Boy Scouts of America Troop 346 Welcomes New Scout Parents to Troop Orientation “Building Leaders Since 1970”

Troop 346 Welcomes You!

Troop Resources Troop Handbook – online at website Troop Website – User name = “Troop346”, PW = “camping” User name = “Troop346”, PW = “camping” Troop list Monthly Parent Meetings Each Other

Other Resources

Boy Run Program Boy Run Program Camping Camping Advancement Advancement Strong Parent Participation Strong Parent Participation Troop 346 Four main areas of emphasis:

Boy Scouts – A Boy-Run Program Program Planned and Run by Scouts As Scouts advance, they assume more responsibility As Scouts advance, they assume more responsibility Allowed to learn from mistakes Allowed to learn from mistakes Adult Leaders & Parents support the scouts, but “don’t do it for them” Adult Leaders & Parents support the scouts, but “don’t do it for them” “Never do for a Scout what a Scout can do for himself” Boys Organized by Patrols of 6-10 Scouts Probably Two New Scout Patrols this year Probably Two New Scout Patrols this year Patrol Guide(s) assigned to guide new scouts Patrol Guide(s) assigned to guide new scouts Scouts will usually tent and eat by Patrol Scouts will usually tent and eat by Patrol "The patrol system leads each boy to see that he has some individual responsibility for the good of his patrol” Sir Robert Baden-Powell

Charter Organization Institutional Head Charter Organization Rep Troop Organization BSA National - Northern Star Council - Mustang District Troop Committee - Chair Advancement Treasurer …Other committees Scoutmaster Assistant Scoutmasters Troop Leadership – Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Asst. SPLs, Quarter Master, Librarian, Scribe, Historian, Chaplin’s Aide, Instructors, Troop Guides… Patrol Leader Asst. Patrol Leader & Patrol Members Patrol Leader Asst. Patrol Leader & Patrol Members Patrol Leader Asst. Patrol Leader & Patrol Members … Adults Scouts

Uniform Scouts wear uniform for all scouting events Troop provides: Neckerchief & slide, “346”, Shoulder Loops, Patrol Patch, & Handbook Also Merit Badge & Rank Patches when earned Also Merit Badge & Rank Patches when earned Acquiring Uniforms Uniforms available for sale at scout shops Uniforms available for sale at scout shops Northern Star Council runs periodic uniform exchanges (see their website). Northern Star Council runs periodic uniform exchanges (see their website). Troop 346 has some uniform pieces in limited sizes and quantities (mostly pants) Troop 346 has some uniform pieces in limited sizes and quantities (mostly pants) "The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all differences of class and country.“ Sir Robert Baden-Powell

Official Uniform (Class A) BSA Shirt with shoulder loops and appropriate patches Troop 346 BSA Blue Scarf with some type of scarf slide Leadership Patrol may substitute a Bolo for the scarf Leadership Patrol may substitute a Bolo for the scarf Boy Scout Belt Web belt or Boy Scout leather belt Web belt or Boy Scout leather belt Dark socks Official BSA green socks if wearing shorts Official BSA green socks if wearing shorts Pants must either be green or khaki in color Not blue jeans, track pants, or sweat pants Not blue jeans, track pants, or sweat pants Uniforms required for most Meetings, Scoutmaster Conferences, Boards of Review, Courts of Honor Un-official Class B Uniform is Blue Troop 346 T-Shirt Typically worn when working or camping Typically worn when working or camping

Equipment Scouts need sleeping bag & eating utensils Troop provides most non-personal items Troop provides most non-personal items Use checklists for packing Take your time buying other equipment Borrow, Borrow, Shop sales, Shop sales, Ask around for suggestions Ask around for suggestions Label EVERYTHING

Financial Scouts re-charter each year in December; $15 in 2011 $15 in $12 for Boys Life +$12 for Boys Life +$50 per year from Wreath Sales Financial Assistance available Additional fees collected during the year for camping fees, food, & other expenses. Everything can be covered by fundraising opportunities.

