Welcome to
Troop 125
Boy Scouts of America
Crossroads of America Council
Del-Mi District
Chartered by:
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Catholic Church
Carmel, IN
The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.
Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.
Boy Scouting, one of three membership divisions of the BSA (the others are Cub Scouting and Venturing), is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11 through 17 years old, and subscribe to the Scout Oath and Law. The program achieves the BSA's objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities among youth by focusing on a vigorous program of outdoor activities.
Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.
The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.
Ideals
The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan. The Boy 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 and who he becomes.
Patrols
The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participatory citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where they can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected representatives.
Outdoor Programs
Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and humankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Boy Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.
Advancement
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Personal Growth
As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is so successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. (Frequent) personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout determine his growth toward Scouting 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. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.
The Scout Oath
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 Law
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
Welcome to the Boy Scouts of America! By becoming a parent of a Boy Scout, you are setting your son out on the grand adventure of Scouting. This is an important and rewarding endeavor that you will be able to share with him.
What is it all about? What will you be expected to do? What does it cost? We have prepared this booklet to answer these questions.
The following pages describe the organization of a Troop and the advancement pattern that each boy will follow. Reading this will help you understand how your boy can progress through the ranks with your help. It will help you understand how you can help and what the various adult volunteers are doing to help the Troop.
There are three aims to scouting:
Aim I -- To build character
Aim II -- To foster citizenship
Aim III -- To develop fitness
These three aims are the bedrock of the American Scouting movement they represent the long-term outcomes we want for every boy.
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 over their lifetime in achieving their full potential.
Unlike Cub Scouting, which many of you are familiar with, Boy Scouting is a youth-lead organization. The boys learn how to organize and lead the Troop. After training, and with supervision from the adult leaders, the boys run the show.
The boys in the Troop will be working towards their 1st class and then Eagle ranks. As they travel on their trail to Eagle they will not only learn how to lead a team to a goal, but they will actually lead teams of scouts in a number of situations. Many Eagle Scouts put their accomplishments on their résumés and find they are often considered in obtaining acceptance into college or the work force.
Boy Scouting also provides for growth of moral strength and character, teaches citizenship, and enhances the development of physical, mental and emotional fitness. This is all done in the spirit of fun and adventure.
Please take a few minutes to read Chapter 1 of your son's Boy Scout Handbook.
Troop 125 is a participating member of the Crossroads of America Council, Boy Scouts of America. The Troop's organization consists of a Chartered Organization, a Troop Committee, the Troop, and the Troop's Parents.
Every Troop belongs to an organization. The Chartered Organization for Troop 125 is Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. The Chartered Organization shares our objectives for the boys and insures that there is adequate, trained leadership. A Chartered Organization Representative acts as a liaison between the Church and us.
The Troop Committee Functions as an administration and support organization for Troop 125, The Troop Committee takes care of the non-program issues surrounding the Troop. For example: newsletters, Troop funds, fund raising activities, membership drives and Troop coordination, activity permits and coordination, advancement records, procurement and maintenance of Troop equipment.
The Committee meets monthly. The meetings are open and attendance is encouraged by all parents and other interested adults.
Troop125 will hold meetings weekly at the Scout cabin behind the OLMC athletic fields. Meetings currently are held every Tuesday, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Changes to the meeting schedule and location will be announced as early as possible to allow for proper planning.
Outdoor Program
Scouting is effective whenever we take advantage of its 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 real thing - getting their patrols fed and sheltered, will challenge the boy’s leaders, keeping them warm and safe, solving the problems they can solve, and knowing how to get help for those they can't. It is 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 its health and a willingness to work to keep it healthy.
Recommended Items for Camping
This list summarizes the minimum equipment necessary for a typical weekend "car-camping" campout from mid-April to mid-October [Specialty Campouts - Winter Camps, Backpacking, etc., are addressed by other specific handouts]. Packing should be in a medium size duffel bag with clothing separated in small stuff-sacks (or larger clear Ziploc bags, but never a black trash bag). Your Scout should check off each item as he packs it.
