Dear Parents, guardians and youth,
Welcome to the Crossroads 36 Explores Troop. Our regular troop meeting is held every
Thursday from 6:30 PM to 8:05 PM at the Crossroads Community Center. Parents are encouraged to be active members within our group. Feel free to attend and assist on any outing, activity or on the parents group. As a newcomer to the troop, we would like to help make your youths’ Scouting experience all that it can be. To that end, we are presenting this packet of information to assist you.
Items to Purchase
To get your youth off to a good start he/she will need the following items:
Must haves:
_____The Crossroads 36 shirt
Optional Items:
___ Scout Field book **
___ Bush hat
Fees
Crossroads 36 wants to make the scouting experience available to anyone who wants to participate. Parents are encouraged to talk to the leadership if dues or any outing fees pose a hardship.
The Troop collects dues of $45 per scout per year with it being paid at $1 per week. Various fundraisers also are done throughout year to help subsidize our operational costs. The Troop is able to offer financial assistance for expensive outings and Camp if a request is made. Monthly outings are paid by the scouts participating in those outing or activities.
Typical fees for these outings include:
●$10-$30 – day/night outing
●$35– overnight weekend camp
●$50 – winter camp
●$45 – activity that requites an outside instructor
Annual Fees (* required fees):
*New Explorer Registration: $100.00 (Subsidy is available)
*Returning youth $65.00 (Subsidy is available)
*Troop Dues $1.00 each meeting
*Community membership $15.00
Uniforms
Each Explorer is expected to wear the appropriate uniform to every Explorer function. We would strongly recommend that each youth buys a dress uniform. Uniforms can be purchased at the Scout Shop. The Troop provides one neckerchief with woggle to each Explorer; if lost or misplaced each additional neckerchief costs $25.00 woggles are $3.
Uniform guideline
EVENT UNIFORM/ Troop meetings
Uniform shirt (Gray), necker, woggle
Travel to/from
campouts
Uniform with necker, woggle
Leadership Team
The Crossroads 36 Scout leadership team consists of the following;
James Johnson – Troop Scouter c. 403-803-3633
The Parent -
Support system You know your stuff just make sure we do.
New parents are encouraged to come and get to know the leaders. Our Scouting program is run by volunteers and we need you on the team!
Please note that all decisions for the troop are made as a team but, the troop Scouter has the last say.
Leadership information
Please note that all of the leaders have been trained both formally and informally in a variety of skills and talents. All leaders and group volunteers must have police background checks along with BPSA background checks. If you have, any questions about anything from what is going on next week to “how do I talk to my youth about ‘sexting’?” please feel free to call or email the leadership team.
All Explorer must know:
The new Explorer first works on the basics, the Scout Promise, Motto and Law, and
essential knowledge of being a Scout.
Scout Promise:
On my honour I promise that I will do my best -
To do my duty to ‘God’, and the King;
To help other people at all times, and
To obey the Scout Law.
Scout Law:
1. A Scout’s honour is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4. A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout.
5. A Scout is courteous.
6. A Scout is a friend to animals.
7. A Scout obeys orders of his/her Parents, Patrol Leader, or Scouters without question.
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.
9. A Scout is thrifty.
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed.
Scout Motto:
Be Prepared
History
Scouting began in 1907 when Lt. Gen. Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell took a group of youth to a camp on Brownsea Island. The Movement was incorporated as TheBoy Scout Association; throughout the Commonwealth by Royal Charter granted by King George V in 1912.
There is evidence that a few Scouting groups started up in Canada in 1907. The Canadian General Council of the Boy Scout Association was incorporated by an act of the Canadian Parliament on June 12, 1914. The Canadian General Council was a branch of the Boy Scout Association until October 30, 1946, when it became an independent member of the Boy Scout World Conference. A subsequent amendment changed the name to Boy Scouts of Canada. In 2007, our Centennial Year, their name was officially changed by an act of Parliament to Scouts Canada.
B.P. wrote to The Earl Grey in 1910 to ask him to organize Scouting in Canada. Since that time, every Governor General has been either the Chief Scout for Canada (prior to 1946) or Chief Scout of Canada (after 1946).
