TABLEOF CONTENTS
WELCOMETO TROOP 2……................................................................................................................3
TheDifference Between Cub Scouts and BoyScouts..................................................................... …..3
YourRole as a Scouting Parent: Be Informed.................................................................................….4
Uniforms:A Sign of Belonging............................................................................................................4
Equipment...........................................................................................................................................4
Meetings..............................................................................................................................................5
Outings/Activities...............................................................................................................................5
Codeof Conduct ..................................................................................................................................6
Leadership............................................................................................................................................6
NewScouts...........................................................................................................................................7
Advancement.......................................................................................................................................7
Communications...................................................................................................................................7
Finances................................................................................................................................................8
GETTINGSTARTED................................................................................................................................8
Registeringwith theTroop...................................................................................................................8
AboutTraining......................................................................................................................................8
ResourceSurvey..................................................................................................................................9
AnnualHealth Form............................................................................................................................9
WhattoBuy.........................................................................................................................................9
Signingup forActivities.......................................................................................................................9
WELCOME TOTROOP 2
We are happy that you and your son have chosen ourtroop to start his Boy Scouting adventure!
Troop 2 was founded in 1914 to provide boys with achance to develop moral strength and
character, participating citizenship, and physical,mental, and emotional fitness in the context of
an active outdoor program. The Troop is based onfundamental Scout skills and traditions, an
active and challenging outdoors program, and leadershipdevelopment and advancement. We
operate on the premise that it is the outdooractivities that attract boys to Scouting, and not the
indoor Troop meetings. Regular outdoor activities“fuel” meaningful indoor programs as Scouts
prepare to go outdoors.
Boy Scouting, as is our Troop, is “Scout Run”. We giveeach Scout as much freedom as possible to
learn and to develop his independence, leadershipskills, and responsibility, consistent with
safety, well-being, and the overall best interests ofthe Troop. As a result, the Scoutmasters defer
to the Scout-leaders as much as possible, even to thepoint of allowing failure of a program or
plan, unless safety or well-being are threatened, orwhere allowing a poorly-planned activity to
proceed will serve no useful purpose.
As with all volunteer organizations, the benefitsderived are only as good as the efforts put forth.
We encourage parents to become involved and toparticipate in your son’s activities and
accomplishments. As parents of current and past Scouts,we have come to see the importance of
parent participation in your Scout’s journey throughScouting. The journey is filled with
adventure and learning. Shared with other adults in theTroop, it can be one of the most
treasured experiences you will have.
Communication among Scouts, leaders, and families canbe very challenging. Since this is a Scout-led organization, the boysthemselves are the
primary source of information about the troop.
We recognize that when you first join an organizationthere is a lot of information you need to
know as soon as you start. This guide is intended to bean orientation guide to information you
want to know now. It addresses such issues as parentparticipation, uniform requirements,
equipment, advancement, and dues.
The Difference Between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
Cub Scouts: Come in as a boy, leave as a boy. Parentled. Involves supervised activities.
Boy Scouts: Come in as a boy, leave as a young man.Scout led, parent advised. Involves activities
requiring greater degrees of self-supervision.
At Troop 2, the Scouts plan and decide on the program,run the meetings, manage the equipment, plan and execute the trips, and become self-motivatedto advance.
Your Role asa Scouting Parent: Be Informed
We are a very active Troop. Most young Scouts cannothope to keep track of all the events going
on. We recommend that parents:
·Meet and conversewith other parents and leaders.
·Attend thebeginning and end of Troop meetings when announcements are made.
·Join our MonthlyParent Meeting, held at IWLA the first Thursday of the month while the Scoutsmeet separately.
·Read emailnotifications regarding meetings, outings, and calls for volunteers. The
calendarof meetings and events is on our website http://troop002.ScoutLander.com
·Sign up as earlyas you can once outings are announced. In order for the scouts to learn
andpractice planning skills, appropriate deadlines will be set and advertised. Inmost
cases,the deadline for Sign up and Payment will be three weeks before the outing.
Advance email notifications are provided to allmembers.
·Explore and beaware of the resources on our website – Calendar, Adult and Scout
Directories, Forms, Training, Videos, you name it. Ifyou think something is missing, we
will do everything we can to improve. If you need helpwith your log in or navigation, just
contact webmaster@http://troop002.ScoutLander.com.
·Consider joiningthe Troop Committee, becoming a merit badge counselor, and attending
events.
Your son will, at times, have specific responsibilitiesto the Troop and his patrol. He may be a
Patrol Leader or hold some other leadership position.He may also have an assignment for a trip.
As a parent, be aware and encouraging.
