►Home ►Organization ►Info ►Advancements
►Links ►Events ►Contacts ►Announcements
What is the Troop 944 philosophy?
What is Troop 944’s Chartering
Organization?
What are some key website
addresses?
Who do we contact with questions?
What is District Roundtable and
who should attend?
What are Boy Scout Ranks and how
long might it take to earn those ranks?
What are links to the Council,
District and National websites?
Why does the Troop wear uniforms?
When should the Field uniform be worn?
What is an Activity uniform and when
should it be worn?
Which meetings on the calendar
should my son attend?
Which meetings on the
calendar should adults attend?
What are the other leadership
meetings?
How do we
arrange rides to the campouts?
In
addition to food, how much do trips usually cost?
What special preparation is necessary for winter camping?
What equipment is supplied by the Troop?
How
many Scouts sleep in one tent?
What is a
chuck box, and how do I take care of it?
What
equipment must each Scout supply?
How
much should food cost for a weekend camping trip?
What
types of food should be planned for a weekend?
How much
food should be planned for a weekend?
Why do Boy
Scouts do service projects?
What is a
Troop service project?
What is a
Patrol service project?
How
are service projects chosen for the Troop?
What
is Webelos O Ree and the Klondike?
What is
the Preakness Balloon Fest?
What is
the Waverly Mansion service project?
When
does the Troop select the High Adventure trips?
What is
the 2010 National Jamboree?
What is
the process to get requirements signed off?
What
counts as an ‘Event’ for Second and First Class?
What is a
Scoutmaster Conference?
How does my
son get his Board of Review and Scoutmaster Conference for advancement?
When
are Scoutmaster Conferences scheduled?
When
are Boards of Review scheduled?
What is
the proper uniform for a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review?
Who can perform Scoutmaster
Conferences and Boards of Review?
How does a
Scout get a Blue Card?
When does a
Scout ask for a Blue Card?
How does my
son earn merit badges?
What
are Eagle required Merit Badges?
What
are Optional Merit Badges?
Who are the Merit Badge counselors and how do I find them?
Where
does information on Merit Badges exist?
Why does
Boy Scouts offer Religious Awards?
What is purpose of Service in the OA?
What Lodge or Chapter do the Troop’s Scouts belong?
How are Scout Elections accomplished?
How are Adult Elections accomplished?
What
are the fees for the Troop?
How can one find out how much is in a Scout’s account?
What is
the Troop’s fundraising requirement?
What is
the Joe Corbi Pizza fundraiser?
What is
the Popcorn fundraiser?
What is a
Charter Organization Representative (COR)?
What is
the parent role in Boy Scouts as compared to Cub Scouts?
What
is required for trip and service project coordination?
How can a
parent facilitate a Scout?
What
training is available to adults?
What is the organization structure?
What are the Leadership positions and responsibilities?
When is
the Troop calendar planning done?
What
training is available for Scouts?
What is the behavior issue process?
What is
Two Deep Leadership and why is it necessary?
What is
an Assistant Scoutmaster?
What/Where
is the Main Church?
What/Where
is the White Church?
The goal of
Troop 944 is to help our young men become good citizens, learn life skills and
become men of character who are physically, emotionally and mentally fit, while
having FUN!
Back to Troop 944 Information Questions
Troop 944’s
Chartering Organization is
Back to Troop 944 Information Questions
It is best for the Scout to work his way up the chain of
command with questions. He should first ask his Patrol Leader, then one of the
Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, the Senior Patrol Leader, and then adult
leadership.
Each Patrol should have a minimum of two adults that act as
Patrol Coaches. They can be a great
source of information as they should be in the know. See ‘What
is a Patrol Coach?’
For questions regarding any of the trips, the adult in
charge of a trip is the best point-of-contact.
Back to Troop 944 Information Questions
The Troop Website: www.oocities.org/Troop944md
The
Troop has more detailed information in many areas posted on the Website.
Scout Shop: www.Scoutstuff.org
Merit Badges: www.meritbadge.org
Also see: ‘What are links
to National, Council and District websites?’
Back to Troop 944 Information Questions
At the top of the structure is the BSA National Council which
is broken down into 4 regions – Northeast, Central, Western and Southern. In the Northeast Region, there is the
Baltimore Area Council. The Baltimore
Area Council is made up of ten Districts including the National Pike
District. The National Pike District
covers
Back to General Boy Scout
Information Questions
The District Roundtable is the time and place that
information is shared about broader District and Council topics. It is usually held on the 2nd
Monday of the month, at 7:30pm, at the
Back to General Boy
Scout Information Questions
Patrols are the building blocks
of the Troop. A Patrol is a group of 6
to 12 boys who work together under the direction of a Patrol Leader – a boy
elected from the group by the group. A Patrol takes pride in its identity, and the members help
each other and strive to make their Patrol the best it can be. They gain confidence by serving in
positions of Patrol Leadership. All Patrol members enjoy the friendship, sense
of belonging, and achievements of the Patrol and of each of its members.
Back to General Boy Scout
Information Questions
The ranks are listed below with minimum time in rank and
average time to that rank from joining Troop 944. See Troop Advancement
page for graphic.
Scout:
Entry rank.
Tenderfoot:
no min. time, average 4 months in 2008
Second Class: no min. time, average 7 months in 2008
First Class: no min. time, average 12 months in 2008
Star:
4 months min., average 26 months in 2008
Life:
6 months min., average 37 months in 2008
Eagle:
6 months min, average 62 months in 2008
Back to General Boy Scout
Information Questions
National Pike District:
http://npd.richstuff.net/
National BSA website:
http://www.Scouting.org/
Back to General Boy Scout
Information Questions
The
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is the largest uniformed body of volunteers in the
world. More than six million boys, girls, and leaders belong to the Boy Scout
movement in the
The Field
Uniform (incorrectly called Class A) consists of an official Scout shirt (with
all appropriate rank and insignia), official Scout pants, and blue Troop
neckerchief (with some appropriate slide or square knot). The Troop does not
require Scout belt, or Scout socks. However a belt and socks appropriate for the
activity are required. Please realize
that Scout socks are padded and excellent for hiking. Eagle neckerchiefs may be worn in place of
blue Troop neckerchiefs; Scout bolos also may be worn at meetings in place of a
neckerchief. Neckerchiefs, and not bolos, are required at Scoutmaster Conferences,
Boards of Review, and Courts of Honor.
