Introduction to Boy Scouting (Troop 3143)

Dear Scouts, Scouters, and Parents,

Welcome to Troop 3143.  If you have been a part of a Cub Scout Pack, you have already seen what Scouting has to offer.  For those who are new to Scouting, we hope your experience will be a fun and exciting one.

This document is designed with the graduating Webelos and the new Scout in mind.  Our Troop has and will continue to provide service to packs by participating, staffing, and sponsoring various events and activities.  Structurally and functionally, the Troop and Boy Scouting are different from Cub Scouts and the Pack.  This document is to discuss those differences and help you understand how we function.  We hope the transition into the Troop will be a positive one.

As you begin your adventure with us, there are going to be questions.  Please don't hesitate to ask and get the right information.  There are also many other activities that compete  with Scouting (ie. sports).  There is no reason a boy can't do both, in fact we encourage it.  Don't give up one for the other. Come talk to us.  We all have sons who are or have been involved in community and school activities and still managed to find a way to participate.  It's an honor to be able to be a part of your Scout's life and we hope your family finds our Scouting family a good place to be.

The following info 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.

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

There are four aims to scouting:

1. Leadership Skills
2. Growth in moral strength and to build character
3. To foster citizenship
4. Develop physical, mental fitness

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.  The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law.
The Boy Scouts of America is the largest youth oriented organization in the United States. 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.

PATROL METHOD:

This is the Scouts Troop, it is their organization. Scouts learn by doing things for themselves with the assistance of other Scouts. An experienced older scout demonstrates his prior learning by teaching younger scouts.  The Scouts run the troop, not the adult leaders, adult leaders mentor the patrols. The Patrol Method enables this to happen. As Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting proclaimed; "The Patrol Method is not one way to run a troop, it is the only way."

PATROL POSITIONS:

Positions change every 6 months. A Scout should not repeat a position back to back.

Patrol Leader (PL)
His patrol members elect him.

Assistant Patrol Leader (APL)
Appointed by the PL. Assists the PL and fills in during his absence.

Patrol Scribe
Appointed by the PL. He maintains good records of Patrol meetings, keeps copies of duty rosters and menus.

TROOP LEADERSHIP:

Leadership changes every 6 months. Leadership positions may be added or deleted at the discretion of the SM, and will be based on unit needs and size.

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

He is an experienced Senior Scout who is elected by the troop. He is the Troop leader and conducts all Troop meetings. He must be at least First Class or above, have 10 nights camping, and have served as a Patrol Leader. Attendance at Summer Camp is not mandatory but is preferred. The SM must confirm his nomination.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)

Appointed by the SPL with the consent of the SM, The Patrol Leaders report to the ASPL.  This position does not fulfill any leadership requirements.

Troop Guide

Appointed by the PLC and approved by the SM for each new patrol. They assist the new Scouts in advancing in rank, teaches basic Scouting skills in Troop, Patrols, and to individual Scouts.

Other troop leadership positions exist so boys have ample opportunities to develop leadership skills.

PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL (PLC):

The PLC consists of the following Scouts: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, all Patrol Leaders, and the Troop Scribe. The Troop Guide assists the New Scout Patrol Leader in representing the new Scouts. The Scribe and Troop Guide are nonvoting members of the PLC. Assistant. Patrol Leaders will stand in when the Patrol Leader is not present. The SM and an ASM will be present as advisors. Meetings are scheduled as necessary to conduct Troop business, plan activities, and meetings.

ADVANCEMENT:

Scouts advance through the ranks by thoroughly learning and completing the requirements in the BSA handbook. It is the Scouts responsibility to know what requirements he needs and to present evidence of accomplishment to the SM or ASM. A Scout should understand that "service" and "active participation" are components to advancement & make arrangements prior to or after a meeting to sign off requirements. Parents can help their Scouts learn the requirements, but can’t sign off on advancement requirements.  Basic Scout skills for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class may be certified (signed off) by Scouts with the rank of Star or above or by the uniformed adult leaders and SM or ASM. Scouts should keep their books with them at all times when at Scouting functions. It is the Scouts responsibility to get this information to the SM as it is signed off.

SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCE:

When all requirements for a specific rank have been met and signed-off, the Scout is to schedule a Scoutmaster conference with the SM. The Scout must appear in proper uniform and must have his Scout handbook with him for the conference. The SM will talk to each Scout about the work that he has completed and set goals for future progress. To comply with National BSA Youth Protection standards, conferences will be done in full view of other adults and youth.  A parent or guardian may be present during the conference

BOARD OF REVIEW

After the SM conference, the Scout appears before a Board of Review. The Board of Review is held by the Troop Committee.  It is composed of no less than two - three members (adult leaders, parent volunteers) and is held on a regular meeting night and scheduled through the SM and CC. The Scout must appear in proper uniform, prepared to show that he is worthy of the rank for which he is being reviewed. If the Scout demonstrates the needed skills, the rank badge is presented to the Scout at the next possible Troop meeting. Formal recognition will be given at the next Court of Honor.

OUR SCOUT ATTENDANCE POLICY