1. Troop 102 New Parents Orientation

2. Agenda Mission Statement Methods of Scouting
Elements of a Boy led Troop
Cub/Boy Scout differences
Boy Scout Advancement
Parents Role
Service Projects
Money/Fundraising
Uniform Policy
Adult Leadership
Training
Supporting the Troop
Troop Policies
What Will Boys Do?
Troop Meetings

3. “Training boy leaders to run their troop is the Scoutmaster's most important job.”
“Train Scouts to do a job, then let them do it.”
“Never do anything a boy can do.”
“Every Scout deserves a trained leader.”
—Robert S. S. Baden-Powell

4. The principal focus is on the boys and in making it fun
Mission Statement
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Aims of Scouting – three specific objectives: character development, citizenship training & personal fitness.
The principal focus is on the
boys and in making it fun

5. Life Skills in a Values-Based Environment
Scouting is a values-based program with its own code of conduct. The Scout Oath and Law help instill the values of good conduct and honesty. A boy who spends one year in a Scout troop will learn lifetime skills. He will learn basic outdoor skills, self-reliance, and how to get along with others. Scouting will prepare him to live a more productive and fulfilling life.

6. Methods of Scouting
Ideals. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan define what it means to be a good scout and a good citizen.
Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in interacting in small groups which provides opportunities for leadership, teamwork and completion.
Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors which their skills are put to the test and developed to become more self-reliant.
Advancement. Boy Scouting program through rewarding achievement teaches important skills and builds self-reliance and self-confidence.
Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop.

7. Methods of Scouting (cont’d)
Personal Growth. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster, service projects, camping and leadership opportunities help each Boy Scout in his growth toward Scouting's aims.
Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. The uniform signifies Boy Scouting unity while allowing each boy to show his achievement.

8. What is a “boy-led” troop?
The BSA's definition is that “empowering boys to be leaders” is the core of Scouting.
A Boy Scout troop is a small democracy. With the Scoutmaster's direction, the boys are formed into patrols, plan the troop's program, and make it a reality.

9. Elements of a Boy-led troop
Scouts choose their activities during their Annual Planning Conference
Scouts run the Troop meeting
Scouts organize themselves during campouts and activities
CAUTION: Many activities will seem very disorganized and can possibly be made more efficient if an adult were doing it
The adult leaders role is to provide guidance for the scouts

10. Difference between Cub Scout and Boy Scout Advancement
A Boy Scout Troop is not structured like a Cub Pack
Boys have more responsibility
Planning, packing, setting up camp, cooking, activities
Scout is responsible for initiation of advancement
Parents cannot sign off. SM, ASM, or Troop Eagle Scouts and Instructors are the only persons in the troop that that can sign off.
Scouts & parents MUST understand this. Do not baby the boys. Let them fail once in awhile! Failure sometimes can be the best teacher.

11. Boy Scout Advancement Scouting Ranks Boy Scout Tenderfoot Second Class
First Class
Star
Life
Eagle
Tenderfoot
2nd Class
1st Class
Star
Life
Eagle
Requirements are in the book.
Each rank requires a Scoutmaster Conference and eventually a Board of Review (Committee).

12. Advancement The parent’s role is not to carry the scout
The parent’s role is to monitor, motivate, and support the scout

13. What to do in 1st Month? Earn Scout rank (p. 4) With patrol plan and
go on first campout
(This would be a good time
to open your camping merit
badge.)
Work on Tenderfoot
requirements #’s 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8. Or More!

14. Merit Badges
Scout advancement lets you move ahead in your own way and at your own speed. There are 121 merit badges to choose from.
Decide on which badge to earn
Get a signed merit badge application (blue forms?) and the name of a qualified counselor for that merit badge from your Scoutmaster
Along with another Scout, a relative, or a friend, set up and attend your fist appointment with the merit badge counselor who will explain requirements and help you plan ways to fulfill them.
Complete requirements.

15. Parent Responsibilities Monitor Progress
To monitor, you have to understand what is required.
Your Assignment:
Read Chapters 1 and 3 of the Boy Scout Handbook
Track his progress

16. Parent Responsibilities Be Encouraging
For Tenderfoot, most items are taught by older scouts and Adult leaders. But they can get stuck.
Your Assignment:
Encourage working on the fitness requirement - especially pull ups!
Help him memorize Scout Oath, Scout Law

17. Parent Responsibilities Be Supportive
There are some things that the scout cannot do without help
Your Assignment:
Select camping gear
Help him get to troop meetings and functions
Prepare for Summer Camp

18. Service Projects
Our scouts are encouraged to participate in service projects. The purpose of this activity is to build a sense of community.
“One influences community by being involved”
The Troop will participate in various service projects. Service projects include Eagle projects for Scouts in our Troop as well as District, Council, and community sponsored events.

