Parent’s Guide – Troop 196 (REV 8.1)

Your son is standing at the doorway to one of the most exciting adventures imaginable. Not only will he find himself hiking along wooded trails, canoeing across misty lakes and camping under the open sky, he will be involved in his family, his community, and his environment. As he steps into the world of Scouting, he will grow in his involvement with his family. He will learn communication skills, responsibility to family and friends, and his vital role in the family circle. He will also learn to become involved in his community and find ways to make a difference in his schools. He will learn the value of citizenship.

Scouting is an adventure, and as a Boy Scout, your son will learn new skills as he camps outdoors. He will prepare his own meals, identifying wildlife and learning about the natural environment. He will have the opportunity to see the beauty of nature, and learn to respect its authority. He will learn to prepare for the worse and enjoy the best of the outdoor experience.

Scouting is a doorway to new friendships and fun. He may know boys joining Troop 196, but he’ll meet lots of other Scouts along the Trail to Eagle as well. As he matures in Scouting, he will learn to lead as well as to work with others – everyone helping everyone else. Scouting is a worldwide brotherhood many millions strong. Almost anywhere he goes, he will find Scouts excited about the same things he is.

Brief History of Scouting

The Man who started the Scouting movement, Robert Baden-Powell, came home to England as the best-known hero of the Boer War. In 1907 he invited a group of boys to attend the world’s first Boy Scout camp on the English Island of Brownsea. The success of the camp led him to write a book he called Scouting for Boys. Boys by the thousands bought it and decided to become Scouts. Scouting spread like wildfire throughout England and, before long, around the world.

One foggy day in 1909 in London, a British Boy Scout guided an American Businessman William Boyce to his destination. The boy refused a tip for his “Good Turn”. Impressed with the boy’s spirit, Boyce brought Scouting to the United States. With a group of outstanding leaders, he founded the Boys Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.

Boy Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan

Scout Oath (or Promise)

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.

Scout Law

TRUSTWORTHY

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

LOYAL

A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

HELPFUL

A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.

FRIENDLY

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.

COURTEOUS

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

KIND

A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

OBEDIENT

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

CHEERFUL

A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

THRIFTY

A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

BRAVE

A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

CLEAN

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

REVERENT

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Scout Motto

Be Prepared

Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily

Troop 196

Troop 196 was chartered to serve the boys in the expanding residential neighborhoods of the Liberty Hill School district area. VFW Post 8200 is our chartering organization, a relationship that is based on mutual support. Just like the Liberty Hill area, Troop 196 has grown rapidly over the last few years and has enjoyed the benefits and trials of a growing organization. As we grow in size and experience, Troop 196 continues to encourage creative ideas that can provide an exciting and balanced experience for our boys. Troop 196 believes it has in place a program to help our youth grow and have fun at the same time.

Troop 196 is committed to five basic principles. They are:

1. Scouting is a boy-lead activity. Parents are encouraged to participate.

2. The Boy Scout experience builds character. Group interaction, community service and individual responsibility will focus young boys on important life skills.

3. A wide range of outdoor activity is important in building strong group bonds and will encourage boys to become involved in constructive efforts. Troop 196 will schedule many activities and campouts throughout the year. Boys are expected to participate in all activities when possible.

4. Advancement and achievement is the key to enthusiasm. We make every effort to help these boys advance in rank and maturity.

5. The Boy Scout activities must be fun and exciting if we expect boys to choose to be involved.

How to Join Troop 196

There is a little more to joining a Boy Scout Troop than simply completing a membership application and paying dues. A candidate for Boy Scouts needs to meet other requirements, too. The Scout will need to purchase the Boy Scouts Handbook, the official guide through all years of scouting and serves as a record for advancement. Unlike the Webelos book, the Boy Scout Handbook will be used during all the Scout’s years in scouting.

The Scout will need to meet all the requirements on page 4 of the Boy Scout Handbook in order to earn the first badge in Boy Scouting, the Scout badge. The Scoutmaster will then talk with the Scout to make sure he knows what it means to be a Scout. The Scout will then be officially welcomed into Troop 196.

Transferring Scouts

Scouts who transfer into Troop 196 are required to fill out a Boy Scout Application, sign it, and present it to the Scoutmaster. The troop the Scout is transferring from will complete the BSA Transfer Application/Notice. These two documents are then presented to the Council Office. Credit for Merit Badges, Office Held, and Honors Secured (including the Order of the Arrow) are limited to those shown on the Transfer Application/Notice, so it is important to verify correctness.

Dues and Fees

Scout Annual Dues (due when joining) $50.00 includes equipments fees, BSA dues, insurance and Boy’s Life magazine (at least one copy per household).

siblings in the troop pay only $38.00 unless they want their own copy of Boy’s Life

Scout One-time Fees (due within 60 days of joining)

Troop 196 Red Class B Shirt $10.00

Troop 196 Tan Class B Shirt $10.00

Troop 196 Cap (optional) $15.00

Parent Annual Dues (due when joining) $22.00 includes equipments fees, BSA dues, insurance and Scouting magazine. (At least one parent or guardian per family must register with the BSA).

new adults or scouts transferring from Cub Scouts or another troop pay only a prorated amount for the remaining year.

