Troop 542 Parent's Orientation

1. Troop 542 Parent's Orientation 28 April 2014 Parents Orientation

2. Agenda • Why We're Here Today • Troop Organization • Boy Led Troop • Adult Support • Advancement • First Class in a Year • Merit Badges • Review Boards • Program at Meetings • Monthly Outings • Costs and Fundraising • Good Turns and Service Projects • How We Communicate • Training Parents Orientation

3. Why We're Here Today Parents Orientation

4. Purpose of Scouting BSA Mission Statement:The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. BSA Vision Statement:The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law. Scout Oath On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Scout Law A Scout is: Trustworthy, Obedient, Loyal, Cheerful, Helpful Thrifty, Friendly, Brave, Courteous, Clean, and Kind, Reverent. Why We're Here Today Parents Orientation

5. Why We're Here Today • Troop 542's leadership firmly believes in the value of the Scouting program • Promotes strong values • Teaches life skills • Develops leadership qualities • Scouts develop life long friendships • Parents need to be involved so that their son can get the most from the program • You need to understand the program • We can use help Parents Orientation

6. Why We're Here Today • We currently have 108 scouts and 28 active adults • Seems like a good ratio, but … • We'll probably see the number of boys increase a little more this spring • The number of Adults will decrease • Constant turnover • 11 Don't have sons in the Troop now • Some of us will stay because we love the program • Others are looking for replacements already • 4 More have sons who will age out before the end of 2015 • By 2015 a large percentage of the adults who make our troop function could be gone • New people with fresh ideas and in better touch with evolving youth culture are important if we want to keep our program relevant Parents Orientation

7. Troop Organization Parents Orientation

8. Council and District • Council • Cradle of Liberty • Covers Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Delaware counties • District • Baden Powell • Units located in Ambler, Lower Gwynedd, Plymouth, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Whitemarsh townships Troop 542 is in the Baden Powell District of the Cradle of Liberty Council Parents Orientation

9. Youth Leadership In Scouting • One of the most valuable aspects of Scouting is learning to be a leader • The ranks of Star, Life, Eagle, and Eagle Palms have leadership requirements • Junior Leaders doing their jobs is an important key to the success of the program • The troop couldn't function without them • They learn valuable life skills • The patrol structure enables this leadership to take place • First year scouts in their own patrols • Move up in the spring of the following year • If there's a problem, let us know, we can make a change Parents Orientation

10. Troop 542 is divided into eight groups of scouts called “Patrols” Two Patrols for First Year Scouts Five Patrols for Experienced Scouts One Patrol for our Senior Leaders Raven Pine Tree Cougar Lightning Eagle Each patrol has a color code to identify its equipment Cobra Shark Python Scouts wear their patrol patch on their right sleeve Unit 3: Troop Organization Parents Orientation

12. Eleven Skills Of Leadership 1. Communications 2. Know and use the resources of the group 3. Set the example 4. Represent the group 5. Evaluation 6. Planning 7. Control the group 8. Share leadership 9. Manage learning 10. Counseling 11. Understanding needs and characteristics of group Parents Orientation

13. Every Junior Leader Has a Job Description TROOP QUARTERMASTER Difficulty 7: • OBJECTIVE: • The Quartermaster's objective is to make certain that the troop has all the necessary equipment for its activities, and that the equipment is properly used, properly maintained, and doesn't get lost. • RESPONSIBILITIES: • The quartermaster is responsible for the troop equipment. He keeps the equipment inventory. When equipment is damaged he tries to get it repaired. When new equipment is needed, he requests permission to buy it and, when authorized, makes the purchase. The quartermaster makes gear is there and in shape to use when needed. • On camping trips the QM arrives early to be sure the proper equipment is loaded. At the site he distributes the equipment to patrols and helps with setup. Throughout the trip he makes sure equipment is well cared for, and performs maintenance as required. As we pack to leave, he inspects patrol gear to be certain everything is in order. • Several times a year the quartermaster organizes work nights to maintain the equipment. • The quartermaster provides a monthly report to the SPL who presents it at the troop committee meeting. • QUALIFICATIONS: • Be First Class or higher. • Regular attendance on camping trips. • AUTOMOBILE: • Although not required, it is a help if the quartermaster can drive. This makes it easier for him to get to the shed to check things out, and fix things up. It also makes it easier for him to get out to buy things when we need them. • COMMITMENT: • I will try to attend all troop activities, and promise not to miss more than 2 camping trips during my year as QM. • I will be at summer camp. • I will devote time at home in addition to time spent at troop functions, to my role as QM. • I will carry out the duties described above. Parents Orientation

