WELCOME TO TROOP 2000, SAN RAFAEL CANAL
Dear New Scout and Parents,
This information packet is intended to familiarize you and your son with how Troop 2000 operates, your responsibilities to the Troop, and your responsibilities to your son. Please take the time to read all the information in this packet with your son. We will be glad to answer any questions in further detail.
Boy Scout Troop 2000 is chartered by San Rafael Police Association for the purpose of helping to develop the youth of the community through the Boy Scout Program. Troop 2000 is dedicated to providing service to the community and all families are welcome. There are several service opportunities throughout the year for the Troop to “give back” to the community. Our Troop has been very active in many community and civic events.
Troop Program
The aims of Scouting are Character Development, Citizenship Training, Service Opportunity, and Personal Fitness. These aims are achieved through the use of eight methods: The Ideals of Scouting, The Patrol Method, Advancement, Uniform, Outdoor Program, Leadership Development, Adult Association, and Personal Growth.
As it is in all Troops, Scouts lead the program. The Scoutmaster and a group of Assistant Scoutmasters guide and supervise them.
The scouts are organized into patrols, each with its own Patrol Leader, Assistant, and assigned positions. A patrol functions together throughout the year. Members of each patrol plan menus, buy their food, cook, and cleanup, work and have fun together. It is the responsibility of the Patrol Leader to place a call to the patrol members each week to inform them of upcoming activities, change of meeting location or type of uniform for the following week, etc. If the scout has not received a call by Sunday afternoon, it is then his responsibility to place a call to the patrol leader for this information. The patrol communication system is the key to a well functioning troop.
Each patrol is assigned a “patrol box” and a cooler, which essentially contains a portable camp kitchen. Each patrol also has assigned tents and other equipment. All of these patrol items must be kept in proper condition. Patrol dues may be used to repair or purchase any other items the boys approve of for their patrol activities. Each patrol has its own name and flag. Each patrol is unique and functions to encourage all its members to do their best as Scouts.
Advancement
Within the first 2 to 3 months that the new scout attends, he should be able to earn the rank of “Scout”. Each scout has a very individual pace of advancement through the next ranks of Scouting. Much of the work on the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class is done within the patrol and on campouts. Along with active participation in all troop activities, time and support from home is also needed for the scout to advance in ranks.
After achieving First Class, a scout must serve in positions of leadership within the troop and earn merit badges to attain the ranks of Star and Life. A Scout needs to earn a total of 21 merit badges (including the thirteen required badges), have a record of leadership, troop participation, and complete a major service project for the community before he can earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
ALL boys are individually responsible for pursing their rank advancement and completing the requirements. Scoutmasters and Patrol Leaders will encourage the scout, but will not remind him to do so. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU AS A PARENT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE YOUR SON.
As each requirement for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class is completed, the scout will have the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or fellow scout of First Class of higher, sign it off in his Scout Handbook. Only the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster can sign off the ranks of Star and Life. The Scout master asks the scout about his experiences in the troop, his achievements, and his goals for the future. The Scoutmaster’s Conference is an opportunity for the scout to discuss his progress, his goals, any problems he is having, and to demonstrate that he has completed all of the requirements for the rank. The scout approaches his patrol leader who will request the Scoutmaster conference on the scout’s behalf. Conferences must be completed before the evening of Board of Review. After the conference, the scout will be eligible for a Board of Review.
The Board of Review is usually held during normal meetings and/or as needed. The Board verifies that the scout has completed all of the requirements for the rank and that he has retained what he has learned. He must appear in full uniform with his handbook. Upon passing his Board of Review, the scout has advanced to that rank and receives his patch at the conclusion of that week’s meeting. The scout and his parents are recognized for the achievement at the next quarterly Court of Honor.
Merit Badges
The first year of the Scout program is geared toward advancement to the rank of First Class, and the Troop strongly encourages the scout to concentrate on that process. This will teach the scout the basic skills needed for troop camping, patrol leadership, first aid/lifesaving, and personal fitness. Your scout may; however, at anytime start working on merit badges and will probably earn a few if he attends summer camp during his first year. Most merit badge work should be secondary to rank advancement until First Class is achieved.
There are numerous merit badges available for the scout to earn. Some are specifically required for the rank of Eagle Scout. The scout needs to request a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster or Assistant when he is ready to begin working on a merit badge. A merit badge book specific to that badge may be obtained from the troop library or the Scout Shop. Make sure the book is current, as some of the requirements do change over the years. Some merit badges are also found on the internet.
