BOY SCOUT TROUP 21

TROUP RULES & GUIDELIENS

Table of Contents

Troup Guidelines

Introduction

We are always happy to admit a new Scout into the brotherhood of the Boy Scouts of America and all that it has to offer.  We are anxious to add parents to our roster of talents to help the troop to achieve its increasing goals. 

The affiliation request of each new Scout gives us an opportunity to meet with the parents and exchange ideas and point out the basic concepts of the Boy Scouts of America.  We pledge to you to assist each Scout in developing self-awareness and improvement in individual and group skills.  We hope to guide desirable qualities of character and citizenship as well as physical fitness and knowledge of the world around him through the Advancement program.  The Scouting movement is dedicated to the proposition that boys really wish to respond to the best within them.

In turn, we ask the Scout’s parents continuing encouragement and appreciation of your son’s efforts as he advances in Scouting.  The trail is not easy, but for those who put forth the effort into it, the rewards will last a lifetime.  We also ask help with fund-raising and transportation.

Membership

Boy Scout Troop 21 is a limited roster organization.  A scout must be active in attendance and participation to remain in the troop and therefore advance in rank.  Membership dues are $52.00 per year payable no later than January 10 of each year for re-charter, or upon submitting a membership application for new Scouts.  This $52 fee is prorated for scouts joining after February 15.  The $52 fee covers the cost of the registration fee (paid by Troop 21 to the National Boy Scout Office), one year’s subscription to Boys Life, accident insurance, miscellaneous expenses for rank advancement and merit badges, certain awards each boy will earn and troop camping fees for some local camping trips and activities. We collect other fees as necessary to cover food, park or campsite fees, activity fees and other specific costs associated with the monthly camping trips and other activities.  It is suggested that each Scout earn the money for these fees (A Scout is Thrifty).  PLEASE PAY ALL FEES BY CHECK IF POSSIBLE, PAYABLE TO: BOY SCOUT TROOP 21.

Meetings

Our weekly meetings are held on Tuesday at 6:30 PM with dismissal at 8:00 PM year round.  We meet at Pleasant View Baptist Church.  Scouts are expected to attend  70% of the weekly meetings and activities in order to maintain active membership status.   Exceptions for outside involvement may be arranged with the Scoutmaster as long as the absences are within reason.  Notify the Scoutmaster of absences in advance, when possible.

Scouts may be dropped off for meetings and activities no more than 15 minutes in advance of the stated beginning time (e.g. 6:15 for meetings).  Scout must be picked up from activities within 15 minutes of the stated ending time (e.g. 8:15 for meetings).  Special arrangements may be made with the Scoutmaster or adult in charge, in the event of an emergency.

Uniforms and Equipment

The Scout Uniform and personal items are available at the Blue Ridge Council Scout Store on Laurens Road in Greenville and from Bergens Department Store in Seneca.  They may also be ordered from the Boy Scout Catalog.  You can get a catalog sent to you free of charge by calling 1-800-323-0732. Complete approved Scout uniform should be worn at all Scout activities unless otherwise specified.  The uniform should be worn at troop meetings and outdoor events.  The Troop will be starting to maintain a uniform exchange. Please contact the Scoutmaster for further information regarding the uniform exchange.

An inventory of uniform exchange parts will be available at Courts of Honor as well as printed in the troop newsletter.  Scout long pants, shorts and shirts will be purchased and sold for $5 each (much cheaper than new uniform parts).  It is requested that parents periodically review scout uniforms for those items that no longer fit and donate them to the uniform exchange.

The Uniform Dress Code

1. Type Class A Dress: Long or short pants, long or short sleeve shirt, neckerchief with slide or approved bolo, Scout socks, Scout belt, Scout hat and Merit Badge Sash complete the Class A Dress uniform.  All medals and Merit Badge Sash will be worn at Courts of Honor, Scoutmaster Conferences, Board of Reviews, Scout Sunday and other special events including announced uniform inspections.
2.  Type Class A: Same as above without honor medals, sash and neckerchief or bolo.  This uniform is used for troop meetings and camping activities.

