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Wearing the proper uniform for all meetings and outings is a requirement for all scouts. One of the requirements for all rank advancements is for the scout to show Scout Spirit. Scout spirit is shown in one way by the scout wearing the proper uniform. Whenever a scout wears his uniform, it reminds him that he is a scout and that the people will expect him to act like one. The uniform is an outward sign that he believes in certain values and is willing to stand up for them. For weekly meetings, Class B uniforms are worn during the months of April through September. Class A uniforms are worn during the months of October through March, all Board of Reviews, all Court of Honor, and for prominent events during camporees, jamborees, troop outings, summer camp, and all return trips for weekend outings. * Class A Tan uniform dress shirt, Official Scout pants (long or short) * Troop Class B Troop 75 T-Shirt, Green pants (long or short) * Class B Boy Scout T-Shirt, Green pants (long or short) Troop 75 has adopted a (dark-green with gold trim) neckerchief with a troop 75 patch sewn to it as a part of the official uniform during formal events. Neckerchiefs, medals, and merit badge sashes should only be worn on formal occasions. They are not to be worn at weekly troop meetings or for outdoor outings. By the time a scout has reached the rank of First Class, he is expected to be wearing official BSA pants with his class A uniform. Any hat worn with a uniform must be a Boy Scout hat. Ordinary hats or baseball caps are not acceptable to wear with any uniform. Camouflage pants are not acceptable to be worn with a class A uniform. The troop has a limited supply of experienced uniform shirts and pants to lend. We want all scouts to be able to maintain a full uniform without having to bear undue financial burden. We request that, as your son out grows his uniform, please donate it to the troop. Standard patches that are to be worn on the uniform dress shirt are the world crest above the left pocket, the middle TN.. Council patch and the troop 75 numerals on the left sleeve, and the American flag, patrol patch, and quality unit award on the right sleeve. The Arrow of Light award earned as a Webelos scout should be worn just below the left pocket. 1. Our scout junior leaders run the troop. The senior patrol leader and the assistant senior patrol leader lead the troop. The troop is divided into patrols, which are each led by an elected patrol leader. 2. Each scout is expected to show respect to his patrol leader and to the other junior leaders of the troop. He is also expected to cooperate with the junior leaders of the troop in keeping with the twelve points of the scout law. 3. Every scout will have the opportunity to move into leadership role as he advances in rank, skills, and maturity. 4. One of the requirements for advancement in each rank of the scouting program is to show scout spirit. This means living in accordance with the scout oath and law. 5. Each scout must have a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. It teaches all of the fundamentals of scouting and is the primary source for keeping track of rank advancement. 6. The troop utilizes a specialized computer system to track the progress, completion, and the awarding of rank advancements and merit badges earned. Periodically, a scout needs to have any progress for rank advancements in his scout handbook recorded into the computer. 7. Parents are asked to show interest in their son's participation and progress toward rank advancement. Scouts that advance stay more active and have more fun. The ultimate goal is to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. 8. Any scout who is disruptive during meetings and uncooperative with the junior leadership of the troop over a period of time may impede his advancement. He will be counseled about proper behavior for a scout regarding the standards set out in the scout oath and law. In the event that a scout continues to willfully disrupt meetings, becomes a discipline problem for the junior leaders of the troop, or is continually uncooperative and displays a lack of self-discipline, self-control, or respect for other scouts, he may be asked to leave the troop. 9. Annually, the junior leadership of the troop plan an event calendar for the upcoming year. While conflict with family plans, sports, school, and other activities will occur, a calendar is provided for your advance planning so that conflicts and missed opportunities may be minimized. Please pay particular attention to camporee, jamboree, summer camp, merit badge universities (MBUs) and Court of Honor. 10. Merit badge universities (MBUs) provide excellent opportunities for scouts to earn merit badges that are required for higher rank advancements up to and including Eagle Scout. 11. Court of Honor award ceremonies are quarterly. This is usually a covered-dish banquet for scouts and their families. 12. To be eligible to attend monthly outdoor outings, each scout must have a valid, up-to-date Annual Health and Medical Record form on file with the troop. Every scout is required to fill out and submit this form, which pertains to personal health and medical history, annually. A troop wide update is solicited annually in April/May in anticipation of summer camp. 13. We participate in two different types of events: * District or council events, for which there is normally a small fee set by the district or council. * Troop outings, for which there may or may not be a fee. The fee is intended for expenses of operating vehicles, purchasing food (when provided by the troop), or other unique expenses of a particular outing as determined by the troop committee. * Food will almost always be an additional cost. 14. Information regarding outings is provided electronically and at troop meetings. Scouts must sign up for each outing. Depending on the outing, fees may be collected before the event or billed after. If a scout signs up for an outing and does not show up, the fee it still owed. 15. On most outings, scouts are the cooks. According to a duty roster for each patrol, scouts take turns for cooking and for cleanup. In order to meet advancement requirements, they must plan the menus and purchase the food. For each outing, a shopper is chosen by each Patrol and is responsible for purchasing the food. In order to keep the food costs reasonable, parents are requested to help the scout shop wisely. Normal food cost for a weekend outing should usually be in the $10-$15 range. The shopper should call everyone prior to the outing to let the others know what their share of the cost is. All members of the patrol must reimburse the "shopper" when the outing occurs or at the next weekly troop meeting, at the latest. Alternatively, patrols may divide the shopping list, and each patrol member may bring items needed for cooking. 16. Parents are encouraged to attend outings with their son and are always welcome. Just let us know if you want to sign up so we can plan for accommodations and food. 17. Scouting is fun for all adults also! Please consider volunteering as a troop committee member, merit badge counselor, or assistant scoutmaster. If interested, please talk with any of the adult leaders to request an application. ADVANCEMENT NOTES: All Scouts are expected to purchase a copy of the official Boy Scout Handbook. Be sure to mark it with the name and contact information for the scout as handbooks are notorious for being misplaced. The Scout Handbook serves as a scout’s primary advancement record. Unlike the Cub Scout program, parents generally do not sign off on advancement for their son without prior approval from the scoutmaster. Troop 75 also records advancement on an electronic scoutbook (scoutbook.com).
