The Mission of the BSA
It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
The Scout Oath
On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
The Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
Welcome to Troop 93
The Troop is chartered by the Falmouth Congregational Church. The following policies and guidelines were developed by the Troop Committee and the Boy Scouts of America. Troop 93 will abide by the Boy Scout of America policies and procedures as outlined in the “Guide to Safe Scouting” handbook. Troop 93’s policies and guidelines are to be reviewed and signed by the Scout and his parent(s) or guardian(s).
BSA Registration:
Registration with the Boy Scouts of America occurs annually. For Webelos II or new Scouts coming in mid-year the fee is pro-rated. The Registration fee is determined by the BSA; in 2010 it is $27. The Troop collects the registration fee and then transfers it to the Pine Tree Council office. This fee covers the Scouts registration and their subscription to Boy’s Life magazine.
Participation:
Troop Meetings will be held Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Meetings may be canceled due to storm conditions. We will send out an email by 6:00PM if we cancel. When there is NO SCHOOL IN FALMOUTH, there will not be a meeting unless notified.
We understand and encourage Scouts to be interested and involved in other activities such as, band, sports, church, etc. Regular attendance and participation at Troop meetings is critical to the goal of having a youth lead organization as outlined by BSA. The following expectations have been established to accomplish that goal.
1. Scouts are expected to actively participate in the Troop meetings. Scouts will be allowed 12 excused and un-excused absences from meetings from Sept through June. A Scout with 12 Troop meeting absences will have a Parent/Scoutmaster meeting to discuss his attendance.
2. Attendance at two Troop meetings before each outdoor activity or trip is required for participation. This is also a requirement for high adventure outings along with planning meetings.
3. Any youth leaders with five un-excused Troop meeting absences will be expected to meet with the Scoutmaster if they wish to continue with their leadership position.
4. Scouts will attend Troop meetings in uniform with neckerchief, shirts tucked in, handbooks and pen or pencil.
5. Scouts will only be dismissed from a meeting early by either the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster
6. Any youth in a leadership position needs to attend Patrol Leader Council meetings. These meetings, held the first Sunday of the month count on the attendance record.
7. Scouts must participate in one or more Troop service projects each year. Examples are: Eagles Projects, Scout Camp Projects, Community Projects, etc.
8. Scouts are required to participate in one or more fund raising projects are conducted throughout the year.
9. Scouts will be current with Troop dues. Troop 93 dues are $36 per year and are due in September. Dues cover the cost of badges, awards, Troop chartering and deposits for outings.
Troop Leadership:
Leadership positions are very important to the Troop program. All Scouts will be given the opportunity to fill a leadership position within during their tenure with the Troop. When a leader cannot attend a meeting or event, he must relay all needed information to his assistant. Elections are held annually (in October) for Patrol Leaders and Senior Patrol leaders, etc. Scouts elected to Senior Patrol Leader, must hold the rank of Star Scout. All other positions will be reviewed by the Troop Committee and approved by the Scoutmaster.
Advancement:
All Scouts will have an equal opportunity to advance according to the requirements of the Boy Scouts of America.
In Boy Scouts, the Scout is expected to take the initiative to work on advancements. The Troop’s Adult Leadership, senior Scouts and parents of the Scouts are available to work with the Scouts on advancements at meetings and outings. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters will help guide the Scouts through advancements when requested by the Scout or Scout’s parent.
A Scout is responsible for notifying the Scoutmaster when he is ready for a Scoutmasters Conference. After this conference, he will give his book to the Advancement Chairperson at least one week before the Board of Review.
Scouts approaching advancement to Eagle must appear before the Scoutmaster in full uniform and present his project for approval. After approval, the Scout must meet with the Troop Committee in uniform to present his project. After Committee approval, a project is sent to the Boy Scout Office for final approval. EAGLE PROJECTS MUST NOT START UNTIL APPROVED BY THE DISRICT ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE.
