Introduction
This is the official "Guidebook" for BSA Troop 72 of Chippewa Falls,
Wisconsin. Our intent is to
capture all of our procedures, traditions, and rules into one document,
that everyone can refer to. This should be especially helpful to
parents of new scouts, so we encourage you to sit down and read the
whole thing!
If you are reading this in a paper version, you should know that this
is all on the web, at
"troop72.com/guidebook".
The paper version is
handy if you want to read it in your easy chair or on a campout, or if
you like to circle and highlight sections. But you might find it very
useful to look at the version on the web, too, since the online version
is full of links to other parts of this document as well as to other
information on the web. In particular, the
table of contents
and
glossary
are full of links to the insides of this document.
Since this guidebook is on the web, we can treat it like a "living
document," and make updates whenever we come up with them. So you
will want to check back often whenever you have a question about
anything.
We hope that this publication helps you get up to speed! If you notice
any errors, or have suggestions for things to add, please let us know.
The best way is to send email to
"tom@arneberg.com".
Sincerely,
Tom Arneberg
March 2002
History and Purpose
-
Boy Scouts of America --
From
"http://www.scouting.org/factsheets/02-501.html":
"The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America -- incorporated on February 8,
1910, and chartered by
Congress in 1916 -- is to provide an educational program for boys and
young adults to build character,
to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to
develop personal fitness.
"Community-based organizations receive national charters to use the
Scouting program as a part of
their own youth work. These groups, which have goals compatible with
those of the BSA, include
religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, and labor
organizations; governmental bodies;
corporations; professional associations; and citizens' groups.
Of the seven different programs,
"Boy Scouting is program for boys 11 through 17 designed to achieve
the aims of Scouting through a
vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with the counsel
of an adult Scoutmaster."
|
From
"http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts":
"The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for
community
organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and
personal fitness training for
youth.
"Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are
physically, mentally,
and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced
in such qualities as
initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on
religious concepts;
have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of
the American social,
economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take
pride in their
American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a
keen respect for the
basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give
leadership to American
society."
|
-
Troop 72 --
The history of Troop 72 really began in the 1970's, for it was in
that decade that six of our original eight adult leaders were themselves
Boy Scouts active in troops across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and
Kentucky.
As for troop 72, the idea for a new troop at
Chippewa Valley Bible Church
was first discussed by Tom Arneberg and Darin Thomas in
1997. (Darin had just moved to Chippewa Falls from Houston, where
he was a Scoutmaster. And Tom had always intended to some day
start a troop, a desire strengthened by the birth of his
four sons.) They wrote a
May 1999 article in the CVBC newsletter announcing
their intentions, and several men responded favorably. However, Tom
and Darin were a little disappointed that nobody made a commitment
in response to the
September 2000 article about the leadership training offered.
Despite their discouragement, they decided to press on, and went
ahead with the troop charter with three boys on the roster in
January 2001. Once the troop launch was imminent, however, men started
stepping forward. By the time the first meeting was held on March
19, 2001, there were a dozen boys and seven men involved! Four of
the other leaders also went for all three levels of the
Scoutmaster Fundamentals training
(Glenn Woods, Mark Hedrington, Steve Nutzmann, and John Mathwig), so
the troop was blessed with no fewer than SIX MEN who were fully
trained, within a month of the first meeting. (Other men who helped
in the first year but hadn't gone through the full training yet
include Jamey Mauk and Paul Lasiewicz.)
By the end of the first year of existence, five boys
had dropped out, but new ones kept coming. As of March 2002, the troop's
one-year anniversary of their first meeting, there
there were 18 officially registered boys in the troop, with 23
boys having been on at least one campout. The troop is looking
forward to a bright future!
One question you might have is, Why did we want to form a new troop
when there were already three other
good troops right here in Chippewa Falls? That's a
question we asked ourselves, and District Executive Dave
Higgins encouraged us to go ahead with a new troop. The reason is,
we have an
Awana program at our church for
kids through grade 6, that draws a lot of kids from the community.
Awana features Scripture memory, but borrows a lot of other things
from the Cub Scout program. So we thought it would be a natural
thing to offer a Boy Scout program that starts with those who
have finished fifth grade, and that would be a complement to the
existing Jr./Sr. High youth group (but that would stress different
goals specifically for boys -- character, responsibility, adventure,
and leadership).
Sure enough, that strategy proved to be very valuable, as a full
100% -- EVERY BOY in the TROOP -- was new to the Scouting program!
There were no Cub Scout crossovers. So it's quite possible that none
of the 23 boys who participated in the troop's first year would
have ended up getting involved in Boy Scouts, if it weren't for a
troop meeting right there at their own church, with boys and leaders
that their families already knew.
What each boy needs
The troop is open to any boy over the age of 11, but the boy will not
have a good experience in Scouting unless he is equipped properly. This
section will outline a few things that are the responsibility of each
boy.
-
Dues --
In addition to camping fees and equipment purchases, there
are other costs to
running a Boy Scout troop, such as patches, and dues passed on to
the Council and National organizations.
Many troops charge a lot extra per boy in annual dues in addition
to the BSA fees,
but our Chartering Organization
(Chippewa Valley Bible Church)
graciously helps support our troop financially to make Scouting
affordable to everyone. However, BSA dues went WAY up in 2020
and again in 2021 and yet again in 2022. Our dues are now $132
per year if paid by December 1.
(As an aside, the church also buys each family a
Boy's Life
magazine subscription.)
For boys who join during the year, the dues for
the current year are pro-rated at $12.00 times the number of months
remaining in the year. However, for Scouts who will be turning 18 in the next
year, there is no pro-rating; they have to pay the full dues for
the year.
Boys can take money out of their
Scout Accounts,
or pay by cash or check. There is an early-bird discount if
you pay by the end of October, and a late penalty if
you pay after the Council deadline in November:
ANNUAL DUES AMOUNTS
| Dues paid in full: | Annual dues amount
| EARLY: by November 29 | $132
| LATE: After November 29 | $144
| New scout mid-year | $12.00/month remaining
(plus $15 for the
Action shirt)
|
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Uniform --
The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good
and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy
Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an
action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims
and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout
identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe
in the same ideals.
The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout
activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts
to wear the badges that show what
they have accomplished.
The uniform should be worn to all weekly meetings and to and from
all campouts. Sometimes while on the campout, the Scouts are
allowed to change into T-shirts, but it's important to wear the
uniform shirt while traveling to and from the outing.
Because of the expense of many parts of the official Scout
uniform, the only part we require in Troop 72 is the shirt, along
with pants and a belt.
(Although the new moisture-wicking
official Scout pants
are great!)
You can
buy a new shirt at Gordy's Hardware Hank, or possibly buy a used
one from a boy who has grown out of it. (The troop usually has
a few used shirts on hand that you can buy for $10.)
The
shirt should contain these things:
- American flag (comes with the shirt)
- Chippewa Valley Council patch (must buy separately)
- Green numerals "72" (must buy separately)
- green shoulder loops (must buy separately)
- rank patch
on left pocket (troop will supply)
- optional campout patch on right pocket (troop will supply)
- patrol patch on sleeve (troop will supply)
- office patch on sleeve (troop will supply)
Look at your Boy Scout Handbook or check the web for
details on where all these patches go.
-
"Action Shirt" --
Note that we also have a secondary type of uniform, what we call
the "Action" shirt. This is a moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial
micro-fiber shirt that is great for biking, hiking, backpacking,
canoeing, or any other vigorous outdoor activity. It is a red shirt with the
BSA logo on front, and a custum Troop 72 "Join the Adventure" logo
on the back, designed by professional artist Stu Krause. Each
member must purchase at least one of these ($15), and may buy as
many additional as he wants. Starting in November 2014, we
also have a long-sleeve version
available for $20. (We also usually make similar custom
shirts for our high-adventure trips like Philmont, Northern Tier,
Humicat, Milbird, SoDak, etc.)
