Troop 77 Parent's Guide

 

 

A. Joining: Each year generally in the spring, the Troop "Recharters" with the Boy Scouts of America. To pay for this and other expenses incurred over the year the scout will pay dues at each meeting. Usually these dues are about $1.00 per week. Included is a subscription to Boy's Life. A boy entering the Troop for the first time will pay $18.00 for dues, which includes insurance, a subscription to Boy's Life, and the Scouting fee. This is a one time charge. After the initial fee, we pay dues of $25 twice yearly, usually in April and October.

 

 

B. Camp out: Payments for Camp out are to be payed 2 Thursdays before the camp out. The full amount, $10, is refundable as late as the end of the Thursday Night prior to the Camp out. Uniform Shirts are required on all camp outs. Scouts are also required to bring their mess kits to all camp out. Absolutely no electronic gear. Scouts must have boots, hats, gloves, or mittens from October to March. The exception to the $10 camping fee is summer camp, where the cost is fixed by Council. There may be additional costs for some high adventure trips for the older Scouts.

 

 

C. Meetings: The Troop meets on Thursday Nights from 6:30-8:00 p.m. We try to hold four Court of Honors per year. One in January, April, July, and October. The Troop Committee (all parents are invited) meets on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The Troop Committee has a support role, including fundraising, advancement, and transportation.

 

 

D. Fundraising: The fundraising program is to be determined.

 

 

E. Equipment: A Scout entering the troop should have the following equipment:

1. Sleeping Bag

2. Ground Pad

3. Frame Backpack

4. Flash Light

5. Laundry bag

6. Bug Repellant

7. Mess Kit

8. Hiking Boots

9. Hiking Shoes

 

It is forbidden to bring matches, lighters, fuels, aerosol cans, large non folding knives, or electronics. The Troop provides the Tents, Stoves, Dining Flies, Cooking gear, utensils, and other items too numerous to list. If there is any question on what a Scout should have, or not have, check out our tips page.

 

 

F. Advancement: The Scouting program provides many opportunities for the Scouts to learn skills and take part in terrific adventures. The first three are Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, and next come Star, Life, and Eagle. Eagle is the highest award in Boy Scouting. Troop 77 believes the Scouts should be working on some form of advancement at all times. The Troop also believes that even though the Rank of Eagle is very valuable, it is not necessary nor mandatory to receive the benefits of Scouting.

 

 

G. Summer Camp: Troop 77 has camped at Camp Crooked Creek in Bardstown, KY (near Louisville) nearly every summer. The Troop selects its summer camp dates, the year prior to going. The Troop must provide at least two adult leaders for the week (more if a large enough group goes), and one adult goes free for every 10 Scouts. The Troop will pay the camp fees for required leaders. The Camp Staff provides all of the program for Summer Camp; the role of the adult leaders is to provide encouragement and reassurance to the younger Scouts and to insure safety.

 

 

H. Parental Commitments: Scouting is a family affair. No Scout is expected to travel the Trail to Eagle by himself. Parents should encourage their son to work on advancement and take full advantage of the Scouting program. Parents are invited to all Troop meetings and especially to Courts of Honor, held 4 times a year. On the other hand, parents may not sign off on advancement and merit badges for their own sons. Advancement through First Class may be signed off by the Senior Scouts, the Troop Guides, or the Scoutmaster and his/her assistants. Above First Class, only the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters may sign off advancement. Merit badges must be signed off by the registered merit badge counselor, and a parent cannot be the counselor for his/her son without Troop committee approval. When a Scout is ready to begin work on a merit badge, he asks the Scoutmaster for a "blue card" and the name of a counselor. If a parent has a special skill or training, she or he may want to serve as a Merit Badge Counselor for interested Scouts. There are 123 different merit badges available. Of course, there is always room for anyone who wants to take a more active role in working with the Scouts to plan their program. Council training programs are held several times a year, and everyone is encouraged to take advantage of them.

 

 

I. Inappropriate Behavior: The goal of the adult leaders is to have a safe, fun Troop program for the Scouts. The adult leaders have the right to intervene in any situation which they deem unsafe. If a Scout is unwilling to abide by the requirements of the adult leaders in charge, they may require a parent to come get the Scout, whether the situation occurs at a Troop meeting or during an outing. Also, if a Scout is disruptive at a meeting or otherwise prevents the boy leaders from running the meeting, the adult leaders at the meeting may call a parent to pick up the Scout.