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Parent Info Now here's the 411 for all you concerned or just bored parents out there. :)
The troop is divided into patrols of about eight Scouts each. Troop 2 is a "boy run" unit utilizing the patrol method in carrying out the troop program. Meeting activities, which are planned by the Scouts themselves, include learning and practicing Scouting skills, planning camping trips, working on merit badges or other projects of interest to the Scouts, as well as games and fun. THE TROOP PROGRAM is planned and executed by the Scouts, with adult participation and support. The Scouts elect a Senior Patrol Leader each year. It is his job to oversee the entire troop. Each patrol, in turn, elects its own leader annually. It is the Patrol Leader who is responsible for guiding his patrol at meetings and on camping trips. The patrol works together as a team to accomplish tasks. New Scouts begin with small jobs under the supervision of more experienced Scouts. As their skills and knowledge improve, new responsibilities are given to them. Learning leadership skills is one of the most important products of being a Scout. Many of the senior Scouts have attended Junior Leader Training Conference, an intensive week-long leadership course, to strengthen their leadership skills. Each Scout will learn the skills needed to carry out his job in the troop and will learn how to pass those skills on to other boys. The Scouts are supported by the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. It is their job as adults to guide the junior leaders. THE PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL (PLC), is composed of the Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and the Venture Crew Chief. The Scribe is also present to keep minutes, but does not have a vote. The PLC meets with the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. before the last troop meeting of each month to plan troop meetings and outings. It is through the PLC that Scouts have a way to affect troop activities. The Patrol Leader represents the interests of his patrol at the PLC. Scouts who have ideas should share them with their Patrol Leader. ADVANCEMENT through First Class may be signed off by a Patrol Leader or his designee. Parents may not sign off on advancement for their own sons. Above First Class advancement is primarily via merit badges. Scouts must obtain Scoutmaster approval in order to begin work on a given merit badge. Merit badge requirements may only be signed off by registered merit badge counselors. Other requirements for Star and Life may be signed off by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Eagle Scouts, the Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leader (but only if they have earned the rank for which they are signing off). THE BOARD OF REVIEW is a group of three to four members of the Troop Committee who review each Scout's advancement once all the requirements for a rank are met. It is the Board of Review which gives final approval for a rank. After completing the requirements for a given rank the Scout is interviewed by the Board. This usually takes about ten or fifteen minutes and is quite informal. Scouts are not re-tested at this point, but rather engage in an open dialogue about their experiences. There is nothing to fear; a Scout who is prepared should not be apprehensive. MONTHLY CAMPING provides an opportunity for Scouts to put their knowledge into practice on an overnight outing they plan themselves. A camping fee of $12 per trip is due at the troop meeting two weeks before the outing. Scouts camp and cook as patrols. They are in charge of their own menu planning and cooking of meals. One or more Scouts will be assigned by the Patrol Leader to purchase patrol food for the campout. Scouts do not share tents with adults; a Scout may share a tent with other members of his patrol. Active participation in the monthly camping program is essential to timely advancement since this is where the Scouts develop and practice most of the skills required for the first three ranks. Troop activities are designed to enable a Scout to become First Class during the first year he is a Scout. The troop camping program provides the Scouts with fun, new skills, and advancement. In addition, outings provide opportunities for earning merit badges, including Camping, Cycling, Hiking, Cooking, Backpacking, Pioneering, Orienteering, Wilderness Survival, and many others. SUMMER CAMP is an integral part of the Scouting experience! The troop attends Camp Yawgoog in Rhode Island for one week each July. Summer Camp is the ideal place for new Scouts to begin working on advancement and merit badges, and it is a good place for more experienced Scouts to earn some of the merit badges required for Star, Life and Eagle. It is also, of course, a great place to have fun. COURTS OF HONOR are held two times each season. The purpose of the Court of Honor is to recognize achievement. Family members and other guests encouraged to attend. Eagle Courts of Honor are very special events! Each new Eagle Scout is rewarded with an Eagle Court of Honor at which he is presented his Eagle Badge, Certificate and other items. Since the event is the culmination of several years of effort on the part of the new Eagle, Troop 2 attempts to make the event a memorable occasion. FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES are decided upon by the Troop Committee. Because the Troop program has become richer, there has been more advancement and more awards earned by the Scouts. Rather than raise the registration fees enough to cover the additional costs of the awards, the Troop Committee has been exploring different fundraising ideas. One of the most successful fundraisers has been a wreath sale. Each Scout is expected to sell at least ten wreaths at $15 per wreath. A portion of the profit is returned to the Scout as a commission. THE ANNUAL FEE is currently $50 for each Scout and includes a subscription to Boys' Life magazine. This payment is due in September. In addition the PLC requires the payment of monthly dues of $3. Financial assistance for the annual fee and/or the weekly troop dues is available to Scouts who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the Scouting experience. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT is essential to an active troop. Scouting is a family affair. No Scout is expected to travel the Trail to Eagle by himself. Parents should encourage their son to work on advancement and to take full advantage of the Scouting program. Parents are invited to observe all troop meetings and outings as well as attend Courts of Honor. Parents may participate in several ways: as resources for the Scouts as they progress in ranks, by seeing that the Scouts have the necessary materials for study and work on advancements and awards, by assisting in fund-raising activities, by assisting in the transportation of Scouts to and from camping and other troop activities, and in general by encouraging the Scouts to persevere in the Scouting program. If a parent has special skills or training, she or he may want to serve as a Merit Badge Counselor for interested Scouts. There are more than 120 different merit badges available. There is always room for anyone who wants to take a more active role in working with the Scouts. Council training programs are held throughout the season; all interested parents are encouraged to take advantage of them. All active members of the program staff are trained. In addition, both the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair have taken the highest leader training available-Woodbadge. JOINING TROOP 2 To join Troop 2, you must: In addition, by the time of your induction into Troop 2, you must be able to: If you earned the Arrow of Light, you have mastered most of these requirements. If you have not earned the Arrow of Light, one of our Scouts will teach you the joining requirements to earn your Scout badge. Afterwards, Scouts will help you learn the Scout skills you will need to earn the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. The following items are required before we can register you in Troop 2: THE UNIFORM is a functional part of our program. Each Scout is expected to wear a complete uniform (including Scout shirt with correct insignia placement, Scout trousers, and Scout belt) to all meetings and camping trips. We always travel in uniform. On special occasions Scouts are expected to wear neckerchiefs with their uniforms. The neckerchief is worn to Courts of Honor, parades, and other events where the Scout publicly represents the Boy Scouts of America and Troop 2.
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TROOP
2, with a history of over 70
years of service and
excellence, is one of the oldest troops
in the area. The excellence continues today. The troop is proud to take part
in community service events such as Scouting for Food and the Trash Bash,
upholding Scouting's tradition of service to others. Through participation at
our weekly meetings and monthly outings Scouts become proficient in a variety
of skills which are useful both in the outdoors and throughout life. The
knowledge they gain is visible through rank advancement; several members of
Troop 2 have earned Scouting's highest rank--Eagle Scout. When put to the test
Troop 2 comes out on top, often returning from competitions with blue ribbons.
In addition, the troop continues to earn the National Quality Unit Award each
year.
TROOP
MEETINGS are held each Thursday night from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the United
Church of Rowayton, our charter organization, located at 210 Rowayton Ave. We
observe Norwalk Public Schools severe weather cancellations.
