1. Transitioning from Webelos to BSA Troop 43
What you need to know !!
What questions you need to ask !!
Scoutmaster Brian Rodgers can be
Called at
(cell)
5/6/2019
BSA Troop 43

2. Meeting Location, Nights, And Time
Troop 43 meets at 7 pm on Monday Nights at Columbine Hills Church located at:
9700 Old Coal Mine Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80123
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BSA Troop 43

3. Joining Requirements and Fees
Arrow of Light, or
11 years old, or
Completed 5th Grade
Troop 43 annual fees last year were $75 per year. Can be paid all at once or split in two payments
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BSA Troop 43

4. Shift in Program Emphasis
Cub Scouts = Adult lead/run
Boy Scouts = Boy lead/run
Note: With guidance from trained adults
Even though Troop 43 meets at Columbine Hills Church, the Troop is non-denomonational. We have families from as many diverse backgrounds as West Jefferson County offers
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BSA Troop 43

5. More than just Camping Increase in Self-confidence
Life long skills and interests
Ability to make moral decisions
Strong ethical standards
Leadership & Communication skills
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BSA Troop 43

6. Aims of the Scouting Program
Building Strong Moral Character- the boys growth in moral decision making
Encouraging Participating Citizenship – the boys relationship to others, society, and government
Helping boys grow – in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness
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BSA Troop 43

7. Methods of the Scouting Program
Ideals- Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan
Patrols- Group & Team learning and goals, and participating citizenship
Outdoors- Is where it all happens
Advancement- A series of surmountable challenges, support by training
Leadership Development- Learn, practice, make mistakes, learn
Adult Association- Learning by example
Personal Growth- Personal goal setting
Uniform- Creates a positive image/identity
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BSA Troop 43

8. Ideals of Scouting
Scout Law – A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Oath – On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Motto – Be prepared.
Scout Slogan – Do a good Turn Daily.
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BSA Troop 43

9. Patrols – Troop 43 currently has two patrols grouped by age
Patrols – Troop 43 currently has two patrols grouped by age. Our older scouts being the High Adventure or Venturing Patrol.
Patrols
Size (6-8 ideal, may be up to 10)
New Scout Patrols
(with older scouts as guides)
Mixed Age Patrols (benefits and issues)
Troop Size (small) (benefits and issues)
Troop 43 Demographics (11-17 yrs)
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BSA Troop 43

10. Patrols participating citizenship
Patrol flag, yell and name
Patrol Leaders are elected (by patrol members)
Boy lead (Patrol Leader, Asst. Patrol Leader Troop Guide, many leadership positions)
Representation on the Patrol Leaders Council (plans annual/monthly troop program)
Patrol Leaders responsibilities (representation, communication, leadership)
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BSA Troop 43

11. Outdoor Program / Activities - Activity Fees range from $20-$35 per event.
Monthly Campouts- variety (tailgate vs non tailgate, one per month/6-7 per year)
Summer Camp- (Peacefull Valley- Camp Chris Dobbins; Others have been tried, this is most complete for the younger scouts. This is a week long event costing around $230)
Balanced Program- (based on age of Scouts)
High Adventure-and Venturing Patrol (High Adventure Summer Camp every year for the older scouts usually at least 1st class or 13 years old, but the requirements can vary. Cost can range from $300 to $2500 depending upon the outing.)
Family involvement- (family campouts one per year, but families always welcome on all campouts) Boy Scouts is a family based program. We welcome your ideas and help.
Scoutmaster in Charge- (adult leader delegation)
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BSA Troop 43

12. Leadership - is the troop boy lead ?
Types of Leadership Positions- (Patrol Leaders, Quartermasters, Instructors, Scribes, Historians, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Den Chiefs, and Troop Guides)
Scouts are usually trained either before they get a leadership position or once they are elected to the position.
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BSA Troop 43

13. Advancement - is it integrated into the program?
Scout Ranks
(Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, Eagle, Palms bronze, gold, and silver)
(Look at roster by patrol, is rank appropriate by age?)
Scout Skills to 1st Class
Who teaches skills (older scouts and adults if required)
Who signs off for advancement – older scouts 1st Class and up, then verified at the Scoutmaster Conference
Last year’s Webelos should be 1st Class after 1 year
Merit Badges
(Over 130 badges; Troop 43 has Adult Counselors for all Eagle required merit badges plus numerous others)
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BSA Troop 43

14. Advancement - continued
Leadership Positions- satisfactory performance?
Community Service – various hours by rank
Scoutmasters Conferences and Boards of Review – Scoutmaster Conferences happen as the boys are ready, with Boards of Review the following week to approve advancement.
Eagle Scouts- average age 16, 6-7 per year with most still active.
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BSA Troop 43

15. Retention
What is the Troop retention rate –100% of last years Webelos are still active with a 75% retention each year for older Scouts?
The older scouts provide the leadership.
Troop 43 encourages outside activities such as those for school, and sports.
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BSA Troop 43

16. Meetings – who runs them?
Patrol Meetings - Patrol meetings can occur any time, any where with adult supervision, based on events/activities
Troop Meetings- Remember Boy Run
Every Monday at 7:00 pm at:
Columbine Hills Church
9700 Old Coal Mine Avenue Littleton, Colorado 80123
type of meetings –
advancement, campout prep, program meetings, training, elections, Court of Honor, annual planning meeting, Patrol Leader Council (PLC) meeting
All run by Senior Patrol Leader
Committee Meetings – All Parents encouraged to attend.
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BSA Troop 43

