Troop 496 New Parent Orientation March 2017 History

Troop 496 New Parent Orientation March 2017

History of Scouting • Beginning of Scouting Movement • Started by Robert Baden-Powell during the Boer War as a series of games and exercises to help men learn to live in the open. • Lord Baden-Powell conducted his first Boy Scout camp on Brownsea Island in 1907, and his book “Scouting for Boys: was published in 1908. • In England, Boy Scouts formally started on 24 Jan 1908 • History of Scouting in the USA • YMCA had been running camps for boys since 1884 in the US • In 1902 Ernest Thompson Seton founded the Tribe of Woodcraft Indians as a boy’s organization. Three years later Daniel Carter Beard started a similar society called the Sons of Daniel Boone. • 8 Feb 1910, William Boyce, inspired by an unknown Scout in London incorporated the BSA working with the YMCA and Seton. • In 1910, Seton combined “Scouting for Boys” and Woodcraft Manual to publish the first BSA Handbook Boy Scouts of America celebrated 100 years of scouting in 2010

BSA Organizational Overview • The Scout Organization • National Council of Boy Scouts • Region Local Council • Greater St. Louis Area Council • District • New Horizons District • Chartered Organization • Mason Ridge Elementary School PTO • Scout Leadership • Current SPL (Senior Patrol Leader) – Kenny Hohlt • Troop • Current Scoutmaster – Chris Craft • Troop Committee • Current Committee Chair – Cynthia Pavelka

Overview of Troop 496 • Boy Scout Troop 496 was chartered in 1959 • Chartered through Mason Ridge Elementary School PTO • Within the BSA Greater St. Louis Area Council – New Horizons District • Focus is on developing character and leadership through a “Scout-led” program • Emphasis is on outdoor FUN! http: //troop 496. weebly. com/

Troop Organization • Scouts – Boys from 5 th – 12 th grade (10 -18 years old) • Senior Patrol Leader/Assistant SPL/Patrol Leader • Scouters – Registered adult volunteers. • Take Youth Protection Training (YPT) every 2 years • Troop Committee – Registered adult volunteers who support the scoutmaster to deliver a quality program and handle troop administration • Members: Chairman/Treasurer/Advancement/Equipment/Outdoor/High Adventure/etc. • Take YPT every 2 years plus take committee member training • Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters – Registered adult volunteers • Additional BSA Adult Leader Training required • Take YPT

Scout Oath and Law Scout Oath (or Promise) 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 Law A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Scout Motto Be Prepared. Scout Slogan Do a good turn daily.

Troop 496 Scout Organization Troop 496 SPL and ASPLs Moose Patrol PL and APL Patrol members Viper Patrol PL and APL Patrol members Scorpion Patrol PL and APL Patrol members SPL – Senior Patrol Leader ASPL - Assistant SPL PL – Patrol Leader CM – Camp Master CMA – CM Advisor Troop Leadership Positions: SPL, ASPL, Troop Guides, Den Chief, Scribe, Chaplain, Librarian, Leave No Trace Guide, Order of the Arrow Representative Rotating Position- Camp Master: a Scout who volunteers to organize a troop activity. There is a CM for each outing and a CMA (adult volunteer) assigned to support the Scout.

2017 Leaders • • • • Senior Patrol Leader: Kenny Hohlt Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Vaughan Goff Assistant Senior Patrol Leader: Ridge Gaddy Moose Patrol Leader: Luc La. Rocca Scorpions Patrol Leader: John Forsen Viper Patrol Leader: David Smith Troop Guide (New Scouts): Troop Guide (Older Scouts): Den Chief: Luc La. Rocca, Matt Gaeid, Tully Jay, David Smith, Ethan Mc. Leod Historian: Owen Jay Librarian: Fred Hageman Chaplain: Order of the Arrow Representative: Leave No Trace Guide:

Rank Advancement • • Scout Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life The Scout Handbook is used to keep track of rank advancement sign-off (logs of camping, service hours, Eagle merit badges, leadership, etc) and should be brought to meetings and outings. Have the Scout write their name in the book – DO NOT LOSE THE HANDBOOK! As the Scouts advance through the ranks they require service hours, camping days, holding leadership positions and merit badges.