Uniforms: ASign of Belonging
Uniforms are an important element in the methods ofScouting. We encourage all Scouts to
obtain a Scout uniform and wear it at all Troop andPatrol activities.
In Troop 2, the “class A” uniform, consisting of aScout shirt, Scout belt, and Troop
neckerchief, is required for all Scout meetings; fortravel to and from any activity, “class A
– without Neckerchief” is required.
A “class B” uniform, consisting of a Troop or otherScout t-shirt, is often designated for
camping, summertime meetings and other activities.
For Boards of Review, beginning with the Star Rank, theScout should wear his Sash and bring his
Scout Book (needed for Eagle). For special ceremonies,such as a Court of Honor or Flag
Retirement ceremony, a full uniform, including a MeritBadge Sash and Boy Scout pants/shorts
(or something equivalent), is required. Casual pants,such as sweatpants and gym shorts, are not
appropriate.
Equipment
Besides the uniform, the only other equipment a Scoutwill need when he first joins Scouts is the
Handbook. All of his sign-offs for rank advancementwill be done in the book, so it becomes the
primary source of rank record keeping in addition beinga handy scouting reference. Because it
goes on all Scout activities with the Scout, considergetting a cover for it. The Scout shop sells a
plastic cover or a more durable nylon cover, although aquart-size zip-lock bag serves very nicely
(Especially at Summer Camp!).
The Troop provides most of the required camping gearwith the exception of a sleeping
bag/ground pad. For early warm-weather camp-outs, 2-3blankets can serve very nicely in place
of a bag. Over time, your son may wish to accumulateadditional equipment. Please consult with
one of the Troop leaders before making a big investmentin any equipment as they can tell you
what is appropriate and where to get a good deal.
The first piece of equipment that many Scouts wish topurchase is a knife – the bigger and more
elaborate, the better. Do not get your son a knife! He is not allowed to carry or use aknife, ax,
or saw at any Scout activity until he has passed therequirements for the Totin’ Chip. He will earn
this out of the way at the first couple of camp-outs.After that, he may carry a pocketknife. Troop
1097 and BSA rules do not allow sheath knives to becarried or used at any time. Elaborate
“Swiss Army” knives are simply not practical for mostScout activities.
Meetings
Scouts meet each Thursday night from 6:00 to 7:30 at FirstPresbyterian Church. Occasionally we
meet at other times or places for special programs.Attendance at Troop meetings is generally a
prerequisite for participation in outings.
The troop follows the MCPS policy for bad weather. Ifpublic school evening activities are
cancelled for any reason on a troop meeting night, themeeting will not be held. If the school
system declares “code blue” for evening activities(outdoor activities are cancelled but indoor
activities are permitted) the troop will hold itsmeeting but the Scouts will be kept inside for the
duration of the meeting. If MCPS schools are closed(e.g. teacher work day) but
administrative offices are open, we will hold ourmeetings as scheduled.
Courts of Honor are special meetings where the Scoutsare recognized for their achievements. It
is very important for Scouts and parents to attendthese as a sign of respect for the Scouts’ hard
work. For this reason, Class A uniforms are mandatory.Courts of Honor are held three times a
year (generally Fall, Winter, and Spring).
othermeetings:
·Patrol LeadershipCouncil (PLC)– last Wednesday of every month for Scout leaders. Planning
for future meetings and activities.
·Troop CommitteeMeeting – quarter for registered adults who are
not serving as Assistant Scoutmasters. Overall planningand administration.
·DistrictRoundtable – first Thursday of the month for Scoutmasters, Unit
·Commissioners, orother troop representatives. Sharing of District and Council
information.
·Scoutmasters’Council – ad hoc for uniformed adults. Program and boy-focused planning
andsupport.
Outings /Activities
Activitiesare planned to occur at least once per month. They almost always involveoutdoor
activities,and usually involve camping. The Troop attends summer camp each year for oneweek
(andhistorically it is the first week in August). There are opportunities forexperienced Scouts to
visitBSA’s high adventure bases across the country. Activities are handled asfollows:
·Cost - the perperson (Scouts and adults) outing fee covers the cost of the outing. This generallyincludes food, camping fees, and special program items if needed. We periodicallyrun fund raising programs where 50%-100% of the funds raised by each
Scoutare set aside in a passbook account for his use to offset the costs of camping.
·Canceling - anyonewho has indicated that they wish to take part in an outing is
committedto paying for it if they cancel after food has been bought and/or camping
commitmentshave been made which can’t be reimbursed.