• Scouts are required to be in this uniform while en route to and from camping locations
• Scouts not wearing this uniform to the meetings will first receive a verbal warning, then the second time will receive a written warning requiring a parent’s signature and the third time his parents will be called to bring the uniform or pick up the Scout.  The Scout may also be denied the privilege of participating in the games at the meeting at the Scoutmasters discretion. Periodically, a uniforms inspection will be performed at the discretion of the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters or the Senior Patrol Leader.  The Scout will be required to do push-ups for incomplete uniforms not made up for in bonus points

3. Type Class B: Scout shorts, short sleeve shirt, Troop 21 tee shirt, or any BSA official tee shirt, and Scout socks.  Camp shirts may be purchased at the Camp Old Indian Trading Post during summer camp or any BSA service center.  This uniform is worn during game time (as necessary) at troop meetings and during the day while camping unless the Troop’s leadership indicates otherwise.  It is recommended that Scouts wear a Scout tee shirt underneath their Scout shirt to allow them to change into Class B uniform easily at troop meetings and while camping.  The Boy Scout Activity uniform may be worn as a Class B uniform.  This uniform is comprised of official khaki shorts, official red knit shirt, and plain white athletic socks.  The baseball style Scout cap, Troop cap or OA cap for OA members are the only approved headgear.

   A scout below the rank of second class is permitted to wear pants which are not official boy scout pants, however it is preferred that attempts be made to obtain green pants as close in color and style to official boy scout pants as possible.

   The troop provides tents, cooking equipment, dining facilities, tools, teaching supplies, and transportation for each scout.  The only exception to the list is cooking equipment for some advancement purposes, cooking equipment on backpacking trips, and a personal mess kit.

   The Scout is responsible for providing the following equipment: uniforms, backpacks, sleeping gear, hiking boots (recommended), and other personal items. 

Handbooks

Scouts are required to have an Official Boy Scout Handbook.  These handbooks will contain a record of each Scouts progress as he advances toward the rank of Eagle Scout, as well as information of skills he must obtain for advancement.  In case of a lost handbook, the Scout should notify the Scoutmaster immediately.  The troop maintains a duplicate set of records so that the replacement book can and should be updated promptly.  These advancement records are very important!!!!!

Camping Rules (many apply to all activities, including meetings)

1. Sign up sheets and permission slips will be available by the first Tuesday of the month. Permission slips must be turned in along with the payment for the food and any applicable activity fees to the troop treasurer or designated assistant by the second Tuesday of the month
2. No sheath knives permitted at anytime.
3. The possession or use of narcotics, alcoholic beverages, any form of tobacco or pornographic material is strictly prohibited.  Violation of this rule will be grounds for immediate expulsion from the troop and notification of the proper authorities, subject to Troop Committee review. The troop and our Chartered organization uphold a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY regarding these violations.
4.  Use of inappropriate language such as cursing and conversations with other scouts containing inappropriate subject matter is strictly prohibited.  Violations of this nature may be grounds for immediate expulsion from the troop subject to Troop Committee review.
5.  Firearms, firecrackers, aerosol cans and candles are prohibited.  Charcoal lighter fluid and other flammables are to be handled by adults only.  Under close adult supervision and only after instruction, Scouts will be permitted to use propane lanterns and stoves.
6. All Scouts must have a Scout Handbook on each camping trip.
7. The campsite will be left clean.  Remember Scouts always leave a campsite better than they found it. All trash will be picked up and disposed of properly.  The Patrol Leader is responsible for clean up. The Senior Patrol leader will make a final inspection of the campsite prior to departure.
8. Fighting, hitting, name-calling, and roughhousing will not be tolerated at any time.  Violators will be brought before the Patrol Leaders Council and action taken: First Violation: there will be a warning and discussion of future expectations; Second Violation: there will be a thirty day probation period.  If a Scout violated the probation period or has a third offense, the Scout will appear before the Troop Committee for review and potential expulsion from the troop.
9. Discipline for Scouts refusing to cooperate or pay attention will be handled immediately by the Patrol Leaders Council, normally in the form of physical activity such as running or doing push ups.  The Scoutmaster WILL ALWAYS be made aware of and know when someone is disciplined in this manner and make certain that fairness prevails.  Scouts refusing to cooperate with the Patrol Leaders Council will first be sent to the Scoutmaster for a calming down period with the adult leaders.  The second time they will be issued a written warning requiring a parents signature and will stay with the adult leaders for the remainder of the meeting or day in the event of a campout or activity.  The third time, the parents will be called and asked to pick up their son.
10. Any misconduct greater than the above will be dealt with by calling parents for immediate pick up – regardless of the hour or the location of the troop.
11. Other rules are to be presented by the Patrol Leader’s Council as the need arises.

