http://www.troop002.org Welcome to Troop 002!
http://www.troop002.org
Troop 002 Philosophy
❖ Foster an environment of personal growth and self-sufficiency for the boys
❖ Good attitude is everything in character development
❖ Focus on service to the community & others
❖ Provide opportunities for fun, friendship, achievement and learning in a safe and challenging environment
http://www.troop002.org
Cub Scouts vs. Boy Scouts
❖ Boys become more independent
❖ Advancement is individual, not by group
❖ More Troop and less Patrol
❖ More “doing” than “talking”
❖ Boy led: “Ask your PL” or “Ask your SPL”
❖ The boys should do almost everything!
http://www.troop002.org
What do the boys do?
❖ Run as much of the Troop as possible, including calendar planning for trips
❖ Set up camp – tents and cooking
❖ Do their own work, including cook their meals and clean up!
❖ Pack their gear
❖ Talk to adult leaders
❖ Serve in leadership positions in 6-month increments
− March thru August
− September thru February
http://www.troop002.org
How is all of this fun funded?
❖ Unlike in Cub Scouts, most fundraising dollars go directly to your Scout’s account!
❖ Money earned through fundraising goes into your Scout’s account with the troop for use in his Scouting trips and dues
❖ Each Scout (and parents) can see their account balance, charges and deposits on our Troop website
❖ We intend to provide as many opportunities to fundraise as possible without being intrusive!
❖ Scout fundraisers
❖ Spring: Camp Cards, Flower Baskets GOING ON NOW!!!
❖ Winter: Poinsettia sales
❖ You and your Scout choose which fundraisers you want to do.
http://www.troop002.org
Troop Website
❖ Primary location for Troop news and information
❖ Troop Calendar is housed here and updated throughout the year
❖ RSVP for Troop events
❖ Scout Advancement Reports
❖ Pictures and Videos from Troop Events
❖ Scout Accounts
http://www.troop002.org
Other Communication Vehicles
❖ Weekly Troop E-mail
❖ Facebook Group
❖ Regular E-Mail for New and Events
http://www.troop002.org
Advancement Goals
❖ Progress is at an individual pace for each Scout
❖ Earn first 4 ranks (Scout - First Class) in 12-18 months
❖ Summer Camp: Covers many early rank requirements
− “Mountain Man” skills (includes Firem’n chit and Totin’ chit)*
− Swimming Merit Badge
− First Aid Merit Badge
− One merit badge of Scouts choice (Art, Fingerprinting, etc)
*We will cover Totin’ chit and Firem’n chit requirements during New Scout Boot Camp
“In Scouting, a boy is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed.”
Lord Baden-Powel
http://www.troop002.org
Process of Rank Advancement
❖ Scouts work on and complete the requirements for each rank beginning with Scout and all the way up to Eagle
− Requirements for multiple ranks can be worked on and completed at the same time
− Generally there is no “double dipping”. If two requirements are similar, then usually they need to be performed twice. For example: Serving as patrol cook can either be used for the First Class requirement or the Cooking merit badge, not both.
− Requirements must be completed as stated, nothing more or less, but the details of the requirements are important
http://www.troop002.org
Process of Rank Advancement
❖ Scoutmaster Conference: A talk with the Scoutmaster
− All requirements for the rank must be completed before the SM Conference
− Scouts request a Scoutmaster Conference in person at Troop meetings
− Conferences occur during regular troop meetings
http://www.troop002.org
Process of Rank Advancement
❖ Board of Review: A talk with three or four Troop committee members
− Required for Tenderfoot and above
− Advancement Chair schedules after SM conference
− Typically occur at the last meeting of the month
http://www.troop002.org
Process of Rank Advancement
❖ Court of Honor:
− Scouts are presented with merit badges and rank patches
− Family celebration of Scout progress
− April, August & December – Check the troop site for exact dates
http://www.troop002.org
Scout Ranks
❖ Scout
❖ Tenderfoot
❖ Second Class
❖ First Class
❖ Star
❖ Life
❖ Eagle
Advancementbased on Scoutingskills
Advancement based on leadership and Merit Badges
http://www.troop002.org
Merit Badges
❖ 135 Merit Badge Options – Wide Variety!
❖ Sports, Crafts, Science, Trades, Business
❖ Process for Merit Badges
❖ Open Blue Card – Must be signed by SM or ASM
❖ Identify a Merit Badge Counselor
❖ Do the work – Meet with your counselor to sign off on MB requirements and knowledge
❖ Merit Badges are awarded at COH – 3 Times a Year
❖ Parents cannot sign-off on a MB unless they are a counselor
http://www.troop002.org
Merit Badges
❖ Our recommendation is that Scouts focus on skills the first year
❖ Scouts do not need any merit badges to advance to First Class
❖ Star Rank requires six merit badges – typically three are earned during summer camp.
❖ One place to find local merit badge clinics is http://meritbadge.info
http://www.troop002.org
What do the adults do?
❖ We are NOT Den Leaders
❖ More directing than leading
❖ “Put your hands in your pockets”
❖ We need your help!
❖ Volunteer – We need every family to help through the year
“When you want a thing done, ‘Don’t do it yourself’ is a good motto for Scoutmasters.”
