BOY SCOUT TROOP 321 NEW SCOUT PARENT INFORMATION

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1 BOY SCOUT TROOP 321 NEW SCOUT PARENT INFORMATION Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 321, sponsored by Mandarin Presbyterian Church! Your son will become part of a Troop that has been part of the Scouting program for over 50 years and, has produced more than 60 Eagle Scouts. Our goal is for your son to advance through the ranks, enjoy the outdoor camping experience, to work as part of a team within the Patrol system and, along the way, learn and keep the values that Scouting teaches. The highest priority of each adult leader in the Troop is always the safety of your son. As parents of new Boy Scouts, you probably have a lot of questions! We ll attempt to answer many of those questions in this outline. However, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to talk to me or any of the adult leaders. MEETING TIMES: The Troop meets regularly on Tuesday nights. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm sharp and lasts until approximately 8:30 pm. The Troop meets at the East (old) Campus of Mandarin Presbyterian Church most of the time in Woody s at the rear of the building. Usually, there is no regular Troop meeting the Tuesday following a weekend campout or day trip. The Monday evening after a weekend campout or day trip is usually a Troop Committee Meeting. This is when the adult leadership of the Troop meets and decides pertinent Troop issues. The Tuesday night after a campout or daytrip is usually the meeting of the PLC (Patrol Leader s Council), for those boys who hold leadership positions. It is not a regular meeting for the Scouts; however, if a Scout has met all the requirements to advance a rank, then he may have a Board of Review by the Troop Committee at that time. There may be some changes to this and the Scout will know of this ahead of time. There are no meetings or activities scheduled during the last half of December and through January 1. We DO MEET regularly during the summer! When Scouts attend regular meetings they need to bring with them their Scout Handbook, some type of writing notebook and a pen/pencil. REGISTRATION: A parent of each new Scout will need to complete a Boy Scout Youth application and the BSA medical form. Both are included with this packet. These forms are also available for download from the internet. The registration fee for the Troop is $90 and this will need to be paid when the Boy Scout application is complete. This fee covers all awards, a subscription to Boy s Life, the registration fee and Troop insurance. MEDICAL FORMS: There are 3 parts to the new BSA medical form. Parts A and B must be filled out, signed and turned in with your son s application. For summer camp / long-term camping, Part C must be completed which requires a physical. The medical form can be Page 1 of 7

2 downloaded from the Council website ( or ed to you from the Scoutmaster. Your son may be involved with sports where a physical exam is required; even though your son has completed this type of physical examination, the medical examination portion ( Part C ) of the BSA form must still be filled out and signed by a physician. Once the form is complete, the physical will be in effect for one year. The physical form can be completed at a walk-in type of medical office such as Solantic. Important: Along with the medical form, please attach a photocopy of the front and back of your health insurance card. SCOUT UNIFORMS: At the Tuesday meetings (and most other Scout functions), each Scout is expected to be in Class A uniform. The uniform consists of shirt (with proper insignia on the arm), pants (or shorts), Scout belt and Scout socks. There is NO official Troop neckerchief at this time. Your son will also need his own copy of the Boy Scout Handbook (spiral bound is recommended). As your son progresses, a Merit Badge Sash will also be needed. All of these items are available from the Scout Shop at 521 Edgewood Ave (corner of Edgewood and Lennox on the Westside of Jacksonville). The regular store hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 to 6:00. The Saturday hours are from 9:30 to 2:00 pm. The direct telephone number is For weekend campouts, we will travel in our Class A uniforms. Once at the campground, dress is typically the Class B uniform that consists of a troop T-shirt (which will be provided to the Scouts by the troop), Scout shorts or pants, Scout belt and Scout socks. CAMPOUTS: Troop 321 is an active Troop with a campout or a day trip scheduled each month. A few of the trips are for the day and do not include any overnight camping. Once the Scoutmaster has your address, a Troop calendar of events will be sent to you. In the event there is a change to one of these events, the information will be given to your son during Troop meetings. The calendar can also be found on the troop website (when, and if, it gets updated by a scout). Our departure and arrival point will always be Mandarin Presbyterian Church. Exact times of departure are announced during Troop meetings. Typically the departure time is between 5:30 and 6:00 pm on Friday evening. Arrival time at the conclusion of a campout is typically Sunday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Close to the time of arrival at the Church, adult cell phones are passed around so that each Scout can contact his parents. Please be sure that your son has memorized your phone number(s). It is extremely important that you pick-up your son in a timely manner. NOTE that just because we re back at the church, that doesn t mean your son is ready to go home. The Troop trailer must be unloaded, Troop gear stored, personal gear sorted, leftover food distributed, etc. Also note that these chores are the responsibility of the boys and NOT the parents. We typically use the Mandarin Presbyterian Church 15 passenger mini-bus (when available) and the personal vehicles of the adult leaders. Seatbelts will be worn by all passengers at all times. Only adults will be driving vehicles. Due to the size of the troop, from time to time we are short on seats to transport the boys to and from weekend campouts. Even if you don t want to Page 2 of 7