14. Troop 542 Organization - Key Adults • Scoutmaster - Jay Eibner ** • Assistant Scoutmasters for New Scouts – Paul Thress **, John Schultz ** • Assistant Scoutmasters – Ed Borkowski **, Arland Hotchkiss**, Dave Mulvey **, Kevin McLemore** • Chairman – Al Moffatt ** • Institutional Representative – Janice Brunner • Treasurer – Glenn Valentine • Program – Rob Decker • Advancement - Al Feather **, John McCawley*, Harvey Waite • Den Chiefs & Membership – Bill Ackerman • Transportation – Joe Wright • Roundtable Representative – George Harris • Social Affairs – Sue Lauer * • Uniform Exchange – Lisa Halteman • Camping Activities – Doug Ehrgott • Fund Raising – Paul Devery • Ecology – Steve Cebula • Patrol Leader Coach - John Makovics • Scouting For Food – Bill Ackerman • Publicity – Bob Price ** • Meeting Activities – Mark Allemang • Unit Training Coordinator - Mark Krueger** • Special Projects – Bob Price ** • Order Of The Arrow Coordinator - Bob Price ** • Equipment – Max Kasten **, Todd Peterman, Charles Zwicker • High Adventure – Al Moffatt **, Arland Hotchkiss * Note: Troop 542 currently has 59 registered adults. The 28 who are active on the Troop Committee are mentioned by name on this page. The remainder help on an ad-hoc basis with review boards, on camping trips, and at various other times. * Son will turn 18 soon ** No son in Troop Parents Orientation

15. Adults Can Help as Registered Leaders • Easy to sign on • Take the on line "Youth Protection" and "Troop Committee Challenge" courses • Register with the Troop as a leader • Help out in one of the following ways • Uniformed Leader • We can always use more leaders • Requires you to take Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) training in addition to the basic on-line courses • Troop Committee • Constant turnover as boys turn 18 and their parents move on • Understudy someone now and take over in a year or two • Merit Badge Counselor • There are bound to be Merit Badges that align with your interests • Help out with review boards Parents Orientation

16. Adults Can Help as Interested Parents • Help your son get the most out of Scouting • Learn about the program, stay abreast of what the Troop is doing • Watch for the Eagle to com • Check the This Week link on the web site • "Like" our Facebook page (we seldom use direct e-mail) • Help us make our phone chain work • Teach a Merit Badge class • Volunteer to help as a Patrol Leader Coach • Help with transportation • Participate with us on activities • Monthly camping trips • Ecology projects • Community service • Fundraising • Quarterly parent's nights Parents Orientation

17. Advancement Parents Orientation

18. Types of Badges • Progress Awards (Ranks) -- Leading Up To Eagle • Merit Badges -- Advanced Skills In Specific Areas • A number of merit badges must be earned as part of the requirements for the top three progress awards of Star, Life, and Eagle • 130 different merit badges are available • The Eagle badge requires a scout to earn 21 of them • Special Awards -- Examples are Religious Awards, Hornaday, World Crest, Etc. • Leadership Positions -- Worn By Junior Leaders • Temporary Patches -- For Special Events Like Gold Rush • Standard Uniform -- Community Strip, Troop Number, Patrol Patch Parents Orientation

19. Progress Awards (Rank Advancement) First Class Scout Tenderfoot Second Class Eagle Star Life Scouts wear their progress award on their left pocket Parents Orientation

20. Advancement Requirements Reflect Scouting’s Purpose • Have fun with friends by participating in activities; • Camping, swimming, hiking, wielding an ax. • Growing into responsible manhood by developing core values (the “Spirit of Scouting”). • Duty to God • Duty to Others • Duty to Self • Applying those values as you perform: • Leadership • Service • Learning skills Parents Orientation

21. Summary of Rank Requirements Spirit Participation Skills Leadership Service Scout Understand Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, and Outdoor Code Turn in application form Handbook page 4 None None Tenderfoot Memorize Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan Come on one camping trip Handbook page 438 Cooperate and learn Be ready to help Second Class Live up to our principles Four more activities Handbook page 440 Cooperate and learn Help for at least one hour First Class Live up to our principles Five more activities Handbook page 442 Cooperate and learn Be ready to help Star Live up to our principles 75% of meetings and 50% of trips Six Merit Badges Including four from the Eagle Required List Hold A Leadership Position Help for at least 6hours Life Live up to our principles 75% of meetings and 50% of trips Five More MBs (11 Total Including seven from the Eagle Required List) Hold A Leadership Position Help for at least 6hours Eagle Live up to our principles 75% of meetings and 67% of trips Ten More Merit Badges (21 Total) Including 12 Required Ones Hold A Major Leadership Position Organize and lead a large project Parents Orientation

