Troop207_Policy

POLICIES AND INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND SCOUTS
Troop 207, Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan provide guidance for Scouts and leaders in and out of Scouting. This booklet provides an opportunity for parents and Scouts to understand the policies of Troop 207.

We request your support of these policies. If any of the Troop 207 policies are not clear, you are encouraged to discuss the policy with me or any of the other Troop leaders.

Please keep this information available for reference. Additional information concerning Troop 207 may be provided from time to time to update this booklet.

Troop 207 meets 51 Monday evenings of the year at the troop room in the basement of the house on the comer of Shepard Street and Clark Ave. The 52nd meeting is during our week long adventure at summer camp. Summer camp is during the week of July 4h. Meetings begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Parents should insure that Scouts arrive before 7:00 p.m. and pick them up at 8:30 p.m. This will allow for all activities to be completed by the Scouts and allow the adult leaders to leave on time. Scouts with special requests need to schedule meetings with Scoutmasters that do not interfere with meeting times.

The benefits of Scouting to boys are many, but only with active participation. Partial participation will result in partial results! Surely if boys expect to receive the best scouting has to offer, they must put their best into Scouting.

Advancement along the Scouting trail requires active participation at each step (see requirements in the Official Boy Scout Handbook). If the rank calls for 4 months of active service, the Scout's record will be reviewed for the immediate past 4 months. To miss 2 meetings in any one month is only half-time participation and is not satisfactory for advancement. To consistently miss I meeting a month is also not satisfactory for advancement. Active participation in other Troop activities, including camping trips, hikes, and patrol activities is also required of Scouts for advancement.

The Boy Scouts of America is a uniformed organization. The uniform is a method which has proved to contribute to the accomplishment of the aims of Scouting. The Official uniform is the proper clothing for any and all Scout activities and meetings. It is designed to be worn outdoors as well as indoors. The wearing of surplus or other military-type clothing and accessories is specifically discouraged to avoid the appearance of militarism.

Troop 207 has selected the green and red neckerchief and these may be obtained from the Troop or from the Boy Scout retail store. The Troop also has chosen the official Scout baseball- type cap for official wear and other hats should not be worn with the uniform except in very cold weather when further protection is warranted.

Scouts are encouraged to acquire a uniform as soon as possible after joining and to begin wearing it completely and correctly. The inside covers of the Official Boy Scout Handbook indicate precisely where the various badges are to be placed on the shirt.

There are special occasions during the summer both in camp and at Troop meetings when the regular Class "A" uniform is worn. This consists of Scout shirt (short sleeve), Scout short pants (long pants optional), Scout long socks, Scout belt, Scout cap (baseball type), and Troop neckerchief with slide. At all other times, between the last day of school and the first day of school, Troop 207 wears Class "B." A Troop 207 t-shirt replaces the Scout shirt and the neckerchief. Troop t-shirts are available from a Scoutmaster.

The Troop committee operates an "experienced" uniform exchange for the convenience of the parents of growing Scouts. Parents are encouraged to donate outgrown serviceable uniform parts to the exchange. To provide a service and help with the financing of the Troop program, items are available at various reduced prices. These conditions are subject to change and to the approval of the Troop committee.

Each Scout is responsible for bringing 25 cents in Troop dues each week. If he can earn this or use part of an allowance, so much the better. More important than the income to the Troop is the self- discipline learned by the Scout as he accepts this responsibility. For this reason, dues are not to be paid in advance and meetings missed should be caught up at the next meeting attended. Troop dues are deposited in the Troop treasury and are used to defray the cost of the Scout's national registration and Boy's Life magazine.

FUNDRAISERS

Troop 207 sells Christmas wreaths to provide an opportunity for the Scouts to raise money for outing opportunities such as Summer Camp, National Jamboree, Philmont, and Junior Leader Training. In addition, this is their opportunity to support the Troop as part of the sale goes to the Troop general fund. This money is used to subsidize each Scout's registration, Troop insurance, equipment purchases, administrative expenses (merit badges, forms and rank patches), and operational costs (gas when required, meals, refreshments) of the troop. Therefore, it is important for the successful operation of the Troop for each Scout to participate in each fundraiser. If additional funds are needed, further fundraisers will be undertaken.

TROOP EQUIPMENT back to Contents

Troop 207 will furnish all tents, patrol cooking gear, and woods tools (axes and saws) required for Troop or patrol camping. This equipment is purchased from the Troop treasury and is assigned patrols for use, care, and return. Items lost or damaged are to be replaced by the individuals or patrols not exercising reasonable care. This policy teaches responsibility and respect for community property. Equipment is for the sole use of Troop 207 for supporting Scout activities and personal use is not permitted.

