Troop 230 New Parent Orientation February 27, 2011

1. Troop 230New Parent OrientationFebruary 27, 2011

2. Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Troop Structure • Scout Leadership • Meetings • Advancement • Flags Across America • Adult Leadership • Summer Camp

3. Some Thoughts • Make it Fun!!!! • This is not a race!! There is no finish line. • Encourage your scout but don’t push too hard. • If you are involved, your son will be too. • All leaders do not always know everything! • Ask questions. Ask a leader! • You don’t have to have scouting experience. • Encourage your son to try new things. Support them in their leadership positions. Scouting offers a safe environment for them to grow & learn. • Our goal is not to create Eagles, but instead to develop great men of strong character.

4. National Council, BSA Region Area Local Council District Chartered Organization Unit Committee Units – Packs, Troops, Crews, Teams, Posts, Ships, Etc. BSA Organizational Overview • The Scout Organization • National Council of Boy Scouts • Southern Region • Local Council • Sam Houston Area Council • District • Texas Skies District • Chartered Organization • St. Peter’s United Methodist Church • Troop Committee • Chris Walker – Committee Chair • Troop • John Balden – Scoutmaster • Senior Patrol Leader – Zach Walker

5. Communication

6. Troop Communication • Troop Website (www.troop230.org) • Calendar for the Troop • Scouthouse Calendar for both troops • Forms, Contact Info, Flags Across America (User = User, Password = Pass) • Troop E-mail Updates • Weekly Meeting Announcements • Twitter: follow troop230katy : 40404

7. Patrol Structure

8. Horizontal Method Boys of the same age Dwindle over time Transitioned in to a Venture patrol Vertical Method (Troop 230) Boys of all ages New boys added each year Permanent patrols No Venture Patrol Horizontal vs. Vertical

9. How it works? • New Webelos will be formed into a 1st year patrol • Entering Webelos den/patrol remain in tact • Concentrate on 1st Class activities • Moved into permanent patrols after 1st year • 4 Permanent Patrols • Stronger leadership • Critical mass for camp outs and meetings • Mentorship within the patrol

10. Scout Leadership Structure

11. Scout Leadership Positions • Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Elected Positions • Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) • Two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL) • Patrol Leaders (each patrol has a patrol leader) • Other Official Leadership Roles Include • Quartermaster, Troop Guide, Bugler, Scribe, Historian, Librarian, Chaplain’s Aide, OA Representative, Den Chief • Leadership positions not required for advancement until 1st Class achieved • Roles and Responsibilities found on Troop website • All positions require “meaningful” leadership and sign-off by Scoutmaster, ASM or Committee

12. Troop Meetings

13. Troop Meetings • Weekly meetings unless posted on calendar • Scout needs to sign in upon arrival • What to expect during the meeting • Full participation during the meeting • Patrols sit together • Patrol meetings/Patrol time • Patrol challenge games/instruction • Boards of Review (formal advancement meeting) • Scoutmaster Conference (discuss advancement) • Campout Planning

14. Uniforms • Class A: Formal, full dress official Boy Scout uniform. This consists of dress shoes or boots (no tennis shoes), BSA pants or shorts (not jeans), Class “A” shirt, BSA socks, belt, merit badge sash or Order of the Arrow (OA) sash as applicable. Headgear is optional, but if worn, only BSA or Troop Hat is permissible. The Eagle Neckerchief may be worn, as applicable. Proper insignia and patches should be correctly worn on the uniform. Class “A” uniforms are to be worn at Courts of Honor and other formal scout functions as designated by the Patrol Leaders Council. • Class AB: Full-dress BSA uniform with pants or shorts or blue jeans, BSA shirt with the proper insignia and patches correctly sewn on the uniform and close-toed shoes. Headgear is optional, but if worn, only BSA or Troop Hat is permissible. Note: Regulation uniform long or short stockings must be worn if BSA pants or shorts are worn. The Scout Class AB uniform is to be worn by all Scouts, Scoutmasters, and Assistant Scoutmasters to the Troop meetings and during transportation (to and from outings). In addition, the Class AB uniform is required at Boards of Review and Scoutmaster Conferences, daily flag ceremonies at all campouts and other special functions. • Class B: Informal Boy Scout uniform. BSA long or short pants, blue jeans, or solid color shorts are worn with a Troop 230 tee shirt. Headgear is optional, but if worn, only BSA or Troop Hat is permissible. BSA long or short socks should be worn with BSA shorts. Close-toed shoes are generally recommended for safety. This is the proper uniform for campouts after travel and work projects or other activities requiring physical activity.