Wearing a
mixed uniform (part civilian and part Scout clothing) is inappropriate. If the Scout is missing part of the uniform,
the parent will be called or
asked to bring the missing piece of the uniform to the activity.
Good
grooming is an important aspect of the well-dressed Scout. Hands and face should be clean, hair combed,
and the uniform should be clean.
Various insignia
are included on the uniform. The Troop Community Strip/Council shoulder patch,
Troop numbers, leadership badges, rank badges, etc., should be affixed per
national guidelines. The Troop will periodically have uniform inspections.
Merit badges are worn only when sewn on a merit badge sash (or with the sleeve
option, not recommended). The correct placement of each badge and authorized
insignia is shown in the Boy Scout Handbook.
NOTE: Medals
are worn ONLY at a Court of Honor. They should never be worn on camping trips.
The Field
uniform should be worn to all Scout events.
These include Troop meetings, camping trips, service projects, Courts of
Honor, etc. The Scoutmaster or Senior
Patrol Leader will designate proper dress if necessary.
The wearing of the Activity (incorrectly called Class B)
uniform is determined by the Senior Patrol Leader during hot weather or for
work details. Patrol Leaders may designate that Activity T-shirts may be worn at Patrol meetings, but
ALL SCOUTS IN THAT PATROL must be dressed the same. It is the same as the Field
uniform except the Scout does not wear a neckerchief or khaki shirt. A Scout
T-shirt is worn with Scout pants.
Class A uniform is the incorrect name for the Field uniform.
Class B uniform is the incorrect name for the Activity
uniform.
The Troop and Patrol meetings are held on Wednesday nights
year-round. We hope that all Scouts will attend these meetings regularly.
Adults should attend Parent meetings (see ‘What are Parent Meetings?’) and Courts of Honor
(see ‘What is a COH?’). In addition, it is recommended that adults
attend Troop meetings.
Patrol meetings are just that,
meetings of individual Patrols. These
meetings may be held at any time and place. Troop 944 designates one Wednesday
a month as a Patrol Meeting night.
Usually this is the 4th Wednesday of the month in the
Patrol meetings should be well-planned
and business-like using an agenda. Typically, the Patrol Leader calls the
meeting to order. The Patrol Leader
should report any information from the latest Patrol Leaders' council meeting.
The bulk of the meeting should be devoted to planning upcoming activities, and
advancement activities. The frequency of Patrol meetings is determined by
upcoming events and activities that require planning and discussion.
The Troop meetings are held in the main church fellowship
hall (to the left as you enter the parking lot), and generally involve
announcements, trip coordination, merit badge work, games, and awards.
The PLC (Patrol
Leadership Council) Meetings are Scout meetings, usually held on the 3rd
Monday of the month, which include the Senior Leadership, Troop Scribe, and Patrol
Leaders from all Patrols along with the Scoutmaster. If your son is Patrol Leader, he needs to
attend these meetings. If he is not available for one of those meetings, then
he is responsible for getting another member of the Patrol to attend in his
place. He should start with the Assistant Patrol Leader, then Patrol
Quartermaster, then Patrol Scribe.
The Senior Leadership
Meeting, usually held on the 1st Monday of the month, is for the
Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders along with the
Scoutmaster. These are the older Scouts who are running the Troop.
The Troop Parent Meeting,
usually held the 4th Monday of the month, is for adults only; no
Scouts or siblings should attend. Usually, an agenda goes out from the
Committee Chair the week before the meeting.
They start at 7:30pm in the basement of the
Each Scout is responsible for
arranging his own ride to the campouts. This is usually done within his Patrol
by Patrol Leaders, but he’s certainly able to go to other Patrols, too. (In
reality, the parents are the ones doing this coordination for the early years,
but the boys should take increasing responsibility over time.) Simply find out
who else in the Patrol will be attending the campout, which parents will be
going, and who has room in their car for additional Scouts. (Please remember to
leave room in the car for all the Scout equipment!) An easy way to accomplish
this is via email distribution within your Patrol, or in person at the
Wednesday night meetings.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
In addition to food, there is usually a cost for a trip to
pay for the camping site and the activity.
Some trips are more expensive (more than $100) such as, skiing, and
white water rafting. Some trips are very
inexpensive (less than $30) such as the feast, bike trip, and rappelling. These fees may be paid out of a Scout’s Scout
account (see the Budget and Finances
section). Please check the Troop website for a
more detailed list.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
The
following items are prohibited at all Boy Scout Events to include camping
trips. Please note that aerosol cans are
flammable, this includes bug spray and suntan lotion in aerosol cans.
Alcoholic
beverages Drugs
Liquid
fire starters Ammunition
Firecrackers Open flames in tents
Double
bladed axes Firearms
(must be furnished by Scouting)
Switchblade
knives Liquid
fuel lighters
Aerosol
cans (flammable) Unapproved
chemicals
Matches
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
There are several things that make
winter camping warmer and safer.
A Scout needs a warm sleeping
bag. Sleeping bags are rated by
temperature. As a rule of thumb, the bag
used should be rated 10 degrees colder than the actual temperature. An insert can be used to boost the warmth of
a sleeping bag. Air mattresses and cots
should not be used as they create a layer of cold air under the sleeping bag.
