Public FAQs - Boy Scout Troop 484 (Clearwater, Florida)

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Boy Scout Troop 484
(Clearwater, Florida)

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Why should I join Scouts?

Scouting is a great way to have fun and meet new friends, and do really cool things, like camping, bicycle hikes, and even going to adventure parks. You learn new things and you get to feel proud of your accomplishments. There are a lot of different new activities to explore and we learn about our world and new skills by earning merit badges such as Canoeing, First Aid, Computers, Space Exploration, and Citizenship in the World. We also learn how to be a leader.

Why should I join Troop # 484?

The Boy Scouts in Troop # 484 are very proud that they lead the troop. They make decisions in the leadership council and the adult leaders support them in what they want to accomplish. We're pretty busy with lots of activities.

What sort of time commitment is this going to be?

All of our Scouts are very involved in sports, as well as school, community, church, and synagogue activities. As with any activity, you need to demonstrate a commitment in order to successful and to enjoy it. The adult leaders recommend that the boys attend at least 75% of weekly meetings and 50% of the monthly outings. Most boys find it possible to achieve this even with their other commitments.

How much does this cost?

Troop # 484 collects dues of $50 annually. Boys may optionally subscribe to Boy's Life Magazine, the official publication of the Boy Scouts of America. The troop is involved in an annual fundraiser . Some of the proceeds are returned directly to the Scout in the form of camp fees and outing costs. Monthly camp-outs usually cost $25 to cover fees and food. Annual week long summer camp typically costs between $300 to $400.

What happens at the weekly Troop meetings?

We meet almost every week. At the troop meetings, we prepare for (and clean up!) from outings, learn new scout skills, and work on rank advancement.

What kind of outings does Troop # 484 go on?

This past year, we have gone on campouts featuring orienteering, camping, hiking, first aid, and cooking in dutch ovens. In past years, we have gone to Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina, Camp Davy Crockett in Tennesee, Camp Woodruff in North Georgia, backpacked in New Mexico, Georgia, and Colorado, canoed for 75 miles in a week in Minnesota, and explored the Atlantic Ocean at Sea Base High Adventure Base in South Florida. The highlight of our Scouting year should be our weeks at summer camp, which will be at Sand Hill Scout Reservation in Spring Hill, FL and Camp Rainey Mountain near Clayton, Georgia.

What do my parents have to do?

Committed and interested parents stand behind successful Boy Scouts. Every parent is asked to contribute in some way. This may be by serving as a registered adult leader, or by simply participating in carpools to transport Scouts to their camps and activities. Many parents find a merit badge that fits within their vocation or avocation which they can serve as a counselor for a couple of Scouts every year. Most importantly, we ask that the parents support you in your accomplishments!

What do you mean by "Boy-led" Troop?

A Boy Scout troop leads itself. Adults are present to guide and ensure safety & compliance exists.

The Scouting program using The Patrol Method means the Troop members will ELECT their own leaders; individual Patrol Leaders and a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who takes on "ownership" and holds the actual leadership position within the Troop. The SPL appoints an assistant scout (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - ASPL) and various other leadership positions.

While serving as Senior Leaders, the SPL and ASPL cease to be members of their respective patrols and function as peers with the adult leadership. Like the military chain-of-command, Adults work through the SPL and ASPL to LITERALLY make Program decisions, lead the meetings, plan agendas, pick camping destinations, and LEAD BY EXAMPLE when executing the agenda that the boys themselves devise.

Patrol Leaders are responsible for the well being and actions of their individual patrol and will REPRESENT their patrol in the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).

At the PLC meeting (chaired by the SPL and monitored by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster), Patrol Leaders plan future trips and troop meetings. Through a model of Representative Government, they CHOOSE the trips and activities THEY want to do, and appoint other scouts to serve as skill instructors, or lead games or other activities. Adult leadership keeps them on track with suggestions and advice, but the decisions are ultimately left to THE BOYS.

Once the future meetings/camping trips are planned, the SPL and Scoutmaster present the PLC's plans to the Troop Committee for review The agenda is checked for issues such as necessary fund raising, unique equipment/skills, camp ground reservations, and is given an over-all inspection to confirm that trips are aligned with the purpose of the Scouting Program. If the plans are approved, and the weekly meetings are lead by the boys (as designed) unless the skill instruction needed is currently beyond the skill set of the Scouts. Then adults will render assistance.

ADULTS are a RESOURCE for guidance and ensuring that things are done the "BSA way" for safety, youth development and general direction setting.

Boy Leadership makes sure the Troop is doing the things the BOYS THEMSELVES want to do, and it develops the leadership, communication, problem resolution, and organizational skills that underscore why Scouts excel in all other areas of their lives.