-
Boy Scout Handbook --
|
The Boy Scout Handbook is an integral part of the
Scout's experience. Every boy definitely needs his own book! It
contains not only much useful information about Scouting, but
it also contains checklists for
rank
requirements,
along with the teaching material needed to satisfy many of those
requirements.
The one we use now is the
12th edition,
which came out in 2010.
The Troop will buy a handbook for each boy who
registers. If you need a replacement or a second copy, you can
buy them at the Scout office (near Perkins in Eau Claire) or
at Gordy's Hardware Hank in downtown Chippewa Falls.
|
|
-
Camping gear --
Most of the big camping gear is supplied by the troop -- tents,
tarps, stoves, water filter, pots and pans. However, there
are some things that each boy should bring on campouts:
Things to wear:
Proper clothing is especially important on outdoor events. Scouting
charges forward, rain or shine! In fact, some of the best
character-building times come during inclement weather. But it
doesn't help if the boy is cold, wet, and miserable. Here are some
clothing tips for outings:
- __ rain gear -- Gore-tex or equivalent is ideal,
because it lets your sweat evaporate while keeping the rain
out. But it's expensive. Next best is a waterproof nylon
raincoat or poncho. Lightweight trash bags are better than
nothing, and may work in a pinch, but they probably won't
last a weekend.
- __ "polypro" socks -- polypropylene makes
great liner socks to keep your feet warm and dry, and to
prevent blisters. You can usually buy these at Gander Mountain,
Scheel's, or Army-Navy surplus in Eau
Claire, or Farm & Fleet in Lake Hallie. (AVOID COTTON socks
-- by retaining your sweat, they'll make your feet cold in
winter and give you blisters in summer.)
- __ wool socks -- these should be worn over the polypro
liner socks,
whenever hiking boots are worn. A double layer of socks will help
prevent blisters. (Even in summer!)
- __ pants -- nylon zip-off pants are nice.
Stay
away from denim
(blue jeans). If they get wet, they will NOT keep you warm, and
they'll weigh a ton.
The official Boy Scout uniform pants switched to a new model
called "Switchbacks" in 2006. They are moisture-wicking and
quick drying zip-offs, with many pockets and a built-in belt
-- PERFECT for camping! Buy a pair if you can.
- __ polypro undershirt like polypro socks, an
undershirt of polypro or silk or similar material will wick
away your sweat, keeping you drier and warmer.
- __ hiking boots -- something with good ankle support is
important on the trail when carrying a lot of weight on your
back.
- __ scout uniform shirt -- required for all
travel, as well as courts of honor, boards of review,
parades, etc.
- __ fleece jacket/sweater
the secret to staying warm and dry in
cold weather is layered clothing. By wearing a polypro
undershirt, a Scout shirt,
then a sweatshirt and a jacket over that, you can take off
or add layers to adjust for your activity level. This will let
you stay warm, but not get too hot. Getting sweaty will quickly
lead to getting chilled!
- __ hat, sunglasses
Gear to bring on all campouts:
- __ mess kit (or bowl, cup, plate, spoon, knife, fork)
- __ flashlight
- __ toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
- __ hat and sunglasses
- __ sunscreen, bug repellent, hand sanitizer
- __ insect repellent (if bugs are in season)
- __ leather gloves (for warmth and for handling wood/fire)
- __ sleeping bag (synthetic is best; 15-degree
rating for spring or fall)
- __ sleeping pad (for insulating warmth more than comfort)
- __ water bottles (2 quarts for backpacking)
- __ matches, candles, firestarters
- __ light rope (e.g., 1/8" nylon parachute cord)
- __ towel or washcloth
- __ extra underwear and polypro sox
- __ first aid kit
- __ rain cover for your backpack or duffel bag
- __ trash bag -- to cover your boots outside your tent
at night
- __ shoes or sandals -- it is sometimes nice to wear something
lighter around the campsite, to let your feet and your hiking
boots air out.
Extra gear to bring backpacking:
- __ pillowcase -- you can stuff clothes into it
for sleeping, without the weight and bulk of a whole pillow
- __ spare backpack parts (pins, rings, web straps)
- __ toilet paper
Extra gear to bring in cold weather:
- __ warm hat, mittens, gloves
- __ snow pants
- __ snow boots
- __ tennis shoes for in cabin
- __ sweater
- __ winter coat
- __ long underwear
Optional gear:
- __ Boy Scout Handbook -- especially nice for
those under First Class rank, so they can get things signed
off and learn while camping
- __ jackknife
- __ compass
- __ fishing gear
- __ camera
- __ camp chair or camp stool
- __ book or magazine
- __ signal mirror (old CD works well)
- __ playing cards
- __ woodcarving equipment
- __ Bible and devotional readings
Advancement
-
Scout rank advancement --
Rank advancement is a big part of the Scouting method.
Scouts can measure their growth in skills by climbing through the
ranks. Here is an overview of Scout ranks:
Rank | Overview of requirements
| Scout
| very simple -- just have to explain a few things
| Tenderfoot
| Campout; basic skills; memorization; physical tests
| Second Class
| 5-mile hike; fire/ax; service; first aid; swimming
| First Class
| Orienteering; cooking; plants; knots; swimming
| Star
| 6 merit badges (4 Eagle-req.); service; 4
months troop leadership
| Life
| 5 more merit badges (3 more Eagle-req.); service; 6
months troop leadership
| Eagle
| 10 more merit badges (5 more Eagle-req.);
Eagle Project; 6 months troop leadership
|
Eagle Palms
| 3 months and 5 more merit badges for each (bronze, gold, silver)
|
|
-
Merit Badges --
Merit Badges are awards earned by Scouts, and are required for
rank advancement past First Class.
There are about
120 different merit badges available. (Some are added or
deleted each year. For example, new badges added in 2011
include Robotics and Chess.)
A merit badge "blue card" can be signed only by an official
merit badge counselor, which is an adult pre-approved by the
Council Office in Eau Claire and is registered with the Boy
Scouts of America.
Most Scouts in Troop 72 earn most of their merit badge at the
week-long
summer camp (which is enough time to earn several badges)
or at "merit badge clinics." Clinics are usually offered once a year
in area towns like Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire,
Menomonie, Barron, and Rice Lake. Watch for all-troop emails that
are sent for merit badge clinic sign-ups. Scouts must sign up
for merit badge clinics through the troop, but transportation to
and from the clinic is on your own (although carpooling is
frequently done among Troop 72 families).
We also sometimes earn merit badges as a troop, either on a
camporee or campout, or at troop meetings. Even when done as a
group, however, each Scout must prove competence in each
requirement before he can be signed off.
If you want to work on a merit badge outside of summer camp or a
merit badge clinic, you can call (715-832-6671) or email
(Terri.Jay@scouting.org)
the Council office in Eau Claire to get the list of counselors
available for a specific merit badge. (Members of Troop 72 can
also see the
list of counselors available within our troop.)
Regardless of what venue you use to work on a merit badge,
it's very helpful to print off a
merit badge worksheet to guide you through the process.
Once a Scout completes a merit badge, the counselor will sign
the blue card and return it to the Scout. The Scout must get
the signature of the Scoutmaster. Then the Scout should KEEP
the middle section of the card for his own records, and give
the front part of the card to the Troop Advancement Chair, who
needs to use it to get the badge at the Scout Office.
If the records are ever questioned (especially during the Eagle
Scout application process), the Scout's copy of the blue card
can be a life-saver to prove he earned the badge. (One
convenient way for the Scout to keep track of his completed
blue cards is to store them in baseball card plastic pockets in
a three-ring binder.)
NOTE: If a merit badge is completed at summer camp, then blue
cards are NOT issued. Rather, the troop is given a printout of
all the badges earned by each Scout in the troop. (These are
scanned and uploaded to the troop's members-only web page for
reference.)
Most merit badges have an associated Merit Badge Pamphlet
that is very helpful for earning the badge. Some merit badge
counselors require the Scout to have a pamphlet. Scouts
are welcome to purchase one from the Scout office or summer camp
or a merit badge clinic if they want to keep it, but they can
also check one out from the troop library. If the library
doesn't have an up-to-date pamphlet for a particular merit
badge, the Scout can also buy one to use, and when he's done, he
can add it to the troop library and turn in a receipt along
with an
expense report to get reimbursed.
