| ADMINSTRATIVE TROOP RULES Scouting has rules that must be followed to be a member of the team. The rules of Scouting are found in the Scout Oath or Promise, Scout Law, Scout Motto, and the Scout Slogan. Scouts in Troop 287 are expected to follow these rules to the best of their ability. Self-control and self-discipline are attributes expected from all Scouts in the troop. There are, however, times that the Scoutmaster must use disciplinary action to ensure the health and welfare of all troop members. Discipline may also be necessary for effective operation of a cohesive Scouting program. Discipline and control will be treated as an individual matter, realizing the best discipline is preventative in nature rather than regulatory and restrictive. Scouts will receive positive reinforcement (praise) when exhibiting appropriate behaviors. The Scoutmaster will ultimately be responsible for the proper behavior of troop members and therefore will be expected to enforce a fair and consistent disciplinary plan. Troop 287 Leadership will use the following steps when discipline must be employed: (1) The Scout will have a talk with adult leaders and be counseled on the Scout Oath and Law. (2) If the behavior continues, the Scout and his parent(s) will go before the Troop Council. The Troop Council consists of the Scout, his parent(s), and a minimum of a leader and a troop committee member. If the problem continues, a review will take place and the Scout may face loss of privileges (examples- missed troop meeting(s) or troop event(s)) Discipline decisions on outings will be made by a consensus of the adult leaders present. RECHARTERING AND FEES The process of rechartering is the annual collection of registration fees and information of the Scouts and Leaders. The troop also makes a formal visit to the chartering organization to renew their commitment for the1 coming year. The process of rechartering the troop must begin by September of each calendar year. ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEES How much does Boy Scouting cost? As little as possible, but nothing worthwhile is free. The annual fee for each Scout in Troop 287 is $50.00. · $7.00 for national BSA membership · $1.00 insurance · $33.00 for troop membership (Pays for badges, awards, and other expenses incurred by the troop as a whole.) · $9.00 for Boys Life magazine (gives the Scouts ideas for activities and outings) For families with more than one Scout; each additional Scout is $40.00. (All payments made by check and made out to “Troop 287”). Troop Annual Dues, as set by the Troop Committee, must be paid to the Troop Treasurer by September 30th. Failure to do so will make the Scout ineligible in troop activities. Personal hardship in meeting this requirement should be brought to the Troop Committee Chairperson for other arrangements. |
| FEES FOR OUTINGS/ACTIVITIES The cost for troop activities differs for each event depending on circumstances. There is a cost for the activity itself, equipment fund, may include travel, facility use, any insurance required, the food, etc… All fees covering expenses of camp-out, trips, and other activities shall be paid in advance. Refunds for missed activities will be handled on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Scoutmaster and the Outdoor Activity Chairperson. Only the portion of the money not used to purchase food or pay a deposit can be refunded upon request. Outing costs (excluding gasoline) of the adults will normally be covered through the Scout’s activity fees. Leaders or parents transporting troop to outing will be reimbursed for all vehicle entrance fees. FUNDRAISING Troop fund-raisers are held to raise funds to purchase such items as troop equipment, insurance, and supplies. Each Troop 287 family is expected to participate in these important fund raising events. The Chairperson of each event will automatically schedule a family to work a shift, or provide other troop support, at each fundraiser unless notified in advance that a family will not be available. The Scouts raise additional funds through various fundraising activities. The troop plans to do two major fundraising projects a year. The first fundraiser is working at the Western Michigan University Football Games; adults take tickets and Scouts handout programs. The second fund-raiser is the Annual Boy Scout Popcorn Sales, beginning in October. Our fund-raisers will be designed so that once the troop’s budget is met, additional funds raised by your son will be put into his individual account to defray Scouting costs. Details on this year's fund-raisers will be available at future troop meetings. Other fundraisers may be necessary for special events. TROOP BUCKS Scouts can earn Troop Bucks through various Troop Fundraising Activities. The Troop Treasurer compiles these accounts. Troop Bucks can be used for any Troop Outing, Scouting Equipment or other Scouting related expenses. The Troop Bucks have a one-year time frame from date of issue. FRIENDS OF SCOUTING Each year, the Council operates its Friends of Scouting (F.O.S.) campaign to raise money for the Council operations. The Council is responsible for maintaining the Rota-Kiwan Reservation camp facilities, the Council training and program materials Camporees, as well as other Council activities, local BSA administration and local advertising. Contributions are voluntary. As years go by, F.O.S. is becoming a critical source of the Southwest Michigan Council’s income. We encourage each family to participate annually in the FOS campaign. |