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Purpose of The Boy Scouts Of America

It is the purpose of the Boy Scouts Of America to provide an effective program designed to instill within the youth desirable qualities of character, to train them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to help develop their personal fitness, providing this country with citizens who:

1. Are physically, mentally and emotionally fit.

2. Have a high degree of self-reliance as evidence in such qualities as initiative, courage and resourcefulness.

3. Have personal and stable values firmly based on religious concepts.

4. Have the desire and skills to help others.

5. Understand the principles of the American social, economic, and government systems.

6. Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand America’s role in the world.

7 Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people.

8. Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving leadership to American society and in other forums of the world.

Boy Scouts of America

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Boy Scouts Of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law.

The 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.

The Scout is:

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean

Reverent

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily

Aims and Methods of the Boy Scout Program

Aims

Boy Scouting works toward three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as the what the boy is himself: his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.

A second aim is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy’s relationship to others. He comes to learn of his obligations to other people, to the society he lives, to the government that presides over that society.

A third aim of Boy Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and emotions (self control, courage and self-respect).

The methods are designed to accomplish these aims.

Methods

Advancement- Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to over come them through the advancement process. The Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. More is discussed about Advancement later in this guide.

Adult Association- Boys learn from the examples set by their adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female and association with adults of high character is encouraged at this stage in a young man’s development.

Personal Growth- As Scouts plan their activity, and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The good turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do good turns for others.

Ideals- The Ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what he becomes.

Patrols- The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating in citizenship. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected leaders.

Outdoors- Boy Scouting is designed to take place in the outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here where the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive. More is discussed about the outdoor program later in this guide.

Leadership Development- Boy Scouting encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform- The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force of good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout’s commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood youth who believe in the same ideals. More is discussed about the uniform later in this guide.

Troop Organization

Troop 400 is a boy-run troop. Leadership is one of the methods of Scouting. Every boy will have an opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership. The meetings are planned and carried out by the patrol leaders' council. All duties for patrol activities are assigned by the patrol leader. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps the boy accept the leadership of others and helps him to grow into a more responsible adult. The troop organization chart on the following page outlines the complete organization of the troop. The following is an outline of the duties of the key leaders within the troop:

Scoutmaster:

The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and his or her assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The general responsibilities of the Scoutmaster include:

• Train and guide boy leaders.

• Work with other adult leaders to bring Scouting to boys.

• Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

Assistant Scoutmasters:

Assistant Scoutmasters are recruited by the Scoutmaster and approved by the troop committee to assist the Scoutmaster in the operation of the troop. Assistant Scoutmasters are assigned program tasks by the Scoutmaster and provide guidance to the boy leadership. He or she also provides the required two deep leadership ( two adult leaders present at every Boy Scout activity).

Senior Patrol Leader:

The senior patrol leader (SPL) is the top boy leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader:

The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) fills in for the SPL in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian and instructors.

Patrol Leaders:

The patrol leaders (PL) are responsible for giving leadership to the members of their patrols. They are their representation on the patrol leaders' council. The PL is also responsible for holding monthly patrol meetings outside of the regular troop meetings.

Assistant Patrol Leaders:

Assistant patrol leaders help the PL run the patrol and fill in for him in his absence.

Scout Uniform

Scouts in uniform are conscious of their rank and make a greater effort to advance. Only the uniform provides a place for display of badges - important symbols of achievement. Scouts have more fun, stay longer, and feel greater pride in advancement.

How the uniform can help a boy:

It is not the purpose of the Scout uniform to hide the differences between the boys or make them feel that they are all the same.

But there is one way in which all Scouts are alike. Whenever a Scout sees another person in a Scout uniform he knows he is like that person because both have committed themselves principles of the Scout Oath and Law. The Scout Oath and Law bind all Scouts of the world together in a common purpose.

By wearing the uniform, Scouts give each other strength and support.