-
Service Projects --
Service projects are required for several rank advancements. A
huge project typically requiring hundreds of man-hours is done
for the
Eagle Project. For the next two lower ranks of
Star and
Life,
six hours of service is required, and one hour of
service is required for
Second Class.
For Life, Star, and Second Class, service projects must be
approved in advance by the Scoutmaster. Projects must
benefit the community or the church or some worthy nonprofit
organization. Usually the Scout uniform must be worn. The
purpose of the service project is to get the Scout thinking of
helping others and making his community better, but it is also
to let the world know what Scouting is about, and recognizing
a Scout in uniform performing these deeds is important.
The Eagle Scout candidate must work closely with advisors at
the Council level before, during
and after his project. Eagle projects should be open to all
members of the troop, rather than to a hand-selected group of
older Scouts, for these reasons:
- Working on an Eagle project helps younger Scouts fulfill
their service hours requirements
- It gives younger Scouts a great glimpse into what an Eagle
project is all about
- It will help encourage younger Scouts to pursue the Eagle
rank some day
- Yes, it's harder for the Eagle candidate to lead younger
Scouts than it is to lead only his older friends...but who said
getting Eagle is supposed to be easy? ;-)
-
Scoutmaster Conferences (SMC) --
When a Scout has fulfilled all his other requirements for a
rank advancement,
he participates in the Scoutmaster Conference. This is
the final check of all requirements being met before the Board of
Review. The Scout must initiate this conference. It is usually
done during a normal meeting night, or on a campout.
-
Eagle Project Workbooks --
The Eagle rank has a whole set of unique requirements.
Eagle Project Workbook -- Proposal
Before the
Eagle Project can begin, the Scout must complete the Proposal
section of the Eagle Project Workbook. The Scoutmaster won't sign
off on it until the Scout does the following:
- Fill in all the text -- This proposal part of
the document will always be part of the official write-up, so it
must be typed on a computer, and use proper spelling, grammar,
and punctuation. Have someone else proofread it.
- Send PDF file to the Scoutmaster -- when it's
done, email a PDF file to the Scoutmaster. He will upload it to
an internal web page, so that all the other adult leaders of the
troop can review it and weigh in with their advice and consent.
- Make modifications as needed -- The Scout can make
modifications to the proposal based on input from troop leaders.
When it's all done, then the Scoutmaster can sign off on it and
the project can officially begin.
Eagle Project Workbook -- Final Version
Before the Scout can schedule a Scoutmaster Conference for the
Eagle Rank, he must have completed the Eagle Project Workbook, including:
- Filling in all the text -- remember, this is an
official document that will live on for years. It's not a
facebook comment or informal email. So use complete sentences,
avoid slang, spell out abbreviations, and have it proofread by
someone else!
- Photos with captions -- you need several photos
documenting the work of the project, with "before" and "after"
versions where applicable. Each photo must have a caption to
explain who is doing what in the picture. These also must be
saved in pdf format. The easiest and best way to do this is to
create the photo section with software like Microsoft Publisher
or Word. Then you can resize photos, edit captions, etc., and
easily print out a pdf file. If that's not possible for you,
then you can always do it the old-fashioned way: physically
paste photographs onto 8.5x11 sheets of paper, and physically
paste captions (typewritten) below each photo. Then you scan
scan in each page to produce a pdf file.
- Drawings, receipts and tables scanned in -- Anything
else that goes into the project write-up should also be scanned
in. This includes drawings, receipts, tables, etc.
- Letters of Recommendation -- when we receive the
letters of recommendation, we'd like those scanned in, too.
- Create one big pdf file -- when everything is
done, we need to merge all the pdf files into one big file.
(The Scoutmaster can help with this step if needed.)
We upload this file to our web page to let
all the troop leaders review the final write-up. When this is
done, THEN the Scoutmaster Conference can be scheduled. Note
that having the final write-up on the web also serves as
inspiration and ideas and examples for future Scouts to follow.
-
Board of Review (BOR) --
For each
rank advancement
starting with Tenderfoot, the Scout must go before
the Board of Review (BOR) after all the other requirements are set.
The BOR consists of three to six adults, not including the
Scoutmaster or the Scout's parent. Normally, any dad at a
meeting or on a campout will be invited to sit in on a BOR.
They typically take 20-30 minutes per Scout, although that
time often goes up for higher ranks.
BORs for the Eagle rank are
held at the Council level and
have their own special requirements.
The main objectives of a BOR are to
make sure the Scout has completed the requirements
for the rank, to see how good an experience the Scout is
having in the troop, and to encourage the Scout to progress
further. For information, see the
Guide to Conducting Boards of Review.
-
Court of Honor --
The "Court of Honor" (COH) is an event where each boy gets public
recognition for the awards and
rank advancements he has earned since
the last COH. It's also a good time to communicate with
parents, such as discussing summer camp or high-adventure
activities coming up.
In our troop we hold a COH three times per year, usually
around
March, July, and October.
The Court of Honor for a Scout earning the highest rank, Eagle, is
usually separate from the normal tri-annual COH (see below).
-
Eagle Court of Honor --
The Eagle Court of Honor (ECOH) is perhaps the peak experience of
Scouting. It is a chance to honor the Scout who has earned his
way up to the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. It also has secondary
goals of motivating younger Scouts to keep working toward their
Eagle, and it also may attract outsiders to join Boy Scouts.
Despite what you may have heard or read, there is actually no
standard ceremony or requirements for the ECOH. The candidate
himself, along with his parents, can decide exactly how they'd
like the ceremony to go, where they want to hold it, and what
kind of reception to have, if any.
Of course, the troop will help out as much as the family desires.
(If you want to see an example ceremony,
see details
from our troop's first ECOH on 10/29/2006.)
Here is how costs are handled for an ECOH:
Troop pays for: | Family pays for:
|
Eagle badge & pin
Eagle parent pins
Printed programs
Requests for letters of commendation
Frame for Eagle certificate & pin
|
Invitations
Speaker honoraria (if needed)
Food for reception (if desired)
Paper goods for reception
Photo displays for reception
Hall rental (if not CVBC)
|
Communication
-
"Ask your patrol leader" --
The phrase most often heard around a campsite or Scout activity
is "Ask your patrol leader!" New boys are notorious for
asking nonstop question of any adults around, but the Scout
Method puts great emphasis on giving patrol leaders
responsibility for their boys, so adults should be careful not
to interfere with that. Of course, adults can help out from
time to time to teach skills and impart wisdom, but let the PL
do his job.
-
Email lists --
Email is by far the preferred method of communication in Troop
72. We have an email list for everyone connected with the
troop -- Scouts, leaders, adults, relatives, helpers. If you
are at all connected with the troop, please be sure that you
are subscribed to our email list! Just send your subscription
request to
tom@arneberg.com (and
be sure to mention your name and phone number and how you're
connected with the troop). The troop72-all email list typically
sees about one or two messages per week, mostly announcements
and reminders.
We also have an email list just for adult leaders of the
troop. That list gets much more traffic, as we plan, discuss,
and brainstorm. And we have a third list just for the
PLC. In 2009, we started yet another
list, "troop72-friends". This one is for friends of the troop
-- people who like to get occasional announcements about big
events such as Courts of Honor and pancake breakfasts,
without having to put up with all
the smaller details of an active troop. The "friends" list usually gets
only a few messages per YEAR. Anyone formerly associated with
Troop 72 is encouraged to keep in touch with the troop by
subscribing to "troop72-friends".
-
web pages (troop72.com) --
The web is another way we communicate in Troop 72. This
Guidebook you're now reading is on our web page, with
hypertext links into many sections and subsections from the
table of contents at the top, and also cross-links within the
document.
