1. The ability to accomplish major tasks by breaking them down into smaller, more workable units.
2. Develop leadership, camping and survival skills that may be utilized throughout a persods life.
3. Exposure to many hobbies, vocations, places, circumstances and people that may not be available in the single family unit.
4. High self-esteem and a measure of pride--pride in himself, in his work and with his troop.
For these goals to be accomplished, we must work together. We need Committee Members for an active troop committee and we need Assistant Scoutmasters. We need people to drive, help organize events and to share their skills with these scouts. Your help and input is needed. If you choose not to volunteer to help, you will be assigned duties where we need the help and we will follow it up.
This is not a babysitting service. You are expected to contribute. Parents are expected to be at ALL Courts of Honor and are welcome to observe any meeting. We expect a father or stepfather to attend at least one campout.
There are many exciting thing that can come about this year and with your help, I'm sure we can accomplish our scouting goals.
Thank you,
Bill Baker
Scoutmaster - Troop 123
Troop Rules and Guidelines
6/1/99
Uniform:
Class A uniform is a complete uniform--khaki scout shirt, neckerchief, scout pants or shorts, scout socks and scout belt. A scout cap is recommended for outdoor wear
(Note: we do not allow ANY hat to be worn inside the scouthouse).
Class B is the Troop T-shirt, red scout activity shirt, or other Boy Scout shirt, with scout pants or shorts.
When in doubt of proper uniform - wear Class A, then you will always be correct. Civilian wear is unacceptable. If there is a problem in coming dressed properly, get with the scoutmaster or other leaders.
Our troop ALWAYS travels in full Class A uniform. 100% compliance is required.
Note: Jeans or slacks may be worn instead of scout shorts when the temperature drops below 60 degrees (according to the Scoutmaster's thermometer).
At every troop meeting you will bring your Scout Handbook, notebook and pencil or pen. It is recommended that you bring your Boy Scout Requirements book, too.
Behavior:
All scouts will show respect to other people. People deserve to be shown respect. Respect will be shown to all leaders, parents, adults and to each other. When an adult scout leader or Senior (or Assistant Senior) Patrol leader is speaking, ALL scouts will be silent. Any time the sign is up, ALL scouts are silent.
Patrols:
Every scout will be in a patrol. That patrol will camp and cook together. The patrol will determine their totem (symbol patch) and make a patrol flag.
Meetings: All meetings will start on Wednesday's at 7:30 P.M. All meetings will start with the proper ceremonies. All openings and closings will be performed with the scouts in formation and standing at attention. You will be silent when in formation, unless you are supposed to speak. You will give the leaders in charge your respect and attention.
Metit Badges: Merit badge classes are usually held Thursday evenings or on Saturdays.
Troop Camping Rules
6/l/99
Camping is more enjoyable when you have the right equipment. The "right" equipment for you may not be the "right" equipment for someone else. Do not rush out and buy equipment if you are unfamiliar with camping equipment. After a few campouts, you will know better what you would like. Use that time to talk to others about their gear--what is good about it, what is bad. Learn from their mistakes. Usually the better quality product (used or new), will give you fewer problems and last you longer. If you do not have much equipment to start, get with the scoutmaster to work out arrangements for borrowing what you need. There is no need to purchase a backpack at this time. Parents should check with the scoutmaster before purchasing "essential" equipment the scout says he has to have.
Personal Gear
Your Scout Handbook has a suggested list for you to follow in selecting the gear you will need to take on a campout. The scoutmaster also has a list you may wish to use. Get with your patrol to decide what patrol gear to bring (it is not necessary for every scout to bring a # 12 dutch oven). Remember: the scout motto is "Be Prepared". Pack for hot, cold, dry and wet. Be prepared for mosquito attacks and for intense sun by bringing bug repellent and sunscreen. Be sure to pack spare clothes in case of calamity!
Do not pack gear in paper bags, cardboard boxes, plastic grocery bags, suitcases or footlockers (you may pack in a footlocker if your parent is driving), but they are too difficult for others to haul. For packing gear, food and clothes, we recommend 5-gallon buckets with gasketed lids. These are available from schools, restaurants, groceries, paint stores and other sources. 2-3 buckets will handle most scouts. Animals cannot open them, they are water-tight and they make a good seat on a campout. Be sure to write your name on each bucket and lid. Use one bucket for food and gear and a separate one for clothes. You may use a rucksack, backpack or duffle bag to bring your gear, but they won't keep your gear dry.
NOTE: If you forget to bring an item; DO WITHOUT! Learn from the experience and be better prepared the next time. Do not "borrow" anything without the expressed permission of the owner. This includes even a drink from someone's canteen. This amounts to stealing and a scout is always Trustworthy.
Tent Partners
Patrols camp together in a unit, with each pair of "tent buddies" sharing a tent. We only allow 2 scouts in a tent ( 3 if there is an odd number-with a leader's permission). No one sleeps alone. Scouts tent with scouts, adults tent with adults--no exceptions. Patrol MethodFOOD PLANNING. Food for most campouts is done on the "patrol" method. This means the patrol decides on a menu ahead of time, who will do the cooking, who will bring the food (and what to bring) and who does cleanup. Menus for each meal must be "balanced" with items from the food groups described in the Boy Scout Handbook. The Patrol Leader is responsible for calculating and collecting money, as well as assuring proper supplies are brought.