Advancement

The Scout advancement program consists of progress awards from Boy Scout through Eagle.  Qualification for advancement is successful completion of each requirement of each rank as listed in the Official Boy Scout handbook and Merit Badge and Advancement Guidebook.

The Scoutmaster, (SM) or Assistant Scoutmaster, (ASM), in charge of advancement must approve a scout prior to beginning work on a merit badge.  Scouts must fill out the blue merit badge form and notify the SM or ASM before beginning work on a Merit Badge. 

Notification allows the SM or ASM to help the Scout locate the most qualified person in a particular skill to assist the Scout. 

The Troop Committee holds all Boards of Review on a monthly basis.  Full Type Class A Dress uniform and handbooks are required for all Boards of Review.  Before each Board of Review, the Scout must have a Scoutmaster conference in which the Scoutmaster reviews the Scout’s performance and plans with the Scout for continued advancement.  It is the Scout’s responsibility to request a Scoutmaster Conference.

Parents should encourage self-reliance through the advancement program.  If no advancement is apparent within a reasonable time, the Scout will be counseled to encourage advancement via a Board of Review.

Troup Organization

Troop Committee

The Troop Committee is led by a Troop Committee Chairperson and has its membership from parents and representatives of the sponsoring organization.  The purpose of the Troop Committee is primary to ensure the continuation of an adequate program within the troop.  Other responsibilities include fund raising, Merit Badge Counseling, equipment upkeep, Boards of Review, disciplinary actions, and other needs of the Scout Troop.

There is one primary Scoutmaster responsible for the program of the troop and the development of the individual Scouts as described in the AIMS OF SCOUTING.  There are Assistant Scoutmasters in Troop 21 assigned responsibility for various areas of the operation of the Scout Troop.

The Senior Patrol Leader is the boy leader responsible for running troop meetings and activities.  He is the senior representative of the boys and decides on the program for the meetings and outings.

 Patrol Leaders

 The Patrol Leaders are responsible for the working units of the troop, the Patrols.  The Patrol Leaders are responsible for the purchase of food for outings, making assignments for work responsibilities, and represents the members of the patrols in the Patrol Leaders Council Meetings. 

The boys’ leaders are elected by the troop during stated elections held at least once every six months.  The Scoutmaster selects Scouts that are eligible for leadership positions as outlined in the Scout Handbook.  After the Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders are elected, each of them will select assistants, which must be approved by the Scoutmaster.

These Boy leaders, with the supervision of the adults, are responsible for planning and carrying out the activities of the troop.  These activities include the weekly meetings, monthly outings, troop service projects etc.  They also have the responsibility for making and enforcing troop rules as discussed earlier.

Miscellaneous

It is requested that parents inform the Scoutmaster or other adult scout leader of a Scout’s medical condition which may be physically limiting, or require special attention.  If Scouts are on any medication (prescribed or otherwise) during a camping trip or special activity, parents are asked to inform the adult in charge of the activity.  The adult may request possession of the medication, which will be administered to the Scout as prescribed.  The adult will in all cases, at a parent’s request, maintain possession of medication.

Objectives

The behavior of a Scout is set forth in the Scout Law, Scout Oath and Scout Motto.  It is our objective to teach each Scout the meaning of the Scout Law, Scout Oath and Scout Motto.  The Scouting movement is designed primarily to teach boys values as he develops his duty to his God and country, to others and to himself.

The development of a Scout is a lengthy process, and it comes in various ways.  To name a few:

1. To learn skills in the outdoors with his fellow Scouts.
2. Fair and sportsmanlike competition
3. Holding an office of leadership in his patrol or troop.
4. Serving as a Den Chief to the Cub Dens and Webelos.
5.  Develop his leadership skills as well as his personality and character.

These are just a few of the development steps and there are many other ways the boys grow as they travel along the trail of Scouting.

Even though every Scout will not become an Eagle, it is our sincere desire and belief that each Scout can achieve their goals and live up to his potential, up to the limit of his ability, interest and motivation.  Each Scout will have equal opportunity and guidance that is necessary to earn the Eagle Award and his God and Country Award.  The leaders of Troop 21 can only do so much.  The Scout himself must be willing to work, participate, make decisions, cooperate, obey his leaders, and be patient.  His parents must be willing to give of their time, interest, and encouragement to help him achieve his all in Scouting.