15. Troop Expectations – Youth • Active Membership • Advancement • Review Process • Uniforms • Conduct • Merit Badges • Training • Service Hours

16. Camping

17. Monthly Camping • One weekend per month • Locations determined during annual planning (May) • Scouts camp in patrols • Adults must be registered with troop & YPT • Depart Friday afternoon/return Sunday • Class AB worn while travelling • Must pay grubmaster (scout/adult) by prior Monday • If your son is grubmaster……. • Gear (Sleeping bag, clothes, shoes, hygiene) • Troop Gear; What to do when it comes home • No Electronics except while traveling • $ Required for dinner up, lunch or snack back

18. SUMMER 2011

19. Awesome Scouting Adventure Cost for 2011 Summer Camp June 18 – June 25, 2011 Approx 50 Merit Badges First Class Emphasis Program Adult Training Program Average High 88 F (64 F – 100 F) Average Low 60 F (51 F – 84 F) Chance of Rain - NONE 2 person tents provided for Scouts Located in the Davis Mountains 4500 feet above sea level Touring of the Fort Davis area before camp (Star Party at McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis Historic Site • Scout: $410 Adult: $335 • Cost includes: • 14 Passenger Van Rental • Camp Fee • Star Party • Tour of Fort Davis • Extra costs not included above • Meals in transit • Camp Crafts and Snacks • Camp Photos and Shirts

20. Advancement

21. Boy Scout Advancements • Process by which a Boy Scout Progresses • Advancement is a means to an end, not an end in itself… • Designed to help Scout have exciting and meaningful experience • Education and fun are key to advancement principles • Scouts experience growth by overcoming obtainable goals • Scout through First Class Ranks focuses on Scouting’s basic skills; Trail to Eagle focuses on Leadership & Service • Rank Advancements • Scout • Tenderfoot • Second Class • First Class • Star • Life • Eagle

22. Active Membership • Participation in Patrol and Troop Activities • Paying Troop Dues • Progress towards Advancement • Live the Scout Oath and Law • If the ASM or Committee Chair doesn’t know your son, he is probably not active. • We understand your son may be involved in other activities, just communicate and plan your participation. Especially Camping.

23. Advancement • Four step process (Learning, Review, Testing, Recognition) • Tracked via Scout Handbook and TroopMaster (if turned in) • Cannot be signed off the same day as instruction • Cannot be signed off by a parent • Must be signed off by a trained ASM (1st Preference is Patrol) • Can be retested to ensure retention (all the way to eagle) Some Tips • Have Scout make copies of the Scout Handbook • Scout requests advancement coordinator enter completions • Scout requests history reports 2x per year • Notice this says SCOUT and not Parent.

24. Review Process • Scout contacts Advancement Committee member to make sure participation, merit badge, and Leadership Position requirements are recorded and have been completed • Scout schedules Scoutmaster’s conference with trained ASM • Life and Eagle conferences are done with the Scoutmaster • Scout schedules Board of Review with Advancement Committee member (The Window) NOTE: Scout must wear Class A or AB uniform and be prompt and prepared for all conferences and reviews (including scout belt, patrol patch, correct rank). Full Class A is required for Star, Life and Eagle rank conferences.

25. Merit Badges • Over 120 offered by BSA • 21 Required for Eagle, 12 Predetermined • Summer/Winter camps, Museums, MB Fairs. • Troop offered twice per year (same night as FCE) • 1st Class and above, some exceptions • Obtain blue card & signatures prior to attending • Complete requirements with MB Counselor • Obtain completion signatures – counselor & Scout Master • Turn in to Advancement Coordinator (window)

26. First Class Emphasis • Opportunity to Focus on New Scout Skills • Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class • Troop offered every month • Wednesday Night, Check Troop Calendar • Troop Guide Driven with ASM Support • Great Opportunity to See, Learn, Do • Sign-off cannot occur on same night learned. • Goal of getting your scout to 1st Class in 12 to 18 months

