General Questions about Scouts BSA

The difference between scouts BSA and Cub Scouts:

Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts are very different programs.  Scouts BSA places more emphasis on youth leadership.  The Troop and Patrol Leader Council meetings are run by the scout leaders, not by the adult leaders.  Each scout is responsible for their progress toward rank advancement.  Adults are there for guidance and help as needed, not to do the projects for the scouts.

Patrols:

When Webelos advance to Scouts BSA they form patrols.  The makeup of patrols is the Scoutmaster's and Senior Patrol Leader's responsibility.  Your scout will most likely have some if not all his friends from Cub Scouts in their patrol.  This may vary depending upon the number of incoming scouts and the number of new patrols formed.  Each patrol will elect their Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

Meetings:

Troop meetings are every Monday night at Morrisonville American Legion at 7 p.m.  These meetings are scout run.  The meetings may seem noisy and chaotic, but that is part of their learning.  Part of learning is being allowed to make mistakes.  Sometimes meetings do not run as smoothly as the adults would wish but our youths learn what works and what does not.

Adults:

Adult participation is an important factor in the strength of our Troop.  We ask that the family of every scout in the troop be involved on some level.  There are many ways that adults can participate.  We can never have too many adult campers to help on campouts, or too many drivers to transport youths to outings.  You can participate by joining and helping the committee.  We have many adults with skills and interests that serve as Merit Badge Counselors and mentors.  If you have any areas of interest or skills that would benefit the troop, please let us know.

Uniforms:

Uniforms are required for MOST activities.  

• The official Scout uniform is required at (but not limited to):  ALL TROOP MEETINGS (From Labor Day to Memorial Day), Court of Honor, parades, Council Events, and Merit Badge University. 

• Activity Uniform is worn as a replacement for the official Scout uniform between Memorial Day through Labor Day. Activity uniform is also worn when doing service projects, sport-like activities, or when the Scoutmaster says it should be worn.

Advancement:

There are seven ranks that you can attain.  The process of rank advancement is outlined in your Scout Handbook.  Your Scout Handbook is very important to your life as a scout.  Take good care of it as it contains all of your work including partially completed work for each rank.  This book must last you your entire time in Scouts BSA.  While it may appear that there are many steps to each rank advancement, each is important.  Each rank has its own list of requirements.  As you progress, each rank requires more work, responsibility and knowledge.  Each step must be signed off by an adult leader or Scout master.  After completing a step, let our Advancement Chair or Scoutmaster know.  Anytime that you need assistance working on a particular advancement, all you need to do is contact one of your leaders.  Also, your parents can assist you with some of the activities.  Most advancement is done at your own pace.

We strongly encourage you to attend the Merit Badge Activities with the Troop, as well as other activities such as Merit Badge University. Summer camp is very important to helping you advance.  We strongly encourage you to attend.  This is VERY important for first year scouts to attend summer camp.  Many of your requirements for upcoming ranks will be covered at summer camp.

After completing the requirements for a rank, you need to set up a Scoutmaster Conference, followed by a Board of Review.  Contact our Advancement Chair or Scoutmaster to have your Board of Review set up.  The Board of Review is held with 3 committee members.  You will be asked to recite the Scout Oath and Scout Law, as well as be asked questions about the rank you have achieved and the requirements to achieve the rank.  Your new rank will be given at the next Court of Honor.  Each rank may require different Merit Badges.  There are over 100 Merit Badges possible.  Some are required for the Eagle Rank.  We suggest that you work on the Eagle required badges when they are offered.  There are books and web sites available to help you with each Merit Badge.

Camping:

We encourage you to attend as many as possible.  For each rank advancement, some camping activities are required.  These are also a lot of fun for the adults and scouts.  The camp outs may include different activities (such as: fishing, canoeing, hiking, service projects).  The Troop has stoves, tents and cooking gear.  Camping is usually done by Patrols. Each Patrol is responsible for appointing one member "grub-master".  Their responsibilities include planning the menu for the weekend.  We normally leave for a weekend trip on Friday, meeting at the campsite (for local trips) and in the parking lot of Morrisonville American Legion (for farther campouts).  Each scout should eat before leaving on Friday as there is not a Friday evening meal at the camp.

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Camping trips occur even in the rain or snow.  There will usually be a winter campout, so the scout has the opportunity to camp in colder weather.

Community Service:

Throughout the year, your scout will have the opportunity to participate in Service Projects.  There are several opportunities for service at some of the camp outs and helping in Eagle Scout projects.  Community service is a requirement for many of the rank advancements.

 Financial Commitment:

How much does it cost to be a scout?  The annual fee for each scout in Troop 74 is $105.

• This includes:

• National BSA membership

• Insurance

• Includes optional Scout Life Magazine

The Troop Treasurer maintains an account of the monies for each scout.  Monies for each scout can be earned through fundraisers (Selling Popcorn, Donuts as examples) and used to pay their expenses (such as uniform, camps and scout related activities).

Fund Raisers:

Troop 74 has several planned fund raisers each year.  These are a good way for the scout to add money to their account to cover many of the expenses they will incur each year (such as camping, summer camp, High Adventures).

How do I join?

Your child must have completed the fifth grade or be between 11 and 18 years of age.

You do not have to be a Cub Scout or Webelos to join Scouts BSA.

Attend one of our Troop meetings and you can get an application to fill out, completed the online application process or send an e-mail to out Troop to join.  Please include your telephone number so our Committee Chairman or Scoutmaster can contact you to answer any questions and welcome you to the troop.

I am a Webelos, can I visit the troop?

Yes.  Webelos Dens are welcome to come as groups.

Miscellaneous Notes:

Scouting is supposed to be fun.  Come to the meetings and activities with that attitude.  You will get more out of scouting by participating.  In general, the scouts whose parents are active in the Troop are more involved and get more out of scouting.  Each Patrol will elect a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.  The Senior Patrol Leader is elected by a majority vote of the current scouts.  Scout handbook - Read it.  IT has very important information about advancing through each rank. It is a great reference.

This should last through your entire time in the Troop.  Take good care of it.