Purpose of The Boy Scouts Of America

1. Are physically, mentally and emotionally fit.
2. Have a high degree of self-reliance as evidence in such qualities as initiative, courage and resourcefulness.
3. Have personal and stable values firmly based on religious concepts.
4. Have the desire and skills to help others.
5. Understand the principles of the American social, economic, and government systems.
6. Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand America's role in the world.
7 Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people.
8. Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving leadership to American society and in other forums of the world.

A second aim is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy's relationship to others. He comes to learn of his obligations to other people, to the society he lives, to the government that presides over that society.

A third aim of Boy Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and emotions (self control, courage and self-respect).

The methods are designed to accomplish these aims.

The Methods of Scouting
Advancement- Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through the advancement process. The scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. More is discussed about Advancement later in this guide.

Adult Association- Boys learn from the examples set by their adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female and association with adults of high character is encouraged at this stage in a young man's development.

Personal Growth- As scouts plan their activity, and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The good turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do good turns for others.

Ideals- The Ideals of scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what he becomes.

Patrols- The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating in citizenship. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected leaders.

Outdoors- Boy Scouting is designed to take place in the outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here where the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive. More is discussed about the outdoor program later in this guide.

Leadership Development- Boy Scouting encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform- The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force of good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood youth who believe in the same ideals. More is discussed about the uniform later in this guide.

Scoutmaster:
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster and his or her assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The general responsibilities of the Scoutmaster include:

• Train and guide boy leaders.
• Work with other adult leaders to bring Scouting to boys.
• Use the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting.

Assistant Scoutmasters:
Assistant Scoutmasters are recruited by the Scoutmaster and approved by the troop committee to assist the Scoutmaster in the operation of the troop. Assistant Scoutmasters are assigned program tasks by the Scoutmaster and provide guidance to the boy leadership. He or she also provides the required two deep leadership ( two adult leaders present at every Boy Scout activity).

Senior Patrol Leader:
The senior patrol leader (SPL) is the top boy leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader:
The assistant senior patrol leader (ASPL) fills in for the SPL in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian and instructors.

Patrol Leaders:
The patrol leaders (PL) are responsible for giving leadership to the members of their patrols, tracking their advancement and being aware of the needs and desires of the members of their patrol. They are their representation on the patrol leaders' council. The PL is also responsible for holding monthly patrol meetings outside of the regular troop meetings.

Assistant Patrol Leaders:
Assistant patrol leaders help the PL run the patrol and fill in for him in his absence.

How the uniform can help a boy:
It is not the purpose of the Scout uniform to hide the differences between the boys or make them feel that they are all the same.

But there is one way in which all Scouts are alike. Whenever a Scout sees another person in a Scout uniform he knows he is like that person because both have committed themselves to the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. The Scout Oath and Law bind all Scouts of the world together in a common purpose.

By wearing the uniform, Scouts give each other strength and support.

Beyond accenting the common bond between Scouts, by wearing the uniform Scouts are declaring their faith and commitment to some important beliefs that bind them to all people. It is a way of making visible their belief in God, their loyalty to our country and their commitment to helping other people who need them.

How the uniform can help the troop:

1. When smartly worn, the uniform can help build good troop spirit.
2. By investing in a uniform, a scout and his parents are really making a kind of a commitment to take Scouting seriously.
3. The uniform makes the troop visible as a force for good in the community.
4. When properly worn on the correct occasions, it can attract new members.
5. Scouts in uniform create a strong, positive, youth image in the neighborhood, thus helping to counteract the negative feeling some adults have about youth.

The troop uniform:
The following is the official uniform of Troop 484:

Official placement of insignia may be found on the inside front and back cover of the Scout Handbook, in the Insignia Guide, and in the Scout Record Keeping and information booklet.

Boy Scout Advancement, A Four Step Process:

1. The Boy Scout learns.
A Scout learns by doing. As he learns, he grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop. As he develops knowledge and skill, he is asked to teach others. In this way, he begins to develop leadership.

2. The Boy Scout is tested.
A Scout may be tested on requirements by his patrol leader, Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to test and pass candidates.

3. The Boy Scout is reviewed.
After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank, he has a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Palms, the review is conducted by members of the troop committee. The Eagle board of review is conducted by members of the district advancement committee.