Scouts should ensure that their
tents are vented. This allows the
release of warm moist air. Otherwise,
condensation will form on the sleeping bags.
Before bed, a Scout should change
all inner layers of clothing. Dry
clothes (especially socks and underwear) will keep a Scout warm at night. Gloves, hats and socks will protect the
extremities.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
Equipment
Each Patrol is issued:
tents, a chuck box, a folding table, a
lantern, a water jug, and a dining fly.
Every six months this equipment is issued to the Patrol
Quartermaster. The Patrol Quartermaster
will keep and account for the equipment.
If a Patrol member needs a piece of equipment, he should go to the
Patrol Quartermaster to make arrangements for it. After six months time, the Patrol
Quartermaster will return the equipment to the Troop Quartermaster. See ‘Patrol Equipment Care’
for more information on how to care for this equipment.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
Usually two Scouts per tent.
If there are an odd number of Scouts participating in an overnight
camping trip, then three Scouts can sleep in a tent together. No Scout may sleep alone in a tent without
approval of the Scoutmaster.
Back to Overnight Campout Questions
A chuck box contains the
cooking stove, pots, utensils, etc. that the Patrols will be using at the
campouts. The Scouts are responsible for
their own individual mess kits. The Scouts are responsible for cleaning all the
dishes during the campout, but when it comes back home, the Grubmaster is responsible for rewashing all the
dishes (for sterilization this time!) in the dishwasher. Important note: Please
let the dishes air dry for a full day (or more) after they come out of the
dishwasher to remove any remaining dampness before returning them to the chuck
box. Otherwise, those dishes will be moldy the next month when the Scouts try
to use them.
Back to Overnight Campout Questions
Each Scout is responsible for bringing his own bedding
(sleeping bag, pad, and/or cot), changes of clothing, mess kit & utensils,
and water bottle. All of this equipment
should be marked with the Scout’s name.
Other equipment for a particular trip may be required
depending on the activity. For example
on the bike trip, a Scout needs his bike and helmet. Daypacks are usually recommended.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
A mess kit usually consists of a non-disposable plate,
knife, fork, spoon, cup and bowl which are able to handle hot and cold food. Sometimes the kit is contained in a mesh bag,
called a dunk bag, that can be hung to dry after the dishes are cleaned.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
Food and Cooking
When a Scout signs up for a
campout, there will be an associated fee. That fee is for the campout only;
food is separate. Each Patrol will designate one Scout to be the Grubmaster for
that trip. The other Scouts will help cook and clean according to the Grubmaster’s
duty roster. The Grubmaster also takes the chuck box home after the trip to
rewash and dry all the cooking equipment. He can then return the chuck box to
the patrol quartermaster.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
Patrol food cost for a Friday-Sunday trip usually cost
between $10 and $15 for each Scout (Grizzly food is typically a few dollars
more). This will vary depending on the
choice of food, consumables needed for the chuckbox, and use of previously
purchased food. All menus should meet
First Class cooking requirements as a healthy meal.
The Grubmaster should keep a tally of how much money is
spent on the food for that weekend, and then divide the amount by the number of
participants. Each Scout will be responsible for paying the Grubmaster for that
food. Once the list of who’s attending the trip is finalized, a Scout is
responsible for his portion of the fee, whether or not he attends the trip.
If a Scout’s Patrol food cost per person is more than $18-20
per boy, he probably has bought the wrong items, or too much. The parent shopping with him should help him
put the food back and let him start over.
The Patrol Grubmaster is responsible for the food. All food purchased is to be shared by persons
committing to go. Under NO
circumstances, should the Grubmaster be responsible to personally pay for food
committed to by others.
Normally, Patrols will have one price for food for the
weekend. It is very difficult and awkward
to attempt to price the food any other way since it is bought in bulk. After the food has been bought for the trip,
if a person misses a meal for any reason (doesn’t like the food, leaves for an
athletic event, or decides not to go on the trip for whatever reason), he still
needs to pay his share of the Patrol food.
Should a trip be cut short and not all meals used, the Grubmaster can
collect for the full amount of food. If
in his opinion, his family can reasonably use some of the food, he can reduce
the costs to the Patrol members. The
food can also be divided equally among the scouts that went or were supposed to
go on the campout. The cost of any food
given to a food bank, or thrown away, or given away is borne by the Patrol
members.
Back to Overnight Campout Questions
The Grubmaster will get a list
of everyone in the Patrol who is attending the trip, find out if there are any
food allergies (not liking a certain food doesn’t count!), plan
nutritionally-balanced meals, purchase the food, and be the lead cook.
Nutritionally balanced means
that each meal must contain all four food groups – meat/eggs, dairy,
fruit/vegetables, and bread.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
The Grubmaster should get a head count for the weekend. The Grubmaster needs to remember that not all
Scouts like all food. As long as there
are options (peanut butter and jelly or cereal), no Scout will go hungry.
There are some guidelines that can be followed. For example, eggs – count on 1-2 eggs per Scout,
2 pieces of bacon or sausage per Scout, bread for sandwiches – 2 per Scout, 1
pound of lunchmeat feeds about 10 people, 1 piece of fruit per Scout.
Back to Overnight Campout
Questions
One of the requirements for the rank of First Class is that a Scout must arrange for
selecting and buying all food for his Patrol on a camping trip. He is responsible for making sure the Chuck
Box is on the camping trip and properly cleaned after the trip. He is the primary cook, clean up person, and
water person, etc. Other Scouts help
under his direction – such as those working on Tenderfoot or Second Class
cooking requirements. He must say an
interfaith blessing before each meal.
See the Scout handbook for more details.
Back to Overnight Campout Questions
The
slogan of the Boy Scout is to ‘Do a good turn daily’.