22. Scout Skills like Hiking, Pioneering, Cooking, and Camping Life Skills like Personal Management, Personal Fitness, First Aid, and Communications Career Skills like Salesmanship, Chemistry, Engineering, and Dentistry Fun Skills like, Golf, Fishing, Model Building, and Water Skiing Merit Badges 130 Merit Badges Cover A Wide Range Of Topics Parents Orientation

23. A Scout's First Badges • First year scouts should complete four ranks by the time they finish 6th grade: • Scout - Spring of 5th grade • Tenderfoot - Fall of 6th grade • Second Class - Winter of 6th grade • First Class - Spring of 6th grade • They can work on all these requirements at once • Here’s what they need to do • Know what the requirements are • Come to meetings and attend classes • Come on camping trips for outdoor requirements • Make sure each requirement is signed off when it's been completed Parents Orientation

24. Know Your Requirements • All Requirements are in your Handbook, look at them from time to time • Look at the requirements for both the next badge you need and the one after that • Be aware of it when you’ve done one, and get it signed off Parents Orientation

25. Make sure they get signed off • You can get them signed in your handbook • More importantly, for ranks through First Class, make sure you get them signed in the advancement record book • Each scout has a page for each of the first four ranks • After First Class you’re on your own Parents Orientation

26. Steps To Getting A Progress Award You don't need to have all requirements done to sign up. Get your name in the book as soon as you think you'll be advancing. Get the scribe to put your name in his book For every rank you need to: Scribe will give you a Progress Review Check Sheet (salmon sheet) READ IT Meet the participation requirement by being active at meetings and on trips Star life And eagle candidates must also: Serve in a leadership position Have a scoutmaster’s conference, and get the check sheet signed Show scout spirit By living Up To The Scout oath and law Meet the service project requirement When all requirements are complete, have your progress review with a few adults Do the skills requirements listed in The handbook, or earn The required merit badges All the requirements must be done before this review Receive your badge at a parent’s night Unit 4: Advancement Parents Orientation

27. Steps To Getting A Merit Badge Steps you can do on your own Steps That require Interaction Read the requirements. You can find them on-line or in the handbook supplement Obtain a signed blue card from the Scoutmaster. If you need the counselor's name and phone number, the Scoutmaster will put it on the card. Contact the counselor, find out how he/she wants you to approach the badge Complete all requirements as directed by the counselor Meet with the counselor and get him/her to sign the blue card. If it's a one-on-one meeting, bring a parent. Make sure your badge is on the yellow sheet in the Scribe’s book. If not, we won’t know about it, and it won't be awarded. Give the blue card to the Scribe, make sure he marks it on the yellow sheet Receive your badge at a parent’s night Unit 4: Advancement Parents Orientation

28. Steps to Eagle • Once a boy has earned Life, the Scout and his parent should schedule a meeting with the Scoutmaster to discuss the process • The Eagle rank has the standard five requirements • Spirit: Live up to the Scout Oath and Scout Law • Participation: Be active in Troop and Patrol • Skills: Earn the needed 21 Merit Badges • Leadership: Serve actively in one of the positions • Service: Plan and lead a project • The Eagle Scout Service Project is probably the most challenging and most beneficial item • Develop a proposal and get it approved • Develop a plan • Execute the project • Prepare a report • When the requirements have been completed, prepare an application form • Obtain letters of reference • Schedule a Troop review • Present yourself to a District Review board Parents Orientation

29. Program at Meetings Parents Orientation

30. Typical Monday Night at 542 • Before the meeting • Service patrol comes at 7:00 to set up • Monthly Junior Leaders "Green Bar Meeting" at 7:00 • During the meeting • Scouts wear uniforms • Complete Class A most of the year, Class B in the late spring • Opening led by Senior Patrol Leader • Patrol Corners led by Patrol Leaders • Advancement classes • Meeting activity (usually a game) • After the meeting • Service patrol remains behind to put the room back as it was Parents Orientation