It is the scout’s responsibility to contact a merit badge counselor to review what is required of him to complete the requirements. Merit badge counselors are individuals who are professionals, have expertise, or special training in the area of the specific merit badge. They are registered with scouting and may sign off on the official Blue Cards. You may ask a Scoutmaster to get a listing of the merit badge counselors at any meeting. A listing of the counselors is lso normally posted on the scout board in the St. Clare hall. The Buddy System requires that a scout not be alone when meeting with a counselor. Completed Blue Cards are given to the Scoutmaster and the badges are awarded at the following Court of Honor.
Troop Committee
The Troop Committee oversees the entire program and ensures that the resources, leadership, and necessary support for the scouting program are available, it approves a yearly budget, approves all Eagle Scout Service Projects, revises the Troop By-Laws as needed, selects Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters as needed, approves the Scout’s program, and publishes the Annual Calendar. The calendar is changed only when extenuating circumstances make it necessary. The Committee is made up of BSA-registered adults. All parents are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings, and to become involved in the troop. The troop sends out, at a minimum, a monthly e-mail communication to keep you aware and up to date on the scheduled events for that month. This is meant to be a supplement to the yearly calendar and to keep you informed of changes in events. It is strongly suggested that the calendar, newsletter, and roster be kept together for quick reference.
Parent Support
Parent’s Responsibility to the Troop
You are not required to attend the weekly troop meetings or camp with the troop. However, parents are welcome to attend all meetings and outings where accommodations allow. At all troop functions, all attending adults and scouts are under the direction of the Scoutmaster and his staff. All Youth Protection requirements must be met.
The entire family is encouraged to attend the quarterly Court of Honor. This is where the scouts receive the awards that they have earned and are recognized for their rank advancement by the Troop Committee.
We also encourage you to attend all Eagle Courts. An Eagle Court of Honor is a special event planned by the Eagle recipient and his family. Scouting’s highest award is presented in a variety of different venues, depending on the Scout’s wishes. Your family should confirm your attendance or your inability to attend the special invitation that is sent, as most events are costly to carry out. We also encourage all scouts to participate in Eagle Service Projects. All scouts who reach the rank of Eagle deserve our support for their project and special ceremony, just as you would want others to support that of your own.
Our success as a Troop depends heavily on your support. In addition to attending these events, the Troop needs parent involvement. Your participation as a driver, merit badge counselor, committee member, or assistant scoutmaster helps to ensure that our program remains diversified and strong.
Parent’s Responsibility to their Son
Scouts participate in the Troop and its activities because they have fun and enjoy themselves. Don’t force them. Encourage them to participate. Encourage them to advance. If there is a problem with your son or with us, talk to us about it. Every scout has the potential to become an Eagle Scout. It can help the scout gain entrance to college, scholarship opportunities, and possible advancement in the military or his future profession. Your assistance, concern, encouragement, and support will help your son to do his best.
Campouts
The troop plans an activity every month. Parents are welcome on most campouts, but please observe the following rules:
1. The scouts camp as patrols. The Patrol Leaders and Senior Patrol Leader are responsible for the activities, under the guidance of the Scoutmaster and Assistants. Please don’t interfere in Scout’s activities. If you see a problem, talk to one of the Scoutmasters.
2. On some campouts, the troop will actively seek your help with some activities.
3. Scouts must always sleep in tents with other scouts even if their parents are at the campsite.
4. All adults and visitors pay for, prepare, and eat meals separate from the scout patrols.
Remember
The scouts are the Scoutmaster’s responsibility at troop activities. Please refrain from giving scouts permission/approvals during troop events. Instead, direct them to the youth or adult leaders. The exception to this is safety. If safety of any attending adult or scout is at risk, both scouts and adults, regardless of age or rank, are asked to respond at once.
Youth Protection
To insure that scout activities are conducted in a safe and prudent manner, guidelines from the BSA Guide to Safe Scouting for Unit Activities are closely followed. To this end, all scouts must complete youth protection training using appropriate training materials.
Uniform Policy
The troop’s uniform policy consists of Class A, B, or C
Class A - consists of official Scout shirt, pants or shorts, troop neckerchief with slide, scout belt, scout socks, and merit badge sash, if applicable. This is worn to all weekly troop meetings, Court of Honors, Board of Reviews, all District and Council events, and whenever representing Scouting to the public. New scouts will receive a troop neckerchief upon joining the troop. The scout should also consider his Scout Handbook, paper and pen or pencil part of his uniform.