When we don't take cookers-take fresh meat only for the first night out. Freeze the meat and wrap it in multiple layers of newspaper and it will keep for 36 hours (except fish or chicken). Canned meats are permissable, as are dehydrated or freeze-dried foods. Mixes are allowed (pancake, muffin, cake, etc.). Canned fruit and vegetables are allowed. Fresh fruit and vegetables are strongly encouraged.
Acceptable beverages are coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, Kool-aid, instant lemonade to name a few. One boxed juice is allowed per day, boxed milk is OK. Canned fruit or vegetable juice is permitted to be served at meals or to be cooked with. Soda is never allowed. Do not bring anything in glass.
No junk food is allowed. That includes, but is not limited to Twinkies, Hostess cupcakes, candy (with exception), chips, pretzels, etc. We do allow 1 candy bar per day.
Each scout is to bring a plastic garbage bag for each day we camp.
Campers are expected to learn to cook. Campers who know how to cook are expected to become better cooks and help the others. Try cooking different things. Because you are learning to cook--no canned meals are allowed, such as ravioli, beef stew, corned beef hash, chili, etc.
COOKING METHODS. The cooking method will be announced prior to the trip. This will, most likely, be stoves and/or charcoal, since few places now allow ground fires. Adult supervision is required for scouts to operate stoves and lanterns. (Older scouts with demonstrated experience may be given some freedom with this rule).
TRANSPORTATION. Parents are expected to help furnish transportation to and from scout activities and campouts. On a long trip, gas expenses will be shared.
Tardiness is not acceptable in this troop. This troop does things in a timely manner. You will be on time. If we post our time to leave at 6:00 P.M.--we WILL leave at 6:00 P.M.--with or without you. You will be considerate to others by being on time.
Parents are expected to be on time to pick up their child when we return from an outing.
All scouts and adults will follow these rules--no exceptions
1. Be prepared for all types of weather.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times. No bare feet.
3. No running in camp.
4. Always bring a spare pair of shoes.
5. No lights, open flames, etc. of any type, other than battery powered, in the tents.
6. Items never allowed on camping trips:
a. Radios, televisions, tape players, CD players, electronic games, etc.
b. Fireworks
c. Lighter fluid
d. Paper or styrofoarn plates, cups or disposable plastic utensils
e. Soda or soft drinks
Alcohol
g. Sheath knives
h. Aerosol cans. (All "illegal" items will be confiscated and not necessarily returned)
7. Ice chests and coolers will only be used on certain trips, with prior notification and approval.
8. No "junk food", such as Twinkies, snack cakes, chips, crackers, candy. We do allow 1 candy bar per day.
9. No large groups in a tent without prior permission from a leader.
10. All aspects of the scout law are expected to be upheld on all activities.
Canoe Trip Rules - 1/l/99
These rules are in addition to the regular "Camping Rules". We camp in the same way on a canoe trip as on a regular troop camping trip.
When packing for a canoe trip, it is important to pack all gear in plastic bags inside your pack or buckets--this will protect against water.
Plan for only two paddlers per canoe. Usually your canoe partner will be your tent partner, but we may assign you to a different paddler to help even out skills.
A Coast Guard approved life life vest must be properly worn at all times (scouts and adults) that you are in a canoe or boat of any kind. One extra paddle and one large sponge is needed in each canoe. The sponge should have a small line through it so that it can be tied to the seat to prevent loss.
Two (2) 1/4" x 20' nylon lines per scout are required. Two are used to put a line on the bow and stem and the other two are used to tie in your gear. We use the lines to tie the canoes to the trailer. Make sure you mark your ropes so you get them back.
One old pair of tennis shoes should be taken to canoe in and for swimming in unknown water. Do not bring sandals or open-toed shoes. Watershoes are almost worthless. NO BARE FEET!!!
Never are you to be out of sight of the canoe ahead or behind you We stop periodically to gather the group. No one will pass the designated lead canoe. Horse-play is out! Splashing, swamping, ramming and slapping the water with paddles will not be tolerated on our trips.
Do not leave your paddle lying on the ground. You have 30 seconds to store your paddle properly before it is fair game. A scout whose paddle is found not properly stored will be in for a surprise. Paddles stored under a canoe are not "on the ground" if they are picked up promptly when you right the canoe. Paddles should be stored blade up against a tree when not in use.
Travel quietly! When we travel, we travel single file with experienced paddlers in the lead. Keep a minimum of 10 yards spacing between canoes when traveling.
Only if you are shoving off again soon, will you leave your canoe at the water's edge, right side up. All other times you should pull it out of the water and turn it over. At night all canoes are brought out of the water and turned over.
REMEMBER: Play Safe, Think Safe, and Come Back Safe.
