Welcome to Troop 571

The Gateway To Your Son’s

Greatest Outdoor Adventure

What is Different from Cub Scouts? Cub Scouts Boys Scouts

Adult driven Boy driven

Adults lead activities Boys lead activities

Parents are partners Parents step back & adult leaders mentor

Adults teach, boys learn Boys teach, boys learn

Parents select activities Boys select activities (Troop Calendar)

Parents lead Dens Boys lead Patrols (Patrol Leader - youth)

Parents lead the Pack Boys lead Troop (Sr. Patrol Leader - youth)

Minimal outdoor activities Focus on outdoor activities

Parents sign achievements Higher rank boys sign advancement (Star rank on up) then SM/ASM’s

n/a Scout then has both SMC & BOR

Boy Scouts • “Scouting” is mostly the word “OUTING”

• The outdoors is weighted heavily in the BSA program – see our Troop Calendar

• 1st Class – Focus on “Basic Life Skills”

• Boy-Led Troop is paramount

A Boy-Led Troop IS the BSA Program

Boy Scout Handbook What is in it?

• Rank descriptions and requirements

• Scout Skills – hiking, camping, cooking

• Service – first aid, citizenship

• Personal Development – self reliance, initiative, personal growth

• Adventure and Opportunity – camps, high adventure, awards, OA

• History of the BSA

Contains all of the basic information he needs

Troop Handbook Aims and Methods of Scouting

Troop Structure

Differences Boy/Cub Scouting

Troop Procedures

Meetings

Outings – calendar, forms

Advancement

Equipment – troop and personal

How you can get involved

Training

Contacts

Our Troop 571 Handbook also has additional information

Aims of Scouting

1) Citizenship

2) Mental and Physical Fitness

3) Moral & Character Development

1. The Ideals – Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan

2. Patrol Method

3. The Outdoors

4. Advancement

5. Association with Adults

6. Personal Growth

7. Leadership Development

8. The Uniform

Methods of Scouting

Troop Structure - Boys

• Patrols and Patrol Leaders

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL - Youth Troop Leader)

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs)

• Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)

• Leadership opportunities

– Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, Chaplain’s Aide, Librarian, Order of the Arrow Troop Representative, Den Chief, Instructor, Troop Guide, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster…

Troop Structure –

Adult Support • Scoutmaster (SM)

• Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs)

• Troop Committee & Chairman (TCOM)

• Multiple Volunteer Roles

Support committees (finance, service…)

Merit Badge Counselor

Court of Honor

Newsletter Editor…etc

Please ask us how you can help?

Expectations Boys

• Read YOUR Scout Handbook and make goals for yourself

• Read the Troop Handbook

• Attend meetings, bring Scout Handbook, wear appropriate uniform – per Troop Policy

• Be involved

• Have Patrol Meetings and Attend Troop Outings

• Attend Summer Camp

• Listen to the announcements, read and respond to e-mails when needed

• Be an advocate for yourself – ask for sign-offs, schedule SM Conferences and Boards of Review, speak up

Expectations - Adults

• Step back from teaching him, let the boys teach each other – YOUTH LEADERSHIP IS THE KEY TO A BOY-LED TROOP & THE BSA PROGRAM

• Help to set up a binder with your son for him to track his achievements (use card holders)

• Encourage him – To attend ALL meetings – To go on ALL outings – To advocate for himself – To do Patrol Outings with his Patrol – To stay engaged / involved

Expectations - Adults • Be informed

– Read and respond to e-mails

– Attend parent meetings

– Ask questions

– Visit the Website

– SM/ASM & TCOM Meetings are open to all of you

– Roundtables – 2nd Thurs of each month at Iss LDS

• Become involved behind the scenes – Many hands makes light work

– Look for opportunities to contribute, help out however you can

• Get TRAINED as an Adult Leader (ASM or TCOM) – It’s important that we all “walk the walk and talk the talk”

– It’ll be the most rewarding experience you do

– Become Mr., or Mrs., or Ms. LAST NAME on the outing, and not Dad or Mom

– Earn your Leaders Knot – which shows you are also advancing

• Teaches many skills applicable to business and Scouting

• 6-Day Course (over 2 weekends)

• Life Changing Skills

Advanced Training

Advancement • Requirements for each rank listed in Scout Handbook

• See: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards.aspx & the

current version of the BSA Requirements Book #34765 for the official requirements

• Sign off of requirements by Star and higher rank Scouts

• Demonstrate Scout Spirit

• Demonstrate leadership at 1st Class rank, and higher

• Have Scoutmaster Conferences

• Have Boards of Review

• Earn Merit Badges

• Attend All Courts of Honor

Our primary goal is to provide a program to get him to 1st Class

What is Available from Troop 571?

• “Scout Generated Calendar” from 571’s Bi-Annual Planning Meeting

• Active program with an outing each month

• Youth-Led Troop • Additional activities in the Troop

– District Events such as Camporee / Klondike / JOTA…

– Faith Emblems – Order Of The Arrow – Camp Staff

(Brinkley, Pigott…etc)

– Eagle’s Nest

• High Adventure Events and Requirements – Requirements For Scout & Scouter Attendance In The Troop Handbook

• Be an active member to participate – Based on rank, number of events attended, involvement – those that go above and beyond

• Troop and National High Adventure events

High Adventure in Troop 571

Troop Web Page http://Troop571.org

Troop 571 has a web page that is useful. It contains: Calendar Current Events Documents and Forms Training links High Adventure – Descriptions and

Recaps Order of the Arrow Information Life to Eagle – Info and Resources

Questions?