Troop Policies

DUES
Dues are paid each week that there is a Troop meeting, whether you attend or not. Dues are used to pay for the next year's registration, Boy's Life, insurance and awards.

FUND RAISERS
We will try to only have one per year. This will be used for camping costs, trips and equipment.

ATTENDANCE
It is important that you attend as many meetings as possible because you are part of a patrol that depends on you. It is important for your individual progress and the troop's progress.

UNIFORMS
Will be worn at all troop meetings and activities. Uniforms are expensive so you should get the most out of it that you can. It shows you belong to a group. Active scouts are proud of their worn and patched uniforms, they show how active you are. The boys in the troop will decide what type hat the troop will use.

CAMPING
This is the most important and fun part of the program. We will make every effort to camp once each month. These camping trips will include a week in summer camp, Camp-o-rees, overnight hikes and canoe trips, winter camping at Forestburg Scout Reservation in NY, and just for fun overnights. In almost all cases they will be 2 night campouts. The troop will camp as patrols that will decide there own menu, purchase their own food and cook their own food. Camperships are available for summer camp if you need one.

HIKING
We will hike by troop or patrols 3-4 times per year. The hikes will be from 5 - 15 miles long and we will take at least 1 Historic Trail hike each year.

PATROL METHOD
The troop will be formed into patrols of up to 8 boys. The patrol will choose their own patrol leader. They will meet, camp, cook and perform as a patrol at all times. The patrol leader will collect dues, check advancement and report to the Senior Patrol Leader.

LEADERSHIP
The adult troop leaders will merely guide and supervise the boys, the patrol leaders and senior patrol leader will actually lead the boys. Some of the leadership positions are: Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe and Den Chief. It is necessary to have held a leadership position to achieve the higher ranks, so all boys will be given the opportunity. There will always be 2 adult leaders present for the protection of the boys and the leaders.

ADVANCEMENT AND AWARDS
Each boy will advance at his own rate. Awards will be presented as soon as possible after they have been earned. We will periodically have a Court of Honor (usually every 3 months) to recognize the boys' awards in front of their families. One week prior to the court of honor there will be a board of review to check each boys' progress. The Boy Scout ranks are: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle. Star, Life and Eagle require both leadership skills and a service project. EAGLE SCOUT This is more than just a rank, it is proof of your ability to plan, organize and execute a project. It demonstrates your ability to set goals and achieve them. Many employers give preference to Eagle Scouts. Once you are an Eagle you will always be an Eagle. Only 1% of the boys who join, achieve Eagle.

DISCIPLINE
Everyone's cooperation is necessary for our troop to be a success. There will be NO fighting, swearing, rowdy behavior. There will be NO use of alcohol, tobacco or controlled substances. Hazing is not allowed under the rules of the BSA so there will be none. Any boy who engages in any of this behavior will be told to stop, if he continues he will be asked to leave the meeting and his parents will be notified. If this behavior persists he will be told that he is violating his Scout Oath and Law and is no longer a Boy Scout. For their own protection, boys will use the Buddy Plan when we are in the outdoors.

PARENTAL PARTICIPATION
There are many ways that parents can participate. Talent survey sheets will be distributed for parents to list their hobbies, profession and interests on. If you would like to teach a merit badge in an area of your interests or skills we would appreciate your help. Unlike the Cub Scouts, we don't need a parent for each boy when we go camping and hiking but if they would like to come along they are certainly welcome and we will put them to work. Except for a very few special events, younger siblings will not accompany us on outdoor activities. We will also need drivers for many events and if everyone volunteers once in a while no one person will have to volunteer all the time.

COMMUNICATIONS
We will have a long term calendar with plans up to a year in advance. Notice of events will be sent home with the boys at least 1 month prior to the event and they will be given weekly reminders at troop meetings. Permission slips will be handed out 1 week in advance with all the pertinent information that the parents need to know. In the event a meeting or event has to be canceled we will notify you as soon as we know.