OUTDOOR PROGRAM

Troop 207 offers a full outdoor program of camping and hiking where Scouts can accomplish many objectives of the Scouting program. We get outdoors each month, year round. Hikes may be day activities or overnight. Camping trips are one two nights depending on the location and program activity. Campsites are selected to meet needs of the Troop for the monthly theme from nearby to the mountains.

"Be Prepared" is the Scout motto and this means warm clothes in the winter, rainwear all the time, and comfortable clothes in the summer and in between. Scouts not prepared in the eyes of a Scoutmaster will be asked to stay home. Trips are cancelled when safety is in question. Two adults are required with each Troop activity � one with emergency transportation. Accident insurance in force covers Scouts and adults traveling to, during, and returning from all Scout activities.

HEALTH & MEDICAL back to Contents

It is important that the Scoutmaster be advised of special conditions, which limit a Scout's physical activity, require regular medication or care, or otherwise need his attention. Each Scout should have medical information attached to his pack as well. A completed Personal Health and Medical Record Form signed by a physician is required prior to attending summer camp or other long term camping experiences. Forms are available from the Scoutmaster.

FOOD COST & TRANSPORTATION

Each Scout planning to participate in an overnight camping trip is expected to bring $8.00 cash for a Sat-Sun trip or $12.00 cash for a Fri-Sun trip to cover his share of the food cost to the Monday night Troop meeting immediately prior to the camping trip. A member of the Scout�s patrol purchases food for the patrol and staff members assigned to the patrol. Once a Scout agrees to go on the trip, his money is not refunded because the food is purchased. If the amount spent is less than collected, a refund is made and an overage will require additional collection. Personal snack food is discouraged as the patrol provides food for the campout.

Transportation needs beyond the Scoutmasters' cars are arranged by the Troop committee. Scouts are not asked to pay toward transportation cost except on trips longer than usual distances. Cost of gas for these trips are distributed among Scouts and leaders. For special trips, the Troop may be able to secure the church van or bus.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT back to Contents

A Scout needs a minimum amount of personal camping gear for his first campouts. This list would include the following necessities:

� Complete Scout Uniform - for season

� Sleeping Bag - compact mummy-type 20 degree

� Backpack and Frame - pack should have several compartments and be sized to the Scout.

� Waterproof ground cloth (plastic sheet 3'x7') � Flashlight with extra batteries

� Knife, Fork and Spoon (kit recommended) � Canteen or unbreakable water bottle

� Plate, Cup and Bowl (individual cook kit recommended)

� Official Boy Scout Handbook - should be with Scout at all activities and meetings.

Any item in the Official Scout Catalog is an example of what is acceptable for Scouting in Troop 207. Use it as a guide as well as a place to purchase equipment.

BOY LEADERSHIP

Scouting is for boys, led by boys, under the guidance of responsible adults. The Troop is led by a Senior Patrol Leader who is elected by the Scouts of the Troop. Scouts are organized into patrols of six to ten Scouts which in turn, are led by an elected Patrol Leader. The Patrol Leader assigns all jobs.

All youth leaders are leaders-in- training, training leaders. They are learning to be leaders and at the same time training others in skills that will allow them to become leaders. They need all the help they can get from their parents, Scoutmasters, Troop, and patrol members to be successful. Please be patient when they fail and encourage them to keep on the trail. Pat them on the back when they are successful for they have big jobs and high expectations. Take the time to understand your Scout's job in his patrol or Troop. It can only help you communicate better with your son.

SCOUTING AT HOME back to Contents

There are many Scout skills that can be practiced at home. But first you must ask your son to share with you his Scout Handbook and what is expected. If the book says "do" - he must do, "show" - he must show, "tell" - he must tell, so you can help him by helping him understand what is expected.

One of these skills is cooking. Common foods such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, hamburgers, spaghetti, vegetables, pudding, and biscuits are cooked by your sons on camping trips. Other skills that can be learned and practiced at home include knife and ax safety and use, knots and lashings, star study, first aid, menu planning and food buying, map reading, and many more. Use the Boy Scout Handbook when developing these skills. It is most important the procedures, methods and techniques used are those found in the Handbook. This not only provides consistency in the Scout's learning, but he will be able to refer back to his Handbook if he needs a refresher

Each Scout should have and use properly a Scout (type) pocket knife. These knives are usually multi-

purpose to include a can-opener. He is required to read the portion of the Official Boy Scout Handbook concerning the care and use of the knife and to earn a "Totin' Chip" card before using a knife in Troop 207.

Larger knifes and sheath knifes are prohibited in Troop 207. Scouts do not need them and they are usually improperly used or lost. Scoutmasters will take any knife from a Scout that is considered unsafe for the Scout or the Troop and return it at the end of the Scouting activity.

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