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Boy Scouts of America
Parent Handbook
Table of Contents
Ways of assisting your son in scouting.
Scouting is an adventure! Step into of scouting and you’ll find your self hiking along trails, canoeing across lakes, and camping under the open sky. You can smell fresh rain in the woods and cook meals over a campfire. As a scout you can do all of this and more. Scouting is a worldwide brotherhood many millions strong. Scouts master many skills and teach others what they know. Everyone helping everyone else – that is scouting too.
The scout oath and scout law give the scout guidelines for living. Growth in moral strength and character is one of the aims of scouting. We encourage a Scout to look at his personal qualifications, his values, his outlook and his hopes for the future.
By developing his relationship with others, the scout learns about his obligations to other people and to the society he lives in.
Problem solving, self-respect, and physical fitness meet the final aims of scouting, that of developing physical, mental and emotional fitness.
All three aims of Boy Scouting are accomplished by utilizing the eight methods of scouting, which work together to deliver a high quality program for Scouts.
The Eight Methods of Scouting
Scouting is an adventure… The Scout Way
1. Scout’s personal growth
…by Scouts, under the leader ship Patrol Method
of their peers… 2. Scout Patrol
3. Scout leadership
Guided by a person backed by Adult Association
A community organization 4. Scoutmaster, Troop Committee
and local council scouters
Scouting provides the Scout with an active Activities
Outdoor life, grants him recognition for 5. Outdoors
Mastering various skills, and… 6. Scout advancement
…gives him a chance to wear the uniform of Uniform
and organization of which he is a member. 7. Scout uniform
It holds before him the ideals of a true scout and Ideals
Encourages him to “help other people” at all 8. Scout Oath and Law
times.
Committee Chair
Presides over the Troop Committee.
Troop Committee
A group of people who are responsible for the Troop’s welfare and who stand ready to help it.
Scoutmaster
Adult leader of the Troop. Present at every Troop and Patrol Leader Council Meeting. Also goes on most camping trips and outings.
Assistant Scoutmasters
Adults who help out the Scoutmaster. Sometimes take charge of the Troop and may be assigned to specific Troop patrols.
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
An experienced scout who is elected by all the scouts in the Troop to help all the patrols succeed.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
An experienced scout who is elected by all the scouts in the Troop to assist the Senior PatrolLeader with running the Troop for a six month period. The ASPL automatically succeeds the SPL for a six month period.
Patrol Leader
Elected by members of the patrol. In charge of the patrol at Troop meeting and during outdoor adventures; encourages and motivates patrol members to perform certain tasks. Guides the patrol in planning activities.
Patrols
Consists of a group of three to eight Scouts. Plan exciting things to do together such as hikes, campouts, projects and plenty of other activities. The New scout patrol is a special group for Scouts who are just becoming scouts. They are assigned a Troop guide or Assistant Scoutmaster to guide and support them during their initial time in scouting.
Chartered Organization
The church, school, or service club that has accepted the scouting program as one of its ways of helping youth. Troop 344 is chartered by Bethel Lutheran Church of Northfield.
Weekly on Thursday Nights except the 2nd Thursday of the month.
Scouts generally meet from 6:30 to 8 pm. Usually these take place at Camp Duldey or Bethel Lutheran Church. Sometimes activities are planned for other days.
Patrol Leaders Council
Troop activities are planned by the leader council, made up of patrol leaders, senior patrol leader, Assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, scribe and Scoutmaster. Other Troop leaders and members may attend if desired.
Court of Honor
Special functions when scouts receive rank advancement, merit badges, and awards. Conducted periodically throughout the year. PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
Advancement
What is it?
Scout advancement is designed to let the scout move ahead in his own way at his own speed. Rather than compete against others, he challenges himself to reach goals and then go as far as his ambition will carry him. His rate of advancement depends upon his interest, effort, and ability.
The scouting advancement program provides a forward-moving series of tests. To complete each rank he must master certain scout skills. He must be active in his patrol and Troop, for that is where he can learn and teach those skills. By his actions, he must show that he is trying to live up to the ideals of the scout oath and scout law.
Troop 344 uses an integrated events advancement program that uses Troop events as a means for advancement (not the only means) and attempts to keep our program multifaceted and led by several Troop Parent Volunteers. Camping, Swimming, Canoeing, Hiking and Backpacking are integrated into the program allowing for advancement in most areas of Scouting. The remaining curriculum is done during the winter in classroom study sessions. In this matter the Scouts can acheive advancement realtively quickly, which keeps them interested and moving.
How?
Once the scout has completed the requirements for a new rank, he follows these steps:
Scoutmaster’S CONFERENCE- Help the Scoutmaster get to know the scout better. An opportunity to learn more about the Scoutmaster and what he expects. Reviews progress and makes sure all requirements have been completed for current rank.
BOARD OF REVIEW- Conducted by the adult Troop leaders. Makes sure that the scout has completed the requirements for the rank. When the board is satisfied, they will send an advancement report to the local BSA service center.
COURT OF HONOR- When the scout is acknowledge for his new rank.
Merit Badges
Encourages the scout to increase skills in things he likes to do. They challenge the scout to try out new activities that may result in fresh interests or hobbies. They are especially important in achieving the Star, Life and Eagle ranks.
