Policies and Procedures: 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. In Closing: 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. Supply List: 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. General camp supply list: 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 Summer camp supply list: 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 Cold weather supply list: 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 Medication Policy 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. Conduct Policy 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. Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco: 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. General Rules: 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. |
A Guide to Troop 1 >