BOY SCOUT TROOP 272

NASHUA, NH
Daniel Webster Council, BSA

PARENTS' HANDOUT

This handout is designed to provide an overview of Troop 272 responsibilities, operations, and activities.  We welcome recommendations from Scouts and parents on new programs/activities.

Scout Responsibilities: Each Scout should participate in planned Troop and Patrol meetings, campouts, hikes, civic events, money-making projects, and conservation & service projects.  Scouts are expected to wear the uniform correctly to all events requiring it, be faithful in paying dues (currently $4.00 per month, September to June, no dues during the summer), and live the Scout Oath and Law in daily life, particularly at all Troop and patrol activities. Additionally, we expect all boys active with this Troop to behave appropriately at all functions.  (For a more detailed explanation of Scout Responsibilities, see your son's handout of the same name.)

Troop Responsibilities: The Troop will provide a planned program with emphasis on character development, citizenship growth, and physical fitness.  The program is planned and run by boy leaders who are trained and guided by the Scoutmaster and his assistants.  Emphasis during Troop meetings will include preparation for outdoor activities, maintaining the "outing" in Scouting through regularly scheduled hikes/campouts, with the major event each year being a long-term camping experience.

Parents' Responsibilities: Parents should support their Scout son(s) in all Troop endeavors, provide transportation to/from Troop scheduled events on an equitable basis with all other parents, and actively participate in Courts of Honor (held approximately 4 times per year) and money-making projects.  When asked, they should provide assistance as needed by either the Scoutmaster or the Troop Committee.  While we try to handle most behavior problems within the Troop structure, parents will be advised if/when their son(s) may demonstrate improper attitude or behavior.  If any Scout becomes unmanageable at a Troop function/activity, his parents may be called to get him.  A disciplinary Board of Review may also be held to discuss a Scout's discipline/attitude and to counsel him on his future behavior.

While we highly encourage parents to be involved in the Troop, we also ask that they let the Troop do its job.  Since one of the Troop's responsibilities is character development, we ask that parents encourage their son(s) to take the initiative in developing their personal character, leadership skills and responsibilities.  For example, a Scout is expected to speak for himself when he is in need of advancement advise or assistance, Scoutmaster Conferences, Boards of Review, or information of any kinds.  While it may be easier or quicker for you to get /give information to/from the Troop Leadership, it does not help, but in essence hinders, your son's ability to develop his character and leadership skills.

Meeting Place: Regular Troop meetings will be held at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 777 West Hollis Street, Nashua, on Thursday nights, 7:00 to 8:30.  During the summer months, we meet only every other week. Promptness is expected on each end of the meeting on the part of those providing transportation.

Troop Uniform: Please see the Scout Responsibilities handout for uniform requirements in Troop 272.  We encourage parents to donate uniform items that no longer fit their sons so as to allow others to get some use out of them.

Leadership: The elected Senior Patrol Leader, in conjunction with the appointed Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, other Troop Junior Leaders and the elected Patrol Leaders make up the Patrol Leaders Council. It is their responsibility to run the Troop.  Scouts will be expected to cooperate when working/playing under their leadership.  All Junior Leaders are expected to attend a Junior Leader Training session that will be held at least once per year.   The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster(s), and other boy leaders will also provide training, leadership, and guidance to all younger Scouts.

Moneymaking Projects: The Troop's adult leadership, boy leaders, and Troop Committee will select appropriate projects. EVERY SCOUT is expected to participate in equal amounts, since the benefits (new/replacement Troop equipment badges and awards, and registration costs) are for all Scouts.

Outdoor Activities: Troop 272 has an active outdoor program consisting of camping, hiking, and other special activities.  We try to have at least one of these activities every month all year-round.  The Troop provides tents, tarps, cooking stoves, lanterns, Patrol cooking/clean-up equipment, and other items needed for a fun and safe camping environment. Each Scout needs to provide his own eating utensils (plate, cup, knife, fork, spoon, etc.).  In addition, parents must ensure their son(s) have clothing and sleeping bags appropriate to the season. Every Scout should acquire a backpack during his first year in Scouting.  (For a more detailed list of camping equipment see the Boy Scout Handbook.)  Every activity outside of Troop/Patrol meetings will have an information sheet/permission form detailing dates, times, place, cost, emergency phone numbers, etc.

