BSA Troop 21 welcomes you as the parents of our newest scouts. Since Boy Scouts is considerably different than the Cub Scout Pack you just came from or other youth organization, some valuable information is provided here to ease your transition.
To join BSA Troop 21, a boy must meet the Requirements of the Boy Scouts of America. You and your boy must fill out a Boy Scouts of America application. This application will be turned in to the local council office by the Troop Advancement Chairperson.
Troop leadership is divided into two distinct segments scouts and adults. Most leadership functions are delegated to the scouts themselves. Troop 21 employs the patrol leadership method. The troop is divided into a number of smaller segments called patrols. Each patrol has a leader and an assistant who are responsible for its overall function. Overseeing the patrols is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and his assistant. The SPL and the individual patrol leaders make up the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).
The PLC plans and organizes the troop's activities and functions. This leadership method has proven to be very effective in developing young boys into strong leaders.
The troop is overseen by a cadre of adult leaders who are responsible for ensuring that the overall goals of Boy Scouting are achieved. The adults also provide guidance when and where it is appropriate. However, the primary function of the adult leadership is to ensure the safety and well-being of the scouts.
The primary difference between Cub Scouts or most other youth organizations and Boy Scouts is that the boys and not the adults run the show. Sometimes it may appear chaotic, but the method does work and has proven to provide the most benefit to the scouts themselves.
Troop 21's policy is consistent with national BSA policy. All scouts are required to have a complete field uniform (Class A) when participating in Troop related activities, i.e.: courts of honor, Board of Review, travel to and from activities, troop meetings (September through May). Information regarding uniform articles and insignia can be found in The Boy Scout Handbook. Uniforms don't have to be new as long as they are in good repair. Garage sales and thrift stores are good sources for many uniform items and the Troop maintains a uniform recycling closet. Remember, a scout is thrifty! As a minimum, the following items are required:
- Scout shirt (short or long sleeve)
- Scout long pants or shorts
- Scout socks
- Scout belt with buckle (web or leather)
- Insignia (Council Patch, troop numeral, etc,)
Troop 21 T-shirts with Scout shorts or long pants are used primarily for camping and other activities for which the official field uniform is not appropriate. However, all Boy Scouts travel in thier full Class A uniform.
Parents are required to complete a medical release form before their son can participate in any outdoor activity with the troop. The medical form provides leaders with critical information and permission to seek appropriate medical treatment as may be necessary. This form is available from the troop leadership.
Another form is required to provide the troop with information pertaining to your automobile and motor vehicle insurance coverage. For a parent to transport any scout other than their own to any scout function or activity, they must have adequate insurance coverage and seat belts for each passenger. This form is also available from the troop leadership.
Troop 21 does not require weekly or monthly dues. Each patrol may collect dues for special patrol activities or equipment. Generally troop and patrol financing is done through annual fees and pine straw sales.
Throughout the course of the scouting year, additional fees are required to be paid by scouts. These are primarily for the various outings and activities that occur during the year. Campout fees range from $20.00 to $50.00 per scout (depending on the type of activity), which covers camp fees, meals and travel. Adults are only asked to pay a fee when required for special activities such as Camporee fees, canoe rental, etc.
An active camping program is a key element to Troop 21's outdoor program. The Troop camps throughout the year in all types of weather conditions except severe electrical storms. The Troop normally schedules one campout each month. Monthly Troop campouts usually start on Saturday Mornings (8:30 AM) and end on Sunday mornings. The Troop returns to the OLA around 3:00 p.m. Sundays. We're lucky in this area to have an abundance of campgrounds available for our use. Some of these campsites offer free group camping to scout troops. For weekend outings, we try to stay relatively close to home to ease logistical problems associated with traveling a long distance. Parents of new scouts should refer to The Boy Scout Handbook for a listing of personal gear and clothing required for each scout. Scouts are required to have their own sleeping bag. Once again, thrift shops and garage sales are good sources for used camping equipment. Transportation is sometimes a problem and the adult leadership makes arrangements for the scouts. We can always use parents help on campouts and invite you to attend. Questions regarding transportation and campouts should be addressed to the adult leadership.
The following is a listing of items that are prohibited on Troop campouts:
- Personal electronic devices (e.g., radios, CD players, cell phones, etc.)
- Sheath knifes or personal axes
- Firearms, BB-guns, CO2 pistols, paintball guns, etc.
- Fireworks
- Offensive or pornographic materials
- Alcohol or Tobacco
- drugs (unless prescription, under control of Adult Scouter)
- Pets
- Cash in excess of $10.00 (unless otherwise specified)
Each patrol is responsible for purchasing its own food for campouts. For each outing, one scout is assigned as the patrol's Grubmaster. This assignment is made on a rotational basis and each scout is required to perform this function when it's his turn. The patrol, as a group, decides what their menu will be for the outing. This occurs a minimum of two weeks prior to the campout. Once a well balanced menu has been written and approved, the patrol then sets a budget target for their food and other supplies (e.g., charcoal, dish soap, trash bags, etc.). At the Troop meeting before the campout, the Grubmaster collects money from each scout attending the campout. At this point, the scout is committed. If for some reason he is unable to attend the outing, his money will not be refunded. This has proven to be the fairest thing to do for the other scouts so they don't end up having to pay for the other person's share once it has already been purchased. Questions regarding this policy may be addressed to the adult leadership.
Join the Boy Scouts and Troop 21
BECOME A SCOUT
In order to become a Boy Scout, you must:
- Be a boy who has completed the fifth grade, or who has earned the Arrow of Light Award, or be 11 years of age, but not yet 18.
- Find a Scout Troop Near Your Home.
- Complete the Boy Scout Joining Requirements.
JOINING THE BOY SCOUTS
- Submit a completed Boy Scout Application and health history signed by your parent or guardian.
- Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance
- Demonstrate the Scout salute, sign, and handclasp
- Show how to tie the square knot (also known as the joining knot)
- Understand and agree to live by
- the Scout Oath
- the Scout Law
- the Scout Motto
- Scout slogan
- and the Outdoor Code
- Describe the Scout Badge
- With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide
- Participate in a Scoutmaster Conference