In addition to this Troop Guidebook, our troop web page features
information like this:
- Thousands of photos of past campouts
- Names and phone numbers and email addresses of adult leaders
- Permission slips for campouts
- Packing list for various types of trips
- Annual calendar overview
- Plans for upcoming meetings
- Forms of several kinds
- Links to lots more information
- Latest news about the troop
One important component of our troop web page is the
members-only section. Every troop family should have the user
name and password for this; if you don't,
email the Scoutmaster.
The members-only section has information like
this:
- A table of the current rank of each Scout
- Leadership positions and patrol assignments
- Troop roster with phone numbers and addresses
- Troop election ballots
- Details on summer camp
- Details on fundraisers
- Attendance charts
(from Troopmaster software)
- Merit Badges earned by each Scout
(from Troopmaster software)
- Certain event details not for public consumption
- Advancement record details for each Scout
-
Facebook group --
In 2014, we also added a private Troop 72 Facebook group
to our communications arsenal. That is a great way to reach
Scouts and families who aren't so good at checking email every
day. In addition, it allows for posting photos and links, and
fosters communication among the troop since anyone can post or
reply to posts. This is a members-only page, so only families in
our troop can see the posts.
Rules of conduct
Boy Scouts is a boy-led environment, but there do need to be some ground
rules of conduct laid out for Troop 72:
-
Christian ministry emphasis --
The Boy Scouts of America is NOT tied to any one religion;
they only require a belief in God. Many troops are chartered
by schools, rod and gun clubs, etc.
However, each Troop can focus on an area of religion if their
charter organization so desires. There are troops chartered
by Mormons, Catholics, Buddhists, Baptists, whatever.
Troop 72 is first and foremost a ministry of Chippewa Valley
Bible Church. As such, our primary goal is to teach godly
Biblical values to boys.
We make no assumptions about the spiritual or religious background
of any boy joining the troop, but we treat boys as if they are
Christians -- expecting the behavior of a
Christian, holding worship services, sometimes Bible studies and
discussions, integrating Scripture into some of the teaching, etc.
All meetings and outings begin with prayer.
(Note: CVBC is a non-denominational church; we use God's Word as
our guide. For more information about the church, see the web page
at
www.cvbc.net.)
-
Adult leaders' behavior --
Adult leaders of Troop 72 are expected to maintain a standard of
conduct, even outside of troop time. For example, anyone who is
involved in an extramarital or premarital affair will not make a
suitable leader, nor would someone who abuses drugs or alcohol (i.e.,
gets drunk).
Given the rampant abuse of alcohol, tobacco,
and various drugs in our culture,
we request that our adult leaders set a good example by not using
any tobacco on troop outings or activities. As for alcohol, there is
an
official policy
with our national organization:
"The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages
and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property
owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any
activity involving participation of youth members."
-
Male leadership --
Adult leaders in Troop 72 are by and large male. There are
some women who have some behind-the-scenes roles like troop
treasurer, and other positions such as merit badge counselors.
But our chartering organization requires campouts to be all-male
events. (Exceptions must be approved by the elders of
CVBC.)
This simplifies
logistics, and provides important role-modeling for adolescent
boys. If you are a female who wants a leadership position on
troop campouts, we encourage you to check out the other
excellent troops in the Chippewa Falls area.
-
Two-deep adult leadership --
The rules of the Boy Scouts of America's national organization require
"two-deep" leadership at all events, for the protection of
the boys. This means that at no time can only one adult be with a boy or
boys on a campout or other activity. If a second adult cannot be found
to accompany the group, then the event must be canceled.
-
Respect for adults --
Boys in Troop 72 address adults by their
proper title, e.g., "Mr. Hoffmann." We realize this isn't very
common these days, but it is a good way to get the boys to show
respect to their adult leaders (and it's what they already do
for teachers and most coaches).
-
Respect for peers --
While a little friendly teasing and rough-housing is natural
and healthy for adolescent boys, we try to encourage and
enforce respect for peers. (E.g., we will try to prevent excessive
teasing and mean-spirited making fun of other boys, as well as any
use of profanity.) Also, boys are expected to pay
attention when someone is talking to the group.
-
No electronic gadgets
--
We do not allow devices
such as cell phones, MP3 players, and Gameboys on troop outings. There is
nothing inherently wrong with these activities, but it robs the
boy's time and attention away from other activities that are more
helpful to his development. Believe it or not, boys in the 21st
century still can have a lot of fun the old-fashioned way!
(Note that adults may carry cell phones for emergency use and
to provide a heads-up for return time.)
-
Soda pop & junk food --
Similarly, we try to limit junk food and soda pop on campouts. Pop is
heavy to pack, can get messy and sticky if spilled, attracts bugs and
animals, can lead to
behaviour problems with the sugar/caffeine blast, and requires boys
to pack out the empty cans. It just isn't worth it! Some sweets are
allowed for desserts and snacks, but the boys are encouraged to plan
well-balanced meals since that's required for some
rank advancements.
-
Other contraband --
It should go without saying, but we'll say
it just in case. We will swiftly deal with any boy who brings
any "contraband" to any Scouting activity --
alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, pornography, firearms, etc.
Repercussions may include expulsion from the troop.
-
Safety --
Boys do the planning and lead the way on Scout campouts and
activities, but the adults are there to make sure that a minimum
level of safety standards exist. For example, some parents cringe at
the thought of their "little boy" wielding an ax or saw to cut
firewood, but that is a privilege that the boy must earn by getting
his
"Totin' Chip"
card.
The Boy Scouts of America puts out a document
that has all the minimum rules of
safety that every Boy Scout troop needs to follow:
Please read that
and let us know if you have any questions. It covers safety while in
the water (swimming, canoeing, sailing, etc.), safety while camping,
first aid, youth protection, transportation, stoves and campfires,
winter activities, and others.
-
Tips for new dads on campouts --
Fathers of Scouts are always welcomed and encouraged to join us
on campouts! (Keep in mind, however, that some trips such as
high-adventure have strict limits on crew size.) The main
concept to keep in mind is that we are a boy-led troop.
Here are some tips for dads who may be new to our troop:
- No alcohol -- Alcohol is completely forbidden at
any Scouting event by the Boy Scouts of America.
- No tobacco -- smoking is prohibited on the
grounds of L.E. Phillips Scout Reservation. If you must
smoke on other campouts, please do so discretely so that
boys don't see you, and never in a tent or cabin or vehicle with boys.
- No firearms -- Guns are permitted only on
official Boy Scout rifle ranges, not on normal campouts.
- Avoid profanity -- remember that adults are
serving as role models for the boys, so let's avoid swearing.
- Avoid disciplining your own son -- This one is
sometimes tough for parents. Try to work through the chain of
command in the troop if there are behaviour issues. The last
thing you want is for your son to wish you didn't come on
the campout.
- Let your son sleep in a tent with his patrol --
many new dads think they're doing their young son a favor by
sleeping with him, but we find that it's better for the
Scout to bond with the boys in his patrol and get a little
independence from Dad. He'll appreciate that you're nearby,
even if he doesn't show it.
- "Never do what a boy can do" -- that is the
slogan of Scouting's founder, Baden Powell.
Yes, all of us dads love to build
fires, hang the bear bag, split wood, etc. But if boys aren't allowed to
do that (sometimes painfully slowly), they won't learn.
You may need to bring a book on campouts to keep you busy!
- Work through chain of command -- every Scout
reports to his patrol leader (PL), and patrol leaders all report
to the senior patrol leader (SPL), who reports to the
Scoutmaster. If you see a Scout that should be doing
something (or should STOP doing something), try to avoid
directly commanding that Scout if possible. Rather, mention
it to his patrol leader. Better yet, work through the SPL,
who will work with that Scout's PL. That keeps the youth
leaders in the loop, and being responsible for their boys is
how they learn leadership.
- Help make the Turtle Patrol the best ever! -- to
avoid interfering with a boy-led troop, all the dads on a
campout are in their own patrol, the "Turtle Patrol." We try
to show off and out-do the other patrols in cooking,
building camp gadgets, or whatever. You can channel your
creative energy and camping experience in helping make the
Turtle Patrol a great example for the boys, without directly
interfering with their patrols.