BPSA was formed 2000.
The history of Scouting in Crossroads
Scouting in Crossroads started in 1968 with one cub pack by the following year there was so much interest that we needed a second, and a Scout troop. In 1983, the Crossroads Community presented us with our current ‘colors’ to reflect their sponsorship of the group.
In 2020 we moved to BPSA to help out with the costs of the program to our youth
Today, more than 28 million youth and adults, boys and girls, take part in Scouting programs in 155 countries and territories worldwide. Many world leaders, business tycoons and celebrities have been part of the scouting movement.
Meeting Details and Attendance
The Explorer meeting runs from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday nights at the Crossroads Community Center. Please be fully dressed and on time, and $1.00 dues.
Please try to have your youth there by 6:20 pm this way it gives them time to set up anything that is needed along with checking over to make sure they are ready for the meeting. If late, the youth must wait outside of the horseshoe and ask to join the rest of the Explorers. Please note that sometimes the meeting time will go over by five minutes or so if we started late. Please be patient with the leadership team if this happens.
In meetings, Explorer work on badge requirements, prepare for upcoming trips, play games, work on service projects, etc.
If a youth is going to be late or miss a meeting please let a leader or their patrol leader know prior to the meeting starting. They youth maybe required to complete some requirements or make up dues for that meeting. Dues for each meeting is $1.00
Meeting times for outings or camps will vary and not always line up with our regular meetings. For example, most camps will require the youth to be at the camp by 7 pm and pick up to be at noon on the Sunday.
Explorers will bond with the Troop and fellow Explorers better if attendance at meetings is regular. A reasonable goal is to attend 80% or more of the meetings.
Parent meetings are held several times during the year. Outings, Troop policies, and future plans are discussed. Parents can also ask questions about equipment, required clothing, outings fees, transportation, advancement, or anything else.
There will be a new bonus system for youth with perfect attendance or hitting that 80% mark.
If there are any issues that arise with youth, they will be taken care of via both the troop rules. Please review this document with your youth.
Outings & Events
The first 3 months of troop outings and events are listed on the Troop Calendar in your enrollment packet. A more detailed flyer is made available as the event draws near via e-mail. It will be the Youths responsibility to keep track of these events not the leadership team. Please talk to your youth about upcoming events every week.
Scouts work with their patrol to prepare for the outings (who buys food for meals, tent and equipment needed etc.); leaders and parents guide the Explorers in these areas as they learn how to work as a team.
Explorers will eventually need hiking boots, backpack, lightweight sleeping bag, etc., as they advance in the troop program. These make great birthday, Christmas and other holiday gifts. If you need help picking out this kind of equipment, please ask! Leaders are more then happy to help and even meet you to help pick out this kind of gear.
There will be at least one outing per month. All youth must attend the two prior meetings to an event or they may be asked not to join in. In addition, some outings will have to be done by the youth to attend others.
All forms for the outings must be handed in the Thursday before the outing. Failure to do so may cause the youth to miss out.
For outings and camps; if the parent or youth has not informed the leadership team one week prior to the that outing or camp that they will not be attending, the parent will still be responsible to the cost of the outing or camp. Under BPSA rulings, leaders may not transport youth as leaders. Please get to know the other parents so youth can car pool to camps, outings and events. Much of the opportunity to experience of Scouting rests on the initiative of the Explorer, the Troop and parental participation.
Camps and Hikes
Helping your youth prepare for outings is necessary to their success. Please, before sending him/her on their first few trips, make sure they have packed in accordance with the backpack or camping checklists.
Pack checks will not always be done so please pack everything on the list. Also this will be the only pack list we will be issuing.
It is their responsibility to pack their own food for camps, please help them. Make sure that their meals are balanced and are not full of all junk food. We will talk to all youth about camp food, what is good to bring, what stores well, and what is good to eat that is lightweight if we are hiking in somewhere. Please note that we do not always have access to a cooler and never have access to a fridge or microwave.
As much as we try to prepare all youth for camps we can’t possibly get everything done in the meetings and often the younger scouts are excited and distracted. Using things like the scouts field book can help answer some questions you may have. You can also ask for copies of past handouts on things we cover off in meeting and of course, you can always call or email any of the leadership team.
