The Scouts will use this scout book from when they join Boy Scouts until they reach 18 years old. A good cover for the scout book is strongly recommended and will help the book last. Scouts should bring their books to all troop meetings and camping trips. They can't get a requirement signed off if the book is at home. If a scout reads his book he will discover that it has the instructions needed to complete every requirement. Also by reading the scout book he will have an idea what the requirements are so that when he completes one, he will know to ask for it to be signed off.
All the new scouts should have as their goal to reach the rank of tenderfoot before they go to scout camp this summer and to obtain the rank of first class within a year of becoming a Boy Scout. Not all of the new scouts will reach these goals, but many will and the others should be close behind.
Last of all, any parent who would like to join the troop committee is welcome to do so. Please contact the troop Committee Chairman. The committee meets one Wednesday night a month. Also, if any parents are interested in being an Assistant Scoutmaster, please contact the troop Scoutmaster.
The troop is actually run by its boy leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan, program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers. Troop elections will be held for the leadership positions.
Junior Leader Positions
Senior Patrol Leader - top junior leader in the troop. He leads the Patrol Leaders' Council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - fills in for the senior patrol leader in his absence. He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian, librarian, and instructors.
Troop Historian - collects and maintains troop memorabilia and information on former troop members.
Librarian - keeps troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by troop members.
Instructor - teaches one or more advancement skills to troop members.
Patrol Leader - provides leadership to members of his patrol and represents them to the patrol leaders' council.
Assistant Patrol Leader - fills in for the patrol leader in his absence. Troop Guide - advisor and guide to the new Scout patrol. Den Chief - works with a Cub Scout den as a guide. Quartermaster - responsible for troop supplies and equipment. Scribe - jots down notes on all troop campouts and activities to present at Family Nights.The PLC, not the adult leaders, is responsible for planning and conducting the troop's activities. The patrol leaders' council is composed of the following voting members: senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leaders, and troop guide.
At monthly meetings the PLC plans, organizes, and assigns activity responsibilities for the Troop and presents the plans to the troop committee for approval. The troop committee approves the plan or makes alternative suggestions for the PLC to consider.
Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The scout is rewarded for each achievement, helping him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Advancement is the responsibility of each scout. Patrol leaders should be aware of the requirements needed for the scouts in their patrol. The Troop Advancement Chairperson, scoutmaster, and adult leaders may encourage the scouts to pursue advancement and keep them mindful of pending time requirements. Ultimately, however, scouts must take responsibility to take action for his advancement.
Requirements for each rank advancement are listed in the Boy Scout handbook. Each scout should be aware of the requirements needed for advancement. Some requirements may be covered during troop meetings, camp outs and activities, or events. It is the responsibility of the scout to seek out someone who is qualified to test him individually before the requirement may be "signed off" as complete.
The Troop Guide, Instructor(s), Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, or Senior Patrol Leader is qualified to sign off many rank requirements. Scouts working towards ranks up to first class should see them first to have requirements taught and tested. Parents may not sign off rank requirements. The Scoutmaster or designated Assistant will sign off requirements related to scout spirit, active service time, service project, and leadership time.
Scoutmaster Conference:
The Scoutmaster Conference is to review requirements for the rank to ensure all requirements are met.
A Scoutmaster conference does not necessarily lead to advancement. Either the scout or the Scoutmaster may request it. It may be used to encourage/discourage behavior, congratulate, ask for help or suggestions, review goals and expectations, or cover any other topic without advancement being an issue. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters will always do their best to make themselves available to all scouts for a conference.
Boards of Review
The Committee will conduct the Board of Review upon request from the scout to the Advancement Chairperson. The Board of Review will be conducted by a minimum of three committee members other than the scout's parents.
The scout must be prepared to discuss/explain their achievements and activities since the last Board of Review. This would include activities in scouting and outside scouting such as school, sports, music, etc. Scouts must present themselves in uniform with their Scout handbook.
A Non-advancing Board of Review may be requested by either the scout or the committee. This would be a chance to review performance, expectations, requirements, goals, troop operations, or other issues that may be needed.
