Overview of Troop Policies:
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Advancement in Troop 48 is based on the Troop Program which consists of hiking, camping, and participation in Summer Camp and other activities. Advancement is not automatic. The Troop Program provides many opportunities for advancement, however, most opportunities occur naturally in the Program.
Each Scout should always know exactly what he needs. That way he can do the planning required to make sure that each opportunity is used to full advantage.
Troop organization and activities are designed to promote personal organization and initiative, the ability to cooperate in small groups, and leadership and management skills. On occasion, a Scout will find that the physical demands sometimes exceed the limits that he had imagined for himself, however, the opportunity to shatter those self-imposed limitations can provide the basis for considerable personal growth.
A Scout must interact with other Scouts for mutual benefit. He must also interact with many adults, both in the Troop and in the community at large. This interaction is very important and is highly encouraged.
The range of boys' ages is from 10 1/2 to 18 years. There is a corresponding range of sizes, interests, and maturity. That such diversity can be maintained is a sign of a healthy troop. A new Scout should work for acceptance based on mutual respect gained through his personal achievements and contribution to the Troop.
Every aspect of the Scout Advancement Program requires goal setting. Big goals such as Merit Badges and Rank Advancement are broken down into smaller goals. Completing one or two small goals on a regular basis is the best way to advance. Each goal or requirement must be certified by the Troop Leadership. Significant advancement is recognized at Honor Courts which are formal ceremonies.
Before a Scout is allowed to advance, his accomplishments and new goals are discussed in a Scoutmaster's Conference. Then the candidate for advancement must appear before a Board of Review. Ranks through First Class are reviewed by the Troop's Patrol Leaders. Higher Ranks are reviewed by adults from the Troop Committee. A Scout must be prepared or he will not pass his review. He must be thoroughly familiar with all of the material up to and including the rank he is being examined for. A well prepared Scout will find Review Boards to be significantly worthwhile experiences.
Scouting's higher ranks require meaningful leadership to be shown for times as long as six months. Leadership positions are filled by nomination and election. The boys themselves determine who will have the leadership opportunities and, therefore, who will advance. Even though leadership opportunities are somewhat limited, not every Scout who has the opportunity takes full advantage of it. Merely "holding" a position without making a meaningful contribution will not be acceptable for advancement.
Periodically, when new leaders are elected in the Troop or simply when some of our established leaders need a little reminding of what they are expected to do, our Troop will conduct a Junior Leader Training Course. The purpose of this weekend exercise is to improve upon the leadership skills of the Troop by illustrating the importance of teamwork and determining the responsibilities of each leadership position as well as going over basic Scouting skills that they as leaders have to demonstrate with proficiency.
Importance of Parents' Interest
The Troop adults and boy leaders are certainly interested in and very helpful toward a Scout's advancement. Usually the Scout himself is also very interested. This is necessary in the advancement process but ii is rarely enough. Usually a parent who is familiar with the requirements through reading the Handbook and who follows the Scout's progress is required. Such a parent can give timely encouragement and support as well as providing a source of information and inspiration. Most Scouts who do not progress satisfactorily do not have an actively interested parent backing them up.
Scouting is expensive. Troop 48 is very active and money is required for transportation, food, expenses, summer camp costs, equipment costs, and registration fees. The rewards of Scouting are well worth the costs. Opportunities to earn some of the money for Scouting are available through Troop projects such as car washes, popcorn sales, pizza dinners, and Scout Show ticket sales. The funds are held at interest for the Scout in the Troop Savings Account.
A complete uniform is required for participation in the Troop. It is designed for Scouting activities and wears extremely well. Used uniform parts are readily available. Wearing the uniform is highly desirable at all meetings and is required when the Troop is traveling or participating in other activities. It is also required for presentation of any advancement or other awards. The Troop currently keeps a closet of uniform parts to be used at your leisure. We only ask that you return them when you out grow them, so others may have the same opportunity.
A well-fitting pack with a frame, padded shoulder straps, and padded hip suspension that fits is required for overnight hiking events. Hiking boots that give good ankle support are required for all hiking. A sleeping bag representing the best tradeoff between weight and cost that can be worked out is a necessity. Cutting corners on these equipment items can place a severe physical hardship on the Scout and can keep him from enjoying an entire Scouting career. Good used equipment is often available from older scouts who are upgrading their equipment.
Importance and Use of the Scout Handbook
How does a Scout learn what is required for advancement? The answer is that all of the requirements for "Scout-to-Eagle" are contained in the Scout Handbook. No other source is necessary, especially through the rank of First Class. The Scout Handbook costs about $5.00 and should be purchased within a day or two after a boy joins the Troop.
Once the Handbook has been purchased, the new Scout should read it from cover-to-cover. So should his parents. These points cannot be overemphasized. Each item of advancement refers to specific pages in the Handbook (parents and leaders are other sources of information).
Each item of advancement is recorded in the Handbook so that it becomes not only the boy's source of information but his history of advancement as well. Note: The Drug Abuse Pamphlet at the front of the Handbook Must be reviewed by both boy and parent for completion of the Joining Requirements to Troop 48.
In short, the boy is responsible for his own advancement in close cooperation and consultation with his parents, the boy and adult leadership of the Troop, and others in the community. The Scout Handbook has all of the required information for advancement broken down into manageable goals. The Handbook also provides an advancement record. Both boys and parents should be familiar in considerable detail with the contents of the Handbook. The Troop provides opportunities, instruction, encouragement, certification, recognition of progress, and the opportunity to earn funds for Scout activities. The Troop does not force or guarantee advancement. The parent helps with knowledge, interest, encouragement, funds, and support for Troop activities.