Other Equipment
Purchase of equipment and clothing is left up to the individual family. Some additional equipment, supplies, and clothing to plan for are sleeping bag, Thinsulate pad, backpack, tent, ground cloth, and hiking boots. Backpacks, sleeping bags, etc. may be rented from the University of Calgary or MEC until they can be purchased. Other purchase points for this gear may be garage sales, online from such sites as Kijji/ usedcalgary , marketplace or loaned gear from other Explorers or family. The troop has a limited amount of gear for use but has some loaners. These must be signed out and returned the following meeting. There may be a small deposit required for some equipment. Good equipment is an investment as some of our leadership team have stuff from when they were teens.
****The Scouting for boys Handbook****
Please help your youth explore this excellent resource. This book is the foundation for all essential information you and your youth will need to know. It tells about the Scout Promise and Law, how to wear the uniform, where to place the badges, Scouting skills, advancement, and earning of badges. In short, all the information you need is at your fingertips. ** The current scout field book is great, but for a real treat for your new scout try to find one of the books at an used book store from before 1980. They have more relative info about the outdoors.
Campout Rules -
The following rules apply to all Explorers and adults.
Uniform requirements:
Explorers and adult leaders will wear their uniform shirt to and from the campout.
Camping is by patrols:
At campouts, patrol members camp together in the location designated for their patrol. Sharing of tents by Explorers within a patrol is encouraged. Adults do not share tents with Explorers. Stay out of other patrols’ tents: Explorers should request permission before entering another patrol’s campsite.
Hands off:
Don’t touch someone else’s equipment, tent, or belongings, unless you have the owner’s prior permission.
Everyone works:
Each individual Explorer to be in charge of planning menus, arranging transportation, preparing equipment, buying food, cooking and clean up. All Explorers are expected to do their share of patrol duties in accordance with the camp.
Keep the campsite squared away:
All Explorers and adults are to maintain their tents and gear (both personal gear and patrol and troop gear) in a clean and neat condition on an on-going basis. The entire troop assembles for a “clean sweep” of the camping area at the end of each campout.
Fire safety:
Explorers may build and light ground fires (campfires) only when and where authorized by the Scoutmaster, or Assistant Scoutmaster. No unauthorized fires are permitted. Fire safety rules will be strictly enforced. A fire must never be left unattended. No flames in or near tents. No fires or open flames (including stoves, lanterns or propane bottles) are allowed in or near tents. The use of liquid fuels by Explorers for starting any type of fire is prohibited.
The buddy system:
The buddy system is very simple: Never leave your buddy nor let him leave you. (If the buddy system is good enough for Navy SEALs, it’s good enough for us.) The buddy system is in force (a) for all water activities; (b) when outside immediate camp area; or (c) if separating from the main group when traveling. If you get caught without your buddy at a “buddy check,” there will be consequences (for example, if you are swimming, both of you will have to get out of the water for awhile).
Lights out:
All Explorers will be inside their tents at 11 pm (or otherwise at the Scoutmaster’s discretion). Lights will be out and talking will stop by 11:30 pm. No Explorer should leave their tent (except for brief trips to the latrine or to report illness or other emergency) until reveille the next morning.
No fighting, hazing, harassment, or excessive roughhousing: There will be no hazing or harassing (physical or verbal) of any kind. Fighting, hitting, wrestling, or rough horseplay is not permitted. An Explorer will not put themself or another Explorer in physical danger.
No early departures unless excused: Explorers are strongly encouraged to attend the entire campout. Explorers may not leave the immediate camp area without the express permission of the Scoutmaster. Unless an Explorer has an urgent need to leave early, all Explorers are expected to remain in camp until dismissed by their Patrol Leader after the troop’s “clean sweep” of the campsite just prior to departure.
Explorer siblings or pets: Explorer siblings or pets are not welcome on campouts for the weekend or outings without prior permission.