Merit Badges
Prior to starting work on a Merit Badge, the scout must obtain a "blue card" from the Scoutmaster or an Assistant. This serves as an approval for the boy to begin work on a particular badge. The next step is to contact the Merit Badge Counselor. Occasionally, skills for a merit badge may be covered during a troop meeting. Each scout is still responsible for meeting with the merit Badge Counselor to review the requirement to the counselor's satisfaction. More often, the merit badge work needs to be done outside the weekly troop meetings. Meetings with Merit Badge Counselors during the troop meeting is discouraged, as it takes the scout away from the planned activities. This means the scout must take some initiative to arrange for an outside meeting. Exposure to many counselors during a boys scouting experience is important. It promotes communication, confidence, initiative, and friendship with adult role models. After completion of the requirements with the merit badge counselor, the scout must present the blue card to the Advancement Chairperson.
Recognition
The Troop will endeavor to provide timely recognition. In many cases, advancement in rank or merit badges will be announced at the end of the troop meeting at which the Board of Review was held or the Merit Badge completed. The corresponding patch will be presented as soon as the troop procures it.
Family Night - Courts of Honor will be held in the fall and spring. This is an excellent time to bring the whole family to honor the achievements of each Scout. All advancement will be publicly announced and any remaining patches given out.
Scouting's code of acceptable behavior is the Scout Oath & Law. If there is ever any doubt to whether certain behavior is acceptable, recite the Oath & Law. Scouting is not a place for the use of foul language, bullying, fighting, disrespect, disregard for the instruction of the troop leaders, or any behavior inconsistent with the Scout Oath & Law. The troop leadership needs to be concerned for the safety and well being of the entire troop. Therefore, it is at their discretion that any scout is asked to leave a meeting or camp out. If this decision is made, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation.
Continued or consistent behavior which is not in accordance with the Scout Oath & Law may result in a review by the Troop Committee. The Committee may, after consulting with the parents, ask a scout to leave the troop permanently.
Camping - Troop 75 has an ambitious camping schedule. A weekend camping trip or special event is generally planned for once a month. Summer Camp - The troop spends one week together at Camp Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation in July. Field Trips - Troop 75 plans trips to places of interest to the scouts. Some of our past trips include: Hanscom AFB, Museum of Science, Snow Tubing, Rock Climbing, Baseball or Hockey games etc. Service Projects - Troop 75 has been active in the following service projects: Town-wide cleanup, Circus, etc.
The Scout handbook has lists of equipment needed for various camp outs. The following is a list of the basic items needed for almost every camp out. Class A uniforms will be worn at all times except for the period of the first of July through Labor Day when the Class B unitorm will be worn.
Troop Equipment - Troop 75 will provide the following camping equipment:
The troop quartermaster will be responsible for the proper maintenance of the troop gear. Each patrol will sign out the gear needed for their patrol during the camp out. The patrol will be responsible for returning the gear in good order.
Personal Equipment - Each scout should have the following items during the camp out.
Although it is every scout's responsibility to be trained in first aid, the Scoutmaster or Trip Leader is responsible for delivering ALL medication.
All medication must be discussed with the Scoutmaster or Trip leader. This includes prescription or over-the-counter (i.e. aspirin/Tylenol, Ritalin, antacids, etc.) The Scoutmaster or, Trip Leader will keep the medication unless: it is necessary that medication be kept with the scout (i.e. epi-pins). In any event, parents must speak to the Scoutmaster or Trip leader regarding the dosing and time medication should be given.
Medical information discussed will be held in the strictest confidence. Health histories and medical release statements should be updated annually at rechartering in March.
Scouting in Troop 75 will be made available to all boys who meet the joining requirements as set forth in the Boy Scout Handbook, regardless of physical or mental disability. Certain adjustments can be made to the advancement program to accommodate for disabilities.
All parents are welcome at the troop committee meetings. Elected positions on the committee are for the calendar year; Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Nominations for elected positions are entertained at the last November meeting, with elections held the following meeting in December. Additional positions are appointed by the Committee Chair and are open to registered committee members who have interest in serving the troop in the following positions: Advancement Chair, Eagle Advisor, Transportation, Activities Support, Quartermaster, and other positions as needed.