Ranks
Basic Scout
Tenderfoot
Second Class
First Class
Star
Life
Eagle
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
And to obey the scout law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep my self physically Strong,
Mentally awake, and morally straight.
A Scout is TRUSTWORTHY. A scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is a part of his code of conduct. People can always depend on him.
A scout is LOYAL. A scout is true to his family, friends, scout leaders, school, and nation and world community.
A scout is HELPFUL. A scout is concerned about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
A scout is FRIENDLY. A scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs that are different from his own.
A scout is COURTEOUS. A scout is polite to every one regardless of age or position. He knows that good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
A scout is KIND. A scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not harm or kill anything without a reason.
A scout is OBEDIENT. A scout follows the rules of his family, school, and Troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
A scout is CHEERFUL. A scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
A scout is THRIFTY. A scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
A scout is BRAVE. A scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
A scout is CLEAN. A scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. HE goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He keeps his home and community clean.
A scout is REVERENT. A scout is reverent towards God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Scouting is camping; and it’s hiking, canoeing, bicycling, reading a map and compass, practicing first aid, and plenty of other exciting challenges.
Types of Camps
Day camp, weekend, summer camp, camporee, backpack, canoe, etc.
Weekend Campouts
The Troop goes on approximately 4-8 weekend campouts each year.
Summer Camp
Each year the Troop plans a week-long camp experience. Troop 344 visits Tomahawk White Pine Camp once each summer on the July 4th weekend and also takes a yearly Boundary Waters Trip. We provide opportunities for the Scouts to take controlled challenges and participate in activities they might otherwise not be able to try.
Campout Inventory
The following is a list of MINIMUM requirements for each Scout for specific camping periods. It is expected that each Scout bring at least the minimum items (or suitable substitutes) to make his camping adventure a success.
3-DAY CAMPOUT- SUMMER CONDITIONS (Friday evening through Sunday midday)
Scout shirt (No Scout will be turned away if he doesn’t have this item)
General purpose shirt (T-shirt, etc.) 2 each
General purpose trousers (jeans, etc.) 2 pair
Underwear 2 pair
Socks 3 pair
Shoes (tennis or hiking) 1 pair (2 pair if wet conditions expected)
Mess kit (or durable plate and bowl – not plastic, foam or paper) 1 set
Utensils (fork, spoon, bread knife) 1 set
Cup (metal or insulated)
Flashlight with extra batteries
Scout knife
Scout handbook
Rain gear 1 set
Sleeping bag
Insect repellent (non aerosol)
Sun screen
Bag lunch for Friday dinner (include drink)
3-DAY CAMPOUT (WINTER CONDITIONS) INCLUDE:
Gloves or mittens- 2 pair
Boots- 2 pair or extra set of liners
Snow suit- 1 or extra trousers and winter jacket
Stocking cap- 1 (baseball type not acceptable)
Long johns- (or sweat suit)
Socks- 1 per day
FOR LONGER CAMPOUTS ADD THESE FOR EACH ADDITIONAL DAY IN THE FIELD
General purpose shirt
General purpose trousers
Socks
Underwear
These guidelines are intended to make your son self-sufficient (gear-wise) for Troop campouts. He then is not a burden on his fellow scouts and/or the leaders. Troop 344 strongly encourages Scouts to participate in camping activities. If you are unable to outfit your son with the minimum gear, please talk with the Scoutmaster to discuss what options are available.
Parental Involvement
The scouting program can’t succeed without parent involvement. In fact, many men who have attained the Eagle Scout rank indicate that one of the major reasons for their success was parental involvement in the scout Troop.
We are all busy. However, involvement in the Troop doesn’t have to take much of your time. If we all pitch in, our role as parents supporting the Troop will be much easier.
Ways of Assisting your son in the Scouting Program
Encourage your scout to have perfect attendance at all Troop meetings and activities.
Be interested in and encourage advancement.
If possible, as he matures, have him earn money for the Troop campouts.
Attend all Troop Court of Honor, if possible.
Aid in providing transportation for Troop activities.
Support the Troop in its fund-raising efforts.
Volunteer for any number of necessary Troop functions. The Committee always needs help.
Be a Committee Member.
Be an Assistant Scoutmaster.
Hold a Committee Position.
Help in Garage Sale.
Integration with Pack and Crew 344
Troop 344 participates in the "Total Program Concept" with Pack and Crew 344. All Units cooperate and have occassional joint outings and meetings to provide a seemless transition from the different age groups to the next level.
In Cub Scouting the Arrow of Light is the Primary Goal of the program.
As the Scout enters Boy Scouts, the Eagle award is pursued. We strive to provide several paths to Eagle each year and attempt to move each age group along at the same level. One or more Assistant Scoutmasters are assigned to each Patrol and are responsible for Brownsea (Tenderfoot to First Class) advancement. Troop 344 subscribes to the Council and District philosophy of First Class in one year. The Eage rank is scheduled for age 14 when the Scouts can enter Venturing.
In Ventruing both boys and girls are integrated into a more adventurous program with more outings and continue to work on Eagle Palms (for boys) and the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Ranger ranks (for both boys and girls). A Boy Scout may be a member of both organizations. The Eagle rank work is concentrated at the Troop level with the carrot of Venturing being held to help the boys along their way. In Venturing it becomes even more of an adventure.
The Troop and Crew support the Order of the Arrow or Honor Society of Scouting and promotes it to all Scouts.