31. How parents can help with meetings • Be aware when your son's Patrol is the Service Patrol and have him here at 7:00 • Be punctual, we start promptly at 7:30 and important announcements are part of the opening • Get your son to wear a complete uniform • We're convinced this affects behavior • You can help the Patrol Leader prepare for his portion of the meeting as a Patrol Leader Coach • You can help with the advancement part of the meeting by teaching a class • You can help with the meeting activity Parents Orientation

32. Monthly Outings Parents Orientation

33. Monthly Outings • Check the Eagle • Check the calendar on the web site • Typical schedule • GOLD RUSH (One day event in January) • CAMPING IN CABINS (Weekends in February and November) • VAN TRIP – Visit to a place of interest such as Washington DC (A Weekend in March) • CAMPING IN TENTS (Weekends in April, May, and October) • CANOE OR RAFT TRIP (A Weekend in June) • HIGH ADVENTURE, SUCH AS THE SCOUT SEA BASE OR PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH. (A Week or two in July for older scouts) • SUMMER CAMP (A week in August) • BACKPACKING ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL (A Weekend in September) • ONE DAY EVENT (A Saturday in December) Parents Orientation

34. How you can help on monthly outings • Make sure your son is prepared (check the web site) • Dressed properly • We typically don't wear uniforms on monthly outings • Exceptions are Van Trip, High Adventure, Summer Camp, and District Events • Proper equipment • Understands what the program will be • Come and help (you're always welcome) • Help with transportation • Help with planning the program • If your son is the food buyer, look over his shoulder • Our menu planning process can be found on the web site • He'll be sent home with a list, some coolers, and a check • He should arrive 15 minutes early for departure with the food, receipts, and any change Parents Orientation

35. Personal Gear Troop Dome Tent • Personal Gear • Most overnights • Sleeping Bag • Poncho • Backpacking and High Adventure, above plus • Backpack • Canteen or Water Bottles • Mess Kit • Vittles Kit • Summer Camp • List provided in packet Scout’s Backpack Scout’s Sleeping Bag Unit 2: Personal Gear Parents Orientation

36. Personal Gear Troop Dome Tent Scout’s Water Bottle Scout’s Mess Kit Troop Butane Stove Unit 2: Personal Gear Parents Orientation

37. Costs and Fundraising Parents Orientation

38. Costs througout the year • A re-registration fee of $45 (going up) is charged each year. • Cost of activities is approximately as follows: • Camping trips - $30 (for food and campsite fees) • Canoe trip - $50 (food and canoe rental) • March trip - $120 (lodging, meals, transportation, admissions) • Week at summer camp - $395 • One day activities - $10 (lunch and a patch) • High Adventure to Sea Base or Philmont - $1,250 (fly) • High Adventure Summit - $900 (drive) • Scouts also need uniforms • We don't want anyone to miss the opportunity to be in Scouting because of money • We have access to "Camperships" for boys who need them Parents Orientation

39. Fundraising • Troop 542 usually has only two fundraisers per year • Ongoing WAWA Hoagie Coupon sale • Pretty painless, sell Wawa coupons • Helps fund the troop • Popcorn sale in the fall • Run by the larger Scouting organization • Raises money for the Council and the Troop • These two fundraisers pay for all of our equipment and subsidize our activities • Friends of Scouting (FOS) drive in the spring raises money for the Council Parents Orientation

40. Good Turns and Service Projects Parents Orientation

41. Good Turns and Service Projects • Scouting for Food Good Turn • Organized by the Council • Every November • Food goes to local food cupboards • Our record is 5,880 items, but we only got 3,576 in 2011 • Construction vs collection • Eagle Projects – Organized by the Scout himself • We've had about 14,000 hours of service through these • Ecology Program • Highway Cleanups four times a year • Semi-annual service project • Monkey Bridge • Annually at Simmons School • Bi-annually at Upper Dublin Community Day Parents Orientation

42. Training Parents Orientation

43. Training for Junior Leaders • The District offers a half day youth leadership training course each December • Recently we've hosted it right here at Supplee Church • The Council offers "National Youth Leadership Training" for a week each summer • Troop 542 is willing to pay the fee for two scouts a year • A separate "Den Chief Training" is offered each December for boys who hold or wish to hold that position • Leave No Trace Training – For Scouts who wish to become the Troop's "Leave No Trace Trainer" and others who are ecology minded Parents Orientation

44. Training for Adults • Mark Krueger is our "Unit Training Coordinator" • Makes sure everyone has the required training and bugs people to take it Parents Orientation