Consequences: The consequences of failing to abide by the camp and troop rules may include quiet time isolation, extra work detail, calls home, being sent home, or in severe cases being suspended. Parents may be required to travel to camp at their expense and take an Explorer home who fails to abide by the troop and camp rules. A warning system will be in effect for minor inappropriate behavior problems. Consequences will be assigned as warranted. The most severe consequences may be assigned directly without assignment of less-severe consequences first.
Medications
Explorers who take medications should do so during Troop activities, including campouts and summer camp. We know from experience that Explorers who don’t take their meds may well cause problems for themselves as well as for other Explorers and adult leaders.
Parents should regularly update their Explorers’ medical forms with all meds being taken or
prescribed. Before departure for a campout, etc., each such Explorer’s parent should give the Explorer’s meds to the head leader clearly labeled with the Explorer’s name and dosage information.
All youth need to keep track of their meds him or herself; the leaders will do a Troop-wide pill call. No Explorer should share any prescription medication with any other person (it’s against the law), nor any other medication without permission of both Explorers’ parents.
Learning Leadership & Skills
Parent and scout should spend some time together alone helping to focus on them responsibilities to the troop to ensure they learn about being a leader, and has success at it. You are welcome to help them with advancement of badges at home, just make sure he or she has a “final checkout” from a leader and that the leader signs their book. The Troop is designed to be “youth run” and your son or daughter will have the chance to hold a leadership position in the group. Requirements for these positions are in scouting materials.
Sometimes a youth will be challenged in many ways; these may include physical, mental and emotional. As they grow with the program these challenges may become more and more difficult to deal with do to the nature of the program. Please know the leadership team will never place your youth in danger but we develop a program that some youth may find frustrating or difficult at times. The skill set they are developing with this program will help them become important and valuable young people in society.
In addition, if your youth ever place other youth or the leadership team in danger they will be asked to sit out, and the parent or guardian will be called to come get them. If the leadership team feels that, the danger that the youth put them self of others was sever enough the youth will have to face a Court of Honor to re-turn to the troop. If you have, any questions about this please feel free to ask any of the leadership team.
Communication
Email is the most common form of Troop Communication, additionally announcements are made at weekly meetings. Flyers for upcoming events are distributed via email or told to youth to write down upcoming events. Please ask to see this anything that may have been talked about you are unsure of upcoming events or homework that may have been asked of the scout each week.
Outing information flyers and updated calendars are also posted in the google calander. It is The youth’s responsibility to keep track of events and what is going on from week to week. If at any time you need to know what is going on please feel free to email crossroads36scouts@gmail.com and Scouter James will get back to you.
Records
The Troop has a “Troopmaster” who is responsible for frequently updating troop records .We track all personal information, activities and badge advancements.
The Scouts advancement information should be in place:
Mostly in the troop record book kept in a locked briefcase in the and accessed by adult leaders
However, it is ultimately the Explorers own responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of their records. We encourage the youth to keep their “books” updated, as this is where the troop master draws data for the troop record book.
Finances
Dues are $1.00 per week; outings are additional. Prices for the outings are on the calendar or when the outing flyer is posted.
Expenses for outings vary widely. Backpacking can cost as little as $20.00 per weekend and the 3-year big scout trip can run $30.00 to $280.00 per day*. Outings with special features such as rafting, snowshoeing and long distance travel will cost more.
Explorers are responsible to participate in the bottle drives, gala, other fundraisers thought the year. *In addition, the Crossroads Explorers do a big trip every three years. It is the responsibility of the parents to do the fundraising for this trip.
Prohibited items
The following items are prohibited on campouts, and at meetings unless specifically
authorized by the Scoutmaster on a case-by-case basis:
Fireworks or explosives of any kind
Cigarette lighters
Aerosol cans (of any kind)
Sheath knives (of any kind or length)
Folding knives with blade longer than four inches
Radios, televisions, video games, cell phones, MP3 players, electronic games
(Gameboys, etc.)
Tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs
Firearms or ammunition of any kind (including BB guns)
Slingshots, clubs, spears, etc.
Glass bottles
Metal dishes
Fast food
Service projects
Community service is an integral part of the Explorer program, designed primarily to aid development of character and citizenship. Scouts are required to take part in service
projects for at least a specified number of hours for advancement to new ranks. Explorers can earn creditable service hours for these ranks by taking part in any the following:
Troop service projects Patrol good turns approved by the Leaders’ Other service projects approved in advance by the Scoutmaster
Announcement of and sign-ups for service projects generally happen at Troop meetings,
by email or Troop newsletter.