4. The Boy Scout is recognized.
When the board of review has certified a boy's advancement, he deserves to receive recognition as soon as possible. This should be done at a ceremony at the next troop meeting. The certificate for his next rank will be presented to him at the next troop court of honor.

The Ranks Within A Scout Troop Are:
Scout (or joining); Tenderfoot; Second Class; First Class; Star; Life; Eagle

Scout requires only some simple memorization and a Scoutmaster's Conference. Tenderfoot, Second and First Classes require that the Scout learn and show some proficiency in a series of "Scout Skills" which are, for the most part, taught by Scouts who have already attained that rank. The learning of skills is followed by a Scoutmaster's Conference and a Board of Review. The Scoutmaster (or Assistant Scoutmaster) will be interested in determining what the Scout learned and what his goals are for his next step in Scouting. The Board of Review (made up of at least 3 adults -- ideally registered Committee Members) will be interested in

1) making sure the work has been learned and completed
2) finding out what kind of experience the Scout is having in his patrol and troop
3) encouraging the Scout to progress further.

This is a time to determine the Scout's attitude and his acceptance of Scouting ideals -- the Oath and Law. (Troop Committee Guidebood, 1998)

Troop 484 has sdopted a policy of "time in rank" for the lower ranks. We feel that rushing through the ranks does a serious disservice to the Scouts, since they do not have the necessary time to build upon the skills they have learned not to mention reinforcing them by teaching them to other Scouts.

e have adopted the following "time in rank" policy: A Scout must be Scout rank for 1 month before he can appear before a Board of Review for Tenderfoot

A Scout must be Tenderfoot for 3 months before he can appear before a Board of Review for Second Class

A Scout must be Second Class for 3 months before he can appear before a Board of Review for First Class

The Boy Scouts of America requires that a First Class Scout serve in a position of leadership (as a First Class Scout) for at least 4 months before he can be considered for Star Rank. A Star Scout must serve in a position of leadership (after a successful Star Board of Review) for at least 6 months before he can be considered for Life Rank.

Court of Honor
As stated above, when a Scout advances, he should be recognized as soon as possible - preferably at the next unit meeting. He is recognized a second time at a public ceremony called a court of honor.
The main purposes of the court of honor are to finish formal recognition for achievement and to provide incentive for other Scouts to advance.

Troop 484 has formal courts of honor four times a year, at the end of each quarter. All families are asked to attend and guests are certainly welcome. Every boy who advances in a quarter deserves to be recognized in front of his family. The court of honor is the boy's special night.

1. The outdoors is the best place for learning outdoor skills. How could it be otherwise? A Scout who tried to boil a potato on the gymnasium floor would be in hot water for sure - not to mention the boy who tried learning to swim by reading a book.

2. The outdoors is a great place for learning something about living with others. When Scouts walk on the same trail, cook and eat together, and share triumphs and troubles together, they are going to find out some important things about, say, patience, respect for other points of view, doing their full share, making a friend more easily, and saying no without losing one. Skills like these are among the "personal growth" skills we want from every Scout. The outdoors is where they grow up best.

3. On the trail or in camp, the boy's leaders will be challenged by the real thing - getting their patrols fed and sheltered, keeping them warm and safe, solving the problems they can solve, and knowing how to get help for those they can't. It's a time when leadership skills can deepen, patrols grow closer, and the troop grows stronger.

4. The outdoors is also a place where a Scout can get closer to the natural world around him - the land, the forests and their wildlife, the lakes and rivers, the mountains and the seas. Here, in the outdoors, he will learn of the "land ethic" - the understanding and respect for the environment we all share, and he will develop an active concern for it's health and a willingness to work to keep it healthy.

Troop 484 and the outdoor program:
Troop 484 has a very active outdoor program and all boys are encouraged to participate. Our program includes monthly weekend campouts, annual long term summer camp (1 week), day hikes and other outdoor activities.

What to bring on a campout:

Smoking and Drinking
Troop 484 supports the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances is not permitted at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Troop 484 also supports the attitude that young adults are much better off without tobacco. Leaders MAY NOT ALLOW the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants..
(Guide to Safe Scouting, 1998 printing)

The BSA has developed a five-point plan to combat child abuse and to improve the environment in which young people live. The key elements of this strategy include the following points:

* Educating Scouting volunteers, parents and Scouts themselves to aid in the detection and prevention of child abuse.

