Handbook for
Scouts and Parents

TROOP 199
FRONTIER TRAILS DISTRICT
LONGHORN COUNCIL
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
SANGER, TEXAS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome
The aims of scouting
Scout organization
Joining requirements
Troop meetings and events
Leadership training
Physical condition
What you will need
Fundraising
Parent participation
Advancement
Merit badges
Recognition
Religious emblems
Order of the Arrow

WELCOME
We welcome you to Troop 199 of the Boy Scouts of America!

Troop 199 has been serving the boys of the Sanger area since 1954 and we look forward to having you join us.

This handbook is written so that both the Scout and his parents will better understand what Scouting is, how it functions, what the Troop can do for you and what you can do for the Troop. Please don’t hesitate to call any of the leaders if you have a question or a comment. We value your input.

THE AIMS OF SCOUTING

Growth in moral strength and character
Participating citizenship
Development in physical, mental, and emotional fitness

The Scout Oath and Law give the boy guidelines for living. Growth in moral strength and character is one of the aims of Scouting. We encourage a boy to look at his personal qualifications, his values, his outlook, and hopes for the future. By developing his relationship to others, he learns about his obligation to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society. This accomplishes our second aim of having a boy become a participating citizen. Problem solving, self respect, and a fit body meet the final aim of Scouting--developing physical, mental and emotional fitness.

BOY 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, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous,
kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

SCOUT MOTTO
Be prepared.

SCOUT SLOGAN
Do a good turn daily.

SCOUT ORGANIZATION
A Boy Scout troop is organized and administered by a Chartered Organization which is granted a charter annually by the Boy Scouts of America. The Chartered Organization agrees to provide an adequate meeting place, and to select adults of good character to serve as Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and Merit Badge Counselors. Troop 199 is chartered by the Sanger Church of Christ.

A Boy Scout troop is run by the boys, with adult supervision. The troop is made up of patrols, each consisting of from 5 to 8 boys, led by a Patrol Leader. The boy who leads the entire troop is the Senior Patrol Leader. All boy leaders are elected by the boys in the troop.

The Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters administer the Scouting program as defined by the Troop Committee, which consists of the adult troop officers and interested parents or other individuals.

Troop 199 is part of the Frontier Trails District, made up of about 20 troops located generally in northern part of Denton County. We share joint activities with other troops in the district, such as camporees and training opportunities. Frontier Trails District is part of the Longhorn Council, an eleven county area whose headquarters is in Southwest Ft. Worth. The Council provides professional support, program information, Council camps and training opportunities for both boy and adult leaders. Longhorn Council is part of the Southern Region. The Scouting program, books, literature, etc. are the responsibility of the Boy Scouts of America, National Headquarters, located in Irving, Texas.

JOINING REQUIREMENTS
To join Boy Scouts, a boy must be between 11 and 18 years of age and have completed the fifth grade or have earned the Arrow of Light Award. If possible, the boy and his parents should visit a regular troop meeting where they can observe the operation of the troop and ask questions. It is best to make an appointment through the Troop Committee Chairman, Scoutmaster, or one of the assistants so that the new boy can participate in the activities, if possible.

TROOP MEETINGS AND EVENTS
Troop 199 meets at the Sanger Church of Christ main building each Monday night from 7:30 until 9:00 P.M. There is a troop campout approximately 10 times a year. In addition, each Spring, the troop participates with other troops in a Camporee. Every summer the boys may attend Summer Camp for a week of extended camping at one of the BSA's Summer Camps. They have the opportunity to earn Merit Badges as well as to participate in fun events such as canoeing and swimming. Every other year the Troop will attempt to attend an out of Council Summer camp. Every four years, Scouts can attend the National Jamboree where tens of thousands of Scouts from all over the USA and foreign countries join together for an adventure they will never forget. Also every four years, but staggered to fall two years apart from the National Jamboree is a World Jamboree (National and World Jamborees have additional age and rank requirements). All these events allow the Scouts to have fun with other boys and practice the skills they have learned.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

An important part of Scouting is learning to he a leader. A Scout learns leadership through the patrol method in the troop, and at a Junior Leader Orientation Workshop conducted by the troop. Den Chief Training is conducted in the fall by the Council. A Den Chief is a Boy Scout who assists an adult leader of a Cub Scout or Webelos den. The district conducts a Junior Leader Training (JLT) course which we call Twin Arrows. At JLT, all the boys with Troop positions are trained in their positions and boy leadership in general. Troop 199 wholeheartedly encourages this training.