27. Training • TLT (Troop Leadership Training) • Provided by troop and required for “Trained” patch & Leadership requirement for rank advancement (Star, Life and Eagle). • NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) • Provided by SHAC • Troop offers some assistance in tuition • NAYLE (National Advanced Youth Leader Experience) • Provided at Philmont Scout Ranch • Requires completion of NYLT • Troop offers some assistance in tuition

28. Service Hours • For rank advancement • Troop prefers that they be with the troop • At least 2 troop sponsored activities per year • Most camp outs • Multiple Eagle Projects • Outside the troop • Requires prior approval from ASM • Adult sign-off from the event • Scout uniform (A or B) must be worn • Can not count for rank advancement and also for other awards, e.g.Texas Award, 50 Miler

29. Flags Across America

30. Boy Scouts of America – Sam Houston Council Texas Skies District Troop 230 – Katy, TX • FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA • What is it? • The Troop’s primary fundraiser • How much does the Troop raise each year? • Current accounts: 1,000 subscriptions • Annual subscription: $30/yr per flag • Troop’s annual revenue: $30,000 • How much goes to the Scout? • Scout’s allocation per subscription: $17/account ($5 per subscription, $2 per flag day) ($1 to post flag, $1 to pull in flag) • Avg Scout has 20~30 accounts: $340 - $510/yr • Process in place if you cannot put flags out due to schedule conflicts • Troop utilizes $ to maintain flags, purchase gear, support activities

31. Boy Scouts of America – Sam Houston Council Texas Skies District Troop 230 – Katy, TX • FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA • How many Holidays are covered? • 6 Holidays: • Presidents Day (Feb) • Memorial Day (May) • Flag Day (Jun) • 4th of July (Jul) • Labor Day (Sep) • Veterans Day (Nov)

32. Boy Scouts of America – Sam Houston Council Texas Skies District Troop 230 – Katy, TX • FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA • How does it work? • 1st: Get some accounts (see website for forms) • 2nd: Get some flags (see Mr. Smith for materials) • 3rd: Post the flags • Flag maintenance • Scout keeps the flags at home • Troop provides the materials • Account maintenance • Bring payments to the Scout House • Troop’s Treasurer tracks Scout Acct balances

33. Boy Scouts of America – Sam Houston Council Texas Skies District Troop 230 – Katy, TX • FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA • Using the Troop’s Webpage • General information • Program overview • Flag placement • Subscription status database • Link to Troop’s webpage: • http://www.troop230.org/ Contact: Steve Smith 281-979-9352 [cell] sandlsmithtx@comcast.net

34. Adult Leader Training

35. Adult Leader Training • A multitude of courses are offered online and may be accessed at www.myscouting.scouting.org • You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.   • Choose the "Training" tab. You will then see a tab for "e-learning".   • Print the certificate and give to “The Window” or email to John Machen.

36. Adult Leader Training, con’t. Other courses will be offered by Host Districts & the Sam Houston Area Council Availability will be communicated via email and during the “Announcement Time” of the Troop Meetings Troop will reimburse the tuition fees for ASM Required Training.  If a leader (ASM or Committee) desires to receive additional training that requires a tuition, must seek approval from the committee chair.

37. Troop Committee Member Training Boy Scout Leader Fast Start Youth Protection Training (YPT)--required every two years This is Scouting Troop Committee Challenge These courses are offered online

38. Scout Master/Assistant Scout Master Training Boy Scout Leader Fast Start Youth Protection Training (YPT)--required every two years This is Scouting These courses are offered online

39. Scout Master/Assistant Scout Master Training-con’t. • Scoutmaster Specific Training • Intro to Outdoor Leader • These courses are offered by Host Districts. They require overnight camping. • See next slides for dates & contact info.

40. Scout Master/Assistant Scout Master Training-con’t. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills

41. Scout Master/Assistant Scout Master Training-con’t. Scoutmaster & Asst Scoutmaster Specific

42. Beyond the Basic Requirements… Some events require a certain number of ASMs be trained in these courses.

43. Open Leadership Positions • Assistant Scoutmasters • ASM Summer Camp Assistant • Committee Roles • New Member Processing Coordinator • New Member Processing Assistants (4) • Scouthouse Manager • Training Coordinator Assistant • Service Project Coordinator • Eagle Project Review Team (6 Members)

44. Troop 230, Katy Texas Q&A