Sleeping Gear:
_____ A sleeping bag, rated to about 25 degrees.
_____ A foam pad/or self-inflating sleep pad
_____ A small pillow.
Do not bring large or heavyweight sleeping bags or pillows; if your son's sleeping bag is too light, add an additional light blanket for warmth.
Eating Gear:
_____ A medium sized bowl, preferably plastic, with name plainly marked.
_____ A knife, fork and spoon kit (trashy kitchen-ware will do).
_____ A medium sized plastic cup, with name marked plainly.
Do not bring cheap plastic or breakable glass/porcelain items, expensive silverware or anything overly heavy. Don't send "everyday" Tableware you cannot afford to lose.
Do not pack Food with your pack!
Clothing and Equipment:
_____ Class A uniform (worn at departure and on return)
_____ 2 pair underwear
_____ 3 pair socks
_____ 1 pair gym shorts
_____ 2 T-Shirt
_____ 1 pair long pants (2 pair if don't have a Scout Uniform yet)
_____ 1 sweatshirt
_____ 1 long-sleeve shirt or sweater
_____ A belt
_____ A medium wt. wind/rain resistant jacket
_____ A hat (Baseball Cap OK)
_____ An extra pair of sneakers or boots
_____ A small towel
_____ A "dirty clothes" bag, preferably cloth
_____ A poncho or rainproof rain-coat, poncho preferred.
_____ A pack-cover
_____ A small/medium sized flashlight (2 C-cell or smaller) with fresh
batteries.
_____ A one quart canteen/water bottle
_____ A toothbrush
Don't bother packing cleaning gear other than a toothbrush - it won't get used.
Note: Some parents of new Scouts outfit their sons with enough clothing to last a week, instead of two nights. Do not pack more than the above, which is already more than he'll need; remember, he may have to carry it some distance to the campsite. If the expected weather appears to be unusually warmer or colder than normal (keeping in mind that the local camping areas are typically about 5 - 10 degrees cooler than Carmel), make appropriate deletions and substitutions; call the Scoutmaster if you have any questions.
Make sure everything has his name clearly marked on it. Pack nothing you cannot afford to lose.
Adult Leadership
Two registered adult leaders, or one adult leader and a Scout parent, both of whom must be at least 21 years of age are required for all Troop 125 meetings, trips or outings.
The Troop is a group made up of several patrols. Each Patrol usually consists of a Patrol Leader and no less than four Scouts. The boys in a patrol elect their patrol leader who in turn appoints the assistant patrol leader.
The Senior Patrol Leader is an elected position. He is elected by all the scouts in the troop The Senior Patrol Leader selects his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. The Patrol Leaders, with the Senior Patrol Leader as their head, form the Patrol Leaders’ Council, which plans the activities and runs the Troop meetings.
Elections for Troop Leadership are held in August and February of each year. Below is a sample Troop organizational chart.
The role of parents within Troop 125 is to be supportive of the Troop's efforts and to provide the atmosphere Scouts need to learn and excel. Parents should try to:
1. Read their Scout's handbook and understand the purpose and methods of Scouting.
2. Actively follow their Scout's progress (or lack thereof) and offer encouragement and a push when needed.
3. Show support to both the individual Scout and the Troop by attending all Troop Courts of Honor.
4. Assist, as requested, in all Troop fund-raisers and other such activities. All such assistance lowers the cost of the program we offer to the Scouts and, therefore, lowers each family's cash outlay for their Scout(s).
5. Be aware of the Troop program and annual calendar.
All members of Troop 125, both youth and adults, are expected to live their daily lives in accordance with the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. The Oath and Law embodies the expectations of everyone's behavior and conduct.
When a Scout misbehaves, the Scoutmaster or an assistant Scoutmaster will evaluate the situation, consider the circumstances, and then use his or her best judgment to make a decision that is fair and just. The response to misbehavior may come from the junior leaders in the troop or it may come from the adults. Disciplinary actions and responses to misbehavior should never involve corporal punishment, denial of food, or belittling of a Scout.
One of the aims of the Boy Scouts of America is to help young men develop strong moral character. Being a good father, a good husband, and an effective leader requires critical thinking and the ability to make sound judgments and ethical decisions. In an effort to serve as effective role models, the adults in Troop 125 will try to exercise these characteristics and not hide behind a long list of inflexible rules. Comprehensive by-laws, codes of conduct, and behavior consequence plans tend to preclude the application of common sense, fairness, and justice.
