1. Getting Started with Troop 84
WELCOME
March 2017

2. Who Is Troop 84? Founded 1988 in San Ramon 90+ Scouts
Very active adult leadership program
Scoutmaster and 16 ASM’s
Many adult leaders were Cubmasters, Den Leaders, former Scoutmaster’s
Lots of opportunities for your son to have fun with personal growth, developing leadership, friendships, and self-confidence
Eagles:
Several per year, extensive Eagle program led by Mr. Perkins
99 Eagles since founding

3. Goals/Objectives For Boy Scouts
Goals and Objectives
Develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit through the Scout Law and Oath, and outdoor programs;
Self-reliance, initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; helpfulness, leadership
How is this different than Cub Scouts?
Dens versus Patrols (same as Cub Scouts)
Scout-led Troop
More autonomy. They choose and plan their activities, their leadership, and advancement pace.
Adult Leaders are not “leading/directing” but rather encouraging, supporting and ensuring safety/appropriateness.

4. How We Are Organized 1st Level: Scout is in Patrol
2nd Level: Led by Patrol Leader (elected by your son’s patrol every 6 months); Ass’t Patrol Leader
Troop Guides with Junior ASM
3rd Level: Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and his Ass’t Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL)
4th Level: Adult Leaders, specifically Scoutmaster (SM) and ASM’s
NOTE: Supporting the SM/ASM is the Troop Committee (parents that help make the administrative part of the Troop run, so SM/ASM can focus on the Scouting program, i.e., leadership, growth, etc.

5. Activities Planned for 2017.
Activities Planned for 2017
Calendar on our Website and YahooGroup
Activities planned by scouts twice a year
Some Important Upcoming Events
Pre-Camporee for new scout skills (April 1-2)
District Camporee (April 28-30)
Summer Camp – Camp Lassen (June 17-24); Camp John Mensinger (July 2-8)
Discuss benefit of attending…new skills, new adventures, rank advancement, bonding, etc.
RSVP & Deposit due Mar 28
Full Payment Due Apr 25
Cost – Lassen - $450; Mensinger - $430
BSA Medical forms parts A, B, C) due May 16
Service projects—COV cleanup, Eagle projects

6. Church of the Valley Cleanup
Our Troop’s “Give-Back” for the use of facilities.
Each scout is required to attend a minimum of one of the two cleanup events – Spring and Fall
Spring Cleanup – April 8 (~8AM – Noon)

7. Mistletoe—Our ONE Fundraiser
Generates $3K+ Revenues
Funds go to Troop:
Funds for Troop equipment for camping (list what we provide on trips)
Subsidize some troop outings (keep at $25-30 level usually)
Training for scouts (NYLT) and Adults (encourage you to become trained)
Schedule:
1st Friday in Dec—harvest (adults), cut/bag mistletoe (everyone)
2 weekends in December—offer bagged mistletoe to the public for a suggested donation at grocery stores, Starbucks, etc.
Requirements:
Participate in cutting/bagging mistletoe night (scout and parent)
Scouts—2 shifts at a table offering mistletoe
Parents—1 shift of supervising a table
What if you don’t attend?
Financial penalty
Lack of Scout Spirit---denied Scoutmaster/Board of Review for 6 months

8. What is your New Role? Attend Parent Meeting (usually 2nd Tuesday)
Communication: YahooGroup (signup) & website
Review and Understand Activities needed for Rank advancement
Encourage…not lead…Scout is in charge
Scout Rank: Discuss Youth Protection and sign
Take online Youth Protection course (~30 min); certificates to YPT Coordinator (Nina Valle)
Committee Roles, Merit Badge Counselor, Driver, ASM, Board of Reviews, etc.
Be Involved! If its important to you, it will be important to your son!

9. Advancement Goal: First Class in 12-18 months
Opportunities are provided
Scout determines pace by attendance and participation
Trailhead Tuesday - 2nd Tuesday of each month focuses on Scout skills… IMPORTANT!
Outings are fun and usually include a lot of opportunities to fulfill requirements
Advance Camp – 1 day Council event in September
Advancement Day – informal Troop event during winter break

10. Advancement Con’t 4 Steps of Advancement Learn Test Review Recognize
Examples of how Troop 84’s activities link to rank requirements (e.g. hiking)
Test
Who signs off rank requirement in handbook? Trained Scouts and ASM’s
Review
Record Review with Mrs Medlin
Scoutmaster Conference
Board of Review
Recognize
Court of Honor Ceremony (quarterly)

11. Tips for Advancement Post-it-Notes in handbook Organization
10 animals or 10 plants seen on hike. Keep track if unfinished on one hike
Non-Troop activities (Eagle projects, flag ceremonies, Service projects, etc.)
Organization
3-ring binder for MB Blue cards, Rank Advancement cards, Totin’ Chip, etc.
Baseball card page protectors
Will need for Eagle advancement

12. Advancement Traditions TraditionTraditionsAdvancement
Join:
Red Neckerchief & Green T-Shirt
Scout Rank:
Badge
Hand carved wooden slide

13. Rank Traditions - cont’d.
Tenderfoot:
Badge
2nd Class:
Blue Neckerchief
1st Class:

14. Rank Traditions - cont’d.
Star:
Blue neckerchief w/Yellow Trim
Badge
Life:
Blue neckerchief w/Red Trim
Eagle:
Red/White/Blue Neckerchief
Eagle slide

15. Uniform FULL Class A Uniform Class A Uniform
Shirt, Pants/Shorts+Socks, Belt, Neckerchief, Merit Badge sash
COH, Eagle Ceremony, Crossovers, Flag Ceremony, SM Conference/BoR
Class A Uniform
Troop Meetings: Shirts, Neckerchief
Driving to and from all outings
Class B Uniform - Green T-Shirts
Summer Troop meetings
Camping and weekend activities

16. Boy Scout UNIFORM Requirements:
Boy Scout Uniform Shirt (also referred to as Field or Class A uniform) (poplin or nylon versions)
Scout Crest emblem (purple fleur-de-lis patch)
Mr. Diablo Council patch (left shoulder)
Sash (recommend the longer one so you don’t have to re-sew patches on a longer one as they grow. You can purchase this later…when they earn their first merit badge).
Green shoulder loops
Troop numerals “Troop 84” (left shoulder) - PROVIDED
Patrol Patch (right shoulder) - PROVIDED
Scout pants with belt (long or short) (recommend convertible, shorts to pants…scouts like those!)
Scout socks (required only when he wears Scout shorts)
BSA Boy Scout Handbook
BSA Handbook Cover (optional, but highly recommended!!)

17. Equipment/Supplies Troop equipment provides: Scout personal equipment:
Durables: Tents, stoves, lanterns, cooking equipment
Consumables: Fuel, charcoal, etc.
Scout personal equipment:
Review equipment list (handout)
At first, don’t spend lots of money on items that they’ll grow out of.
Do buy quality on durable items.

18. QUESTIONS?