In
April 1997 BSA responded to the President's call for increased volunteer
service with a commitment to provide 200 million hours of service by youth
members by the end of the year 2000. BSA's campaign was called "Service to
This
program was hugely successful and is indeed continuing in a large scale within
many local Councils and nationally, but with a different name. The new
name of the program is Good Turn for
Any event or task that provides
service to others that the Troop has selected.
Any event or task that provides
service to others that has been approved by the Scoutmaster in which a Patrol
participates.
The
Troop typically has 16-18 service projects of all kinds each year to promote
service to others, as well as provide a means for Scouts to meet service
requirements for rank advancement. The service projects are chosen at the Troop
Annual Planning Program. See ‘When is Troop
Calendar planning done?’
One
of the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders is usually responsible for coordinating
Service Projects for the Troop. It is his responsibility to plan, inform, and
sign up Scouts (and adults) for projects.
Webelos O Ree and the
Webelos O Ree is a camping trip for Webelo Scouts which is
usually held at Broad Creek Scouting Reservation. Troop 944 usually does the moulage first aid and the BB range.
The Klondike is a simulation of the Canadian Gold Rush held
usually at the McKeldin area of
We Remember is a Council event held on the Friday before
Memorial Day. The task is to ‘plant’
flags on all graves at
Hamfest is a Ham Radio event held at the Howard County
Fairgrounds on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
Troop 944 has used it as a one night camping trip (Sat night) and has
provided traffic control for parking on Sunday.
The Preakness has a Balloon
Festival as one of its events leading up to race day (http://www.ballooningusa.com/preakness2008/index.php
). Recently, Turf Valley Country Club has
been one of the venues for the hot air balloons. Troop 944 has provided service to the balloon
crews including help setting up, chasing, and help packing it all back up
again. This event is usually the
Thursday evening and Friday morning before the Preakness.
The Howard County Council of Garden
Clubs conducts holiday tours of
Bethany UMC hosts and the Troop
organizes a
Twice a year, usually April and
October, Bethany UMC organizes a cleanup of the grounds. Troop 944 participates in this project as a
service to the organization that sponsors them.
In the past, Scouts have spread mulch, and raked leaves.
Any program that requires a scout
to be more responsible and physically fit.
There is always a minimum age and or rank requirement. Usually this is 14 and/or First Class. However each program is different, so one
should check the site and/or Troop requirements.
Back to
High Adventure Questions
The Scouts
select the High Adventure trip during the Troop Annual Planning Program. Because of registration requirements for the
popular trips, this is done 2 years in advance.
For example in June 2008, the Scouts selected the 2010 National Jamboree as the
High Adventure trip for that summer.
See: ‘When
is Troop calendar planning done?’
for more information.
Back to
High Adventure Questions
is
a national camping area, owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America.
Philmont is large, comprising 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles of rugged
mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the
This
was the Troop high adventure trip in 2007.
Website: http://www.scouting.org/HighAdventure/Philmont.aspx
Back to
High Adventure Questions
The Florida National High
Adventure Sea Base is owned and operated by the National Council of the Boy
Scouts of America to offer unique educational aquatic programs to our members.
Located in Islamorada and on Summerland Key in the beautiful Florida Keys as well
as
This
was a Troop high adventure trip in 2008.
See pictures on the Troop picture webpage.
Website: http://www.bsaseabase.org/
Back to
High Adventure Questions
Haliburton Scout Reserve is located
250 kms (150 miles) north of
In the past, this high
adventure trip has also included an extra 3 day tour of
The Troop considers this to be
high adventure because of the distance from home (i.e. out of the country) and
the proximity to water. The age/rank
restrictions will be published at the time of registration.
This is the summer 2009 high
adventure trip for the Troop. Details
can be found on the troop webpage: link
Website: http://www.gtc.scouts.ca/haliburton/gtc_hsr.asp
Back to
High Adventure Questions
Northern
Tier High Adventure Program is the only outfitter in the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area and
This
was a Troop high adventure trip in 2008.
See pictures on the Troop picture webpage.
Website: http://www.ntier.org/
Back to
High Adventure Questions
The Rollins Pond
Canoe Base and the
Website: http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=957
Back to
High Adventure Questions
Nestled in the rolling green hills of
What is there to do?
You name it! The jamboree program reflects the skills of
Scouting—physical fitness, environmental conservation, our national heritage,
and the true spirit of Scouting.
See yourself rappelling, discovering scuba, kayaking,
rafting, and sailing. Experience trap shooting, archery, bikeathlons, buckskin
games, confidence courses, conservation trail, and more! There is not enough
time in the day for all the exciting activities that are there waiting for you
to try.
Daily activities include an incredible merit badge midway,
arts and sciences, a re-creation of Baden-Powell’s original Scout camp on
This is the Troop high adventure trip for 2010. Minimum age/rank requirements are First
Class. They must have completed the 6th
grade or be at least 12 years of age.
Web site http://bsajamboree.org/index.html
Back to
High Adventure Questions
For the ranks of First Class and
below, the requirement must be witnessed by a Troop Guide, a Scout that is qualified to sign off requirements. This can be done at meetings, service
projects, camping trips or by special arrangement. On occasion, an adult on the Program Staff (Scoutmaster,
Asst. Scoutmaster, or designee) can sign off requirements. A good example of this are the swimming
requirements.
For the ranks of Star, Life and
Eagle, the Scoutmaster (or his designee) must sign the Scout’s handbook.
Troop 944 Troop or Patrol
events for Second and First Class rank advancement are as required in the
handbook. Events must have prior
review/planning by the PLC, and include camping trips, service projects;
outdoor activities together with hikes, bike rides, and swimming when the time
or distance are in general conformity with rank or merit badge advancement
requirements. Events must have prior
approval of the Scoutmaster (typically at PLCs).