·Scouts camp inpatrols and learn by “guided discovery” - doing for themselves and
figuringout solutions to problems that arise. A Troop Guide or other experienced Scout
workswith the new Scout patrol on camping skills during the outing, and a registered
adultleader provides supervision. The Scouts develop independence andself-confidence
bydoing for themselves.
·Adults assist inrunning the program and oversee safety. Adults are part of the “Staff
Patrol”on outings and work independently, doing their own cooking and other duties as
assigned.Parents are encouraged to accompany the troop on outings - you do not have to
betrained. Parents are expected to pay for attending the outing, however. Theadults try
notto interfere with the patrols unless there is a safety issue. Parents areencouraged to
leaveany discipline of their own child up to the Senior Patrol Leader or anotheradult.
Boystend to respond more reasonably to someone other than their parents. This also
preventsthe Scout from resenting his parent’s presence on the outing because he feelshe
can’tget away with anything - parents always seem to notice more! Another way tolook
atthis: you are an Adult on the outing, not someone’s Parent
Code ofConduct
For all Scouts:
Iagree to abide by the Boy Scout Code of Conduct as stated in the Scout Oath andLaw,
ScoutMotto and Slogan, as well as the Outdoor Code (see p.9 of Scout Handbook). Ifmy
behaviordoes not reflect the above Code of Conduct I understand I may be sent home
fromthis and other Troop activities at the discretion of the Scoutmaster ordesignated
leader.I agree to participate in a full and constructive manner in this troopactivity.
Leadership
TheSenior Patrol leader (SPL) is the leader of the Scouts. He runs the Troopthrough the Patrol
Leaders’Council, where decisions are made on meeting and Troop activities, assignmentsof
Scoutsto patrols, etc. The Scouts in the Troop elect the SPL annually. Each patrolelects their
patrolleader twice a year.
ATroop Committee, under the leadership of the Committee Chair, governs theTroop. All parents
areencouraged to participate in order to have a say in the operations of theTroop. Committee
Memberssupport the troop and handle administrative and planning details.
TheScoutmasters’ Council, under leadership of the Scoutmaster, consists oftrained, uniformed
adultleaders and is in charge of operations of the Troop relating directly to theScouts. The
Scoutmasterand all registered Assistant Scoutmasters are required to have completed theBoy
ScoutLeader Training courses. ASM’s (Assistant Scoutmasters) work directly with theScouts on
aweekly basis, offering guidance in responsibilities and advancement.
New Scouts
NewScouts joining the Troop are generally assigned to the New Scout Patrol (theyselect their
patrolname). In this patrol a Troop Guide and a specifically assigned AssistantScoutmaster lead
themso that they get the special attention needed to introduce them to the programand to teach
themtheir basic skills. Patrols established when a Scout enters the Troop oftenstay together as
apatrol after the completion of their first year.
Advancement
TheBSA advancement program is an important part of any Troop’s program. Itencourages
Scoutsto learn vital skills that allow them to get the most out of the outdooractivities and to
participatesafely. However, while the development of certain skills is essential,participation in
theformal advancement program is voluntary. We do not feel it is in the bestinterests of the
Scoutor of the Troop to push a Scout up the advancement trail if it is not importantto him.
However,we will provide all encouragement and assistance to the Scout who wants toadvance
andto learn new skills, and we strongly encourage every Scout to set a goal ofbecoming Eagle
Scout.
As aScout works on his Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks, he will beinstructed and
testedby an older Scout, one who has at least the First Class rank. One of the seniorScouts who
hasbeen approved by the Scoutmaster will initial the Scout’s handbook indicatinghe has
completedthe skill.
Afterthe requirements for a rank are attained, the Scout asks the Scoutmaster for aScoutmaster
Conference.After a successful Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout asks the Advancement Chair
for aBoard of Review. After a successful Board of Review, the Scout has earned therank.
Throughthis process, the Scout learns how take initiative and interact with otheradults.
AScout may begin working on merit badges at any time after earning the Scoutbadge. Merit
Badgesbecome the primary requirements for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. When theScout
wishesto begin working on a merit badge, he should discuss this with the Scoutmaster,who will
helphim select a merit badge counselor and provide him a signed “blue card”. It isthe Scout’s
responsibilityto contact the counselor to make an appointment with the merit badge counselor
todiscuss the merit badge. The Scout must take a friend or parent to all meetingswith the
counselorunless the meeting is conducted at a regular troop meeting. When the Scout has
completedall of the requirements and the counselor has signed the blue card, it is theScout’s
responsibilityto turn in the blue card to the Advancement Chair so that the merit badge canbe
recordedand purchased.
