents to determine, if any, additional punishment is needed. Any
questions related to this issue must be addressed with the Troop Committee.
We promise to offer Junior Leader Training (JLT) twice a year through the
troop. For a scout to earn his leadership requirements from the troop for Star,
Life, and Eagle, he must have attended JLT and qualified for that leadership
position.
All rules established by the Boy Scouts of America will also be strictly
enforced by this Troop and will supersede troop rules where conflicts may be
determined.
The Troop participates in the Annual Council popcorn
Each Scout has a Scout Account. Money is placed into these accounts as a
result of the sale of popcorn, Christmas Wreath and Onion Sales. The Scout
Account is a means by which the Scouts can earn money to pay for Summer Camp,
or to purchase Scouting related equipment or supplies. The Scouts cannot obtain
cash from these accounts, however, they can present a receipt for the purchase
of Scouting related equipment or supplies and be reimbursed. The fees for
summer camp or any other Troop activity and the cost for personal equipment can
be paid with funds from this account. The Scout Account will be maintained for
a period of 1 year after a boy leaves the Troop. Prior to this one-year limit,
the boy will be informed that his account will be returned to the Troop's
general fund if not redeemed. The same limitations and procedures are in effect
during this one-year period. At the end of one year, any funds in the account
will be placed into the Troop's general fund. Please encourage your boy to
participate in Troop annual sale events, and to help by earning money used to
finance his Scouting activities. Through these accounts, the boys can
completely pay for all Scouting activity fees and required personal equipment.
The participation of Scouts in some type of service project is required for
practically every rank. The requirements go from 1 hour to 6 hours. A Scout
leader must approve projects. Examples of projects normally approved are: Eagle
Project, cutting the grass and maintaining the area around the Scout Hut,
working at MUST Ministries during a Scout activity.
All personal clothing, rain ponchos, sleeping gear, cup, knife, fork, spoon,
etc. should be marked with the Scout's name and must be supplied by the Scout.
The Troop will supply tents, cooking gear, etc. Any specialized personal
equipment (such as backpacks, etc.) will be brought to the attention of the
Scouts and their parents. An equipment list will normally be supplied prior to
any major Troop activity. Scouts are urged to consult the Scoutmasters prior to
purchasing any major personal equipment to ensure that the proper type of
equipment is purchased. Any equipment which has been sent home for cleaning
following a camping event should be returned, clean, at the next Troop Meeting.
Troop equipment may be borrowed by a Scout for his family to use if it is not
being used for Troop Activities, but it must be returned in clean condition
within 10 days after its use. Notification of replacement cost will be made to
parents thereafter or if it is damaged. To check out equipment, see the
Quartermaster.
Meetings are held on a monthly basis (generally the Monday following any campout
at 7 PM. All parents are invited to attend any meeting. The meetings are open
to anyone and if you have a problem or an idea concerning the Troop or your
son, the committee meeting is the proper place to have action taken. Parents
are encouraged to become registered and participating Committee members. The
committee decides the Troop policy and future.
The merit badge program is part of the advancement plan of the Boy Scouts of
America. It has guided the interests and energies of Boy Scouts for over 68
years and is one of the most unusual educational programs ever devised. A merit
badge is an award that is presented to a Scout when he has completed the
requirements for one of more than 100 subjects in a wide variety of art, craft,
hobby, sport, trade, profession, agribusiness, service, or self-improvement
areas. The badge is only a small piece of cloth with a design embroidered in
color-but its significance is as large as the interest of the merit badge counselor
who helps a Scout earn it. This could not have happened without the service of
thousands of merit badge counselors-like yourself-expert in a particular
subject and interested in helping Scouts grow into men of character, ready to
take their place in the world of work as participating citizens. You're
probably saying, "That's all great, but what do I do, and how do I do
it?"
Your job is to satisfy yourself that each Scout who comes to you meets all
the requirements for the merit badge. In this sense you are an examiner. But,
your larger opportunity lies in coaching-helping the Scout over the different
hurdles of the requirements and making him aware of the deeper aspects of the
subject from your knowledge and experience.
These are the steps that a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout takes to earn a merit
badge, as outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook. Gets a signed merit badge form
from his Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout Coach and finds a buddy who is interested
in working on the same merit badge. Gets the merit badge pamphlet on his
subject. His patrol, troop, or team may have one he can borrow. So may the
library. Or he may buy one in the local council service center. Contacts the
merit badge counselor and explains that he would like to earn the badge. Along
with his buddy, meets the counselor and discusses how he can get the most out
of the time he spends working on the badge. Learns and does the things that the
pamphlet explains. Goes as far as he can to fulfill the requirements on his
own. When he is ready, he and his buddy make another appointment with their
counselor. The counselor will spend time with him going over the important
parts of the subject. A good counselor will also help him see beyond the requirements
and discover ways to continue learning about the subject. If the counselor is
satisfied that the Scout has completed the requirements, he will sign the merit
badge form. If not, the counselor will explain what he still must do. Gives the
signed form to his Scoutmaster, or Varsity Coach. The Scoutmaster or Varsity
Coach will get the badge for him and present it to him during a troop or team
ceremony.