Some clarifications to general
policy are:
1.
The Tenderfoot required
overnight camping activity may count as one of the Second Class overnights.
2.
Second Class cooking
requirement may be done during a fellow Patrol member’s First Class cooking requirement.
3.
A total of 3 overnight
camping trips are the minimum for First Class.
4.
First Class cooking may
be completed before the Second Class requirement during the first six months of
a new Patrol with the prior approval of the Scoutmaster.
5.
Council-Wide events may
be reviewed by the PLC for inclusion as a rank-event.
Scouts are encouraged to
participate in the normal 12-13 Troop camping trips and normal 18-22 Troop
Service Projects planned by the PLC each year to meet these advancement
requirements. (Eagle Service Projects
can also be used.) There are more than
enough activities in a year to attain the 10 required for First Class.
For rank advancement the Scout must request a Conference
from the Scoutmaster. He will be placed
on a list by the time requested if needed.
The Scoutmaster may assign the Conference to an Assistant Scoutmaster
(ASM) or Junior ASM (JASM).
Frequently Scouts ask for a Conference and then are not ready
when the Conference time arrives. Scouts
must be in full Field Uniform (Class A), have their Scout Book, and have all
task requirements for the rank completed & signed off in the book. Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class
also have pages within the book that need to be filled out (10 animals, 10
plants, events, etc.).
At the Conference the Scoutmaster will determine if the Scout
knows all the skills required to obtain the desired rank. This knowledge is cumulative. In other words a Scout sitting for his Second
Class Conference also must know the Tenderfoot requirements. If the Scout does not know the materials, the
conference will be stopped and the Scout will be asked to study the material
and reschedule another conference.
Scoutmasters (and Asst. Scoutmasters) do not evaluate their own sons/relatives.
After a successful Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout must
request a Board of Review from the Committee Chair or their designee. He will be placed on a list by the time requested
if needed.
Scouts should be familiar with their Troop & Patrol
activities, be in full Field Uniform (Class A), have their Scout Book, and
other requested documentation with them.
A Board of Review is a check to see if the Scout is happy
with the Troop. They will ask how a Scout
likes his Patrol, Troop, Adults and if there are things that could be done
differently.
Board of Reviews Committee members do not evaluate their own
sons/relatives.
Once a Scout has had all requirements for a rank signed off,
he may request a Scoutmaster Conference. He must go to the Scoutmaster (Chip
Galloway) to make this request; no parent should be making this request for the
Scout. The Scoutmaster will put the boy’s name on a list, if needed, and they
will go through the Scouts in the order of the list as time permits. Only the Scoutmaster or designated Assistant
Scoutmasters may conduct these Conferences.
After a successful Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout may
request a Board of Review (BOR). The Scout, not the parent, should go to the
BOR Chairman (Jerry Kramer, Bob Knapp or other designee selected by Susan Blaha)
to request this review. Again, the Scout’s name will be put on a list, if
needed, and he will be called when it’s his turn. If he is not in full Field
Uniform or does not have his Scout handbook, he will be skipped. The Board
consists of three or more registered parents.
While we try to keep this process as timely as possible, it
could take several weeks for the Scout to receive these reviews. The best thing
a parent can do to help this process along is to get involved! The more parents
we have available for Boards of Review, the shorter the wait will be for the
Scouts.
Scout, Tenderfoot, & Second Class Conferences are
generally arranged on trips, Troop meetings, and Patrol nights. These Conferences are relatively short and
the Scouts are still learning about advancement practices.
First Class, Star, & Life Conferences are generally
arranged on trips and Patrol nights.
These Conferences are somewhat longer since more information needs to be
reviewed; and are typically done on trips for both available time and because
the Scout must be active in the Troop as one of the requirements. It is strongly recommended that Scouts plan
ahead and have Blue Cards signed off in advance of trips & summer camp –
they should not bring Blue Cards on trips and summer camp to avoid potential of
losing them.
Eagle Conferences are frequently performed on weekends and
trips by two adults, the Scoutmaster and an Assistant Scoutmaster.
Many Troops do not perform Scoutmaster Conferences at Summer
Camp – Troop 944 does.
Boards of Review for all ranks, other than Eagle, are
generally whenever three Committee adults are available. They are performed on trips, meetings, Senior
Leadership nights, and PLC nights.
Boards require three Committee adults.
Eagle Boards of Review are set at the discretion of the
District Advancement Committee. Eagle
Boards require three to six adults (BSA registration is not required).
Many Troops do not perform Boards of Review at Summer Camp –
Troop 944 does.
The Scout must be in full Field Uniform (sometimes called
Class A). If he’s not in uniform, then he cannot complete either his
Scoutmaster Conference or Board of Review.
Scoutmaster conferences are assigned to the Scoutmaster,
Asst. Scoutmasters or Junior Asst. Scoutmasters by the Scoutmaster. Eagle Scoutmaster Conferences are assigned to
two adults, the Scoutmaster and an Asst. Scoutmaster.
Boards of Review are made up of 3 registered Adults that are
not on the Program Staff (see ‘What is Program Staff?’).
A Blue Card is a 3 part perforated
form on blue card stock that is used to record the completion of requirements
for a merit badge.
Any Scout can ask the Scoutmaster
for a Blue Card. He must tell the
Scoutmaster which merit badge he wants to work on and who his counselor is.
A Scout must request a blue card before
any work on a merit badge begins.
Ages and Stages are guidelines
for working on Merit Badges. Troop 944
uses these guidelines for three reasons.
First, Merit Badges should be appropriate for the experience level and
educational grade of the Scout. Second,
the Scout should be able to comprehend the concepts behind the
requirements. He should not skate over
the surface, minimally performing the requirements without developing an
understanding to be able to use the information in the future. And last, most of the Merit Badges are
“windows” into possible careers.