There are many definitions of advancement, but the Scouting definition might well be, simply, "the art of meeting a challenge." For that is exactly what the Boy Scout advancement program asks the boys to do. The Boy Scout advancement program provides a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. As he acquires the skills he moves up through a series of ranks, for which he is awarded badges. Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The higher he climbs the more challenging his tasks -- and the more rewarding.
Achievements include:
learning skills that qualify for Scouting more rugged and exciting outdoor challenges.
Developing body and mind, growing self-confidence, and helping younger Scouts climb the advancement ladder.
discovering how it feels to go further -- in so many ways -- than he ever thought he could.
We do not look at advancement as a goal, but as a natural outcome of a planned, quality Troop program.
There are four steps of advancement:
• The Boy Scout learns.
• The Boy Scout is tested.
• The Boy Scout is reviewed.
• The Boy Scout is recognized.
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Figure 1 First Class Rank Badge |
From the time the Scout enters the Troop through the time he earns advancement to First Class, he is learning basic scouting skills to enable him to camp, hike, swim, cook, tie knots, administer first aid, and perform other tasks in the outdoors and to work as a member of a team. With those first steps the scout begins to build themselves physically, mentally, and morally. He will start to live with the Scout Oath and Law. Soon he will learn the symbolism inherent in the Scout badge; he will learn that there are three points of the trefoil, which stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath: Duty to God and country, duty to other people, and duty to yourself. The goal of this Troop, is for the Scout to achieve the rank of First Class within his first year in the Troop. This is a sign that the scout has mastered the fundamentals of scouting and can begin to start the long process of learning to lead others, refining the learned skills and learning additional skills.
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Figure 2 Eagle Rank Badge |
From the achievement of First Class through Eagle, the Scout will be demonstrating leadership, performing service projects, earning merit badges and using the skills learned while achieving the rank of First Class. The next ranks he will earn are Star and Life. These ranks are harder to obtain than the earlier ranks, but are also more interesting for the older scouts. Upon completion of all the requirements for Star and Life the Scout will be eligible to work for Eagle. The original principals, the Scout Oath and Law now have fuller meaning for the Scout and their understanding of them is much greater. The final steps towards Eagle are filled with leadership experiences.
Details for advancement are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook, which every Scout should obtain as soon as possible after joining the Troop. Take a look at Chapter 1. This short chapter has an advancement summary through First Class.
The goal of the merit badge program is to expand a Scout's areas of interest and to encourage the Scout to meet and work with adults in a chosen subject. A Scout earns merit badges working with a registered merit badge counselor. The Scout is required to contact the counselor to arrange for times and places to meet with the counselor. When the Scout completes the work on the merit badge, the counselor will inform the Scoutmaster that the Scout has completed the requirements for that badge. Merit Badges earned will be presented to the Scout during the Troop's quarterly Court of Honor.
All parents of Troop 125 Scouts are encouraged to become Merit Badge Counselors. Please fill in the attached Troop Resource Survey and return to a Troop Leader.
When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he appears before a board of review composed of members of the Troop committee. The purpose of the review is not an examination. Rather it is to determine the Scout's attitude and acceptance of Scouting ideals; to ensure that the requirements have been met for advancement, to discuss the Scout's experiences in the Troop and the Troop's program, and to encourage him to keep working towards advancement. A Board of Review may also be held to counsel a boy about his lack of progress toward advancement.
The Court of Honor recognizes all Scout appointments, elections, awards, and advancements since the last Court of Honor. Adult recognition may be presented prior to the opening of the Troop Court of Honor. It is the responsibility of the Troop Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) to plan and conduct the Troop Courts of Honor. The Troop Committee will support the Courts of Honor as requested.
The Court of Honor is a public ceremony, and is a chance for the Scouts to be publicly recognized for their achievements. Parents and all other interested individuals are being encouraged to attend.
The Court of Honor is typically held three times a year.