The Scout should bring a merit badge application signed by his Scoutmaster
or Varsity Scout Coach on his first visit to you. The Scout contacts you,
probably by phone. You may tell him what is expected of him over the phone, or
you may want to make an appointment to discuss this with him face-to-face.
Personal contact will make earning the badge a better experience for both you
and the Scout. In your discussion of what is expected, you may want to start by
finding out from the boy what he already knows, so you can spend your time on
helping him learn the remaining items, or give guidance in completing projects.
You can set up additional meetings with the Scout, not only for the purpose of
passing him on the requirements, but rather to help him in his understanding of
the subject. The Scout, along with his buddy, should make another appointment
with you when he thinks he is prepared to prove his ability. You set the date,
time, and place. This review session will be approached by the Scout with some
apprehension. He is familiar with final exams in school and may look on this
meeting with you as another such experience. You can help a great deal by
putting the boy at ease. Talk with him rather than examine him. There is a big
difference, yet you can find out what the boy knows. Express honest enthusiasm
for the things he has done, particularly if projects are involved. Your
approval will give confidence to the Scout. When he meets you, he should bring
with him the projects required for completion. If the things he has done cannot
be transported, he should present you with satisfactory evidence, such as a
photograph of the project or adult certification. His Scoutmaster or Varsity
Scout Coach might, for example, certify that a satisfactory bridge or tower has
been built for Pioneering, or that the required meals were prepared for the Cooking
merit badge. Your job, in addition to coaching, is to satisfy yourself that the
requirements have been met. Question the Scout and, if you have any doubts,
contact the adult who signed the statement. When you are satisfied that the
Scout has met the requirements, you sign his merit badge application.
You may work with many Scouts each year as they earn merit badges. However, you
may only work with a few. Your contact with these Scouts is tremendously
important. Your influence is measured not by how many Scouts you work with, but
the effect upon the lives of those you have an opportunity to work with.
Throughout your association with the Scout, keep in mind that you are in
reality assisting the Scoutmaster, the Varsity Scout Coach, and other troop and
team leaders in the program of advancement which the Scoutmaster or Varsity
Scout Coach helps each of his Scouts plan. Often, the Scoutmaster or Varsity
Scout Coach will help the Scout select the merit badges he will earn for a
particular award. Whether he does or not, he is always interested in the
Scout's progress. You should feel free to discuss his work with the Scoutmaster
or Varsity Scout Coach at any time.
The Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated-no more and no
less. Furthermore, he is to do exactly what is stated. If it says "show or
demonstrate," that is what he must do. Just telling about it isn't enough.
The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list,"
"in the field," and "collect, identify, and label." On the
other hand, you cannot require more of a Scout than stated. You must not, for
example, say, "I want to be sure you really know your stuff, so instead of
the 20 items in your collection, you must have 50 to get my signature."
You can suggest, encourage, and help the Scout to get 50 things, but you must
not require it. You might wonder, then, if the requirements as stated are the
limits, what there is for you to do other than help the Scout with the
specifics of the requirements. Actually, you can go far beyond them in your
discussions with the Scout. He probably will welcome your willingness to share
with him your knowledge well beyond the requirements, and you will be making a
real contribution to him by doing so. But it isn't required. That's the key. The
Scout does not have to show his knowledge of those things beyond the
requirements. You might stress the fact that while knowledge is necessary,
whether he can put his knowledge to work is the important thing in life. As you
work with the Scout you can give him indirect career guidance. Many merit badge
subjects can acquaint a Scout with the job opportunities in various fields. In
these cases the merit badge work is a real exploration in an adult work
experience, showing him whether or not he has the interest or ability along
such lines. His activity also can show him what educational requirements a
subject area has. You can provide the Scout with valuable information on job
possibilities, show him what is most interesting to you and what is difficult.
The final choice-the selection of what he is going to do with himself in
life-is up to one person. That person is the Scout himself. However, he will
appreciate your help in showing him the relationship of his merit badge work to
his life as he goes to school, into business or a trade, and on into adult
life.
If the merit badge subject relates to your job or profession, then your
place of work is probably the place to meet with the Scout. Subjects that are
related to your hobbies usually will be handled in your home. Here you will
have hobby-related materials to use in your coaching of the Scout. For a few
subjects, coaching will happen in the field or where special equipment is at
hand. Rowing, rifle and shotgun shooting, swimming, and astronomy are good
examples.
Frequently the skills of a subject can be taught to several Scouts at one
time, and are always taught to two (Scout buddy system). This has a time
advantage for you. However, the completing of the requirements always must be
done on an individual basis. Scouts may not qualify for merit badges by just
being members of a group that is instructed in skills. They must qualify by
personally satisfying you that they can meet all the requirements. It's pretty
hard to do this in a group. When one Scout in a group answers a question it
can't possibly prove that all the others in the group also know the answer.
Then, too, each Scout learns at his own pace. He should not be held back or
pushed.