Scout Accounts Profit from fundraisers deposited into individual “Scout Troop Accounts” Troop Account can be used for any Scout Expenses; equipment or campouts Troop Fundraising Opportunities Flower Sales – early Spring Flower Sales – early Spring Minnetonka Summerfest Concessions Minnetonka Summerfest Concessions Wreath Sales – late fall Wreath Sales – late fall Other opportunities may be offered Other opportunities may be offered

Scout Participation Important Troop encourages active, involved, boys Well rounded scouts routinely participate in: School Work School Work Family Activities Family Activities Church Activities Church Activities Sports & Other Youth Activities Sports & Other Youth Activities Troop meetings not usually mandatory However: Involvement = Advancement

Scout Advancement Requires Scout Initiative (With adult encouragement) (With adult encouragement) Scout advances at his own pace Scout works on requirements Scout has requirements signed off Often by an older Scout Often by an older Scout Scout Schedules a Scoutmaster Conference & Board of Review “Scouting is a game with a purpose.” Sir Robert Baden-Powell

Scout Ranks Skill Ranks [Scout] [Scout] Tenderfoot Tenderfoot Second Class Second Class First Class First Class Leadership Ranks Star Scout Star Scout Life Scout Life Scout Eagle Eagle Eagle Eagle

Rank Advancement Process Do the work or demonstrate skill Have the requirement signed off Scoutmaster Conference Board of Review Court of Honor

Do Work & Get Signed Off

Scoutmaster Conference & Board of Review

Court of Honor

Troop Meetings One or Two Troop Meetings a month One usually includes next campout prep One usually includes next campout prep Monthly Troop Leadership (TLC) meeting Scouts with Leadership Positions Scouts with Leadership Positions Scouts in charge of last & next two events Scouts in charge of last & next two events Three Courts of Honor a year Fall, Winter, Spring Fall, Winter, Spring Everyone Everyone Occasional Troop Service Projects Monthly Patrol Meetings suggested

Adult Meetings One Parent Committee Meeting a Month One District Roundtable per Month September - June September - June Scoutmaster Roundtable After Scout TLC meeting After Scout TLC meeting Annual Calendar meeting (volunteer!) Usually in July Usually in July Adult Training available: Classes & Online

Camping Troop 346 puts the “Outing” in Scouting Troop 346 tries to “camp” once a month Includes Old Favorites & New Opportunities “A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” Sir Robert Baden-Powell

Canoe Campout

Hiking Campout

Biking Campout

Gun Safety Campout

Shelter Campout

Cabin Campout

Ski Campout

Other Winter Activities

New Scout Campout – April At Camp Sacajawea in Apple Valley Meet Friday at church, probably 5:00 pm Scouts should eat dinner before coming Scouts should eat dinner before coming Probably trailer packing on Thursday evening Probably trailer packing on Thursday evening Set up Camp Scout camp by Patrols Scout camp by Patrols New Scouts have a Patrol Guide & Mentors to help them set up camp & cook New Scouts have a Patrol Guide & Mentors to help them set up camp & cook Have Cracker Barrel (Snacks) & Campfire Sleep overnight in tents

New Scout Campout - Saturday Scouts rise & shine Prepare breakfast & cleanup New Scouts attend “classes” Learn many Scout & Tenderfoot rank skills Lunch More Demos Prepare for…..

Scout & Family Pig Roast

New Scout Campout - Sunday Scouts rise & shine Prepare breakfast & cleanup Pack everything up Back to the church before noon

May & June Activities May 2: Spring Court of Honor May 21-22: Farm Campout June 3-5: Ripley Rendezvous June 11-12: White Water Rafting campout June 20: Bowling Meeting June 25: Summerfest Concession Fundraiser

Many Point Scout Camp July (Week 1)

Many Point – Sunday Morning Meet at church and travel by school bus Stop in Park Rapids for lunch

Many Point Scout Camp NW of Park Rapids Voyager Camp Area Fort William & Two Harbors Campsites first week (Ft. Bill only 2 nd week)

Set Up & Swim Qualification

Sleeping at Many Point Scouts sleep in Many Point wall tents Two scouts to a tent, Two scouts to a tent, Scouts sleep on cots Scouts sleep on cots NEED mosquito netting NEED mosquito netting Tents grouped into patrols

Eating & Cooking at Many Point

Many Point – First Year First Year Scouts attend one week July 24 – 30 this year July 24 – 30 this year Older scouts have option of second week Older scouts have option of second week First Year Scouts camp with their First Year Scout Patrol First Year Scout Patrols are assigned a Patrol Guide to help them function

Monday – Friday Typical Day 6:15 amReveille 6:15-8:15 amPersonal Prep., Breakfast, & Cleanup 8:15-8:30 amTroop Assembly, Flag Ceremony, & Announcements 8:30-8:45 amCamp Assembly & Announcements 8:45-11:20 amMerit Badge Class & First Class Adventure 11:20-1:00 pmLunch & Cleanup 1:00-4:00 pmTROOP ACTIVITIES 4:00-5:00 pmFirst Class Aquatics 5:00-7:00 pmDinner & Cleanup 7:00-9:00 pmFree Time for Activities

Free Time Activities

Saturday – Pack & Leave

QUESTIONS?