Beyond accenting the common bond between Scouts, by wearing the uniform Scouts are declaring their faith and commitment to some important beliefs that bind them to all people. It is a way of making visible their belief in God, their loyalty to our country and their commitment to helping other people who need them.

How the uniform can help the troop:

1. When smartly worn, the uniform can help build good troop spirit.

2. By investing in a uniform, a Scout and his parents are really making a kind of a commitment to take Scouting seriously.

3. The uniform makes the troop visible as a force for good in the community.

4. When properly worn on the correct occasions, it can attract new members.

5. Scouts in uniform create a strong, positive, youth image in the neighborhood, thus helping to counteract the negative feeling some adults have about youth.

The troop uniform:

The following is the official uniform of Troop 400:

Provided by the boy: Provided by the troop:

Hat (ball cap style) Neckerchief

Shirt (official tan w/red shoulder tabs) Rank badge

Flag, Council and Troop 400 patches Badges of office

Belt (official khaki web belt)

Pants/Shorts (official khaki)

Stockings (official khaki)

Neckerchief slide

Registration

Handbook

Official placement of insignia may be found on the inside front and back cover of the Scout Handbook.

Advancement

Advancement is the process by which youth members progress through the ranks in the Scouting program by the gradual mastery of Scouting skills. Ranks are simply a means to an end, not an end unto themselves. Everything boys do to advance and earn these ranks, from the day they join until the day they leave the program, should be designed to help boys have an exciting and meaningful experience.

Boy Scout advancement, a four-step process:

1. The Boy Scout learns.

A Scout learns by doing. As he learns, he grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop. As he develops knowledge and skill, he is asked to teach others. In this way, he begins to develop leadership.

2. The Boy Scout is tested.

A Scout may be tested on requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to test and pass candidates..

3. The Boy Scout is reviewed.

After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Palms, members of the troop committee conduct the board of review. Members of the district advancement committee conduct the Eagle board of review.

4. The Boy Scout is recognized.

When the board of review has certified a boy's advancement, he deserves to receive recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next troop meeting. The certificate for his next rank will be presented to him at the next troop court of honor.

Court of Honor

As stated above, when a Scout advances, he should be recognized as soon as possible - preferably at the next unit meeting. He is recognized a second time at a public ceremony called a court of honor. The main purposes of the court of honor are to finish formal recognition for achievement and to provide incentive for other Scouts to advance. Troop 400 has formal courts of honor four times a year, at the end of each quarter. All families are asked to attend and guests are certainly welcome. Every boy who advances in a quarter deserves to be recognized in front of his family. The court of honor is the boy's special night.

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Outdoor Program

Scouting is effective whenever we take advantage of it's truth: The place where Scouting works best is also the place that boys want the most. The outdoors. There are a number of good reasons why the outdoor program is so special, here are the four that are especially good:

1. The outdoors is the best place for learning outdoor skills. How could it be otherwise? A Scout who tried to boil a potato on the gymnasium floor would be in hot water for sure - not to mention the boy who tried learning to swim by reading a book.

2. The outdoors is a great place for learning something about living with others. When Scouts walk on the same trail, cook and eat together, and share triumphs and troubles together, they are going to find out some important things about, say, patience, respect for other points of view, doing their full share, making a friend more easily, and saying no without losing one. Skills like these are among the "personal growth" skills we want from every Scout. The outdoors is where they grow up best.

3. On the trail or in camp, the boy's leaders will be challenged by the real thing - getting their patrols fed and sheltered, keeping them warm and safe, solving the problems they can solve, and knowing how to get help for those they can't. It's a time when leadership skills can deepen, patrols grow closer, and the troop grows stronger.

4. The outdoors is also a place where a Scout can get closer to the natural world around him - the land, the forests and their wildlife, the lakes and rivers, the mountains and the seas. Here, in the outdoors, he will learn of the "land ethic" - the understanding and respect for the environment we all share, and he will develop an active concern for it's health and a willingness to work to keep it healthy.

