Boy Scout Troop 1882 Haymarket, VA

New Scout and Parent Guide

V2.0 Updated September, 2016

Troop 1882 – Haymarket, Virginia – New Scout Guide 2

Table of Contents Welcome ................................................................................................... 3About Troop 1882 ...................................................................................... 3Meetings .................................................................................................... 5Communications ......................................................................................... 6Typical Meeting Plan ................................................................................... 7Achievements and Rank .............................................................................. 8

Rank Advancements: ............................................................................... 8Merit Badges .......................................................................................... 9Additional Achievements .......................................................................... 9

Leadership and The Patrol Method ............................................................... 4Annual Plan ................................................................................................ 6Summer Camp ............................................................................................ 9High Adventure .......................................................................................... 9Electronic Device Policy ............................................................................. 11Health and Driving Records ....................................................................... 11Youth Protection Training ........................................................................... 11Adult Leadership ....................................................................................... 11Key Contacts ............................................................................................ 12Fundraising .............................................................................................. 12Gear Guide .............................................................................................. 12

Troop 1882 – Haymarket, Virginia – New Scout Guide 3

WelcomeWelcome to Boy Scout Troop 1882, Haymarket Virginia. This guide is designed for new Scouts and their parents to provide an overview of our Troop, our history and philosophy, and what to expect as you begin (or continue) your journey in Scouting. Also included is a gear guide and links to additional scouting information.

AboutTroop1882Troop 1882 was founded in February of 2012 and is chartered by Rise Up Prince William. Our Troop Number reflects the year of incorporation of the Town of Haymarket. The objective of our Troop is to develop character, citizenship and personal fitness in each of our Scouts as strive to follow the Scout Law and live by the Scout Oath. We meet this objective through a fun, exciting, and varying outdoor program, educational weekly meetings, and through the advancement program. Our goal is a minimum of one outing per month. TroopPhilosophyTroop 1882 aims for a balanced outdoor program incorporating backpacking, high adventure, hiking, biking, water activities, and car camping. Campouts are often in conjunction with other activities (e.g. District Camporees, or other outings). Our aim is to provide a balance of age-appropriate activities for all of our Scouts.

“The most important object in Boy Scout training is to educate, not instruct.” Lord Baden Powell

WhattoExpectThe Boy Scout program is considerably different from what you might have experienced in Cub and Webelos Scouting. Boy Scouts is youth-led. Scouts develop and execute meeting plans, outdoor activities, and our annual plan. Adult leaders mentor and develop Scouts in leadership roles, assure safety, and help guide the overall program.

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“Train ‘em, Trust ‘em, Let ‘em Lead!” Lord Baden Powell Troop 1882 strives to achieve the Aims of Scouting:

Character Development, Citizenship Training, and Personal Fitness.

We achieve these aims via the methods of Scouting:

• Advancement – enabling Scouts to advance in rank and to earn Merit Badges at their own pace

• Association with Adults – enabling Scouts to learn from positive role-models

• Ideals – spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan • Leadership Development – providing the opportunities for Scouts to

participate in leading their unit • Outdoor Program – a mix of activities that enable Scouts to gain

appreciation for their environment, and God’s role in it • Patrols – formation of Scouts into small groups where they work

together to conduct Troop activities • Personal Growth – enabling Scouts to grow by progressing toward their

goals and by doing “Good Turns” for others • Uniform – making Scouts visible as a force for good in their community

Upon receipt of your first year dues, you will be provided with a copy of “The Boy Scout Handbook.” This is your guide through you entire career in Scouting. Parents and Scouts should both read the “Introduction” and “Leadership” sections. Scouts must memorize the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

TroopLeadershipandThePatrolMethodOur Troop follows the “Patrol Method” for organizing and training our Scouts. Scouts are placed into Patrols, typically of around 10 Scouts of the same age. New Scouts bridging over to our Troop in the Spring are placed in one or more “New Scout Patrol(s)” with senior Scouts serving as guides. Patrol assignments are typically permanent for a Scout’s entire Scouting career. New patrols choose their patrol name and patch and elect their Patrol Leader.