Behavior:
The Scoutmaster will document disciplinary concerns. The process will be the following:
1. First warning and counseled by the Scoutmaster,
2. Second warning and counseled by the Scoutmaster in the presence of the Scout’s parent(s) or guardian(s),
3. Executive Committee will meet to determine formal action.
Serious infractions, to include but not limited to the following, will not be tolerated and are grounds for immediate dismissal:
1. Physical fighting,
2. Threatening bodily harm with weapons or objects used as weapons,
3. Caught in the act of theft,
4. Verification of sexual situations involving other Scouts,
5. Open flame in tents,
6. Use of alcohol, tobacco or controlled substances at Scouting events.
Outings, Medical Forms and Medications:
A Scout must have a permission slip, payment and all current medical forms to attend outings. All Scouts and parents attending outings are required to have a completed medical form signed by a doctor (parts A, B and C). This is a BSA requirement; if medical forms are not current attendance at outings will not be permitted. If your son needs medication for any reason, the following must be adhered to:
1. Medications must be given to the Scoutmaster or designated trip leader for safe keeping,
2. Medications must have Scout’s name on them,
3. Medications must be in the original bottle or in an acceptable container,
4. There must be written instructions on when to give and how much.
Cancelation Policy:
Refunds will not be available for trips unless the cancellation is made by the due date of the trip, at that point expenses for deposits and food will have been incurred.
Adult Participation, Leadership and Behavior:
Troop 93 is a Scout run organization, yet parents are a vital part of that organization. The Troop is guided by the Troop Committee that consists of parents, adult leaders and the chartering organization. In addition, there is an Executive Committee that consists of the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and the Committee Chair.
Any parents wishing to participle with the Scouts should be “trained”. Training is absolutely necessary in order to sign off on Scouts advancement. In order to be considered a trained leader, an adult must complete the following:
1. This is Scouting,
2. Troop Committee Challenge,
3. Youth Protection.
These courses are available on-line at the Pine Tree Council website. Additionally, it would be helpful if all parents attending outings have taken the Safety Afloat and Safe Swim. These are also available on the Pine Tree Council website.
Advancement Committee policies state only an approved merit badge counselor may counsel any youth member, including his or her own son, ward or relative. Merit badge counselors can coach their own son or close relative only if the boy is part of a group of Boy Scouts that are all working on the same merit badge.
If you are a trained leader you can attend outings at no cost as long as you have attended most of the meetings, help with advancement and other outside activities. Anyone in an adult leadership position should attend Committee Meetings held the first Sunday of each month.
The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and / or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adults will not participate in a Scouting event after drinking alcoholic beverages.
The use of tobacco products at any Boy Scout of America activity involving youth participation is prohibited.
The Troop Committee will be responsible for adult discipline.
Youth Protection:
Adults are not allowed in tents with Scouts. A parent may sleep in the same tent as their son when the son is the only Scout in the tent.
Two deep leadership is required at all times, including meetings and waiting for parent pick up after a meeting and merit badge meetings. This will require four or more adults on a camping trip or event. A trip may be cancelled if there are not enough adults attending. We will require that two adults transport a Scout for medical attention, while a minimum of two adults stay at the camp out with the remaining Scouts. This is a Boy Scout of America policy.
Transportation Policy:
The safety of the boys is imperative and the following rules shall be strictly followed:
1. Any person driving Scouts for a Troop event must meet with the Boy Scout of America requirements for age, insurance and licensing. Drivers must be 21 years of age, and show proof of insurance and licensing, photo copies are acceptable.
2. Scouts will not be allowed to ride in the rear of a pickup or without a seat belt.
3. We car pool as much as possible and need parents to help transport.
4. The trip will not be automatically cancelled because of school cancellation. Your Patrol Leader will call you if the trip is postponed.
5. Troop insurance form must be filled out.
6. Youth with drivers permit are not allowed to transport Scouts to and from events.
Personal Electronic Devices:
During trips, Scouts are not allowed to use or have in their possession cell phone, laptops or any personal electronic devices. If such items are found during a trip, they will be held by the Adult Leaders and returned when we arrive home. Adult Leaders in charge of a trip involving extremely long travel times may at their discretion allow the use of personal electronic devices during the commuting time.
All Scouts have access to an adult’s cell phone during an outing.
Cell phones and personal laptops will not be allowed at Troop meetings. There are always adults there with a phone that a Scout can use to call home if need be.
Financial Aid:
If a Scout’s family is in difficult financial circumstances, please contact Committee Chair or the Treasurer. The Troop does not want any Scout to miss an opportunity. Camperships for summer camp are available through the Pine Tree Council.
Changes in Policy
Changes in Troop 93 policies will be made as needed. All changes will require Troop Committee approval. Revised 9/29/10
After reading, please print, detach, sign and return to the Committee Chair.
I have read, understand and plan to follow all Troop 93 policies and guidelines listed above. Revised 1/1/2011
Scout Name (please print): Date: ____________
Signature: ______________________________
Parent/Guardian (please print): Date: _________
Signature: ______________________________