Troop 950
"A Boy Led Troop"
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Open Letter to Parents of New
or Prospective Scouts:
We thank you for your
interest in our Troop. The Boy Scouts of PROGRAM: Troop 950
runs an outdoor–oriented program for boys ages 11 through 17 with an
emphasis on hiking and camping activities. We schedule an outdoor
activity every month and time is provided during the weekly meetings to
help Patrols plan and prepare for the outing. It is during these
activities that boys learn scouting knowledge and outdoor–life skills
needed for rank advancement. The Troop's Scouts develop an annual Planning
Calendar each summer and the adult staff helps execute it. Each parent
should have a copy of this calendar and should encourage their Scout to be
ready for upcoming program items. This calendar is useful for planning
family activities so they do not conflict with camping opportunities for
your son. The Troop participates in the annual Mary Eglin
This letter provides you with basic information on Scouting and this
Troop. Our adult leaders are available to answer any questions you may
have about our program, activities that the Troop is planning, items of
equipment your Scout may need, or ways in which you may help out with the
overall program.
MEETING PLACE: We meet at
MEETING TIME: From 7:00-8:00 pm every Tuesday. New Scouts work specifically on advancement during this
meeting with the help of older Scouts. All meetings and activities are indicated
on our Annual
Calendar.
FEES/DUES: Troop 950 annual dues are $70.00. Dues are collected
prior to re-chartering (the yearly registering of the Troop with B.S.A.) on
December 1st. Proceeds from dues are used to cover Troop expenses including
national registration, Boys Life magazines, Troop neckerchief and slide, insurance, badges, supplies, and troop camping equipment. The Troop has one fund raiser
each year -- B.S.A. Popcorn
UNIFORM and HANDBOOK: It is necessary to buy a Boy Scout Uniform and
a
Handbook for your son. The Scout Handbook has a
wealth of information in it and is required for Scout advancement. Also,
there is some required reading in it for parents. You need to purchase a shirt (loose fit and short
sleeves are recommended), a San Diego Imperial Council shoulder patch,
long pants, Scout socks and a khaki web belt. The Troop provides the
neckerchief and a slide. Troop numbers can be purchased from the Treasurer
for $5.00. Any sturdy shoe is appropriate. The
DRESS CODE: Consistent use of the Scout uniform is essential for the
success of any Boy Scout Troop. The uniform helps build a sense of
belonging to the Troop. It displays rank, training, and experience patches
that indicate achievement and are a source of pride and satisfaction for
the boys, and it is a reminder to the boys of the leadership structure
needed for Troop discipline. Troop t-shirt and green shorts are adequate
for campouts and Troop Scout-shirts and green pants (Class B uniform) are
appropriate for Troop meetings and most other activities. When needed,
parents and Scouts are informed when the full uniform (Class A) is
required for an activity and Court of Honor. Parents can assist us by
making sure that their Scouts are appropriately uniformed for all Troop
activities.
EQUIPMENT: The Troop has a full stock of equipment for use by the Patrols
for campouts (stoves, patrol cooking gear, lanterns, etc.). To
complement this, each Scout must provide his own personal equipment. A
separate sheet outlines equipment needs for each Scout. Scouts also
provide their own sleeping bag and a
tent or share a tent with a buddy.
ORGANIZATION: A Boy Scout Troop is organized differently than most other
youth activities, including the Cub Scouts. Within the general guidance
provided by the adult leaders, the Scouts in the Troop select activities
they want to participate in, prepare the Annual Calendar, organize and
conduct Troop Meetings, teach and test other Scouts the basic scout
skills, approve advancement in rank, and elect the leaders of their Patrol
and the Senior Patrol Leader for the Troop. The adults assure the program
is safe and proper, and then provide the means for it to be carried out.
ADULT STAFF: The Charter organization selects the Committee Chairperson
and selects and approves the Scoutmaster, and his assistants at the
recommendation of the committee. Most adults involved with the Troop are
associated with the Troop. Committee manages operating funds and
equipment, and approves the proposed program. There are many jobs for
adults interested in helping. By everybody doing a little it assures
that none of the tasks will be too big or time consuming. The committee
meets on a quarterly basis after the Patrol Leaders
Council. All parents and committee members are welcome on scouting
activities and especially to help with transportation. There are many
things to do so please see the Scoutmaster if you can help in any way. To
participate in the activities all adults must be registered with the
troop and have completed YPT available on line at www.myscouting.org. All committee members must be registered Scouters and YPT trained
and completed position leadership training.
PERMISSION: All
members (adults and scouts) attending outings must turn in a signed
Permission Slip and
Emergency
Medical Release. During outings, we assume that Scouts have permission to
participate in all scheduled activities. Please let us know if there are
any restrictions (for medical reasons, etc.) we need to be aware of for
your Scout. To assure that you have read these handouts and the schedule,
it is mandatory for each parent to sign a permission slip for each outing
and fill out n new Class A & B health certificate during Troop registration
(November 1st.) We also ask that you give us some medical
information on your son in case we need to treat him during one of our
outings. The Troop does carry a supplemental Health Insurance Policy on
each Scout and prospective Scout. Talk to a Troop leader if you want more
information on this insurance.
PARTICIPATION: The BSA program is based on participatory experiences that
teach leadership and Scouting skills needed for rank advancement.
Therefore, the casual attendee will get very little from a Scout meeting
or activity. It is important that parents support the Scout in his regular
attendance to meetings and monthly outings. Scout Patrols, in order to
function fully, must have all its members at meetings. It is at the weekly
meetings that Scouts learn about, and plan for, upcoming events. If they
are not in attendance, their interests go unexpressed and they will not be
engaged in the activities. But most important, it is the team's planning
and decision-making process they miss when not in attendance. Their
participation in the planning process helps build leadership and promotes
their involvement in the Troop. When the process goes on in their absence,
they cannot participate and they begin to lose contact with their patrol.
Parents need to assist us by supporting and emphasizing participation with
their scouts.
JUNIOR LEADERS: A strong Troop program depends on the leadership provided
by the Junior Leaders; it is not conducted by a group of adults. If the
Boy Leaders are ineffective then the adults help them by providing
guidance and direction, but not by assuming their duties. It is imperative
that Scouts who want the leadership positions and accept them be regular
in their attendance and the execution of their duties. The Troop program
relies on them and their Patrols rely on them. Parents need to understand
that this is an important responsibility. It is not time consuming, and
should not interfere with other activities, but needs to be discharged in
a responsible manner and on a regular basis. This is an important aspect
of the educational value of Scouting. All Scouts holding a leadership
position are required to sign a leadership agreement and must have their
parents sign the agreement attesting to their support of the Scout holding
this position.
ADULT LEADERS: The Troop follows the direct contact leadership and is always in need of additional adults willing to
assist the Scoutmaster. The requirements are fairly simple - follow YPT
rules, a willingness to work with the Scouts, attend Troop meetings
regularly, go on Troop outings, wear your uniform, and complete the
appropriate training. The real requirement is a willingness to revert to your
youth and enjoy those things that the boys enjoy. If you have any
interest, or just want to go camping a few times, contact one of the
Scoutmasters.
Sincerely,
Troop Committee Chairperson
Updated 12/8/14
Copyright © 2005 Troop 950 -