Yearly Activities (Chosen by Scouts) • Camping Events • • Eagle Watching Cycling Challenge Course Pioneering Kit Skills Outing Fall/Spring Camporee – Council wide Cabin campout with the Webelos II Fishing at Gulick’s Farm • Winter Backpacking • Shooting • • Rifle Shotgun • Summer Camp • 2017 San Isabel, CO • 2016 S-F, MO • 2015 Camp Powhatan, VA • President’s Day Weekend Family Outing • • • 2017 Dayton, OH – Wright Patterson AFB 2016 Chicago – Sears/Hancock, Museums 2015 Springfield, MO –Pea Ridge Battlefield 2014 Springfield, IL – Lincoln Sites 2013 Shiloh, TN – Shiloh Battlefield 2012 Mammoth Caves/Lincoln Sites • • • Mason Ridge Trail Cleanup Scouting For Food Memorial Day Flags at Jewish cemetery • • • Philmont – backpacking (2016) Northern Tier – canoeing (2014) Sea Base – Sailing (2015) • Hiking • Service Projects • High Adventure • 2017 National Jamboree – Summit

Meetings • Troop Meetings • Twice monthly on Mondays from 7 -8 pm in the Mason Ridge • Please wear Class A uniform. Always bring BSA handbook for rank advancement sign-off. • PLC – Patrol Leadership Council Meetings • Scout Leaders meet to discuss upcoming events • Sunday or Monday Evenings (Led by SPL) • Court of Honor Ceremonies • September/December/March/May in Mason Ridge Ramsey Room • Merit badge, rank advancement, special achievement award presentation • Troop Committee Meetings • Once a month, usually the 2 nd Sunday of the month at 7 pm at the Committee Chairman’s house • Adult volunteers only, no scouts • All parents are welcome! Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend all meetings and events!

Uniform • Class A • • • Uniform shirt Neckerchief and slide (Troop provided) Scout pants (zip-off convertible version is very versatile) Scout socks Merit badge sash Scout hat (optional) • Class B • Troop 496 T-shirts ($20 for Sale by 496 – See Mr. Craft) • Insignia placement: http: //www. scoutstuff. org/media/content/docs/pdfs/34283. pdf • West County Scout Shop is next to Trader Joes • 13347 Manchester Rd, Saint Louis, MO 63131 · (314) 984 -0014 • M-F 10 am-7 pm • Sat 9 am-5 pm

136 Merit Badges • Merit Badges: Opportunity to Learn Skills and Gain Knowledge • Eagle Required Badges: Earn a specific number of badges for Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. Eagle rank requires completion of at least 21 BSA merit badges, 13 of which are required • How to: • Choose Subject • Find and Meet with Merit Badge Counselor • Start Learning • Meet Requirements • Show Work to Counselor • Earn Badge • Use Scout Buddy System • Merit Badge Counselors: List found on Council website, In Troop • When and Where: Skill Centers, Summer Camp & Troop Activities

Documents to Save • Keep Rank Advancement and completed Merit Badge cards in a safe place! The originals are turned in with the completed Eagle Application. • A 4”x 6” index card box or 4”x 6” photo album with sleeves work well to hold rank advancement and merit badge cards. • BSA Handbook contains rank advancement logs and signed and dated achievements towards advancement.

Membership Information • Application for both scout and parents: • http: //stlbsa. org/about/scouting-resources/ • BSA Medical Forms • Parts A and B required for all activities • Part C also required for events over 72 hours or high adventure • http: //stlbsa. org/about/scouting-resources/ • Dues • Scout - $125/year • Scouter – Paid for by Troop 496 • Covers BSA registration, insurance, Boys Life and some Troop 496 expenditures

Communications • Troop Information: New System Coming Need Volunteer • Roster Information • Advancement Tracking • Meeting & Event Notices • Troop Website and Schedule: • http: //troop 496. weebly. com/ • Meeting & Events via Google Calendar on posted on website • Meeting & events notices are sent via e-mail

