WELCOME!!!
On behalf of Troop 155 I would like to take this time to welcome you and your boy to the troop and briefly explain our program.
Advancement:
Rank:
Rank requirements are judged and approved by the scoutmaster, and/ or assistant scoutmaster. Rank is a gradual process to be achieved over time. This time being unique to each scout. The more active a scout is, the faster he can achieve the next rank. This includes attending camping trips and all extracurricular troop activities. Activities such as Scout Sunday, bake sales, community service, and fund-raisers. All of these activities could fulfill a rank requirement, depending on the activity, and the scout. As you go higher in rank the harder the requirements become. The harder the requirements become the more active the scout must be.
Merit Badges:
Merit Badges are reviewed and approved by council recognized counselors. Each counselor must have some expertise in the badge he/she is teaching. There are several means to earn a merit badge in scouting. The first is the most obvious, Summer Camp, an extremely helpful venue in earning merit badges. On average, a scout earns between 3-6 merit badges in one week at summer camp. The second is meetings. During the scouting year the troop tries to offer merit badges as part of our meetings. Which merit badges offered usually depends on which badge the bulk of the troop needs. Third, a scout can solicit the expertise of a counselor on an individual basis. The scout purchases a merit badge pamphlet, reads and understands the subject in question, completes the requirements and presents himself to the counselor for review.
Camping:
Locations:
Normal camping locations include: Scout Reservations, State Parks, Military Installations (i.e. Annapolis, U.S.S Massachusetts), and Family Campgrounds (i.e. Gettysburg National Battlefield, or Knoebels Grove Amusement Park). We also, on occasion, run a trip to the Appalachian Trail. The Trail is a more physically demanding trip than any of the others, and is always optional, as are all of our trips.
Transportation: In the past the troop could rely chiefly on the transportation of the leaders to get our scouts to their destinations. However in recent years our leader corp has decreased in number, thus leaving us to solicit transportation from the parents. It is very important that parents offer this service throughout the year, because without transportation there are no trips, and if a trip is canceled we cannot refund your money if food for the trip is already purchased.
Accommodations: During the summer, late spring, and early fall we normally camp in tents. However we may stay in tents during other seasons if the weather is mild. In the winter months we plan trips to places with cabins, mostly Scout Reservations.
Fees: All trips cost $25 regardless if the scout is cooking his own meal, or sleeping in his own tent. Some trips cost more than that per boy, and others cost less, but it all evens out in the end. All excess money is put into our treasury to be used in the event that your child’s $25 doesn’t cover his accommodations on a future trip. Camping fees are due 2 weeks prior to the trip.
Equipment: The troop typically supplies all general equipment needed for a trip, meaning, “troop items”. Pots, pans, wash tubs, water jugs, saws, axes, paper plates, utensils, cups, T.P., and of course tents, and shelters. The troop will not supply “personal items” such as toiletries, sleeping bags, backpacks, clothes, knives, canteens, and mess kits.
Required Equipment:
Each scout is required to have the following :
1) BackPack- a frame pack not a schoolbag!
2) Mess kit- pot, pan, and utensils.
3) Hiking Boots
4) Scout knife -not any longer than your hand, and not serrated, or hooked.
5) Canteen
6) Poncho or raincoat
7) Troop 155 t-shirt
8) Scout Book
9) Flashlight
10) Compass
11) First Aid Kit
12)Sleeping bag (0 degrees)
Program:
Camping trips traditionally consist of some type of scouting oriented program. Usually we try to have advancement opportunities on our trips, however depending on the weather and/or where we are camping this isn’t always possible. Most camping trips involve a hike and/or some type of game, and always a campfire with songs and skits.
General Information:
Parental Involvement:
Every parent is considered a volunteer, because a scout and scout troop cannot function without parental support. We ask that each parent volunteer their time as it may be needed.
Fees:
Yearly dues are collected in two installments of $35 per boy. One due in September, and the other in January. These fees include annual registration, the cost of reservations, and to repair or replace troop equipment. A boy is not permitted to go camping if his dues are not paid at the time of the trip.
Fundraising:
During the year there is a need to have fund-raises in order to pay for misc. items throughout the year (i.e. equipment, camping, court of awards, parties etc.). Some of these fund-raises include Joe Corbi’s Pizza Kits, Trails End Popcorn, candy bars, tupperware, etc.. Each scout will be required to sell so much. Although scouts are not permitted to go door to door unless in a group we still set a minimum for sales. Some parents decide to pick up the bill themselves, and others help their sons by taking the fund-raiser to their place of employment.
Contract:
Each scout and parent is required to read and agree to (verbally) a troop contract. This contract was created in order give order and hierarchy to disciplinary actions that may need to be taken against your son in the event he does something wrong. This way , as a leader, we have some type of standard for disciplining your child. And so your child knows from the beginning what the consequences are for certain actions, and what those actions are. And finally so you as a parent are reassured that the troop is run with some type of order and discipline.
Hazing:
Hazing is not tolerated in Troop 155. However “boys will be boys” and we as leaders cannot possibly see all that goes on when we are not around. Please report any hazing to us immediately so that we can take action against it and prevent it in the future.
Leadership:
As leaders, we have an open door policy. If you have any questions, comments, criticisms, or concerns please feel free to call us anytime.
Scoutmaster:
Don Wallace @ 215-533-9152
Assistant Scoutmasters:
Tom Rafter @ 215-612-2764 (Camping)
Douglass Robinson @ 215-632-3330 (Advancement)
Joseph Sydzlowski @ 215-824-3237 (Venturing Advisor)
Elisa Sydzlowski @ 215-824-3237 (Venturing Advisor)