17. Leadership Development - what is the Troops policies for training ?
Junior Leadership Training – troop level, - the job of the Scoutmaster is to train/coach boy in leadership skills ?
Bighorn participation – a one week advanced leadership training at the Council level – Troop Provides full scholarship for three-five scouts each year
Adult Training- Troop encourages and recommends adult training.
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BSA Troop 43

18. Adult Association - are the adults good examples for the boys?
Scoutmaster – Scouts on the whole can at anytime freely interact with the Scoutmaster.
Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs) Troop 43 has at least seven with one assigned to the New Scout Patrol. ASM responsibilities vary as they support the boys and scoutmaster.
Committee Member jobs- transportation, reservations, merit badge counselors, committee, treasurer, secretary, and others
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BSA Troop 43

19. Adult Association – Adults helping as committee, ASM, SM, or just helping are known as Scouters
Monthly Committee meetings –parent participation is encouraged, consider visiting a Committee meeting before joining. These usually happen during the Troop Meetings
Organized – We think we are fairly organized, but let us know what you think.
Policies –All Troop Committee polices conform to BSA policies.
Note this is strictly a voluntary organization. The quality of the program depends upon the amount of volunteering that occurs.
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BSA Troop 43

20. Uniform
Types of Uniforms – Field Uniform (Scout Shirt) and Class B (BSA t-shirt or Troop 43 t-shirt) Troop 43 t-shirts $9.00.
Do most of the boys/adults wear uniforms? Most wear the Field Uniform or Troop 43 t-shirt.
Does the Troop have uniform rules or policies? Yes, Field Uniform must be worn the 1st meeting of the month, at Courts of Honor, and for rank advancement.
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BSA Troop 43

21. Outside View - if you need more information who can you call ?
Call your District Executive
Call your Unit Commissioner
Call the Scoutmaster
Call a few parents – ask for a Troop roster
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BSA Troop 43

22. What are you looking for ? -joining a Troop is an individual decision
What do you want out of Scouting for your son? (values, skills, leadership, child care) (who makes decisions about your son’s future)
(the importance of keeping your son in scouting)?
What level of commitment are you willing to make to keep him in scouting? (parent involvement, belief in values, and support has a big influence on keeping your son in scouting)
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BSA Troop 43

23. What is your Webelos looking for ?
Fun?
Does he need a lot of attention or is he self motivated?
Does he have a goal ( grandfather, dad, or brother an Eagle Scout)?
Does he like only one or several types of outdoor activities?
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BSA Troop 43

24. Bottom line ! - usually boils down to just a few things
Night of Troop Meetings?
Conflicts with other activities?
Parents schedule and driving distances?
Troop Activities/Programs?
For Webelos, where the majority of the Den is going?
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BSA Troop 43

25. As your learning about Timberline’s many Boy Scout Troops, remember a boy can join or change troops at any time for any reason!
More questions are on the following pages. We too have asked these questions when finding a troop with our sons.
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BSA Troop 43

26. Questions you need to ask !
How many scouts are registered in the Troop ?
How many registered adults are there in the Troop ?
What night of the week does the Troop meet ?
What time do the meetings start ?
What time do the meetings end ?
How many Troop meetings are there a month ?
Are the boys kept busy ?
Are the meetings FUN ?
Is there discipline during the meetings ?
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BSA Troop 43

27. Questions you need to ask !
What are the Troop dues, fees, etc ?
What is the average Troop Campout fees ?
How are finances handled within the Troop ?
What equipment does the Troop provide ?
What equipment does the Scout need?
How are patrols organized, are they even-aged or mixed aged patrols ?
How many new scouts is the Troop expecting this year ?
What is the Troop’s average 1st year Scout retention rate ?
Does the Troop annual calendar represent a balanced yearlong program ?
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BSA Troop 43

28. Questions you need to ask !
What is the average percent of Scouts attending regular meetings ?
What is the average percent of Scouts attending monthly campouts ?
What is the average percent of Scouts attending summer camp / high adventure ?
Are the activities the kind you/your son would enjoy ?
Who plans the annual program in this Troop ?
Does the plan allow for adult/parent input ?
Does the Troop Committee review and approve the annual program ?
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BSA Troop 43

29. Questions you need to ask !
Is the Troop boy run/lead ?
Are there enough older boys to provide leadership ?
How active are the older Scouts ?
How do the Scouts interact with each other ?
How do the older Scouts interact with the younger Scouts ?
Does the Troop have a uniform policy ?
Does it match your thoughts about wearing uniforms ?
Do the adult leaders were uniforms ?
Does the Troop demonstrate Scout Spirit ?
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BSA Troop 43

30. Questions you need to ask !
How many years in the last 5 years has the Troop earned Quality Unit ?
How is the Advancement Program integrated within the Troop meetings and campouts ?
How are the Scouts trained in leadership skills ?
How are the Scouts evaluated on their leadership skills ?
Are the adult leadership trained ?
How long has the Scoutmaster been the Scoutmaster ?
Are you comfortable with the adult leaders ?
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BSA Troop 43

31. Questions you need to ask ! - In summary
Overall, how well does the Troop deliver the Aims of Scouting ?
Overall, does this Troop provide what you want out of Scouting for your son ?
Overall, does this Troop provide what your son wants out of Scouting ?
Thank you for visiting Troop 43. Please let us know how we can help.
5/6/2019
BSA Troop 43