19. All About Money/Fundraising
The troop is operated through a combination of dues and fundraising activities.
Dues are $?? per year.
The primary fundraiser for the Troop is participation in the annual Boy Scout popcorn sale.
Most campouts and troop activities are based on a “pay as you go” fashion
Primary costs for most of the activities are: food, campground fee and gas
Fundraising is encouraged not discouraged: a scout is thrifty!

20. Stuff Scouts Need Uniform Boy Scout Handbook Camping Equipment
Shoulder Loops
Pensacola Bay Council Patch
World Brotherhood Patch
Troop Numerals
Boy Scout Handbook
Camping Equipment

21. Uniform Policy
All Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to wear the full Scout uniform. While that might not be possible for all Scouts, Troop 102 has identified the minimum uniform elements for each Scout:
Shirt (required) – All Scouts are expected the official Boy Scout shirt during meetings and appropriate outing, including while traveling to/from all Scouting activities.
Belt (required) – Any official Scout belt (web, Philmont, Order of the Arrow, etc) may be worn.

22. Uniform Policy (cont’d)
Insignia – All insignias that are worn will be worn in the correct position. (required) The troop number (102), council patch, patrol patch, patrol/troop position patch, and current rank patch. (optional) Year pins, activity patches.
Troop 102 Activity T-shirt – The Troop t-shirt will be worn in lieu of the official scout shirt for designated activities and during summer months.
Scout Pants – (preferred, but not required)

23. Troop Policies
Troop 102 policy is governed by our Troop By-Laws which are based on Boy Scout of America policy
Safety is top-most concern for all Boy Scout activity
The Scout Oath and Law are the RULES of the Troop

24. Expectations Good Attendance Proper Uniform Bring Scout Handbook
Remember Chain of command
Buddy System
Watch each others’ backs
Respect PL, SPL, and each other
Work together and follow directions
Do your part

25. What Will Boys Do? Plan and Run Meetings Annual Planning
Plan and Do Outdoor activities
Public Service Activities
Camporees / Scout-o-Ramas / District Events
Summer Camp
High Adventure Camps (Offered by District at different times)
Florida Sea Base – snorkeling, SCUBA, boating, and beach camping
Northern Tier - canoeing, hiking, fishing, and winter camping in and around the beautiful lakes of northern Minnesota and southern Canada
Philmont Scout Ranch – hiking in mountains of New Mexico

26. Troop Meetings Every Monday, 6:30 – 8:00pm Uniforms look good!
At GB CLC (Community Life Center) on 98
Except holidays, or some school breaks
Uniforms look good!
Organized by PLC
Meeting Activities can included
Preparing for campouts, trips, activities, etc.
Board of Reviews
Fun activities
Merit badge work, not often

27. Supporting the Troop
The boys have nothing to run if there is no parent support – they lack the life experience that we have. They need our help to coach them and guide them – not delegate (micro manage).
The troop needs help in many forms – driving to outings, summer camp planning, advancement, etc. Join the Committee if you do not have the desire and/or time to be an ASM.
Start with adult leader training – it helps you, your son, and the troop
Scouts are more likely to succeed and stay in the program long term if they have a parent involved!

28. Adult Leadership Scoutmaster
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster works directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster’s job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop.
The Scoutmaster is responsible for training boys to be Troop leaders, working with and through other responsible adults (Assistant Scoutmasters) to bring Scouting to the boys, helping the boys grow into good Scouts and responsible citizens, and interfacing with the Troop Committee to ensure that the necessary resources are available to ensure a good Scout program is provided to the boys.

29. Adult Leadership Troop Committee
The Troop Committee is a group of parents and adults interested in the general welfare and operation of the Troop. The Committee is responsible for seeing that the necessary resources are made available to support the Scouts as necessary. These resources include record keeping, adult recruiting, boards of review, transportation, and more. Specific Committee positions include:
Committee Chair, Membership, Secretary, Newsletter, Merit Badge Coordinator, Life-to-Eagle Coordinator, Advancement, Quartermaster, Training, Transportation, Medical Records, and Treasurer (as well as the Chartered Organization Representative and the Scoutmaster).

30. Training Scouts Committee / Parents
Orientation campout in Spring for new Scouts (tentative)
Troop Leader Training provided to troop leadership after every election
Committee / Parents
Youth Protection – every 2 years
District Adult Leader training offered spring/fall
Boy Scout Roundtable Meetings
Wood Badge
Philmont

31. Training Parents / Scouts Leaders Should be Trained 2-Deep Leadership
How to Protect You Children from Child Abuse
First section in Scout Handbook
Leaders Should be Trained
Youth Protection
Scouting Fundamentals
BSA Policies & Procedures
Creates linkages to immense reserve of resources
2-Deep Leadership

32. Resources BSA National Web Site - http://www.scouting.org/
Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan -
Fact Sheets -
Youth Protection -
Eagle Scout  -
Forms -
Knots -

33. Troop Leader Intros Scoutmaster – Committee Chair – Secretary –
Treasurer –
Advancement –
Eagle Advancement –
Camping –
Merit Badge Coordinator –