PHYSICAL CONDITION
Scouting offers activities that are sometimes vigorous, ranging from a One Mile Swim to a 50 Mile Hike to a trek in the mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch. A current physical exam form is required for many of the activities. The safety of the Scout is of uppermost concern to Troop 199. At least two adults will be present at each Scouting event. The troop is equipped with a First Aid Kit and adult leaders have First Aid training. It is very important that parents keep the Troop advised of a Scout’s medical condition, medication, allergies, and conditions such as sleepwalking, etc. The troop also needs current addresses, phone numbers, work numbers and where to reach a parent in an emergency.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED
The first thing the new Scout needs is his personal copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. Plastic or packcloth book covers are also available to help keep the book clean, dry and in one piece. This book is the Scout's textbook and his record of achievement so it should be with him at every Scouting event. He should be sure to put his name on the outside cover so he can identify it.
The Scout should be proud of his uniform and what it represents. As soon as possible, the new Scout should obtain his uniform. In the spirit of Scouting, the Scout is encouraged to earn his own money to buy his uniform. He can also request uniform parts for events such as his birthday. If the family cannot afford a uniform and the Scout is unable to earn the money, experienced uniforms will try to be located. New uniforms and supplies are available from the J.C. Penney's mail order catalog, and the Scout Shop in Lewisville at 2503 S. Hwy. 121, in shopping center behind McDonalds, phone # 972-316-0672.

UNIFORM INFORMATION

Number Description

Q598 Shirt, short sleeve

Q00676 Shoulder loops, red, 1 pair

Q52992 Belt, olive, web, with Boy Scout buckle

? Longhorn Council patch

Q104 Numerals 1, 9, and 9

? Patrol Patch

UNIFORM PARTS NOT REQUIRED
BUT ENCOURAGED

Number Description

Q591 Short pants

Q588 Long pants (Q587 for slims)

Q561 Long stockings

Rank and Leadership patches are furnished by the troop. Patches should be sewn on the uniform properly. See the uniform inspection guide found in Boy Scout Handbook. Gaudy, distracting clothing such as Jams should not be worn. The official uniform shirt is to be worn at troop meetings and when attending a Scouting function. Scout T-shirts can be worn on some occasions, as approved by the Scoutmaster. Obscene T-shirts or shirts advertising alcohol or tobacco must not be worn. The official headgear for the troop is the Troop 199 baseball style mesh cap. The troop has a custom designed neckerchief which is the official neckerchief for the troop. It should be worn with a suitable slide, which can be hand made. A Scout should be in full uniform for all Scouting events. Full uniform means official shirt, cap and neckerchief, unless authorized by the Scoutmaster to dress otherwise.

Camping items such as tents and cooking utensils are furnished by the troop. The Scout may bring his own tent with the permission of the Scoutmaster or an Assistant. Knives which do not fold up are forbidden. A Scout must attend a knife safety course and earn his Totin' Chip before he can carry a knife or use an ax and/or hatchet. Safety violations can cause him to lose his privilege to carry a knife. Fuel burning devices such as lanterns and stoves can be used by Scouts only under direct adult supervision, per BSA regulations. For campouts the Scout will need a poncho, sleeping bag, small roll of toilet paper, canteen of water, small pocket first aid kit, flashlight, toothbrush, comfortable shoes and warm clothes. Later, after he has grown enough to be able to carry his equipment on his back, he should use a backpack.

FUNDRAISING
The BSA National Headquarters and the Longhorn Council are supported mainly by the United Way and by Friends of Scouting contributions. The troop is supported by various fundraising activities and by troop dues. These funds are used to provide a place to meet, camping equipment, and advancement badges for the Scouts. Each Scout and his parents have an equal responsibility in participating in fundraising activities. Some fundraising activities also allow the Scout to receive monetary credit for dues, Summer Camp, and other Scouting activities. Annual dues are $24 which are used for BSA National office registration, insurance, equipment and other troop operating expenses.