Current merit badge requirements are found in the Boy Scout Requirements book. This book is updated on an annual basis and the Advancement Chairperson usually has a copy. Requirements for merit badges and ranks can also be found on online at a variety of websites including www.scouting.org.
The last two steps of all Boy Scout ranks are the Scoutmaster conference and the board of review. When a scout has completed all requirements (with the exception of Scout Spirit, the Scoutmaster conference, and the board of review) he should contact the Scoutmaster to schedule a conference. The evening of the conference the scout should wear his class A uniform and bring his Scout Handbook with all appropriate requirements signed and dated (the Advancement Chairperson or the online advancement reports are often helpful if you are missing dates). The scout should also spend some time “brushing up” on scout skills as sometimes a light review of requirements is conducted.
Assuming the scout “passes” the Scoutmaster conference, he would then ask the Scoutmaster to schedule a Board of Review. Boards typically consist of troop parents, troop alumni, and/or “emeritus” leaders from years gone by. Similar to the Scoutmaster conference, the scout should wear his class A uniform, bring his updated Scout Handbook, and be prepared for a light review of requirements.
Special notes for Eagle Scout candidates regarding Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review. In addition to the above, scouts requesting a Scoutmaster conference should bring their Eagle Project Workbook (with appropriate signatures), along with their completed Eagle Scout Application (with appropriate signatures and statement of life’s purpose). The Eagle Scout board of review follows a different format. Candidates should contact the Scoutmaster for additional detail. BASIC PERSONAL GEAR FOR WEEKEND OUTINGS: 1. Class A and Class B uniforms- the troop almost always leaves in class B uniforms and returns home in Class A uniforms 2. Sierra cup or bowl, drinking cup (insulated is nice), and spoon. 3. Good raingear- pants and jackets are preferable to ponchos. 4. Good flashlight or headlamp - AA or AAA battery size preferable - extra batteries and bulb. 5. Compass - Official Boy Scout. 6. Boy Scout Handbook - in zipper plastic bag. 7. Sleeping bag with waterproof or water- resistant stuff sack. * Use any sleeping bag you may already have for non-backing packing trips. In winter, you can stuff one bag inside another or use blankets inside a sleeping bag. * Nylon bag- filled with Holofil, Polar Guard, etc./, rated at +20^, makes an excellent spring, fall, and winter bag, Lightweight version of above is a good choice for summer. Mummy bags are preferable to prevent heat loss. * Good sleeping bags are expensive. Please consult with an assistant scoutmaster before making a purchase. 8. Sleeping pad - The self-inflating type are great but expensive. A good economical alternative is to use a 20"-24" wide sheet of closed-cell foam. 9. A pullover cap is a must for sleeping during cool nights in Spring and Fall. 10. Boots - Great for year round use. A well broken-in pair is a must for backing packing trips. Should be able to wear with nylon or polypropylene liner socks and a wool or wool-blend sock. 11. Extra shoes, extra socks, extra set of clothes. 12. Personal Hygiene Items - handy wipes, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, small towel, comb/brush, etc.. 13. Personal first aid kit. 14. Large Sport Bag - used on most weekend camping trips to transport personal belongings. Backpacks are not practical for non-backing packing trips because they take up too much space and could get damaged. 15. Folding Pocket Knife - NO FIXED BLADE KNIVES - Small inexpensive type - The rule of thumb is that a folded knife should fit into your closed fist. The locking blade type is a good idea. A scout is also required to earn a Totin Chip card in order to carry and use a knife. 16. Usually $5 - $10 for fast food lunch on the return trip on Sunday. * Backpacks - The troop has small and medium backpacks that can be checked out for use by scouts. Eventually, a scout will want to purchase his own backpack. Please consult with an adult leader before purchasing any backpack. * Prior to all backpacking trips, a recommended-gear list will be provided in advance. * Prior to the trip, all first-time backpackers are required to bring a fully packed backpack to a troop meeting. This is so that it can be checked and suggestions made. OPTIONAL: * Hats, gloves, bandanas * Sun block and lip balm * Day pack or Fanny pack IMPORTANT NOTES: * Please identify all belongings with a permanent marker. * Several light layers of clothing are better than a single heavy layer. * Polyester and nylon clothing is always preferable to cotton for outdoor activities. * Electronics, such as games and music devices, are not to be used during outing. However it is acceptable to use them while in a vehicle to and from outing. * Scouts should not bring matches or lighters! * Aerosol products are prohibited! Use liquid or pump spray products instead. * Food or drink is never taken into tents. Food will be locked in the scout trailer overnight. * Do not buy military canteens, belts, etc.. They are not appropriate for Boy Scouts. They are heavy and most are now cheaply constructed. TROOP 75 1) WEAR THE UNIFORM 2) BE PREPARED 3) DO YOUR BEST 4) RESPOND TO THE SCOUT SIGN 5) LIVE BY THE SCOUT LAW 6) SHOW SCOUT SPIRT ( ATTEND MEETINGS) |