Troop 400 and the outdoor program:

Troop 400 has a very active outdoor program and all boys are encouraged to participate. Our program includes monthly weekend camp outs, annual long term summer camp (1 week), day hikes and other outdoor activities. Families are welcome on monthly camp outs, if space allows. However, the troop will still function as a unit.

What to bring on a camp out:

à Sleeping bag à Mess Kit à Sewing Kit Do Not Bring

à Foam Pad à Cup à Flashlight · Radios

à Sweater à Soap à Scout Knife · Tobacco Products

à Rain gear à Toothbrush à Watch · Electronic Games

à Clothes à Toothpaste à Personal ID · Firearms

à Canteen à Comb à Notebook · Sling Shots

à Silverware à Washcloth à Pen / Pencil

à Towel à Boy Scout Handbook

Information for parents about outings

General Regulations

There must be at least two registered adults present at all times on any Troop or Patrol event, whether it is a meeting, a day trip or an overnight trip. If the group is split, there must be two registered adult leaders with each group.

A tour permit is required for any activity away from the regular meeting places, which are the church, the mantz and individual homes. The permit must be signed by a registered parent other than one of the two required leaders. It may be filed by fax as late as the last weekday before the outing with the Council.

Transportation must be in insured vehicles with a functioning seat belt for every passenger, and seat belts must be worn whenever a vehicle is moving.. Vehicle insurance information must be on file with the Troop and Council.

Camping

Scouts camp and cook as Patrols. They are in charge of their own planning and cooking of meals. One or more Scouts will be assigned by the Patrol Leader to purchase food for the camp out; however, they should see what food is available from the previous trip(s) before purchasing food. Each member should bring to the Troop meeting prior to the trip, $10 to assist in the purchase of the food. This will help defray costs should the Scout not attend after committing to attend. Leftover perishable food reverts to the purchaser; non-perishables go to the Patrol box. Avoid buying extra large economy size packages; the savings in bulk are lost to spoilage, spillage and lack of knowing what is already available.

Scouts do not share tents with adults (except during high adventure outings when a Scout may tent with his parent but not with any other adult). A Scout may share a tent with another boy in his Patrol or he may sleep alone in his tent. More than two Scouts is permitted only at the discretion of the adult Leader.

Adults attending outings act as a Patrol with the Senior Patrol Leader and the Assistant Patrol Leader and the same suggestions about the purchase of food apply . Make sure you know what is planned.

Youth Protection

Program Summary

Child abuse is a major problem affecting our society. Each year more than 2 million cases of suspected child abuse are reported. This means that 1 percent of American children are experiencing physical abuse, 1 percent are experiencing sexual abuse, and 2 to 5 percent are experiencing emotional maltreatment or some form of neglect. Because of the significance of this social problem, The Boy Scouts of America has declared child abuse as one of the "unacceptable behaviors" to receive special attention by those involved in the Scouting program.

The BSA has developed a five-point plan to combat child abuse and to improve the environment in which young people live. The key elements of this strategy include the following points:

• Educating Scouting volunteers, parents and Scouts themselves to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse.

• Establishing leader-selection procedures to prevent individuals with a history of child abuse from entering the BSA leadership ranks.

• Establishing policies that minimize the opportunities for child abuse to occur in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

• Encouraging Scouts to report improper behavior in order to identify offenders quickly.

• Swiftly removing and reporting alleged offenders.

Parents guide

The Boy Scouts of America has developed materials for use in the Scouting program that provide essential information to members and their families. A detachable booklet in the front of The Boy Scout Handbook, "How to Protect Your Child from Child Abuse and Drug Abuse: A Parents Guide," provides information to help families to increase self-protection skills.

Troop 400 and the Youth Protection Program

Troop 400 is committed to following all guidelines of the Youth Protection program. Any suspected offenses of the Youth protection program must be reported to the Committee Chairman, the Scoutmaster or the Council Executive. All incidents reported to the Committee Chairman or the Scoutmaster will be reported to the Council Executive. All reports are taken seriously and appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety of the youth.