Class B - uniform consists of scout tee shirt with scout pants or shorts and belt. This is to be worn for outings and other events designated by the Scoutmaster. The troop tee shirt is available through the committee at a nominal cost.
Class C - is civilian clothes. This is to be worn when the boys are to participate in an activity that could damage the uniform. To be specified by the Scoutmaster.
Summer Camp
The troop attends one of the licensed Boy Scout Summer Camps for at least one, one-week session each summer. The leadership decides which camp will be chosen for that summer. Summer camp fees are determined by which camp the scouts decide to attend. Summer camp is a great opportunity for the scout to earn Merit Badges, which would be difficult to get on his own at home, develop responsibility away from home, and to have a lot of fun in the outdoors. Camp is usually held July or August.
Personal Equipment
The scout must have the current edition of the Boy Scout Handbook and bring it to all troop meetings and camp outs. The basic equipment requirements can be found there as well as advancement requirements and lots of fun things to learn. One of the requirements for the rank of Scout is for the parents to read and sign the first section of the handbook. Before you invest in backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, etc., please talk to one of the Scoutmasters for advice on what your son really needs and what the best deals are. A uniform exchange is conducted by the troop to recycle uniforms and Class B shirts. No electronic games, CD players, or radios are allowed at troop functions without the Scoutmaster’s approval. Cell phone use by scouts at troop activities should be held to emergency use only!
Transportation
The troop tries to arrange for and coordinate car pools for most events, but it is your responsibility to ensure that your son gets to outings. Most are less than an hour away. On most outings, the troop leaves from the Albert Boro Community Center (Pickelweed Park) on 50 Canal St, San Rafael. All drivers must be currently licensed, at least 18 years of age, be BSA registered, and meet all youth protection requirements.
When you drive for a troop outing and carry scouts, you must have adequate a valid driver license, in force auto insurance. Seat belts are to be used at all times for each passenger. No scout may ride in the back of a pickup truck for any reason. Drivers are asked to have their cars fueled and ready for the trip before departure. It is recommended that each driver have a hand-held walkie talkie and/or a cell phone charged and available for communication, as needed.
Permission Slips and Health / Medical Forms
Flyers are sent home prior to each outing with information as to the date, necessary timetable, location, costs, and necessary equipment.
Health / Medical forms A and C must be filled out when you join the troop and at renewal of registration each year. A Medical Exam (form B) is required for events over 72 hours, such as summer camp. These exam forms are valid for 12 months. They are the troop’s authorization for treatment in case of emergency and medical alert for allergies, etc. They also provide the troop with the scout’s health insurance information, so that we can get the scout the care necessary, if and when it may be required.
Troop Accident Insurance
The troop has Troop accident insurance, which is secondary to your own health coverage.
Financial Information /Registration
The troop annual registration fee includes National Dues, Boy’s Life Magazine, insurance, awards, troop equipment and operating expenses. The cost is $100.00 per scout. The troop registration is collected in November of each year.
Patrols may elect to collect dues when patrol supplies need repair or replacement. There is typically a chow fee for campouts. This fee is always collected in cash. The patrol leader cannot cash checks to purchase goods.
The troop conducts an annual wreath sale in San Rafael to raise funds to support the programs. You are encourage to participate in this activity.
Special Service Activities
These projects require parent help and support. You will be hearing about them as they come up.
§ Thanks Giving (usually the Sunday before the Holiday)
§ Court of Honor
§ Eagle Court of Honor
Our Pledge to You
Every scout has the right to expect guidance, support, enthusiasm, and a good example set by both the adult and youth leadership as he progresses through scouting. Troop 2000 has a solid history of building good citizens and young adults. Most of the boys who enter Troop 2000 and remain involved, work on rank advancement, and attend events, do reach the rank of Eagle Scout. It is not necessary for a Scout to attain Eagle to stay in the program and have fun. Our main goal is to make sure each scout learns self-reliance, safety, and survival skill, strong leadership qualities, respect for fellow scouts, and a sense of duty to God, Country, and Self. We do this through a simple set of rules for members of Troop 2000.
1. Arrive and depart on time.
2. Respect others at all times.
3. Treat every other scout as you would like to be treated.
4. Wear the uniform with pride.
5. Respect the premises you are on – no littering, running, or loud behavior.
6. If you have a problem, see a Scoutmaster.
7. Do your best to achieve rank, earn merit badges, and serve in positions of Leadership.
§ WELCOME TO BOY SCOUT TROOP 2000
WE ARE PROUD YOU HAVE CHOSEN OUR SCOUTING FAMILY
Revised 10-15
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