Explorer Expectations
In the Crossroads 36 Explorer Troop, we expect the youth to follow certain rules of conduct that help provide for their development and safety. These rules incorporate those standard rules and procedures set forth by BPSA and the youth themself over the years.
The expectations for the youth are as follows:
Signing up
All camp or activity attendees need to sign up for an upcoming camp or outing by submitting a completed permission slip and/or payment to the troop Scouter one week
prior to the event. Late payments or permission slips may or may not be taken. No payment or slip means No camp or activity.
Getting places and meetings on time
All youth are expected to arrive on time at the meeting or camp. Please note that it is the parent’s responsibility to transport youth to and from camp or meeting. Leaders may not transport youth as leaders. Explorers are expected to have eaten before the meeting or leaving on a trip, unless other arrangements have been made prior. All youth must stay at camp or at a meeting till clean up has been completed.
Dress code
Dress uniforms are to be worn during formal meetings and all outings. The activity uniforms are to be worn for regular meetings and during camp. While the troop encourages all clothing to be Explorer issue, clothing for inclement weather such as jackets, gloves, hats and rain gear do not have to be scout issued. Also, there are some activities where Explorer-issued clothing is not necessary, such as swimming. All youth must have a full uniform every meeting. Youth missing items may be asked to leave.
Activity Participation
Explorers are expected to participate in all planned activities unless they are not feeling well or if there is a personal reason that they are unable to participate. Activities are designed to help the scouts develop outdoor skills as well as meet requirements for badges and personal advancement. Activities are normally planned and they provide an excellent opportunity for reflection and fun. Please note some of these will challenge the youth but they will always be safe.
Safety and Discipline
Explorers are expected to follow the safety rules set by BPSA as well as the rules set by the troop leadership. If a youth is acting in an unsafe manner they maybe asked to leave the meeting, outing or camp.
Personal Respect for Others
Please refrain from using foul/nasty language at any time. Foul language will not be tolerated and a youth may be asked to leave a meeting, outing or camp. Please respect others at all times, we require each youth to show each other respect. If respect is not shown that youth maybe asked not to attend the next meeting, outing or camp. If a parent is having issues at home they are encouraged to talk to the leadership team to have the youth miss out one some scouting meetings, outings or camps to help with this behavior. All parents are expected to treat all youth, other parents and the leadership team with respect. If a parent can not do this then their youth may be asked to find another group.
Dues
Dues are $1.00 per week; outings are additional. Prices for the outings are on the calendar or when the outing flyer is posted. Camps range in price but can cost as little as $20 or as much as $100’s. If a youth misses 3 sets of dues they may be asked to not join us on an activity or camp. If a youth would like to pay all of their dues for the whole year will be $45.00.
Bi-monthly draw
Every report card cycle or 4 times a year if an Explorer maintains a passing average and is present for every meeting within that cycle (within reason) along with getting paperwork and forms back on time, will be put into a draw for a scouting aid ie. Knife, Candle lantern, hatchet, etc…
Knifes
Explorers who have earned their Knife permit may carry and use an Explorer knife. Sheath knives may not carried or used! A scout will be issued one locking blade Explorer knife by a leader. Please note that only locking blade or Swiss Army knifes are to be carried by Explorers in the troop. If a youth wants he or she may go out and get their own knife but the blade may not be over 4 inches. Personal axes, machetes or hatchets are not allowed. Knifes should not be used around younger sections such as otters and timber wolfs.
Additional Information
Many resources are out there to help your youth become successful in scouting, this maybe as simple as talking to friends, relatives and coworkers about involvement scouting. There are also many websites out there that can give you valuable information about the program and things that are out there to help your youth along:
This booklet is here to help parents, guardians and youth in their Scouting life if there is something that we missed please feel free to contact me.
Yours in Scouting
James Johnson
Scoutmaster, Crossroads 36
Original Aug. 2011
Revised Aug.2013
Revised 2025