3 camp with us, maybe you d be willing to help take some boys to the campground on Friday night then, pick us up on Sunday morning. If you are able to help with this, please let the Scoutmaster know. NOTE: electronic devices and cell phones are not permitted on weekend campouts/events (the long drive to summer camp is usually the only exception to this). PLEASE encourage your son to leave these items at home. Rest assured that the adult leaders do carry cell phones, have your phone number on file and, know where the closest cell signal can be found. The Troop does not cook dinner on Friday evenings, each Scout should eat dinner prior to arriving at the church for a weekend campout. No snacks or drinks should be taken on campouts. Typically, your son will have no need to bring any spending money. CAMPOUT FEES: These can vary, and will be announced during the Troop meeting prior to the event. The typical fee for a weekend campout is $25, which includes registration/camping fees, all food for the weekend and transportation/gas costs. Typically there are no out-of-pocket expenses and your son has no need to bring any spending money. All campout fees are due in cash the meeting before the campout, but no later than departure (cash only, exact change please!). CAMPING EQUIPMENT: While the troop supplies much of the major equipment, each Scout needs certain personal items: SLEEPING BAG: Hint: Due to our warm/hot Florida weather, a down-filled 20 degree sleeping bag is not necessary, an affordable 40 degree bag is adequate. MESS KIT (and some type of eating utensils): Hint: The aluminum mess kits get damaged and can melt easily. A stainless steel kit is recommended. WATER BOTTLE or CANTEEN: These should be sturdy and hold at least 1 liter. They also should be able to be linked to a belt loop or carried on their body. PONCHO or RAINWEAR BOOTS or STURDY SHOES: Something suitable for rough terrain hiking. (no opentoed shoes are allowed) FOLDING CHAIR FLASHLIGHT: Something small and of good quality. Extra batteries, too. Hint: Large lantern type lights are bulky and hard to carry. Large backpacks and ultra-light hiking gear comes later Items for weekend campouts can be packed in a small backpack or small duffle bag (no huge bags, please!). Please mark ALL items with the Scouts last name. Camping equipment from Wal-Mart or K-Mart is usually adequate. Hint: Coleman is a good affordable brand. Scouts will at least sleep two in a tent, with a member of their patrol. We use the tent buddy system for safety and due to space limitations at campsites. After a little camping experience, Scouts are encouraged to purchase a 2 to 3 man tent of their own that is simple and easy to set up Page 3 of 7