Lord Baden-Powell
http://www.troop002.org
Volunteer Positions
❖ Advisors/Assistant Scoutmasters
• Chaplain
• Scribe Advisor
• Librarian Advisor
• Historian Advisor
• Quartermaster Advisor
• Den Chief Mentor
• Scout to First Class Coach
• First Class to Life Coach
• Life to Eagle Coach
• and more…
❖ Camping Coordinator
❖ Summer Camp Coordinator
❖ Merit Badge Counselors
❖ Medical Forms Coordinator
❖ Committee members
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Adult Training
• Merit Badge Clinics
• Fundraising
• Hospitability
• Advancement
• Committee Chair
• and more…
❖ Event organizers
❖ Board of Review members
❖ Special Projects
http://www.troop002.org
Scout Time Commitments
❖ Monday night meetings, 7:00 – 8:15 PM (year round, mirror Cobb County schools during the school year)
❖ One camp-out per month
❖ One week summer camp
❖ Regular service projects
❖ Fundraising opportunities
❖ Miscellaneous events (Flag Placements)
You and your Scout choose
You don’t have to do everything!!!
http://www.troop002.org
How have we handled COVID-19?
Troop 002 has continued to meet during the pandemic
Meetings are held outside
Masks are worn by everyone 100% of the time
Social distancing is enforced
Hand sanitizer is available
Transportation and sleeping arrangements are carefully coordinated during campouts
http://www.troop002.org
Adult Commitments
❖ Sit on 2-3 Board of Reviews
❖ Participate in 1-2 flag set-up service projects
❖ Volunteer Positions
http://www.troop002.org
Troop Meetings
❖ Sometimes instructive, sometimes business, sometimes just fun
− Opening flag ceremony
− Patrol corners
− Inter-patrol work time
− Troop activity: Skill game or other activity
− Closing: Announcements
❖ No more than 1 hour and 15 minutes
❖ Be patient. The path to Eagle is a multiyear journey and the boys have a lot of important growing to do!
http://www.troop002.org
Camping FUN!
❖ This is why many boys join Scouting!
❖ Let the boys pack for themselves from the 1st time out! – LESS IS MORE! Especially when backpack camping.
❖ If your Scout is the cook, let him work out what to shop for and bring (there is a budget that he will stick to!)
❖ Boys share tents – Many boys also use hammocks
❖ Boys don’t sleep with parents
❖ Everyone contributes to the workload
❖ Boys do all their own cooking and cleaning
❖ They have a GREAT time!
http://www.troop002.org
Campout Planning
❖ Planning for trip is done at troop meeting just prior to the Friday departure
❖ Duty roster is created
− Senior Patrol Leader – organizes those attending, creates the duty roster, is the ultimate organizer of the trip
− Patrol Cook, Assistant Cook – works w/group to plan meals, shops for food, organizes cooking gear, cooks and cleans up for meals
❖ Tent assignments (including whose bringing tents) are worked out by the Scouts!
❖ Patrols plan menus (budget is $4 per Scout per meal)
❖ Supply purchasing is completed just prior to trip
❖ Overall cost of the camping trip is divided up by participants and deducted from Scout accounts
http://www.troop002.org
What does my Scout need from the Scout shop?❖ Full Uniform
− Official shirt with all patches
− Official pants
− Official belt
− Official socks
❖ Class B t-shirts (Troop t-shirt or other Scout shirt that is not the formal shirt)
❖ Scout Handbook Canvas Cover
http://www.troop002.org
What does my Scout need now for camping?❖ Sleeping Bag (lightweight, 20 degrees rating if possible)
❖ Sleeping Mat
− $10 Walmart special
− $60 Thermarest for adults
❖ Refillable water bottle
❖ Mess kit (re-usable Rubbermaid-type container with spoon/fork, or similar)
❖ Flashlight
❖ Tent (w/rain fly) – can share w/others, so it can wait if necessary
http://www.troop002.org
What does my Scout need later?
❖ Backpack (one that will grow with your son)
❖ Orienteering compass (not military)
❖ Trunk for summer camp ($20 @ Walmart)
❖ Note – These can be in short supply near summer
❖ Full List on the Troop 002 website
http://www.troop002.org
What we need from you today❖ Completed Youth Application
❖ Completed Medical Form – Part A and B
❖ Initial deposit for your Scout account
❖ Half year Troop Dues $ 55 ($110 annually collected in November)
❖ New Scout Boot Camp (estimate) $ 25
❖ Summer Camp (July 4-10) Deposit $135
❖ Estimated total cost for summer camp is $385
❖ Recommend starting with $215, but need at least $80 to cover dues and first campout.
❖ Start signing up for activities on the troop website!
❖ Please Note – Scouts with negative balances will not be able to participate in activities outside the weekly troop meeting
http://www.troop002.org
Upcoming activities. Sign up now!
❖ New Scout Boot Camp March 19-21
❖ Okefenokee Canoeing April 30 to May 2
❖ Chickamauga Battlefield May 14 - 16
❖ Providence Canyon June 4 - 6
❖ Summer Camp July 4-10
Please encourage your Scout to check the website weeklyfor news and updated information!