Vocational guidance may be provided to older Scouts in particular at
this stage.
A matrix of which Merit Badges
are appropriate for which Scouts has been developed with this in mind. Currently 26 Merit Badges are deemed
appropriate for 1st year Scouts, 69 for 2nd & 3rd
Scouts, and 27 for older Scouts. The
goal of the first year in Scouting is primarily to attain First Class. Please see link for more
information.
There are 12 Merit Badges that are required to earn the rank of
Eagle. A Scout needs 4 of these for the
rank of Star and an additional 3 of these for the rank of Life, leaving 5 to do
between Life and Eagle.
Camping
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Communications
Cycling or Hiking or Swimming
Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving
Environmental Science
Family Life
First Aid
Personal Fitness
Personal Management
You must choose only one merit badge listed on the same line. If
you have earned more than one of the badges listed on those lines, the first
earned counts for Eagle, the remaining badges as optional Merit Badges.
Any non-Eagle required merit
badge. There are 2 required for the rank
of Star, an additional 2 required for the rank of Life and an additional 5
required for the rank of Eagle.
Merit Badge counselors are registered adults with skills in
the subject area. They have volunteered
their time to help the Scout achieve the requirements set forth for the Merit
Badges. Counselor lists are occasionally
emailed out to the Troop, are posted at the Troop website, or
are also available at anytime by contacting the Merit Badge Coordinator (Leslie
Hoffmeister, 2009).
The current requirements and
worksheets can be found at www.meritbadge.org/
. Merit Badge books can be borrowed from
the Troop Library or purchased at the Scout Shop.
The first year of Scouting, the
boys should be focused primarily on advancing to First Class. However, they are also welcomed to work on
appropriate merit badges.
All of the merit badges are
listed in the Boy Scout Handbook. There are merit badge manuals available for
each of the merit badges. Most of these can be found in the Troop library and
are available to be checked out to the Scouts.
All of the merit badge manuals can also be purchased from the Scout
Shop. The requirements for each of these
merit badges can be found in the merit badge requirements book, on-line at www.meritbadges.org, or in the front of
the merit badge manuals.
There will be opportunities at
summer camp, Feast Weekend, and other special events to earn merit badges. The
Scout will be given a list of options, and the Scout can choose which badges he
prefers. Most summer camps have more
stringent “ages & stages” requirements than Troop 944.
There will also be merit badges
offered occasionally during Scout meetings. One of the merit badge counselors
may come up and present an overview of a merit badge, and then any Scouts
wishing to work on that merit badge will sign up and work with that counselor,
typically during portions of the meeting for several weeks thereafter.
With approval of the
Scoutmaster when obtaining a Blue Card, a Scout may also look at the merit
badge counselor list, and contact any of the counselors directly to work on a
merit badge of his choice. It is
important to only use official registered counselors for Merit Badges, or the
Blue Card may not be approved by the Troop as completed. The Scoutmaster will review this with the
Scout when requesting a Blue Card (before any work has started).
Over 28 religious groups participate with Scouting to offer
religious awards. Every major religion
from Islam to Roman Catholic is represented.
Each religion has different requirements.
See http://www.scouting.org/applications/religiousawards.aspx
for more details.
Back to Religious Award
Questions
The 12th point in the Scout Law is Reverent. A
Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious
duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and
religion.
Scouting itself does not
actually have qualifications for Religious
Awards. It recognizes the achievement of
an award earned and given within the Scout’s faith. Scouting recognizes this with a silver
thread square knot on a background of purple, worn on the Field Uniform.
Troop 944 encourages all Scouts
to participate in their chosen faith, and recognizes the Scout individually by
presenting the Religious Knot at our Courts of Honor. The Scout may also wear the medal presented
by his faith on his Field Uniform at formal Scout events.
Back to Religious Award
Questions
Traditionally
Back to Religious Award
Questions
Order of the Arrow is the
National Honor Society of Boy Scouts. It
was founded in 1915 to honor Scouts selected by their peers.
To crystallize the Scout habit
of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
Troop
944’s Scouts belong to Nentico Lodge 12.
The webpage can be found at: http://www.nentico.org/index.html
At the February camping trip
(the Feast), elections for Order of the Arrow are held. Any scout that has met the minimum
requirements – 1st Class rank and camping for 20 nights – is
eligible. All Scouts present (OA and
non-OA) vote for those they believe uphold the values of Scouting. The Scouts that are currently members of the
OA count the votes and record the nominees.
Adults in the
Troop do not traditionally vote for other adults. At the January Parents meeting, a request for
volunteers is made. Usually the Troop
selects 2 adults each year. There is a minimum 20 night camping requirement for
adults, but no minimum rank requirement.
Tapping out is
the formal nomination process, correctly named Call Out. Usually this happens at the March Court of
Honor. Those Scouts and adults selected
are Called Out (tapped out) at this meeting.
The names of those previously selected
are secret until this public announcement.
Once a Scout is
Called Out he has one year to complete the Ordeal. The Ordeal is the formal initiation process
into the OA. Usually it is an OA camping
trip where Scouts sleep under the stars and perform service to others.
The
Troop collects activity fees each year as well as a one-time, new Scout fee. These
fees in 2009 are:
Each
Scout pays a new Scout One Time Fee $ 20.00
Activity
Fee for the first Scout in a family (Yearly) $ 70.00
Activity
fee for each additional Sibling Scout $ 60.00
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
To
help achieve funding goals, the Troop offers a unique cooperative sharing plan
for fund raising. The Treasurer maintains a ledger of Scout Accounts. The Scout Account is money held in escrow by
the Troop for the Scout to be used only in support of Scout activities (camping
fees, purchases from the Scout Shop). Half of the profits from a Scout’s fund raising
activity goes to his Scout Account. For
any Popcorn sales over $200, the Scout receives 80% of profits to encourage
greater sales. Scouting is a nonprofit organization – the funds must only be
used by the Scout for Scouting purposes. The Troop does not pay commission on
sales for that portion of sales over $200. Any Scout Account funds not used by
the Scout revert to Troop use when the Scout leaves Scouting. Scout Accounts
can be transferred to another Scouting organization or to siblings in the Troop.