PARENT PARTICIPATION
Troop 199 Courts of Honor are held three to four times a year, where the Scouts are recognized for their achievements in the presence of their families. The assistance of parents is needed in fundraising activities, for transportation to campouts and other events, building projects, and repairing equipment. Parents are always welcome at troop meetings, campouts and Troop Committee Meetings. Parents are also needed to share their occupational, hobby and other skills with the Scouts as Merit Badge Counselors. Boy Scouts is a volunteer organization. Nobody in the troop is paid for their efforts. There are people who give a considerable amount of their time even though they do not have boys in a troop. There is a tendency with some people to get what they can from an organization without putting anything back. We want to teach the boys that whether it is the environment, our community, our church or Scouting, we each have an obligation to put back as much or more than we take. Each family has a responsibility to contribute where they can so that the boys can have the very best program possible. Usually the achievement of the Scout is directly related to the participation of the parents. Whether it's church, school, or Scouts, the amount of involvement of the parents sends a message to the child as to its importance to the parents.

Our Scout program is planned, run and enjoyed by the Scouts with adult supervision, and some elements are designed for the family.

ADVANCEMENT
Ranks and advancement are fully described in the Boy Scout Handbook. The vehicles for advancement are the learning of skills and earning of Merit Badges. Under the new requirements, introduced January 1, 1990, if the Scout actively attends Troop meetings and campouts, he should complete the requirements for ranks through First Class. Merit Badges are required for Star through Eagle. Although a Scout below First Class can work on a Merit Badge, he really needs to concentrate on the requirements he needs for rank advancement. We encourage Scouts to reach the rank of first class during their first year in Boy Scouts. Boys who do so tend to stay in Scouting, thereby continuing to learn and practice leadership skills.

MERIT BADGES
After the Scout has learned the basic skills of Scouting, he moves on to learning more in-depth skills. There are, at the present time, 120 Merit Badges that the Scout can earn. Specific numbers of badges must be earned to advance from Star through Eagle and certain badges are required for Eagle (these are outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook). Many Merit Badges are vocational or hobby oriented. The Scout is older now and may be considering a career. The Merit Badges allow him to "sample" many different activities to determine where his interests lie. Merit Badges are approved only by adult Merit Badge counselors who have knowledge about a particular badge, either by occupation, hobby, or training. Counselors may be either male or female and must be at least 21 years old. The counselor must be registered with BSA and be approved by both the Troop and the Council before he begins to work with a Scout on a badge. The counselor should use his experience and training to teach the Scout the material as well as certify that the Scout has met the requirements for the badge. There is a Merit Badge pamphlet in the Troop Library for many of the badges. The Scout should see the Troop Librarian to check out the pamphlet. After he has read the material, he should ask the Advancement Committee Member or the Scoutmaster for a "blue card". This card is approved by the Scoutmaster and contains the name and phone number of the counselor assigned to work with the Scout on the badge. The Merit Badge Counselor signs and dates each requirement as it is approved and completes the card when finished. The Scout presents the signed card to the Advancement Committee Member who records the badge in the Troop Record Book. The badge is presented to the Scout in the troop meeting. The Merit Badges are worn on a sash over the shoulder and are only worn on special occasions, such as a Court of Honor or public ceremonies such as flag raising's. The Merit Badge sash is not worn to a regular troop meeting or a campout.

RECOGNITION
One of the fundamentals of Scouting is achievement and recognition. The boy learns that in Scouting, as in life, achievements must be earned. He receives immediate feedback since, as he achieves a goal such as a Merit Badge or rank advancement, he is recognized for his achievement. This recognition is done before his peers, usually at the same troop meeting. Later, at the quarterly Court of Honor, he is recognized again before his peers as well as his parents. As he achieves rank advancement, his mother (or father) is also presented a pin for that rank at the Court of Honor.

RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS

A Scout is expected to be faithful in his religious duties and respect the convictions of others. The Scout Law says "A Scout is Reverent". In addition, there are religious emblem programs in which a Scout, under the direction of his pastor, priest or other religious leader, can earn a special religious award of his particular faith. Upon completion, he is awarded a medal to be worn on his uniform for special occasions, such as Courts of Honor. A knot is worn on the uniform to indicate he has earned the medal, when he is not actually wearing the medal. Religious emblem and the Arrow of Light, which the boy earns as a Webelos Cub Scout, are very important.

ORDER OF THE ARROW

The Order of the Arrow, or OA, is a brotherhood of honor campers. Scouts become candidates for OA by being elected by their fellow Scouts as best exemplifying the Scout Oath and Law. They are "called out" in a special ceremony, usually at the Spring Camporee. They must then prove themselves at an OA Ordeal where they are to reflect upon their Scouting life and obtain a deeper understanding of the Order. One adult per troop per year can be recommended by the adult OA members of the troop to the OA Committee. He also must attend the ordeal.

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Last Updated: 08-Oct-2000

Created by: Danny Carman

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