New To Scouts

Norman Rockwell’s famous painting “Men of Tomorrow”, 1948.

Scout Troops are ideally “scout-run.” This means that the scouts run the troop. Of course the adults are there to supervise, help assist in teaching when needed, and make sure things go according to BSA Policy. Here at Troop 85, we like to say the troop is mostly “scout-run.” We have found this way works the best. So what we do is to allow the scouts to decide where they are going camping, what badges they are going to earn as a troop, and they plan the meetings and run them for the most part. We as adults step in when appropriate to give guidance, and to teach skills they don’t know. Of course, the newer the scouts, the more adult involvement until they can reach a level of competency. Also along with this, once they get older, they tend to run the troop more on their own, with less adult involvment.

We stress Leadership. Most of the scouts hold a leadership position at some point while in the troop. Along with attending Natinal Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)

We also like the scouts to learn as much as they can or choose to. Between the adult leader’s, as well as the older scouts, we have a great amount of knowledge to share.

Parents have a key role by helping with reminders and asking your scout for the latest troop news!

Important Web Sites

USscouts.org provides great references for everything scouting related (their worksheets are very helpful!)
- Rank Advancement page
- Merit Badge page

Uniforms

There are two main uniform dress codes in the troop, including:

Class A: Scout Activity Uniform (tan button down with appropriate patches)

Worn at troop meetings (with Class-B underneath) and formal events
Badges/patches: troop number, council patch, patrol patch and rank
Add neckerchief, slide, merit badge sash and OA sash (if current member & when representing) for formal events (i.e. BORs, COHs, etc.)
Green BSA pants with belt. (Cargo Shorts with BSA Socks)
Scoutbook & Pen/Pencil

Class B: Scout T-shirt from Troop

Worn during non Class A events but still representing the troop, (i.e. Road Clean Ups, Day Events, etc.)

See your Scoutbook for patch guide.

Patrols

The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives. Patrols offer each scout an opportunity to lead others on a smaller, more manageable scale. As the scout grows, the opportunity to lead larger groups follows.

Troop Meetings

Scouting is a scout-lead activity. The level of adult leader involvement can vary from troop to troop. That is probably the biggest difference you will see between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Senior Scout leadership is composed of the Leadership Patrol. It consists of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) plus both of his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) and the Troop Guide. The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) is responsible for planning the troop meetings and other events each month. The Leadership Patrol is responsible for running the meetings. Typically, the SPL is responsible for managing the meeting plan for a month, with the support of the ASPL, the Scoutmaster, the Assistant Scoutmasters, and other supporting adults. By the way, troops would really like to get new Scout parents involved in this process – ask what you can do! The Scout leadership is also supported by the Patrol Leaders (PL) and their Assistants (APL). Parents can, but are not required, to stay around for meetings.

Rank Advancement

Rank requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are signed off in the Scout Handbook. Most of the information needed to pass these rank requirements can be found in the handbook. Taking the time to read and study a subject thoroughly is important and expected. When a Scout satisfactorily demonstrates that he has a complete knowledge of a skill or requirement, he demonstrates that skill to a leader, then the requirement may be signed off in the handbook by a troop leader.

A Scout is expected to perform service work for advancement as well. Scouts must appear before a Board of Review (BOR) as the final step for rank advancement. Rank advancement is recognized at a formal ceremony called a Court of Honor (COH). It is meant to be a solemn occasion focusing on each Scout’s growth and achievements. All Scouts are expected to wear their full Class-A uniform, including merit badge sashes. Parents/guardians are expected to attend each Court of Honor and are encuraged to take picures of there scout to document these moments.

Merit Badges (MBs)

Merit badges are required for rank advancement starting at Star to Eagle. There are more than 130 merit badges in the Scouting program and they offer Scouts an opportunity to explore areas in which they may not have engaged otherwise. A list of merit badges can be found in the Scout Handbook along with scouting.org. There are merit badges for many areas of interest, such as sports, hobbies, careers and Scouting skills. A scout must earn a total of 21 merit badges to achieve the rank of Eagle. Out of the 21 merit badges, there are 14 specifically required for the rank of Eagle and are trimmed in silver thread, known as Silver Dollars. After a scout earns all 21 MBs, they can get Eagle Palms for every 5 over the required 21. Starting at Bronze with 26, Gold with 31, and Silver with 36. In order to get palms immediately upon earning the rank of Eagle, they must be done BEFORE the BOR. If not you must wait 3 months for each additional palm. Eagle-required merit badges include:

First Aid
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Citizenship in Society
Communication
Personal Fitness
Emergency Preparedness -OR- Lifesaving
Environmental Science -OR- Sustainability
Personal Management
Swimming -OR- Hiking -OR- Cycling
Camping
Cooking
Family Life

The typical steps in earning a merit badge includes:

Scout requests a BLUE CARD and an MB Counselor to work with from the Scoutmaster.
Scout meets with MB Counselor and works on requirements.
Counselor signs off on completed requirements.
Scout obtains sign off from Scoutmaster.
Scout turns in signed card to the Awards & Advancement Chair.
Scout stores the signed blue card showing MB completion separately from Scout book.

Safekeeping

In Scouting, the Scout must prove he or she completed all the requirements. So, it is extremely important to safe-keep all your formal advancement records and supporting information. Please visit our Advancement page to learn more about safekeeping.

Gear Guide

The following is a Troop gear packing lists for a generic winter weekend campout. It is available to download as well.

Winter Campout Packing List.pdf

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