· We advise parents to be very aware of these“Blue Cards”. It is the often-irreplaceable
proofof accomplishment required for receiving the badge. Suggestions: Keep “BlueCards”
in asafe place. Plastic, 9-slot baseball card sheets in a 3-ringed binder are anexcellent way
tostore them, as they will be part of the Scout’s Eagle Book. From time to time,photocopy
yourson’s Rank Achievement pages in his handbook as well.
Communications
Wework hard to keep you actively informed, and we ask that you do the same forus. Our normal
communicationsare via email using our membership database through our secure website. We
willalso make announcements at meetings, send flyers home with Scouts, and throughphone
callsand text messages from Patrol Leaders. If your Scout has a question aboutPatrol or Troop
activities,advancement, etc., the expected order of resolving the issue is:
1.Patrol Leader
2.Senior Patrol Leader
3.Assistant Scoutmaster in charge (SMIC) of the specific outing - identified inthe outing
notice
4.Scoutmaster
Foradult matters, please call the adult in charge of the specific function first(Treasurer for
moneymatters, etc). In any case, feel free to call the Committee Chair orScoutmaster to resolve
policyissues or conflicts and don’t let misunderstandings or bad feelings fester.
Finances
A scoutis thrifty, which means. We try to have the scouts earn their own ways throughfundraisers. The fundraisers pay for camping supplies, camping equipment,miscellaneous program expenses, and
scholarships(summer camp and high adventure trips for Scouts in the troop).
Therewill also be activity costs for Scouts participating in activities. The Trooptreasurer collects
moneyfor Troop-wide activities such as campouts, summer camp, high adventure, etc.
GETTING STARTED
Registeringwith the Troop
NewScouts registering with the troop will pay pro-rated dues (@ $5 per month) forthe
remainderof the program year ending in September. For example, Webelos bridging by April
willpay $25 dues. Boys Life magazine is available for an additional charge. We willneed a
completedYouth Application for the Scout.
Adultswho would like to be part of the troop should also register. Adults who wouldlike to be
partof the committee need to fill out an adult application, including the disclosurepage
regardingthe background check, take Youth Protection Training (20 minutes online;navigate to
theBSA Online Learning Center through https://myscouting.scouting.org/Pages/Home.aspx),and pay the registration
fee,which is currently $15 a year. For those adults not interested yet in becominga committee
memberbut would like to participate in activities, such as camping, or to serve as aMerit Badge
Counselor,you will need to also fill out the registration form including the background
disclosure,take Youth Protection Training, but no fee is required.
About Training
BoyScouts of America requires that all adults working with Scouts must take theonline Youth
ProtectionTraining every two years. This is required for uniformed and non-uniformedadults,
includingMerit Badge Counselors and Committee Members. This certification is requiredbefore
BSAwill accept Adult Registrations, so when we submit your application, we includea printed
copyof that certification you receive at the end of the course. BSA will alsoverify our compliance
whenwe recharter every year. If this is your first training through the BSA OnlineLearning
Center,the system will guide you through how to create an account.
Resource Survey
Parentsupport is the backbone of our troop. Everyone has one or more talents that canhelp
maintaina great Scout program. Please be sure to complete our Troop Resource Survey
(http://troop002.ScoutLander.com/forms).
Annual Health Form
EveryScout and adult who attends an outing must have a completed and annuallyupdated
healthhistory (Parts A & B) with a copy of an insurance card on file. An annualphysical (Part C)
isrequired for activities lasting longer than 72 hours (for us that would besummer camp) or is
consideredstrenuous (our High Adventure activities). For the current BSA informationabout
thispolicy, see our website (http://troop002.ScoutLander.com/forms).
OurHealth Forms Coordinator keeps record of when your updated records are due. The
Coordinatoralso keeps copies so that a set of forms for the Scouts on a given outing isreadily
availableto the Scoutmaster in Charge should medical care become necessary. If a Scoutor adult
doesnot have an update-to-date health form on file, they will not be able toparticipate in the
outing.
What to Buy
1.Boy Scout Class “A” Uniform (Shirt, purple World Crest emblem, Council Patch,and
Belt) – available at the Scout Store.“Experienced” uniforms may also be available from
time to time from the Troop’s uniformperson. Most boys opt for the short-sleeved shirt
to get the most out of it during warmermonths.
2.Boy Scout Handbook and Sash for merit badges– available at the Scout Store.
3.The Troop will supply the “2” numerals, green Shoulder Epaulets
when your Scout first joins the Troop.
4.Class “B” T-shirt – For the summer meetings/outings. One or more can bepurchased
from the troop through the Troop’s uniformperson. Since we begin wearing these at the
end of the school .