The process of rechartering is the annual collection of registration fees for the Scouts and Leaders. The Troop also makes a formal visit to the chartering organization to renew their commitment for the coming year. The process of rechartering the Troop must be completed by the end of December of each calendar year.
How much does Boy Scouting cost? As little as possible, but nothing worthwhile is free. The annual fee for each Scout in Troop 125 is:
$25.00 for new Scouts
$21.80 for recharter
$10.00 for national BSA membership
$1.00 insurance
$10.80 for Boys Life magazine (optional, but enjoyable, and gives the Scouts ideas for activities and outings. A good buy)
Individual activities may have fees associated with them. If so, the parents will be notified.
Everyone who goes camping with Troop 125 must have a Personal Health and Medical Record on file so that proper treatment can be made in the case of accident or injury.
There are three classes of medical records. Class 1 and Class 2 are printed on the same form (Form 34414). Class 1 is a Personal Health and Medical History. A parent or guardian must update this section annually. The Class 1 section covers the bottom front and top half of the back of Form 34414. Class 2 is a Medical Evaluation and requires a physical examination within the past 36 months and a doctor's signature. Form 34414 is only to be used by individuals under the age of 40.
Class 3 is Personal Health and Medical Record (Form 33412) and requires a physical examination and a doctor's signature. This form must be updated annually for individuals over 40 and is used by all individuals on high adventure tips, regardless of age.
The boys through various fundraising activities raise additional funds. The Troop plans to do two to three major fundraising projects a year. Our fund-raisers will be designed so that once the Troops budget is met, additional funds raised by your son will be put into his individual account to defray scouting costs. Details on this year's fund-raisers will be available at future Troop meetings.
The Scout uniform helps to achieve the objectives of Scouting. The uniform by itself cannot make a good Scout or a good Troop, but its use has been proven to improve both the Scout and the Troop because it is a visible symbol of Scouting and unity. Each scout is required to have and wear, within a reasonable amount of time after joining the Troop, the following uniform items:
Field or “Class A” Uniform
Tan scout shirt with appropriate insignia and patches (Crossroads of America Council strip, red shoulder loops, and patrol emblem.)
Troop number (obtained from Troop)
Red BSA neckerchief (obtained from Troop)
Neckerchief slide (can be purchased or made by Scout).
Olive Scout pants or shorts.
Boy Scout Socks, for wearing with shorts.
Boy Scout Hat (Optional).
Scout web belt and buckle.
Tennis shoes or hiking boots. Socks are required.
Activity or “Class B” Uniform (worn, as instructed by Troop leadership, when activities may cause damage to the field uniform).
Troop 125 T-Shirt (obtain from Troop 125).
Tennis shoes or hiking boots. Socks are required.
Scout pants or shorts.
Boy Scout Socks, for wearing with shorts.
Uniforms and insignia are worn a certain way. The Troop Leaders and staff at the Scout Shops will be able to answer any questions you might have on where to put what badge. Inside the cover of the Handbook there are guides for badge placement.
There is one Scout Shop in Indianapolis area where you can purchase scout uniforms and supplies:
Roesch Scout Service
Center Official Scout Shop Online
1900 N. Meridian
Indianapolis, IN 46206 www.scoutstuff.org
317/921-3468 x209
fax 317/921-3474
[email protected]
And Finally
You are joining a great organization that includes tens of thousands of adult leaders, interested parents, and the BSA professional staff. Scouting is much more than enjoying the outdoors. The Troop teaches leadership skills and community skills. Scouting also shows the boys how they can keep themselves strong and healthy and make the most of school. With hard work and dedication, your son will be able to serve as a leader in the Troop and advance in rank along the trail to Eagle.
Beyond anything else said in this package, the boys and us "big kids" are in Scouts to have fun!
For more information, contact:
Martin Gonzalez Troop Web site
Troop 125 Scoutmaster www.geocities.com/troop125_cac/
Home Phone
317.575.8025 Del-Mi District Web Site
Email www.crossroadsbsa.org/delmi/
Attachments
Medical Forms
Personal Health and Medical Record Class 1 and Class 2
Personal Health and Medical Record Class 3
Troop Survey
Boy Scout Application
Volunteer Leader Application
Boy Scout Uniform Inspection Sheet