The Troop Committee adopts policies and procedures from time to time.

They aren’t included in this Guide because they change from time-to- time.

Generally, they’ll be sent out annually with this Guide. If you have any questions

about those policies and procedures, please let us know.

    This Guide covers a lot. We hope that it gives you some idea about how

Scouting works, how the Troop runs, and how much active, interested, and

involved parents and adults are critical to its success. We also know that you’ll

have questions. Also, being a boy-run program, you can be sure that there’ll be

chaos and confusion from time to time. Our goal is a program that looks to the

Scout Law and Scout Oath to guide us, one that remembers, as Lord Baden-

Powell, the founder of Scouting, said, “Scouting is a game with a purpose.” The

game is the outdoor program and other activities and the purpose is to develop

boys into fit and responsible young men who are good citizens and strong

leaders.

    We look forward to you and your son becoming part of Troop 1 and sharing

in the adventure and fun of Boy Scouting. Please feel free to call the Scoutmaster

or Committee Chair if you have any questions.

    Please keep quality as well as price in mind when buying clothing and

equipment. Good quality equipment will keep your Scout safe and will last longer.

Boy Scouts get a discount at Gander Mountain with their Boy Scouts of America

membership card.

Backpack/duffle bag

Sleeping bag (rated to 20* F or lower)

Sleeping pad

Mess kit with utensils (non-metal recommended for winter camping)

Water bottle or canteen (non-metal recommended for winter camping)

Flashlight or headlamp

Watch

Extra clothing appropriate to the weather including wool, not cotton, for cold

weather and layered

Raingear

Rain cover for backpack (a heavy black trash bag works)

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Hand towel

Soap

Deodorant

Comb or hairbrush

Toilet paper (in a plastic zip bag)

Personal first aid kit

Compass

Pocketknife (only after earning the “Totin' Chip”)

Matches and firestarter (only after earning the “Firem’n Chit”)

Insect repellent – NO aerosol cans please

Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher – NO aerosol cans please) and broad-brimmed cap

or hat

Hiking boots or sturdy shoes and extra shoes in case it’s wet

Long pants (two for a week)

Shorts (four for a week)

Sweatshirt/warm jacket for cool nights

Swimsuit and beach towel

T-shirts (one for every day)

Underwear – one per day plus extra

Wool socks – one pair per day plus extra

Snow pants or suit

Long-sleeved shirts

Long pants – at least one pair per day plus at least one extra

Fleece shirts

Long underwear (wool)

Wool socks – two pair per day plus extras

Underwear – one pair per day plus extras

Warm hat – two, one for sleeping if tenting

Mittens or gloves – two pair

Winter coat preferably with removable liner

Hiking boots/winter boots

Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)

Scouts will need a wicking layer, a warmth layer, and a rain/wind layer

 Prescription and non-prescription medication may be given to the

Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster’s designee when Scouts arrive at the

departure location for a campout. The Scout’s parent, a responsible adult

designated by the Scout’s parent, or the Scout may hold and administer the

medication. The parent, responsible adult, or Scout is then responsible for

safe storage and administration of the medication.

 All medications must be in the original container with instructions for

administration.

 Medications may be placed in and kept in a secure location that only the

Scoutmaster and one other adult leader have access to.

 Medication will be given in a discrete manner.

    If a Scout needs medication immediately, for example, asthma inhalers and

EpiPens for allergic reactions, he may keep such medication. These medications

require a discussion with the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster in

advance of the trip. These medications will be taken from a Scout if they are

being misused. The Troop and each patrol have first aid kits for simple injuries

and at least one person at each campout or outing is CPR-certified.

    The doors of Scouting and of the Troop are always open to those who

strive to follow the Scout Law. Adherence to the Scout Law and Troop policies

will, primarily, be handled by the boy leaders with adult intervention only to

maintain safety, prevent property damage, avoid disrupting other organizations,

restore order in extreme cases of unruliness, and where boy leaders are unable to

solve the issue.

    Boy Scouts are expected to exemplify a higher level of personal discipline

and social behavior than other boys and society in general. Scouts have agreed

to strive toward the qualities listed in the Scout Law: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,

Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and

Reverent.

    Scouts are expected to comply with the Scout Law and Oath. The Oath and

Law make being a good citizen of the Troop, camp, and community possible.

Obedience to the Scout Law includes respect for Scout and adult leadership, all

members and guests of the Troop, and all hosts of the Troop. Respect is

expected at all times. Under no circumstances will adult or boy leadership

administer punishment for any reason. No hazing of any kind is tolerated. Scouts

or adults observing such activity will take immediate measures to stop such

activity.

    Working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility for

the patrol's success. They gain confidence by serving in positions of patrol

leadership. All patrol members enjoy the friendship, sense of belonging, and

achievements of the patrol and of each of its members. These steps are meant to

clearly establish the general procedures that Troop leadership will follow in those

rare instances when situations can’t be resolved easily or informally. It’s

expected that Scouts will respect fellow Scouts as they will want to be respected

when their opportunity to lead comes.

    Examples of unacceptable behavior are mental, physical, sexual, or verbal

abuse, non-constructive or unreasonable criticism of others, dishonesty,

disrespect or insubordination toward adult, boy, and other authority, endangering

the physical well-being of others, failure to use the “buddy system,” profanity,

unlawful behavior, and failure to comply with Church, Troop, District, Council,

and National policies and procedures.

    Any Scout found to be illegally distributing, possessing, or using alcohol,

drugs, or any other controlled substance at Scout activities will be suspended

from the Troop. The Scout’s parents or adult will be advised of all actions taken.

The Scout may be allowed to return to the Troop once the underlying chemical

dependency and legal issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Troop

Committee.

    No Scout or adult will be allowed to use a controlled substance of any

type at any Troop or Scouting activity unless it is prescribed by a licensed

medical or other health professional and is used in accordance with the

prescription and the Troop 1 Medication Policy.

        No Scout or adult shall be allowed to use alcohol or tobacco products at

any Troop or Scouting activity.

Please see Camp Standards above.

Dangerous or inappropriate items. The Scoutmaster or an Assistant

Scoutmaster has the authority to confiscate dangerous or inappropriate items at

Troop meetings and other Scouting functions that will be returned to the Scout or

his parent or adult at the conclusion of the event or function.

Driving. Scout drivers under age 18 shall meet the youth member

exception clause in local and national tour permits before driving to, from, or at

any Scouting event. The youth member exception states that when traveling to an

area, regional, or national Boy Scout activity under the leadership of an adult (age

21 or older) tour leader, a youth member at least sixteen years of age may be a

driver if he has six months of driving experience as a licensed driver not counting

time under a learner’s permit; the youth member has no record of accidents or

moving violations as a licensed driver or under a learner’s permit; the youth’s

parent or adult and all passengers’ parents and adults have given permission to

the leader; and a 21-year old or older driver is a passenger in the vehicle.

Scout passengers are guests of the driver of the vehicle and will follow the

rules set by the driver regarding drinking, eating, noise, safety, and seating. Seat

belts must be worn at all times without exception.

Electronics. Use of personal cell phones, music players, radios,

televisions, and electronic devices and games isn’t permitted at Troop activities.

Fighting. Fighting isn’t allowed.

Fireworks. The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of fireworks in

conjunction with its activities and programs except when conducted by a

certified, licensed, or trained fireworks expert.

Gestures and language. Abusive, foul, and suggestive gestures and

language, cursing, and swearing aren’t allowed.

Knives. Sheathed knives aren’t allowed. Scouts may carry and use a

pocketknife if he has earned his “Totin’ Chip.”

Sexually explicit materials. Sexually explicit materials aren’t allowed.