* Establishing leader-selection procedures to prevent individuals with a history of child abuse from entering the BSA leadership ranks.

* Establishing policies that minimize the opportunities for child abuse to occur in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

* Encouraging Scouts to report improper behavior in order to identify offenders quickly.

* Swiftly removing and reporting alleged offenders.

Parents guide
The Boy Scouts of America has developed materials for use in the Scouting program that provide essential information to members and their families. A detachable booklet in the front of The Boy Scout Handbook, "How to Protect Your Child from Child Abuse and Drug Abuse: A Parents Guide," provides information to help families to increase self-protection skills.

Troop 484 and the Youth Protection Program
"Because of the great concern the Boy Scouts of America has for the problem of child abuse in our society, the Youth Protection program has been developed to help safeguard both our youth and adult members. Published and videotaped materials have been prepared to give professionals and volunteers information on the resources available for educating our membership about child abuse - how to avoid it, how to identify it, and how to deal with it. These materials and local council training programs are designed to give parents and their children basic information that will increase their awareness and sense of personal power to assist in their own self-protection."

"All persons responsible for youth safety must understand and appreciate Scouting's position of zero tolerance for child abuse or victimization in any form."

"All forms of hazing, initiations, ridicule, or inappropriate teasing are prohibited and should not be allowed."

(Guide to Safe Scouting, 1998 printing)

Troop 484 is committed to following all guidelines of the Youth Protection program. Any suspected offenses of the Youth protection program must be reported to the Committee Chairman, the Scoutmaster or the Council Executive. All incidents reported to the Committee Chairman or the Scoutmaster will be reported to the Council Executive. All reports are taken seriously and appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety of the youth.

All Scouts must be in "Field Uniform" (minimum: tan shirt, olive pants or shorts) unless an alternate is approved by the adult leader. At the VERY LEAST the red Activity Shirt or a "Scouting related T-shirt" -- something which identifies the Scout as a member of BSA -- is REQUIRED. Anything other than field uniform must be approved by the tour leader.

BSA requirements for drivers:
The tour permit must include

* The make, model and year of the vehicle
* The number of passengers it will hold
* The Owner's name
* Insurance information: Public liability and property damage dollar coverage

(taken from the Tour Permit form)

Drivers and Automobiles,

1. Seat belts are required for all occupants.
2. All drivers must have a valid driver's license that has not been suspended or revoked for any reason. If the vehicle to be used is designed to carry more than 10 persons, including the driver, the driver must have a commercial driver's license
3. An adult leader (at least 21 years old) must be in charge and accompany the group.
4. The driver must be currently licensed and at least 18 years of age.
5. Passenger cars or station wagons may be used for transporting passengers, but passengers should not ride on the rear deck of station wagons.
6. Trucks may not be used for transporting passengers except in the cab.
7. All driving, except for short trips, should be done in daylight.
8. All vehicles must be covered by automobile liability insurance with limits that meet or exceed requirements of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. It is recommended that coverage limits are at least $50,000/$100,000/$50,000. Any vehicle designed to carry 10 or more passengers is required to have limits of at least $100,000/$500,000/$100,000.
9. Do not exceed the speed limit.
10. Do not travel in a convoy.
11. Driving time is limited to a maximum of 10 hours and must be interrupted by frequent rest, food, and recreation stops. If there is only one driver, the driving time should be reduced and stops should be made more frequently.

(The Guide to Safe Scouting, 1998)

Leadership Requirements for Trips and Outings

1. Two-deep leadership:
Two registered adult leaders, or one adult and a parent of a participating Scout, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips or outings. There are a few instances, such as patrol activities, when no adult leadership is required. Coed overnight activities require male and female adult leaders, both of whom must be 21 years of age or older.
2. During transportation to and from planned Scout outings,

a) Meet for departure at a designated area.
b) Prearrange a schedule for periodic check-point stops as a group.
c) Plan a daily destination point. A common departure site and daily destination point are a must. If you cannot provide two adults for each vehicle, the minimum required is one adult and two or more youth members -- NEVER ONE ON ONE.

Return To Home Page