Camping • Medical forms travel with the troop so please keep the forms up-to -date • Medications • Bring in container with pharmacy label • Medications should be left with an adult (both Rx and OTC) with the exception of items such as emergency inhalers or Epi-Pens, etc. but an adult should be notified that the Scout has those items. • Diets/Allergies • Scout should remind adults and patrol leader that there could be dietary restrictions. • Advancement and requirements met at campouts • Scoutmaster conference • Board of Review • Keep track of total number and sequential nights

Contact Information • Matt Smith and Joe Britt are the Assistant Scout Masters for the new scouts. • Matt 314 -496 -4038 brucats@sbcglobal. net • Joe 314 -578 -9024 Joe. Britt@yahoo. com • Committee Chair: Cynthia Pavelka • 314 -691 -4521 cpavelka@swbell. net • Scoutmaster: • Chris Craft 314 -308 -6125 christian_craft_sr@yahoo. com • Patrick Jay jay_p@wustl. edu http: //troop 496. weebly. com/

Useful Links • Troop Website: http: //troop 496. weebly. com/ • BSA website: http: //www. scouting. org/ • Greater St. Louis Area Council: http: //stlbsa. org/ • New Horizons District: http: //stlbsa. org/newhorizons/ • Scout Shop http: //stlbsa. org/about/scout-shops/ • Resources and Links: http: //stlbsa. org/about/scouting-resources/ • New Parent Orientation: https: //stlbsa. org/frequently-asked-questions/ • Merit Badge Information and worksheets: http: //meritbadge. org/wiki/index. php/Merit_Badges • Uniform: http: //www. scoutstuff. org/media/content/docs/pdfs/34283. pdf

Adult Volunteer Positions • Troop Committee Positions The Troop Committee handles all back-office functions of the Boy Scout Troop, including any functions that cannot be handled by the youth. The Scouts (not adults) are the true LEADERS of the Troop, and the Committee exists to guide and facilitate. Our Troop Committee is comprised of the following positions: • • • Committee Chair Secretary & Web Master Chartered Organization Rep Troop/Pack Liaison Treasurer Advancement Chair Equipment Coordinator Outdoor Activities & Program Membership & Training Fundraising Chair http: //troop 496. weebly. com/troop-committee. html

Adult Volunteer Positions (cont. ) • Adult Leaders • Assistant Scout Masters • Patrol Advisors • Life to Eagle Mentors • Camp Master Advisors For each event, the Camp Master Advisor provides advice and guidance to the Scout who is serving as the Camp Master and leading the event. The Camp Master Advisor performs all duties that must be handled by an adult, including arranging permits and reservations, arranging for payment of fees, coordinating transportation and ensuring 2 -deep leadership for the event. • Merit Badge Counselor: Choose area of expertise or interest; Eagle Rank required badges especially needed.

Training • Required training for all Scouters (adult volunteers) • Youth Protection Training (YPT) – every 2 years. Online at https: //my. scouting. org/ • Additional training required depending on troop role or event: • Adult Leader Training • Committee Member • Pioneer kit, Challenge Course, Rock Climbing, Shooting instructors • First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, Safety Afloat, Weather, etc. Trained Leaders are needed!

Adult Leader Training (ALS): • • • Indoor Training Learning the Troop Method Outdoor Activities & Skills New Horizon District – Spring & Fall Courses Indoor Meeting: Monday April 17, 6: 00 PM - 9: 30 PM Outdoor Weekend: May 5 thru May 7 Trained Leaders are needed!

Troop 496 • • Preparing For Life Led by the Scouts Building and developing Character Learning life skills • Exciting outdoor experiences • In a fun and safe environment Scout Law A Scout is – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

SISR 2017 Troop Summer Camp San Isabel Scout Ranch, CO: • Dates: June 23 rd – July 2, 2017 • Highlights: SE Colorado Scout Camp, 6, 000 ft. elevation, alpine setting, 38 merit badges, Dining Hall, Whitewater Rafting, OA Callout • Baden-Powell Program: First Year Scout program designed to work on Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks. • Transportation: Train and/or Vans • Estimated Costs: $50 Deposit, ~$650 - $750 + spending $ A Spot Has Been Reserved for your Scout! • Checks Payable to: Troop 496