Outside Organizations
Although Troop 72 is an independent organization under the
authority of
Chippewa Valley Bible Church,
there are several organizations and activities larger than
our troop that help to enhance our Scouting experience:
-
Area Council & District --
We are part of the
Chippewa Valley Council,
which serves over 5000 boys in ten counties in Northwest
Wisconsin. The Scout Office for our Council is by Perkins in
Eau Claire
(
see map).
Our council's main campground is
L.E. Phillips Scout Reservation.
The Chippewa Valley Council is divided up into four districts:
Blue Hills, Clear Water, Tall Oaks, and our district,
Glacier's
End. (Notice the apostrophe -- "glacier's" is possessive,
not plural, despite what you might read elsewhere! ;-) The
Glacier's End District covers Chippewa County and
parts of a few others, I think.
(Let me know if you know more
about this.)
-
Order of the Arrow --
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is sort of an honor society for Boy
Scouts. The purpose of OA is to recognize Scouts who best exemplify
the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and to promote camping
traditions.
An OA lodge has members from several area troops. Scouts
are elected to OA by their fellow troop members. To be eligible,
the Scout must be First Class or above, must have spent at least 15
nights camping in the previous two years, and must be approved by
the Scoutmaster. For more information, see the
"OA Basics" web page.
|
|
-
Camporees --
A Camporee is a weekend event where several troops from a
district or council get together for a shared campout.
Usually each troop has their own campsite and cooks their own
food, but many of the day's activities are held jointly. Often
a camporee is focused on earning a merit badge together, such
as Orienteering (May 2001), Pioneering (Sept. 2005), Cycling
(Aug. 2010), etc.
-
Jamborees --
A Jamboree is a national or international campout of
Scouts. The National Jamboree is always held near Washington,
DC, and draws 40,000 Scouts and Scouters. It is held every
five years (2000, 2005, 2010).
Troop Structure
Scouting at its core is to be a boy-run program. The boys have a
detailed organizational structure, implemented with elections and
appointments. Adults are needed, of course, to provide
transportation and oversight, but should operate in the background
whenever possible.
-
The "Patrol Method" --
All of scouting revolves around the "Patrol Method." With the
exception of a couple key troop leaders, all Scouts are
divided into patrols. Patrols should consist of 3-8 boys. But
since many boys can't make it to a given campout or meeting,
we need to start with slightly larger patrols, so that we hit
the 3-8 target in actual attendance. Boys are divided into patrols
by the SPL, and can be reallocated once every six months,
immediately after the SPL election. The founder of Scouting
described patrols as "natural gangs" -- boys who would hang
out together if given the choice.
(Read more about the Patrol Method.)
-
Troop Elections --
There are two offices in the troop that are elected: the Senior
Patrol Leader of the troop, and the Patrol Leader of each patrol.
SPL Election
The
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
is elected twice a year, in
March and September. Any registered scout who is at the rank of
Star or above and who has been to
NYLT
will be on the SPL ballot. (If fewer than three such boys exist,
then the NYLT restriction may be relaxed.)
Exception: In March 2012, we adopted a term limit policy. A
Scout is limited to three six-month terms as SPL, in order to
give others a chance to lead. (And in April 2015, we tightened
the SPL term limits to TWO terms, since we have so many great
candidates right now, and our purpose is not just to have a
smooth-running troop, but to develop young men into leaders,
and serving as Senior Patrol Leader in a busy troop is really
best way possible to do that.)
Votes can be cast in person
at a designated regular meeting, or in writing before
that meeting. A valid election requires the votes of over 50% of
the active boys on the official troop roster. Whichever boy receives
over 50% of the votes cast will be the new SPL for six months.
If no boy gets 50% of the votes, then the top two will face off
in another election that same night. If the runoff
election also ends in a tie, it will be re-held, and if still
a tie, then the Scoutmaster will decide
how to pick the SPL from the two.
Within one week of his
election, the new SPL will appoint his
ASPL
and possibly other troop leaders.
PL Election
After the SPL election,
we'll know who is left for the regular
patrols. If any patrol reallocation needs to be done, now is the
time for that. When patrol rosters are solidified by the SPL,
then each patrol
elects a Patrol Leader. Scouts can vote for their PL in person at
the designated meeting (usually the week after the SPL election),
or in writing before that meeting. We need votes from over 50% of
the boys in the patrol, and the Scout who receives a majority of
the votes cast will be the new patrol leader. If no majority is
reached, the top two will be voted on again in a runoff
election. If the runoff is also a tie, it will be re-held, and
if still a tie, then the SPL will decide how to pick the PL.
The PL will appoint his APL within one week of his election.
-
Leadership Positions --
Once the SPL is elected, the ASPLs are appointed, and the various
Patrol Leaders are elected, then the SPL may choose to appoint
other boys to troop leadership positions. (Boys appointed to
other troop leadership positions remain in their patrols.)
All troop leadership positions expire at the end of the
SPL's term (six months after his election).
In order to advance in
rank
past First Class, boys must serve in
a troop leadership position. Any qualified boy can
fill out an application
for the position(s) he's interested in.
The SPL can fill none, some, or
all of the troop leadership positions, depending on availability and
troop need. Once appointed, each boy signs a contract owning up
to his duties and responsibilities of that position. Here's a
list of troop leadership positions
qualified for rank advancement, and their requirements (as
approved by the
PLC
in September 2008):
Leadership position | Minimum rank
| Meeting attendance | Campout attendance
|
Junior Ass't Scoutmaster | Eagle, former SPL
| 67% | 67%
|
Senior Patrol Leader | Star, NYLT graduate
| 67% | 67%
| Assistant SPL | First Class, NYLT graduate
| 67% | 67%
| Patrol Leader | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Quartermaster | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Bugler | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Scribe | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Librarian | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Chaplain's Aide | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Troop Instructor | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
| Troop Guide | Second Class
| 67% | 67%
|
If a boy fails to meet the minimum attendance set up by the
PLC,
he may or may not be replaced by the SPL, but he will not
receive credit for time served in that leadership position for
rank advancement.
Exceptions due to special circumstances may be granted by the
PLC
on a case-by-case basis.
(NOTE: many boys are very involved with
sports, band, etc. It is perfectly fine if they come to Scouts
whenever they can! We'd much rather have a boy on ONE CAMPOUT a year
than not at all. However, I'm sure you'd agree that a boy who
can participate in only a small fraction of the campouts
really is not taking on the full responsibility of a true troop leader.)
-
Job Descriptions --
- Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM)
A Scout under age 18 who has been appointed by the Scoutmaster
to help in guiding the troop and youth leaders. Typically, the
Scout is an Eagle Scout and former SPL. The JASM is involved in
more subtle "second level" leadership; i.e., helping and mentoring
the SPL and other troop leaders in leading the troop. The JASM
sits in as a non-voting member of the PLC.
- Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) -- he's the guy in charge.
He runs the meetings and campouts, and runs the
PLC
(Patrol Leaders' Council) meetings
where troop decisions are made. He appoints all troop
positions except for Patrol Leaders. The SPL can
sign off most rank requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class.
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) - First Aid --
helps the SPL in training and giving direction to
the troop and patrol leadership. He fills in any time the SPL
can't be at a meeting or event. The ASPL also serves on the
PLC. The ASPL-1st Aid is also
responsible for maintaining the 1st Aid kit at all meetings and
campouts, and teaching Scouts 1st Aid skills (in conjunction
with the Troop Instructor).
- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) - Washline --
This is the Scout in charge of the "wash line" for all
campouts. He makes sure dish soap is there. He works with the patrol
in charge of setting up the wash line to ensure that it's done
correcting. He also gives a demo at each campout to make sure
everyone understands the procedures, and usually will be
watching like a hawk as Scouts go through the line to make sure
they don't make a mistake like dumping lasagna into the wash
water. The ASPL-Washline is also responsible for the trash at
camp, and for taking out recycling cans in the church building.