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Scouts may choose to run for leadership positions within their Patrol or within the overall Troop. Elections for leadership positions are held every six months. Scouts may hold the same position more than once, but not consecutively. Elected leadership positions include:

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) – responsible for overall leadership of the Troop (must be 1st class rank or higher)

• Patrol Leader (PL) – responsible for overall leadership of an individual Patrol

Senior and Patrol leaders choose their assistants (ASPL/APL). In addition, the Senior Patrol Leader chooses the following positions:

• Chaplain Aide – leads prayers at Troop events and leads inter-faith services at all campouts

• Quartermaster – responsible for maintaining Troop equipment • Historian – responsible for maintaining records of Troop activities • Scribe – takes notes at PLC meetings • Librarian – maintains Troop books and manuals • Webmaster – maintains the Troop web site

In addition, Scouts may hold the position of “Troop Guide,” typically this is an older Scout who works with PLs as a mentor. Scouts may also serve as Den Chiefs, working with local Cub Scout dens or Webelos Patrols to help teach and mentor younger Scouts. Elections are held March and September of each year. New youth leaders are required to attend “Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST)” training program and may also, with the approval of the Scoutmaster, apply to attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) offered at the council level several times per year.

MeetingsOur Troop meets every Tuesday evening from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at QBE (The old Pace West School) at 14604 Washington Street, Haymarket VA 20169. The last meeting of each month is reserved for both individual Patrol meetings, as well as for a Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) meeting, only Scouts holding the positions of Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader,

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Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe and Historian are required to attend the PLC meeting though any Scout may attend.

AnnualPlanEach June the PLC, with the support of our adult leaders, develops an annual outings plan. This outings plan is posted to our web site as dates/locations are confirmed. AnnualDuesFirst year dues are $125. This includes your Boys Life subscription, Scout Handbook, uniform shoulder epaulets, Troop # patch, scarf, clip, and Troop t-shirt. Renewal dues are $75 per year, payable on February 1 of each. Dues are subject to change.

CommunicationsOur web site (http://www.troop1882.org/) is our primary means of communication with the Troop. The site contains information on upcoming events (including a calendar feed) and is also used to track attendance, rank advancement, merit badges, and Troop supplies. All registered youth and adults will receive a weekly newsletter from the site informing them of upcoming activities and their current registration status for each activity. Scouts may register their own e-mail addresses and phone numbers though adult leaders will never communicate individually with Scouts. Patrol Leaders may also communicate with Scouts via e-mail or telephone.

TheUniformEach Scout must obtain the official BSA uniform consisting of the following:

• Brown uniform shirt (short-sleeve preferred) • US Flag emblem (typically included with the uniform) - worn on the right

sleeve • Council insignia – worn on the left sleeve • World Crest Emblem – worn above the left pocket

Your first year dues include:

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• Green shoulder epaulets • Troop number patch • Scarf • Clip

Optionally Scouts who have earned Arrow of Light and/or the BSA Religious Emblem may wear those patches on their Boy Scout Uniform. No other Cub Scout / Webelos insignia is permitted. BSA uniform pants/shorts and socks are not required until a Scout earns the rank of First Class. Camouflage pants/shorts/jackets are not permitted. At the discretion of the Senior Patrol Leader, Scouts may be permitted to wear Troop t-shirts to meetings and/or activities. WhattoBringtoMeetingsYour Scout book, your uniform (brown shirt/scarf) unless otherwise instructed by your Patrol Leader.

MeetingPlanPrior to each meeting the Senior Patrol Leader will distribute a meeting plan to all Scouts. An sample meeting plan is shown below.

6:45 – 7:00 Gathering 7:00 – 7:05 Opening Ceremony 7:05 - 7:45 Skill Instruction 7:45 – 8:15 Patrol Activities 8:15 – 8:25 Wrap-up 8:25 – 8:30 Scoutmaster’s Minute

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AchievementsandRankBoy Scouts achieve recognition for their efforts through three primary means:

• Rank advancement • Merit badges • Additional achievement badges

RankAdvancements:Upon fulfilling requirements and having an initial Scoutmaster Conference, the new Scout will receive the rank of “Scout” rank. Beyond “Scout,” the ranks are Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Rank advancements are recorded in your Scout handbook. The process for rank advancement is as follows:

1. Complete rank requirements as noted in your Scout handbook 2. Contact the Senior Patrol Leader, an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, or

an Assistant Scoutmaster to have them verify that you have completed the requirement and sign/date your book

3. Once you complete all the requirements for a specific rank, contact the Scoutmaster to schedule a Scoutmaster conference

4. Once the conference is complete, and the Scoutmaster Conference has been completed, contact the Advancements Chair to schedule a Boards of Review (note that Boards of Review is not required for the rank of Scout). Boards of Review are comprised of Committee Members, Charter Organization representatives, and parents who will discuss your achievement, your view of the Scout program and your future goals with you. Once the Board approves your rank, you are considered to have achieved the rank. You will receive your rank patch as soon as possible, and your achievement will be recognized at the next Troop Court of Honor.

Boards of Reviews are held monthly, Court of Honor is held three times per year. Our Troop goal is to ensure that Scouts have the opportunity to

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earn their First Class rank within one year of joining.

MeritBadgesOnce a Scout has achieved the rank of First Class, obtaining Merit Badges is required for all further advancements. There are over 130 available merit badges in areas ranging from First Aid, to Cooking, to Digital Technology, to Wilderness Survival. Twenty-one total (including thirteen required) Merit Badges are required to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout. The BSA “Introduction to Merit Badges” specifies the process for obtaining a Merit Badge. http://www.scouting.org/meritbadges.asp. Our Troop and the Bull Run District maintain an extensive list of counselors. Scouts have opportunities to earn merit badges throughout the year, as well as at summer camp. We strongly encourage parents to volunteer as merit badge counselors.

AdditionalAchievementsScouts will have the opportunity to earn additional achievement badges such as Totin’ Chip (axe, saw, and knife skills) and Fireman’s Chit (fire building skills) during their first year in Scouting.

SummerCampRegular attendance at summer camp is of critical importance for Scouts to earn rank, merit badges, and additional achievements. Camp provides Scouts with the opportunity to both learn, as well as put into practice the Scout skills they learn throughout the year. Troop 1882 has attended Camp Olmstead at Goshen Scout Reserve in Goshen, VA and Rodney Scout Reservation in North East, MD. All BSA summer camps offer a dedicated first year program designed to help new Scouts work toward Second and First Class ranks, while offering older Scouts an unstructured merit badge program; allowing them to choose the merit badges they wish to earn, while also participating in Troop and Camp activities. The Troop may elect to attend different camps in the future, as well as participate in high adventure programs.

HighAdventureHigh adventure camps provide the opportunity for Scouts age 13 and higher to

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participate in fun and exciting activities. The BSA operates four high adventure bases:

• Florida Sea Base – Sailing / snorkeling focused, with outings based out of the Florida Keys and St. Thomas and optional SCUBA diving programs

• Northern Tier – canoeing focused, based out of Northern Minnesota • Philmont Scout Ranch – backpacking focused, based in Northern New

Mexico • The Summit – A varied program including rafting, biking, and rock

climbing, based in West Virginia For more information about high adventure programs, see: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HighAdventure.aspx In 2016 the Troop attend Sea Base in St. Thomas, USVI (http://www.bsaseabase.org) providing Scouts with the opportunity to spend a week sailing and snorkeling in the beautiful Virgin Islands. In 2017 the Troop will attend Philmont. The Troop plans to provide the opportunity for Scouts who meet attendance requirements to participate in high adventure camps including Northern Tier, Sea Base, Philmont, and the National Jamboree. We will provide information on these opportunities (and more) as it becomes available.

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ElectronicDevicePolicyTo support a safe and respectful Boy Scout Program, Troop 1882 has established an electronic device policy. Boy Scouts are allowed to possess electronic devices at Troop events provided they complete our annual Cyber Chip program. Devices are available during program driven events when necessary, and our otherwise checked in with the Cyber Chief for each particular activity. At meetings devices are to be turned off and stored unless otherwise directed by an adult leader. Devices are NOT allowed in tents overnight. Each Scout and Parent must read and complete our Electronic Device Waiver located at: https://troopwebhost.blob.core.windows.net/troop1882haymarket/201562319243249844484454892.pdf

HealthandDrivingRecordsWe require all Scouts and adult leaders to have on file a current completed hard copy (no electronic copies) BSA medical form. Medical forms are kept by the Medical Records Chair and are kept confidential. Those wishing to drive to events must also provide proof of insurance coverage. The Annual Health and Medical Record Form is available here:

• http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/whole.pdf

YouthProtectionTrainingAll adult leaders must take BSA’s on-line Youth Protection Training (YPT) course every two years. Any adult wishing to attend an outing must also complete the YPT course and provide proof of completion to our training chair.