4 (Hint: Tents make great Christmas/Birthday gifts!). A 7x9 or 8x8 tent is recommended (any smaller is TOO small for two boys and their gear, and any larger is TOO large). Once the tent is purchased be sure your son spends some time practicing setting-up, taking down and packing the tent. There are quality tents sold at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Dick s, etc. Coleman is one of the many good brands. The longer a Scout is part of the program, the more this list will change and vary. At the beginning, look to the items that are a necessity and the other items can be purchased at a later time. Hint: Camping gear makes great Christmas/Birthday gifts! Any of the Troop leaders would be happy to answer any questions you may have about camping gear. The first item a Scout wants to carry is a pocketknife. Scouts are allowed to carry a pocketknife after they have earned and have a Totin Chip Card. By earning this card, the Scout understands the responsibility of carrying and using a pocketknife and will use it in a safe manner. Totin Chip classes are offered at summer camp and some weekend campouts. Once your son has earned the Totin Chip then he may carry one small lock-blade pocket knife. SUMMER CAMP: Each summer the Troop will spend a week at an accredited Boy Scout Camp. The purpose of this camp is to have the Scouts in a long-term camping environment where they can work on advancements, work together as a patrol, meet Scouts from other troops and enjoy being outdoors. Due to the Florida summer heat and humidity, the Troop typically attends a camp in the north Georgia / North Carolina mountain area. For 2015 the Troop will attend Skymont Scout Reservation near Altamont, Tennessee. The dates are June 13-20, The exact cost of summer camp has not yet been determined but should be around $400. Payment of the fee will be broken down into installments: (details to come in a separate ). When your son joins the Troop, payments for camp will need to be made to be current with the schedule. Feel free to speak with our Troop Treasurer for other payment options. It is a requirement that each Scout and adult who attends a long-term Camp have a physical. See the MEDICAL FORMS section of this hand-out for more information. Closer to summer camp time, there will be a meeting for all parents that will address the Summer Camp experience and complete details will be explained at that time. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that the parents of scouts who will be attending summer camp with the troop for the first time attend this meeting. Feel free to contact the Scoutmaster with any questions. COMMUNICATION: One of the new learning experiences for new Boy Scouts and their parents is that it is now up to the boy to listen during the meetings, take notes and, bring that info home to his parents. As such, your son should come to all meetings prepared with paper and pen. We encourage you to question your son after each Troop meeting for important news and information. Rest assured though, a calendar of the entire year s events will be ed to you Page 4 of 7

5 and, you will receive occasional s from the Scoutmaster regarding major news and date changes. Your son should also receive regular s or phone calls from his Patrol leader. And as always, the adult leaders are always willing to answer your questions. The Troop is also developing a website: This website should contain our calendar, leaders, contact info, forms, etc. But please note that the website is setup and updated by one of the scouts, not by the adult leaders. There is also a Troop 321 Parents Facebook page, we ll share the link via a separate . FUNDRAISING: The Troop holds two major fundraising event during the year. In conjunction with Mandarin Presbyterian Church, Troop 321 sells live Holiday Greenery (wreaths, garland, centerpieces ). The greenery sale begins in October and runs for one month. The greenery is then delivered at the beginning of December. During the early spring, the Troop participates in the Council s Camp Card discount card sale, which is a great way to cover some of the cost of summer camp. Other minor fundraising events during the year are concessions (Barbeque) during the Pack s Pinewood Derby and the District Pinewood Derby and, assisting with the Marine Half Marathon in October. All Scouts are expected to participate in these fundraising events. Funds raised from these events help defray the cost of replacement camping equipment, maintenance of our two Troop trailers, Troop T-shirts, transportation to and from summer camp, etc. If you would like to assist with any of these events, please contact the Committee Chairman. COURTS OF HONOR: Several times a year, the Troop will hold a Court of Honor to formally recognize those Scouts who have advanced in rank, completed merit badges and other special awards. Parents, grandparents and friends are always invited to these ceremonies. Once a Scout has completed the requirements for rank advancement (and passed a board of review by the Troop Committee) or for a merit badge, the award will typically be presented at the next regular Troop meeting. The purpose of the Court of Honor is the formal recognition. SCOUTING PHILOSPHY -- BOY SCOUTS vs. CUB SCOUTS: The Boy Scout program is very different from the Cub Scout program in several ways. Where Cub Scouts is led and run by adults, Boy Scouts is led and run primarily by the boys. With guidance from the adult leaders, the boys plan the calendar, decide on the campout locations, plan the activities, run the troop meetings, etc. The adult leaders serve in an advisory role to the boy leaders. However, along each step of the Scouting program, there are adults who work directly with the Scouts and help them make wise decisions. The highest ranking Boy Leader of the Troop is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), who is elected by the scouts. The SPL runs the weekly meetings and the planning activities. He is assisted by an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), who is able to assume leadership in the absence of the SPL. These positions are typically held by boys with high ranks who have been in the Troop for a number of years. Page 5 of 7