- Patrol Leader (PL) --
is elected by his patrol, and is in charge
of it. He runs patrol meetings and helps make troop decisions
on the PLC. He is the first line of
leadership for most boys in the troop, and is especially
valuable to new boys coming in. He makes the final decisions
for patrol menus for campouts, makes sure his patrol has the
right gear, and creates work charts. One of his main
responsibilities is helping his newer scouts advance to First
Class rank.
- Scribe --
the "troop secretary" who handles all records
and written notes:
- Collects and maintains attendance records at meetings
and outings;
- Records results of uniform inspections;
- Collects permission slips and money for campouts;
- Records choices for merit badge clinics;
- Serves as non-voting member of the PLC to record notes
- Quartermaster --
responsible for the troop's equipment.
Duties include:
- Responsible for troop's flags and banner, bringing them
to all events and returning them to storage.
- Keeps inventory of troop camping equipment: ropes,
stoves, tents, cooking gear, water filter, etc. Checks out gear
to patrols or scouts as needed.
- In charge of loading/unloading the trailer on campouts.
- Responsible to repair or replace damaged gear.
- Librarian --
maintains the troop library. The library is a
resource for the troop while working on merit badges or
planning events. His duties include:
- Keep inventory of all merit badge pamphlets. Authorize
purchase of additional pamphlets as needed.
- Remove old merit badge pamphlets that do not meet
current requirements.
- Keep track of other troop written resources, such as
Patrol Leaders' Guide, Fieldbook, Outdoor Cooking books,
Boy's Life, etc.
- For each merit badge clinic, looks through the list of
sign-ups to see what badges each Scout in the troop is taking,
and brings each required book to the clinic for their use.
- Keep records on all materials checked out, and compile
statistics on their usage.
- Chaplain's Aide --
responsible for the spiritual
development of the troop. He opens meetings and travel with
prayer, and working with the Troop Chaplain, plans informal
chapel services for campouts.
Responsible for "Words of Wisdom" for every troop meeting.
- Troop Instructor --
responsibility to teach skills and help boys advance
in
rank.
Works with patrol leaders to help new boys get up to
First Class rank. Plans and teaches specific skills at
meetings and campouts such as "Fireman Chit" (campfire-building),
first aid, cooking,
"Totin' Chip" (knife and ax), pioneering, orienteering
etc.
- Troop Guide --
responsible specifically to help the New Scout Patrol (if
there is one). The Guide will work with the newbies helping
them learn to cook, organize patrol activities, and learn
basic Scouting skills. The Troop Guide will work with the
Troop Instructor to make sure all the new Scouts progress in
sign-offs and learning.
- Troop Historian --
in charge of maintaining the history of the troop. He keeps
track of all kinds of troop records and trivia, "Halls of
Fame" (e.g., SPLs, PLs, QMs), other awards like Zero Heros,
etc. He presents some of these at every Court of Honor and
campout, and also at some meetings.
- Bugler --
helps run troop activities with bugle calls. Must bring the
bugle to every meeting and campout.
Plays "To the Colors"
during the flag ceremony at every meeting and campout; plays
"Retreat" during the lowering of the flag
at the end of every meeting and "Taps" at lights-out on
campouts. Also plays "Reveille" for the wake-up call, "Mess Call"
for meals, and "Assembly" any time the SPL wants to gather
everyone together. Since most troops (sadly) don't have a bugler any more,
the Troop 72 bugler is usually asked to play for all the
troops at Camporees and other multi-troop functions such as
merit badge clinics.
The bugler doesn't have to be
perfect, but strives to the best he can with accuracy and
tone quality.
-
Troop organizational chart --
The troop is all about the boys. Adult roles are informal and
in the background. The SPL (Senior Patrol Leader) is the Scout
in charge of the whole troop, and he runs the PLC (Patrol
Leaders' Council), the main decision-making body of the troop.
-
Current personnel --
You can see the names of all the Scouts in the
current leadership structure
any time on the troop's members-only web page:
http://troop72.com/members/patrols/
-
Troop Committee --
[TO BE WRITTEN]
-
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) --
NYLT is an intense one-week training course held in early June at
L.E. Phillips. To be eligible,
Scouts must be at least 13 years old and have earned a rank of at
least First Class.
Because having trained youth leaders is so
important for the future of the troop, Troop 72 pays for the
cost of the camp (around $220) for eligible Scouts, except
for the $50 deposit that the Scout must pay. (Scouts eligible
for paid tuition include
a Scout who has been a member of Troop 72 for at least two
years, during which he has attended at least 67% of troop
campouts, and who pledges to make it to at least 67% of future
campouts in order to justify the troop investment.)
During NYLT, which runs from Sunday morning to Saturday,
Scouts cook three meals a day over an open fire, and get
trained in various aspects of leading a Scout troop. Scouts at
NYLT must have FULL uniform, including Scout shirt, pants, and
even socks. Neckerchief and Scout hat are provided by NYLT.
Scouts who do very well are often invited to be trainers for the
following year. Trainers don't have to pay for the week, but
being a trainer involves a commitment of several weekends
from January through May.
Scouts who have approval from the Scoutmaster should fill out
the NYLT application and send it into the Scout office
(710 S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54701) with
their deposit check. The troop will pay the balance of the
funds for certain Scouts (see above),
but this is with the assumption that the Scout will
finish the course. If he comes home early because of behavior
issues or because he just didn't want to be there, then the
family is responsible for reimbursing the troop for the cost of NYLT.
For more info, see the
NYLT page on the members-only section
Adult Leader Training --
[TO BE WRITTEN]
-
Other parental involvement --
While we don't want adults to interfere with the leadership of
the boys, there are many ways for parents to get involved with the
troop. Here are a few examples:
- Coordinating a fund-raising activity such as parking
cars at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair
- Serving as "Popcorn Kernel," the person in charge of
the annual autumn BSA fundraiser
- Introducing new concepts to the troop, such as when Mr.
Randy Cassellius taught us how to do a proper flag
retirement ceremony in 2010
- Serving as Merit Badge counselor in your area of
expertise (either work or hobby)
- Teaching specialized skills like winter camping
- Helping the Quartermaster buy new equipment
- Helping the Chaplain's Aid plan chapel services and
"words of wisdom" for meetings
- Serving on Boards of Review for Scout rank advancment
- Helping new Scouts and dads get registered with BSA
- Keeping track of awards (merit badges and rank advancements)
- DRIVING THE TROOP TRAILER to campouts!
- Driving one of the church vans to a campout
- One thing parents do NOT do in our troop is buy groceries
or cook meals for the boys. The boys do all that themselves, by
patrol. That's how they learn...and they get pretty good at
it!
Troop Operations
-
Weekly Troop Meetings --
The goal of our Monday night meetings is never to be boring.
To do this, each meeting must have a purpose. The main
purposes of our meetings is to prepare for the next campout.
Specifically, the Monday immediately before a campout is
always devoted to buying groceries. The Monday before that
usually includes making menus and planning activities. The
Monday meeting after a campout is usually canceled, to
allow recovery time. So the bottom line is that with an
average of one campout per month, there is
usually only one meeting per month that needs much planning,
and even that one is sometimes taken up with a field trip to
the YMCA pool, or Mouldy's archery range, or city hall, or
troop elections, or a school holiday.
-
Troop camping --
Scouting is all about camping! We try to have a campout around
once a month. Regular campouts on our annual calendar include
Klondike Derby, Scout Island, bike trips, backpacking trips,
and canoe trips. In the winter months, we often "camp" in a
heated cabin at a Scout reservation. The cabins at L.E.
Phillips have running water, but the ones at Fred C. Andersen
do not.