Scout
Accounts which have a negative balance and/or Scouts who owe money to the Troop
shall make restitution. Otherwise, the Scout may not be allowed to participate
in monthly activities, re-registration, or rank advancement.
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
The easiest way is to ask the Troop Treasurer. A list of accounts with balances is usually
shared at the Parent’s meeting every month.
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
The
Troop expects that all Scouting families will participate in the fundraising
program.
The
goal is for each Scout to earn $80.00 minimum yearly in fund raising activities
for the Troop (of which $40.00 goes into the Scout’s own account). If the Scout
does not participate in any fund raising, he owes the Troop $40.00 by December
31st.
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
Selling Popcorn is a Baltimore
Area Council-wide fundraiser. Profits
from this fundraiser go to the Baltimore Area Council, the National Pike
District, the Troop, and to the Scout (Scout Account). It is typically in the fall of every year.
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
The Joe Corbi Pizza fundraiser is
a Troop fundraiser. Profits from this
fundraiser go to the Troop and the Scout (Scout Account). Typically, this fundraiser is in January with
delivery on the weekend of the NFL Super Bowl.
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
See ‘What
is Hamfest?’ above. The Troop is
compensated for this project. Profits
are shared between the Troop and the Scout (Scout Account).
Back
to Budget and Finance Questions
The Charter Organization Representative (COR) serves as a
liaison between the sponsor of the Troop, Bethany UMC, and the Troop Committee,
represents your Troop to the local council and at the monthly District
Committee meetings. Currently, our COR
is Judi Raglin.
The Troop Committee is the body of
registered adults that approve the Program designed for the Troop. The Committee ensures that all projects
undertaken are completed. The Committee
consists of a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Advancement Chair, Quartermaster and
Committee members.
The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters
comprise the Program Staff. These adults
are uniformed and work directly with the Scouts.
A Patrol Coach is a registered
adult that has agreed to work as a mentor for a particular patrol. They should be at Troop and
Patrol Meetings, and may attend some of the PLCs and go to summer camp.
Training is available for these adults. Informal training starts at summer camp. This is normally provided by the Scoutmaster. Wagon Wheel is also highly recommended, see ‘What Training is available to adults?’
In Cub Scouts, the parents had
a vital role in helping their son advance. In Boy Scouts, the parents are
primarily there for the health and safety of the Scouts and should be focusing on helping the Patrol and
the Troop, not just their son. The focus on the larger groups will also benefit
their son, but will help the Scout to gain more independence.
Boy Scout Troops are run
entirely by parent volunteers. As such, we need all parents to get involved!
There are many opportunities, large and small. The Committee Chairman (Susan
Blaha, 2009) has a list of the activities needing adult leadership. Parents can
also drive to and chaperone campouts, be merit badge counselors, help conduct
Boards of Review, etc. Many hands make light work!
Trips
and Service Projects usually have an adult leader. Any registered adult can volunteer to take
responsibility for a trip or project. There
is a Troop booklet on the website about organizing trips called ‘I’m Responsible for a Camping Trip”. This responsibility includes obtaining the
appropriate tour permits, arrangements for use of camp sites, arrangements for
the activity, advertising the trip, etc.
Parents can encourage their Scout
to be active in the Troop, utilize the Scout chain of command (Patrol Leader,
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Scoutmaster), and to be
responsible for planning his activities, including merit badges and
advancement.
The Troop Committee Chair (Susan
Blaha, 2009) maintains a spreadsheet of adult volunteer duties. A version of the volunteer
spreadsheet is also on the Troop website.
To volunteer for an available duty, just contact the Committee Chair and
ask to do that job. There are a few jobs
that need the approval of the Scoutmaster or special training (Assistant
Scoutmasters, for example need the approval of the Scoutmaster and training).
This is an Adult only event held
in late August or early September to kick off the new year and calendar. The goal is to have fun and for the volunteer
spreadsheet to be completed at this time.
Fast
Start is the first level of adult Boy Scout training. It is offered both face-to-face and on-line.
Youth
Protection training is required of all adult boy-contact leaders
every two years. It enforces the
importance of creating the most secure
environment possible for our youth members. It is offered both face-to-face and on-line.
Wagon
Wheel is National Pike District’s second level training course
series offered twice a year for adults.
It is actually composed of a hands-on version of 4 National
courses. It
is composed of New Leader Essentials,
Troop Committee, Scoutmaster Specific, and The Outdoor Program.
The
University of Scouting is a Council series of adult Courses in
all areas of Scouting, Cub, Boy, Venturing, etc. Many different class room courses are
offered.
Wood Badge is
the most advanced training available for Scout Leaders
who are involved in the programs of the Boy Scouts of America. It is comprised of an intensive series of
hands-on courses for a theoretical phase, and a practical courses including
five tasks for the Scouter accomplished over about 15 months.
Every person who is registered with the Troop is in a
patrol. For the adults, it is the Grizzly
Patrol. There is an informal Patrol for
the adult women called the Camping Goddess Patrol.
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is
the top Scout position. He has Assistant
Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL) that work with him. Each Patrol has a Patrol Leader who is on the
Patrol Leader Council (PLC). Each Patrol
also has Patrol members.
A Patrol is a group of 6 to 12
boys who work together under the direction of a Patrol Leader – a boy elected
from the group by the group. On trips,
patrols will usually cook and camp as a group.
See ‘What is the Patrol method?’ for more
information.