Troop Equipment: The Troop maintains an inventory of common camping gear, including tents, tarps, lanterns, patrol boxes, cooking gear, etc.  After each campout, we may require each Scout who attends to take home various items of Troop equipment to be cleaned or hung up to dry.  We ask parents to ensure that their son(s) take these responsibilities seriously, and to return all assigned equipment promptly.  Some of this equipment is very expensive to replace so we need everyone's cooperation.

Advancement: Advancement in Boy Scouts is not automatic.  It is absolutely essential for each boy to use his personal initiative if he intends to advance in rank.  Troop 272 provides ample opportunity for each boy who joins to advance all the way to Eagle Scout if he so chooses.  However, we do not "pencil-whip" or force any Scout to advance. Each Scout must set his own goals.  Advancement can be broken down into two categories:

a. Rank Advancement: Each rank (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle) has a specific set of requirements which must be met before the Scout can earn that rank.  The last two requirements for every rank except Scout are: "participate in a Scoutmaster Conference" and "meet with a Board of Review."  To have a Scoutmaster Conference, a Scout must have completed all but the last two requirements for the rank he is working on.  A Board of Review consists of adults from the Troop Committee who review a Scout's record and performance, and the board members decide whether he has learned/retained enough knowledge to justify earning that rank.  If a Scout passes a Board of Review, he will be awarded his new rank immediately.  If he does not pass, he will be told exactly what is expected of him so that he may pass the next time he meets with the board. Boards of Reviews are scheduled for the first Troop meeting of each month and other times when deemed necessary.  To meet with a Board of Review a Scout must have had a Scoutmaster Conference, be in "Class A" uniform (see Scout Responsibilities handout), have his Boy Scout Handbook with him, and be current in paying his dues (item 1 above).

b. Merit Badges: Earning merit badges is required for Star, Life, and Eagle ranks.  A Scout wishing to earn a merit badge must secure a Merit Badge Request Form from the Scoutmaster, obtain the name of and contact a merit badge counselor, acquire a merit badge pamphlet and comply with the requirements for that badge.  A merit badge is not complete until the requested form is returned to the Scoutmaster, signed by the counselor. Counselors will only work with a group of at least two Scouts to comply with the BSA Youth Protection Policy.  The Troop maintains a merit badge pamphlet library and our Scouts are allowed to check out any of the pamphlets they may need to work on merit badges.  These pamphlets must be shared with all Scouts in the Troop.  We ask that they be returned on a timely basis.  Parents may choose to purchase merit badge pamphlets for their son(s) at the Daniel Webster Council Scout Shop in Manchester or, locally, at Camper's Inn.  The Troop welcomes donations of any pamphlets to expand our library.

Safety: The safety of all Scouts in the Troop is of primary concern to the Troop leadership.  Because of this, non-folding sheath knives, fireworks, and martial arts weapons (throwing stars, nun-chucks, etc.) will not be permitted at any Troop or patrol functions.  Firearms and archery equipment are allowed only at those events specifically scheduled for the use of such items, even then, only under qualified adult supervision.  For more information see the Guide to Safe Scouting book that is published by the Boy Scouts of America.

The Troop Committee: The Troop Committee works for the chartering organization and is primarily responsible for supporting the Scoutmaster in delivering a quality Troop program and handling Troop administration.  Some of these responsibilities include: providing adequate meeting facilities, carrying out policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America, providing adequate funding and disbursements in line with the approved budget plan, obtain/maintain and properly care for Troop property, and recruit & train quality adult leadership.  All parents of Scouts registered with the Troop are encouraged to become registered with the Daniel Webster Council and become members of the Troop Committee.  All parents are encouraged to attend the monthly Committee meeting which are held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 PM.  There are a variety of jobs that need to be accomplished to make the Troop function efficiently, and it takes more than just a few parents to do this.  All positions are held by volunteers -- there are no paid positions. Interested volunteers may fill vacant positions at any time.