WELCOME TO TROOP 626/8626!
Thank you for joining the Scouts and families of Troop 626/8626. This guide is here to help your Scout get started on the right foot. It is designed as a checklist of “To Do” items that helps ensure that your Scout is set up for success with our Troop.
Things to purchase:
Purchase the following:
Scout Handbook
Tan Scout Shirt (with Chief Seattle patches) - Class A Uniform - short sleeves are recommended
Neckerchief slide (or you can make one – search YouTube for 3L4B turk's head- woggle for an instruction video)
These items can be purchased at the Chief Seattle Trading Post or ordered online.
Chief Seattle Trading Post – 3120 Rainier Ave S, Seattle WA 98144 (check hours before going as they are limited)
Online - https://www.scoutshop.org/
Uniform:
Attach your unit patch (which should be in your welcome kit) on your Scout uniform shirt. A guide to how the shirt should look is on the Scout Handbook, pages 20-23.
Note – if you were in Cub Scouts and earned your Arrow of Light rank, this is the only patch from Cub Scouts that carries over to the Troop level. You can attach it immediately below the left breast pocket (refer to the handbook pages above).
You should have received a Troop T-Shirt. This is considered your “Class B” uniform. If you didn't receive one please contact the New Member Coordinator.
Troop Meetings:
The Troop meets every Tuesday at Tyee Middle School. Meetings typically start at 7:00 pm and complete at 8:30 pm. In the Summer we usually meet at the Lewis Creek Park Picnic Area.
The first Tuesday of the month is usually the Patrol Leadership Council (PLC) and adult Committee meeting. This meeting begins at 6:30 pm. All adults are encouraged to attend the Committee meeting. The PLC is intended for Scouts with leadership positions.
Keep an eye on the schedule and make sure to attend “Advancement nights” as going to all advancement meetings, along with summer camp, will be the quickest way to advance through the ranks if that is your goal.
We start each meeting with a flag ceremony and opening remarks, so please arrive on time and in uniform. Most scouts wear the Class A uniform. If you can’t please wear your Class B T-shirt instead.
To Do List:
Scout:
Meet the Scoutmaster. Tell them a little about you, where you go to school, what activities you enjoy, what you are looking forward to doing in Scouts.
Meet the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). Your Senior Patrol Leader will welcome you to the Troop, get you assigned to a Patrol and introduce you to your Patrol Leader. These are all elected positions which Troop 626/8626 elects once every 6 months.
Meet your Patrol Leader. They will be the main Scout you can go to for questions, meeting activities and outings. They will tell you about the Patrol name and Patrol yell.
Meet the Assistant Scoutmasters. They will help guide you through the first few months of becoming a Scout.
Read through the Scout rank requirements on page 441 of your Scout Handbook. These will be the first items you’ll need to help you learn more about Scouting, and to achieve your first rank advancement.
Adult:
Meet the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster mentors and teaches the Scouts.
Meet the Committee Chair. The Committee is a group of adults that assists with planning and funding Scout activities. They are a great resource to learn more about our Troop.
Registration online (new scouts register for Troop 626/8626 at https://beascout.scouting.org/):
Register your Scout
Register at least your most active adult, all adults planning to go on outings should be registered.
If you are already a member of a Pack/Troop you can move your registration to Troop 626/8626 from myscouting.org -> My Applications page
Complete the BSA Health Form for your Scout (https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/).
Turn in the completed Forms to Medical Forms Coordinator.
Parts A and B are required prior to going on any outing.
Part C needs to be completed by a doctor prior to attending Summer Camp - adults need this as well in order to stay more than 48 hours at any camp.
Talk with your Scout about the Troop. Ask them who is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Patrol Leader, and their Patrol’s name.
Read the “Youth Protection, A Parent’s Guide” booklet in front of the Scout Handbook and have a discussion with your Scout about protection and safety.
Complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) online (https://training.scouting.org/learning-plans/1179) It’s required each year for all adult Troop members.
Adults - note that you do not have to stay for troop meetings or outings, your level of involvement is up to you, but we do ask adults to do shifts at the tree lot as well.
We hope this guide helps you and your Scout transition to Troop 626/8626. If you have any suggestions for improving this document, please contact the Scout Master, or the New Member Coordinator.
You can find a list of the names of all Adult Committee Members here.