6 The next level of leadership is the Patrol Leader. Each new Scout will be assigned to a Patrol of 6 8 boys of mixed ages. The older Scouts in a Patrol will mentor the younger Scouts and help them develop the skills needed for advancement. The Patrol Leader is responsible for the Scouts in his Patrol and ensures that his Scouts are advancing, that information regarding upcoming events is given out, and that the Patrol is prepared for upcoming campouts. There is an Adult Patrol Advisor assigned to each Patrol. There are other boy leadership positions open to younger scouts, such as Assistant Patrol Leader, Historian, Librarian, Quartermaster, etc. These are discussed in your son s Boy Scout Handbook and in Troop meetings. The boy leaders are responsible for communicating news of upcoming events to the boys in the troop sometimes by but mostly via verbal communications during troop meetings. While in Cub Scouts, you may have gotten used to getting a weekly from your Den Leader. That doesn t happen in Boy Scouts! One of the new learning experiences for new Boy Scouts AND their parents is that it is now up to the BOY to listen during the meetings, take notes and, bring that info home to Mom and Dad. We encourage you to question your son after each Troop meeting for important news and information. Rest assured though, you will get a printed calendar of the entire year s events and, an occasional from the Scoutmaster regarding major news and changes. And as always, the adult leaders are always willing to answer your questions. Another difference in the programs is rank advancements. In Boy Scouts, rank advancement requirements must be signed off by one of the Troop adult leaders. Instead of passing all the books to the Den Leader like in Cub Scouts, it is now your son s responsibility to come to an adult leader to get a completed rank advancement requirement signed off. These can be signed off during any troop meeting or campout. One of the last steps of any rank advancement is a Scoutmaster Conference, these are offered during any regular weekly meeting. The final step is a Board of Review by the adult committee, offered during each monthly PLC meeting. Another big difference from Cub Scouts is that the parents do not camp with the Scouts. While most of the Troop adult leadership has a son in the Troop, we suggest that parents of new Scouts let their son go alone for a little while so that he can get used to being away from Mom and Dad. Rest assured that the Adult Leaders have become experts on homesickness, and again, that the safety of your son is our highest priority. Also, no scout has ever starved to death on a campout. ADULT LEADERSHIP: We welcome all parents who want to help Troop 321 and there are many ways to become involved. As the Troop continues to grow, there will be a need for additional Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Members. The planning and business aspects of the Troop occur at the monthly Adult Committee meetings. Parents are always welcome at the Committee meetings and may wish to become active members of the Committee or, to fill various open positions. The time commitment for the different committee positions vary. You may not enjoy the outdoors or ever want to go camping with us, but please do not let this prevent Page 6 of 7

7 you from becoming active with the Troop Committee. Some of the Committee Positions that are currently available are: Campsite Chairman, Advancement Chairman, etc. Due to the size of the Troop and the fact that the church mini-bus is not always available, one issue we often do need help with is transportation. From time to time, we are short on seats to transport the boys to and from weekend campouts. Even if you don t want to camp with us, maybe you d be willing to help take some boys to the campground on Friday night then, pick us up on Sunday morning. If you are able to help with this, please let the Scoutmaster know. CURRENT ADULT LEADERSHIP: Troop Committee Chairman: Craig Miles Scoutmaster: Pete Powell Assistant Scoutmasters: Allen Samuels, Brad Kriznar Charter Organization Rep and Treasurer: Garrett Rigby Committee Positions: Advancement Chairman: Mike Conley Eagle Scout Advisors: Ken Kievet Quartermaster Advisors: Brad Kriznar and Bill Riehl Committee Secretary: (open) Troop/Pack Liaison: (open) Patrol Advisors: Allen Samuels, Craig Miles, Brad Kriznar, Dwain Williams, Bill Riehl I hope this outline has given you an idea of the Boy Scout program and has answered some of your questions about Troop 321. We have a great group of boys and an exceptional group of adult leaders with years of experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please don t hesitate to contact me via (JPOWEL24@bellsouth.net) or my cell phone ( ). My tent flap is always open Thanks for your support, Pete Powell Scoutmaster, Troop 321 Page 7 of 7