AdultLeadershipThe Troop welcomes adult participation at all levels. Any adult wishing to participate in an Assistant Scoutmaster or Committee role must complete on-line BSA Youth Protection training every two years. In addition to YPT, Assistant Scoutmasters must also complete a full-day position specific training course, and the Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills (IOLS) classroom/overnight course.

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Committee members must complete appropriate on-line courses for their position.

KeyContactsScoutmaster Matt Gallagher – BSA1882@gmail.com - 703-622-0922 Committee Chair John Robinson – jmrht91@gmail.com - 804-617-6820 Charter Organization Representative Irwin Lazar – imlazar@gmail.com - 703-794-3696

FundraisingThe Troop conducts numerous fundraisers throughout the year. Information about upcoming activities will be provided as it becomes available.

GearGuideThe following guide lists recommended equipment for new Scouts. In addition to putting your name on EVERYTHING, we recommend you start small and cheap. Only buy the gear you need for the next several months, and consider buying cheaper products as places like WalMart for your initial purchases. Other good outlets for low-cost gear include:

• Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/ • Campmor - http://www.campmor.com • Conoho Creek – http://www.conohocreek.com/ (offers a new Scout

bundle at a discount) • Hiker Direct - http://www.hikerdirect.com • REI (especially clearance specials) – http://www.rei.com/

If you do not have budget to purchase gear, or need additional recommendations for specific products let us know. Many Scouts and their families have gear to spare. We recommend you focus on the following principles when buying gear:

1. Lite 2. Cheap (Yes, Scouts will lose and break things) 3. No cotton! (especially for socks and under-garments) 4. Small

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Our Troop will provide tents and cooking supplies for all outings. Scouts do not need to provide tents unless as specifically requested. The following web sites provide a good overview of the types of gear available, and a selection guide:

• http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/boy_scout_gear_list.html#.UQtF1qWROX0

• http://www.amazon.com/Troop-Boy-Scouting-Equipment-Boys/lm/R1Q4G0VTZ62Y8W

• http://scoutmastercg.com/category/gear/ Must have items for day-hikes:

• Hiking boots (high ankle kind is preferred) or sneakers in good shape • Non-cotton socks (preferably wool or wool blend) • Rain poncho or jacket with hood • Day backpack with water bottles or bladder system • First aid kit (make your own following instructions in your Scout

handbook) • Cold/warm weather gear (lite, breathable, multi-layer) • Compass

Must have items for campouts:

• Day-hike list above • Tarp (ground cloth) for inside your tent • Sleeping Bag (rated to at least 20 degrees) (mummy-style synthetic is

recommended rather than down for new scouts, maximum weight of 4lbs)

• Camping pillow • Sleeping pad (closed cell is preferred) • Flashlights with Extra Batteries (headlamp is preferred) • Camp Chair • Mess kit (bowl/spork/cup) • Personal hygiene kit (soap, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) • Medicines (Stored in camp lock-box)

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Patrol cooking is used for all campouts. Patrols plan their menus, cooking, and cleaning shifts prior to all campouts. Depending on the event, adults typically eat with Patrols, together as an “Old Bones Patrol” or on their own. Must have items for backpacking trips:

• Larger, backpacking backpack (no more than 50 liter) capable of holding your clothes, food, sleeping supplies, and half a tent, should have rain-cover.

• Compression sacks for clothing and sleeping bag • Water purification gear (or share with other Scouts) • Shovel/trowel (a winter tent stake makes a good trowel)

Additional recommended items for all outings:

• Emergency whistle • Bug repellent • Suntan lotion • Pocketknife (after a Scout earns his Toten’ Chit) • Camera • Emergency whistle • Simple games (avoid small pieces)