In 2009 we started doing "High Adventure" trips:
- 2009 -- Northern Tier (16 guys, 6 days canoeing in the BWCA)
- 2010 -- Philmont (12 guys, 12 days backpacking in New Mexico)
- 2011 -- South Dakota (25 guys, 7 days exploring the Black Hills)
- 2012 -- HUMICAT (18 guys, Hundred Mile Canoe Trip, 7 days on the Nakekagon and St. Croix Rivers)
- 2013 -- Northern Tier (24 guys, 7 days canoeing in the BWCA)
- 2014 -- Philmont (14-24 guys, 12 days backpacking in New Mexico)
-
Patrol Leaders' Council --
The Patrol Leaders' Council, or PLC, is the primary
decision-making body of the troop. It is run by the
SPL, and also consists of the
ASPL and the Patrol Leader for each patrol.
(The Scribe is a non-voting member of the PLC.)
The PLC typically meets before or after or during meetings,
and once or twice during each
campout. They are responsible for planning themes and
activities for meetings and campouts.
-
Troop-owned equipment --
The troop owns most of the equipment needed for camping:
tents, cooking gear, stoves, trailers, water filters, etc. Our
goal is not to include equipment payments in campout fees, to
keep those fees affordable for everyone. To do this, we rely
on donations from parents and other friends and support from our
charter organization. If Scouts
want to bring their own tents or backpacking stoves or water
filters, that's fine with us! But those things should not be
on the required
packing list for individuals.
-
Loaner backpacks --
Since most boys coming into the troop do not own good backpacks, the
troop has decided to have a few on hand for the purposes of loaning
them out for backpack trips. The goal is to enable boys to get a
taste of backpacking, while encouraging them to buy their own
backpacks eventually. There is a nominal charge of $5 per
weekend (including subsequent weekends after the campout, to
encourage its timely return).
If there are more people wanting to borrow a
troop backpack then there are backpacks available for a given
outing, they will be alloted according to these priorities:
- Top priority will go to an adult, if there are not already at
least two adults going on the trip with their own packs. (If we
don't have two adults, then the trip is canceled!)
- Next highest priority category are boys who have never
borrowed a troop backpack before. (Within this category,
priority goes from highest Scout
rank to lowest.)
- Next priority goes to boys who borrowed a troop backpack
before, but are still in their first year of Scouting (sorted by
rank within this category).
- Last priority is boys who have borrowed a troop backpack and
have been in the troop more than one year (sorted by rank within
this category). These boys are last in line because they have
already been through
one fund-raising cycle, and can choose to earn funds to buy a
backpack.
A troop backpack is available for purchase at any time by
a boy, who may use his
Scout Account
money or a personal
check. The amount will be the original purchase price
minus the total rental fees accumulated. This gives boys
an excellent opportunity to "try before you buy" and make
sure everything fits properly.
Troop Finances
Like any organization, operating an active Boy Scout troop
requires finances. We have a Troop Treasurer who is responsible
for writing checks, depositing income, and keeping an eye on the
balance sheet.
-
Needs --
The troop spends money on many things during the year. The
dues paid by the boys do not cover it all; we want to keep
dues low so every boy can join if he wants. Expenses include
camping gear, badges and awards, training fees, and more.
-
Fund-raising --
We do several fundraisers a year -- selling BSA popcorn in the
fall, sometimes selling pop at the Pure Water Days parade,
sometimes selling
candy bars, etc. We'd love to offer more opportunities for
boys to earn their own way, so let us know if you think of
any!
We are grateful for the generosity of our
charter organization, who pays much
of our operating expenses. Because of that, we are able to
give back to the boys nearly 100% of the proceeds they earn in their
various fund-raising activities. Thus, fundraising in Troop 72
is totally optional! We think it's a good idea for
boys to earn their own way, but that decision rests with each
boy and his parents.
-
Scout accounts --
Each boy has a "Scout Account" in our troop treasury. This is
money set aside in his name that he has earned and that he can
use to help defray expenses. Funds in the
accounts technically belong to the troop, but boys can use their
funds for dues, campout fees, merit badge clinics, and even to
buy scout-related equipment. (For the latter, fill out a
purchase request and turn it in with a receipt.)
Purchase of equipment is discouraged if it interferes with the
ability to pay for camp fees.
When a boy
drops out of the troop, then any funds remaining in his Scout
Account will revert to the troop's general fund, since most of
those funds were given to Scouting in general. (One exception is
that if a boy ages out of the troop and has a younger brother in
the troop, funds can be transferred to that brother.)
Parents, grandparents, or friends can deposit money into the
Scout Account at any time, which some find more convenient than
writing checks for every campout.
-
Donations --
Any donations to the troop are always welcome! If you agree
with the goals of Scouting, to raise our boys into responsible young men
through outdoor adventure, donating to a troop is a great way
to support those ideals. You can write a check to the troop
at any time; it's a tax-deductible contribution.
(To get a proper receipt at the end of the year for tax purposes,
write the check to our charter
organizaiton, "Chippewa Valley Bible Church," and put "Boy
Scouts" on the memo line.)
Some people donate their time;
some donate their money; some donate both!
Also note that if you incur any expenses
on behalf of the troop (purchases, mileage, etc.) that are not
reimbursed, you can deduct them from your income taxes as
charitable donations.
Glossary
If you are new to Boy Scouts, you may be confused by some of the
acronyms and unfamiliar terms that are tossed around.
Does your son return from a scouting activity
and seem to be speaking a foreign language? Do you note some strange
words on a flyer or calendar? This page is an effort to help define
some of the more frequently used terms.
(If you have suggestions for additional
entries to the glossary, please send an email to
"tom@arneberg.com.")
(Note: If you are reading the online version of this Troop
Guidebook, there are links from many glossary entries [underlined
in blue] that you can follow for more details.)
APL -- Assistant Patrol Leader
- The APL is a boy appointed by the newly-elected
Patrol Leader.
ASM -- Assistant Scoutmaster
- See Scoutmaster (SM).
ASPL -- Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
- The SPL appoints one or more Scouts
as his assistant.
Baden-Powell
- Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the scouting movement. The
Baden-Powell training program is designed to get new scouts the basic
scout skills and help them to advance to First
Class.
BOR -- Board of Review
- As a requirement for each rank advancement a scout must appear
individually before a group of three to six adults (members of
Troop Committee) to ensure that the scout has met the
requirements for that rank. The
SM and
ASMs cannot sit on a BOR. A Board of Review takes
place after a
Scoutmaster Conference for Rank
Advancement, or when a Scout requests it or if the Troop Committee
feels the Scout needs it. Eagle boards are conducted at the
district level.
Bridging
- A ceremony where Webelos Cub Scouts cross a ceremonial bridge to
signify their transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. This is
normally done at a Cub Scout Pack Meeting with Boy Scouts from the
Webelos' new troop participating.
Camporee
- Campout attended by several troops within the
district. Usually there are various competitions between the patrols attending. These are generally held twice
a year, usually at the beginning of May and in the middle of
September.
Charter Organization
- The organization that is officially chartered by the Boy Scouts of
America to carry out the scouting program at the local troop level.
The main liaison between
the charter organization and the troop is the Charter
Organization Representative. (COR). Our charter organization is
Chippewa Valley Bible Church .
Commissioner
- Adult volunteer working at district or
council level.
Unit commissioners are assigned to units and should be
a friendly resource to the unit leaders.
Committee Chairperson
- A registered adult appointed by the Charter
Organization to chair the Troop Committee.
Presides at Troop Committee meetings. Works closely with the COR and
Scoutmaster to ensure the scouting program meets BSA guidelines.
COPE
- C.O.P.E. stands for "Challenging Outdoor Personal
Experience." (Although some people claim it means "Countless
Opportunities to Plunge Earth-ward.") It's a Boy Scout activity
involving heights, trust and team building.
- More information:
at USSP at Scouters
Belay
COR -- Charter Organization Representative
- A person assigned by the
chartering organization
to be the liaison between
the troop and the charter organization.
Council
- An area of the country consisting of districts, each of which
cover many troops.
The Chippewa Valley Council,
with headquarters
office in Eau Claire, covers much of Western Wisconsin, including
Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, Eau Claire, and Rice Lake.
COH -- Court of Honor
- An awards ceremony held periodically at which
scouts and sometimes scouters are recognized for their
rank advancements,
merit badges earned, and other awards.