There are many leadership
positions available to a Scout. They are
listed along with their responsibilities on the Troop website at: link
Leadership by Scouts is necessary for the Troop to
operate. But more important, Leadership
is to DEVELOP Scouts for their own future.
Some “Troop Leadership” positions are used as part of the
requirement for the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks. These are specified in the Scout
handbook. Others, such as Patrol Quartermaster,
Patrol Grubmaster, are still needed, but are not used for rank credit. They are great training positions.
Positions may be characterized as:
1.
Staff –
examples include Historian, Scribe
2.
Intermediate – examples include Bugler, Den
Chief
3.
People Leader – examples include ASPL, Patrol
Leader
These are explained in more detail in Youth Leader Training
(YLT). All Scouts are encouraged to
attend YLT, whether or not they are expecting to be in Leadership in a
particular six-month period.
Scouts should plan their careers when possible to start out
with Staff positions, and work towards People Leader positions. ALL THREE types of positions are needed for a
Scout to benefit the most. Scouts should
NOT plan to repeat the same position.
The Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster will guide the
Scouts into which positions are best for their personal development and at what
stage in their Scouting career. Please
also note that Scouts much match up to available openings, and it is not
necessary to have a Leadership Position all the time. Part of Scouting is also learning to be a
follower and team player.
The real purpose of Leadership Positions is to DEVELOP
SCOUTS, not merely rank advancement.
The Patrol has a number of
jobs. These include: Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader,
Patrol Quartermaster, and Patrol Scribe.
The job responsibilities are very similar to the Troop positions, but
the jobs only apply to the Patrol. For
example, Patrol Quartermaster is responsible for the equipment that the Patrol
has checked out. Please note: Only the Patrol Leader job counts towards leadership
credits for advancement.
Troop elections are held at the
February camping trip (the Feast) and in early September at a Troop
meeting. At these elections, the Scouts
will vote for a Troop Senior Patrol Leader and each Patrol will elect a Patrol
Leader.
In June, there is a Troop Annual Planning Program (TAPP,
formerly called the Troop Operations Workshop, TOW) where the Scouts determine
their activities for the following year. All Scouts are invited to participate
in this session. Adults may attend the
TAPP, but do not participate in voting.
Twice per year (generally March and October) we have Youth
Leadership Training (YLT, formerly called Junior Leader Training, JLT). All Scouts who are in leadership positions
are required to attend this meeting if they want to get credit for their
leadership role that session. However, all Scouts are invited to attend.
Behavioral
issues are raised to the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters. The issue is discussed at the next Patrol
Leaders Council and Parents Meetings.
Appropriate action is taken as a result of these discussions.
Serious
behavioral issues on trips can require Troop leaders to phone parents (collect
call) to request that parents immediately drive to camp and pick up their son
for transport back to the Scout’s home.
Back
to Discipline and Safety Questions
Boy Scout policy requires that
there be two adults at every function.
This protects both the Scouts and the adults. When a Scout arrives at an event, the adult
driving him should not leave until there are two adults present. More information can be found by taking Youth
Protection Training. See ‘What training is available for adults?’
Back
to Discipline and Safety Questions
See
‘What
are Prohibited items?’ under camping.
Back
to Discipline and Safety Questions
ASPL stands for Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Usually the SPL appoints 1-3 Scouts to assist
him as ASPLs. All must go to Youth
Leader Training to receive credit for the leadership position.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
It stands for Court of Honor. These are held 4 times a year (Mar, Jun, Sep,
Dec) to formally present awards, Merit Badges, and rank advancements.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
The Charter Organization Representative. For more information see, ‘What is a Charter Organization Representative?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
A Scout designated by the Scoutmaster, holding the rank of
Eagle for some period of time, that is still active in the Troop. JASMs are trained and may give Scoutmaster
Conferences assigned by the Scoutmaster.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Junior Leader Training, now called
Youth Leader Training (YLT). For more information
see, ‘What training is available for Scouts?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Order of the Arrow. For more information see the Order of the Arrow topic.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Patrol Leader. For more information see ‘What are Patrols?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
The Patrol Leaders Council. This group meets once per month, usually on
the 3rd Monday evening in the basement of the
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
SPL stands for Senior Patrol Leader, the Scout that is
elected twice per year by Scouts to lead the Troop. All must go to Youth Leader Training to
receive credit for the leadership position.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Troop Annual Planning Program. formerly called the Troop
Operations Workshop (TOW). For more
information see, ‘When is the Troop calendar planning
done?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Troop Operation Workshop, now
called Troop Annual Planning Program (TAPP).
For more information see, ‘When
is the Troop calendar planning done?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Youth Leader Training, formerly
called Junior Leader Training (JLT). For
more information see, ‘What training is available
for Scouts?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
A trained, registered adult,
selected by the Scoutmaster to be part of the Program Staff working with the
Scouts.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Broad Creek Memorial Scout
Reservation is the Baltimore Area Council’s camping facility. It consists of three camps:
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Short hand for Troop
Committee. See ‘What is the Troop Committee?’
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
The person responsible for cooking
on a camping trip. See Food and Cooking.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
As you enter the parking lot, it
is the brick entrance on your left. It
is the new building. The Fellowship
Hall, where the Troop meets, is the first room on your right as you enter the
building.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
Makeup to simulate injuries for
First Aid training.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
It is the Plan developed by the
Program Staff and Scout Leadership for the Troop.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
The Adult leader responsible for
overseeing, purchasing, and organizing the Troop equipment. Currently, this is Joe Stock (2009).
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
The main Leader of the Troop that
works with the Scouts.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions
As you enter the parking lot, it is on your right. It is the old church. We usually enter it from the back, down the
steps into the basement. The is the
venue for Patrol meetings.
Back to Acronyms and Jargon
Questions