Wouldn't it "run smoother" with Adults in charge?

Yup... it probably would. But why would we want that?

This is BOY SCOUTS... not "fathers getting away for the weekend" Scouts... nor is it "WEBELOS 3" where adults are in the leadership role as in the Cub Scout program.

This is where boys LEARN and DEVELOP their leadership skills so they can become capable young men.   We DON'T EXPECT them to be the most efficient and organized leaders (and neither should you).

This is their learning ground. Here is where we want the "mistakes" to happen, so they can learn from them.   This is how we TEACH leadership skills instead of getting adults to "step in" because we could be "more efficient".

Remember... the program is NOT DESIGNED to run perfectly.

They may elect their "best friend" instead of the "most qualified"... and they will experience the consequences of casting a "careless vote". They may elect the Class Clown instead of the Class President... and NEED to "suffer" through a few months of a weaker or chaotic Program.

Remember, NOTHING happens here by accident. Trust us. Trust the 100 year old program. Have faith. Keep your boy coming ESPECIALLY if he comes home with a few "complaints" on how things are being done. Ask him what he would do differently or what he did to try to correct what appears to be a "fowled up" situation. HERE is where the Program really shows its value.

NOW you know... "bigger things" are happening here than meets the eye.    :-)

What is the purpose of a Patrol?

A significant part of the Scouting experience is to get plenty of HANDS ON activity. From knot tying, to cooking on a fire and stove, to learning how to use a pocket knife or axe... Scouts "DO".

In order to make sure everyone gets a chance to DO, boys are divided into smaller groups within the Troop so that everyone gets ample opportunity to participate. This is part of what the BSA calls, "The Patrol Method".

Within a patrol-sized group, boys do not get "lost among the crowd" or feel as though their opinions (and votes) don't matter. Each plays a critical and important role in the Patrol's success.

The definition of the "Patrol Method" from the National Council's website...

Patrols are the building blocks of a Boy Scout troop. A patrol is a small group of boys who are similar in age, development, and interests. Working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility for the patrol's success. They gain confidence by serving in positions of patrol leadership. All patrol members enjoy the friendship, sense of belonging, and achievements of the patrol and of each of its members.

Can I work closely with my son?

If you mean "work with your son" like you did in Cub Scouts, the answer is NO. There is little 1-on-1 work as a Boy Scout.

Make no mistake... You are welcome, but Boy Scouting is a new phase of his personal development.

"Dads & Lads" was the Cub Scout model. Your presence helped to guide him, keep him under control, and reinforce the importance of "family", but as a Boy Scout, he needs to focus more on himself, and on working with peers.

He's becoming a young man and needs to start interacting with other adults like the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and various Merit Badge Councilors. He also needs to become comfortable with working without adults hovering over him as he works with his patrol.

Can I attend camp with my son?

Other than high-adventure bases like Philmont or Sea Base, where adults are required to be BSA Registered Leaders, there is nothing in the BSA Program that prevents parents or legal guardians from attending camping trips with their sons.

THAT BEING SAID... there are some guidelines visiting parents are expected to follow.

1. Scouting's "Youth Protection" guidelines MUST be followed. Registered leaders can explain these to you if you are not already familiar with them.

2. Part of what you son is supposed to be experiencing at camp is becoming a functioning member of his patrol. Therefore, he WILL sleep with his patrol, eat with his patrol, do KP (Kitchen Patrol) duties with his patrol, and perform campfire skits with his patrol. You may watch and advise... but LET HIM "do".

3. Attending parents will eat, tent, and in all other ways, "function" among the attending adults. Expect to be "put to work" over the weekend.

4. Smoking, chewing tobacco, alcohol, profanity and the like are NOT welcome in Scouting. We expect (and at BSA camp grounds it is required) that you do not smoke at Scouting events. If you feel that you "must" smoke, you are expected to not be in view of any Scouts (our troop or other).

5. Do not expect your son to sleep in your tent. While it is "technically" allowed under BSA Youth Protection, it impedes his development as a self-reliant Scout and the cohesion of his Patrol. We STRONGLY discourage any attempts to bunk with your son.

6. Siblings are not welcome to remain at over night excursions, the only exception being 2nd Year WEBELOS scouts, who are actually encouraged to begin interacting with a Boy Scout troops (if our camping agenda is appropriate for WEBELOS-aged boys.).

7. Non-legal guardians (boy/girl friends of single parents) are not to remain over-night at camping excursions.

8. Adults who plan to attend camp MUST inform the Scout Master 1 week ahead of time (indicate attendance on the Permission Slip).

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