(See Troop 72 COH.)
Cracker Barrel
-
A cracker barrel
is an informal evening social event at which a light snack is
enjoyed. The words evoke a memory of a few folks sitting around
playing checkers on a barrel and eating crackers at an old-time
general store.
In Troop 72, we usually don't cook supper on the Friday of a
weekend campout, so patrols often plan for a cracker barrel once
camp is set up, since most people ate a quick supper at home
before 5:00 p.m.
CVBC -- Chippewa Valley Bible Church
- "CVBC" is the abbreviation of our
chartering organization,
Chippewa Valley Bible Church
(www.cvbc.net).
District
- A subdivision of a
council. Troop 72 is in the
Glacier's End District of the
Chippewa Valley Council.
The Glacier's End district includes Chippewa Falls and Cadott,
while the
Clear Water District
covers Eau Claire.
ECOH -- Eagle Court of Honor
- An award ceremony convened specifically to honor one Scout who
has earned the Eagle rank.
(See Troop 72 ECOH.)
EDGE -- "Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable"
- EDGE is an acronym used a lot in
NYLT and other training courses.
Fred C. Andersen
- A scout reservation on the St. Croix River, north of Stillwater on
the Wisconsin side. This one is actually owned not by our
council, but by the
Northern Star Council in the
Twin Cities. But we use it for winter camping sometimes, because
several of our troop leaders are familiar with it, having used it
while growing up in Scouting, and it's not too far and offers
some great caves along the National Scenic Riverway.
FOS -- Friends of Scouting
- Annual fund raiser for the
council.
The council does not get any share of your registration fee and is
grateful for your donation.
HAT -- High Adventure Training
- Training classes to prepare adults and older youth leaders to
plan, lead, and supervise High Adventure Activities such as
backpacking, white water, rappelling, wilderness first aid, etc.
Jamboree
- Sometimes called "Jambo," it's a Scout meeting or campout
on a grand scale. There are national and international
jamborees, typically once every 4 or 5 years.
JASM -- Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
- A Scout under age 18 who has been appointed by the Scoutmaster
to help in guiding the troop and youth leaders. Typically, the
Scout is an Eagle Scout and former SPL.
Klondike Derby
- A winter event somewhat similar to a
camporee. Overnight
camping experience in the snow with team building games and
activities, but camping is optional -- many troops come only for the
Saturday activities.
L. E. Phillips
- A scout reservation a few miles west of Haugen, Wisconsin
(northwest of Rice Lake), about 55 miles from Chippewa
Falls. This is a beautiful piece of land, including 5 lakes and
1400 acres of nearly untouched wilderness. This is owned by our
Council, and is the site of our annual
week-long summer camp, in addition to training camps, Klondike
Derbies, and troop weekend winter camping.
Leadership
- To advance in the more senior ranks a scout must hold a
leadership position for a set period of time. The
rank requirements
in the Boy Scout Handbook (as revised) lists the leadership positions
that qualify.
NESA
- National
Eagle Scout Association. Open to membership to any youth or
adult who attained the rank of Eagle Scout. The first year of
NESA membership is paid for by Troop 72 for any Scout earning
Eagle.
NYLT
-
National Youth Leadership Training (formerly "JLT," Junior
Leader Training), a one-week training course in June.
(more info)
OA -- Order of the Arrow
- A national brotherhood of scout honor campers of the Boy Scouts
of America. Members are elected by their peers after meeting basic
requirements of camping knowledge and experience. (See the
OA section.)
OA Ordeal
- The initiation ceremony experience for new OA members generally
involving personal introspection, service to improve camp or trail
and ceremonies based on Indian legend or lore.
Palms, Eagle
- After a scout reaches the rank of Eagle, he can earn a Palm for
every 5 additional Merit Badges he completes. You may wear only the
proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned
beyond the 21 required for the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm
represents five merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15.
For example a scout with 20 additional Merit Badges would wear a Silver
and a Bronze Palm. In the first eleven years of Troop 72, only one
Scout has earned Eagle Palms, Jasper Arneberg, who earned his
fourth in January 2012.
Patrol
- The Patrol is the basic unit within a troop. It's made up of 3-10
scouts who camp, cook and eat together, and work as a team at various
activities and events.
You can see the current patrol structure in our
members-only web page.
PL -- Patrol Leader
- The elected leader for the patrol. He appoints an Assistant Patrol
Leader (APL) to help in running the patrol.
PLC --
Patrol Leaders' Council
- Boy leaders of the troop. (See more info under
PLC section of Troop Operations.)
Recharter
- Annual process of re-registering the troop, scouts and scouters.
Each unit designates leaders to collect the information and present
updated paperwork to the council.
Roundtable
- Monthly meeting for leaders to exchange ideas, fellowship, and, a
few announcements that is run by the district.
The roundtables for the Glacier's End district are usually held
in Stanley or Chippewa Falls.
Scouter
- Any registered adult leader.
SM -- Scoutmaster
- Adult leader who trains and guides the youth leaders in carrying
out the scouting program. One or more Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM)
help the Scoutmaster and are often assigned specific roles and
duties. The boys run the program, but the Scoutmaster sets the
vision, does some of the big-picture planning, and communicates
often with Scout parents.
SMC -- Scoutmaster Conference
- A formal meeting that takes place at a Troop meeting or activity
between a Scout and the Scoutmaster, or a person he designates, to
review a scouts progress. A Scoutmaster Conference takes place at
advancement time before a
Board of Review,
when a Scout requests it or if the Scoutmaster feels the Scout needs it.
Scoutmaster Fundamentals
- The basic Adult Leader Training. Despite the name,
this is an excellent training
program for any adult wanting to become more involved in the
Boy Scout program, or who just wants to learn more about how the
program works. It would be useful to help any parent better understand
the philosophy behind Boy Scouts, and how the boys learn
leadership.
Scouting for Food
- National Good Turn: Every year, Scouts collect food for the
fight against hunger. Bags for canned food are distributed on a
Saturday in April and then collected the following Saturday. The
food is turned over to local food banks for distribution to needy
families. This is a national "Good Turn"
of the Boy Scouts of America.
Scout Island
- An island on the Chippewa River owned by another troop in town.
This island is actually within the city limits of Chippewa Falls!
We are very grateful to Troop 13 for letting us use their island once
in a while for some private but close camping.
SPL -- Senior Patrol Leader
- The senior-most elected youth leader of the troop. The SPL is in
charge of the troop at all functions and activities. He appoints one
or more assistants (ASPLs) and other troop leaders
to help him in running the troop.
Totin' Chip
- A card that enables the bearer to use knives, axes, and saws.
It must be earned by the Scout through educational and hands-on
safety sessions led by an adult leader. Any time a Scout is observed
doing something unsafe with a sharp tool, a corner is cut off his
Totin' Chip card. When all four corners are gone, the card is taken
away and must be re-earned.
Tour Permit
- A document
that must be filed with the council office before any official
scouting activity can take place. Special permits are required for
travel out-of-state, over 500 miles, or for flying activities.
Troop Committee
- Adult committee of registered adults that provide oversight,
assistance, and guidance to the Scoutmaster in
carrying out the scouting program within the troop. The Troop
Committee is responsible to provide the necessary resources requested
by the PLC and Scoutmaster that are required to
carry out the scouting program.
Woodbadge
- Advanced Training for Boy Scout adult leaders. Woodbadge is also referred to as
Advance Scoutmaster Training. Any adult who has taken
Scoutmaster Fundamentals) can attend this
advanced training course to expand their knowledge of the scouting
program and be of more help to the troop.
NOTE: Nothing in this glossary should be considered the official policy
of Troop 72 or of the Boy Scouts of America;
it is intended only as a short description of some of the
more common terms used in scouting. Official BSA or troop policy
should be consulted if there are any questions.
[Troop72.com] |
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This page is maintained by
Tom Arneberg
(tom@arneberg.com)
(Last modified: $Date: 2021-11-12 16:38:30-06 $)
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