Campout Fees

One night outings are typically $15.00, per person. Two night outings are typically $20.00. These fees cover groceries, supplies related to the campout as well as any awards that may be earned. Some campouts may require a fee to cover gasoline costs, which will be determined by distance. Payment for activities must be provided in advance. Refunds will only be considered if cancellation is made prior to expenditure of funds. There will be a reduced charge (usually ½ price) for up to 2 younger siblings of a Scout if their attendance is allowed. Non-Boy Scout siblings are not allowed at many BSA-sponsored events. Siblings are welcome at patrol or troop campouts unless there are issues about safety for younger ones.

Scout Participation

When a boy joins Troop 196, he is expected to participate in as many troop events as possible, and to attend his patrol’s meetings when they are called. Records are kept of his attendance and will be considered during a board of review for rank advancement. Troop 196 defines “active participant” as a scout who attends 50% of the troop activities; meetings, campouts, service projects and courts of honor. A scout is encouraged to be active in school activities (including athletics), and the troop feels that over the entire year 50% attendance is easily achieved.

The troop program is to be run by the Scouts for the Scouts. A high level of participation results in a quality program. Participation and contribution by each scout is essential for the troop to succeed in its aims. It has been observed many times, that “You only get out of scouting what you put into it.”

When a boy joins the troop, he is making a commitment – to the troop, the scouting program, and to himself. Scouting must have a high priority in his life. Personal dedication, a commitment to excellence, and sense of duty, personal loyalty and responsibility produce a young man who not only is a successful scout, but an asset to society.

Scout Behavior

A scout is expected to be on his best behavior at all times. If a scout is being disruptive, rude, or disrespectful to others, the environment or the property of others, the behavior will be discussed with the scout. He will be given one warning. If the bad behavior continues, the scout will be given a demerit. 10 demerits within a 12 month period, and the scout is on probation. Once on probation, his parent must deal with the situation. This may include the parent either taking the scout home or staying in camp with the scout.

If a scout is violent or dangerous to himself others, the parent will be called immediately and the scout must go home. If a scout’s parents are called during an event, that scout will be on probation for the next event of the same duration. Example: If a scout gets put on probation during summer camp, a parent must accompany that scout to the next summer or winter camp.

Regular Meetings

The troop meets on the 2^nd Sunday of each month at the Liberty Hill VFW in the downtown area of Liberty Hill, Texas. Meetings start promptly at 4:00 p.m. and end between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. Meetings center around a program or preparation for an upcoming event related to scouting as well as advancement activities. Scouts should be on time and in appropriate uniform.

Parents are encouraged to occasionally attend troop meetings. If unable to attend parents should be prompt in picking up their son after meetings. Troop policy dictates that no scout will be left at the meeting without two adults present. A late pickup means that two adults are delayed in getting home to their families.

Guests are always welcome at Troop 196 meetings. Scouts are encouraged to bring prospective members from time to time.

Patrol Meetings

Each patrol meets on the 4th Sunday of each month at the Liberty Hill VFW in the downtown area of Liberty Hill, Texas. Meetings start promptly at 4:00 p.m. and end between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. Meetings usually center on preparation for an upcoming campout, such as what each patrol will cook, who will purchase the groceries, etc. Scouts should be on time and in appropriate uniform. Patrols may which to designate their own time and place to meet, other than or in addition to the VFW.

Troop Organization

Every troop is part of some established community organization. The Troop is granted a charter by the Boy Scouts of America to operate as a troop for one year at time. Troop 196 is sponsored by the Liberty Hill VFW Post 8200.

Troop Committee

Every troop has a group of registered adults whose main job is to back up the Scoutmaster and help him run a good troop. It is the Committee’s responsibility to provide the resources needed to run the troop’s scout program. This includes advancement and outdoor programs, handling the troop finances, working with parents, overseeing the safety procedures utilized and doing whatever they can to help the Scoutmaster do his job. They assist the boys in raising funds and keeping records. They recruit other adult leaders, run the Board of Review, assist in Court of Honor ceremonies and oversee troop communications. No Scoutmaster could do all this alone.

Committee Chair – Schedules and runs committee meetings. Gathers annual dues and submits annual re-charter and insurance payments before the unit charter expires each year on December 31.

Charter Organization Representative – Attends committee meeting and communicates any issues, concerns or activities related to the charter organization.

Secretary – Keeps the committee meeting minutes. If secretary not present, committee chair may do this or delegate to another committee member.

Treasurer – Maintains a financial record of the troop income and expenses.

Advancement Chair – Maintains advancement records and medical forms. Purchases awards for rank, merit badges, etc.

Fundraising Chair – Looks for fundraising opportunities. Maintains records of fundraisers; who ordered what, who owes what, how much was spent versus how much was taken in, etc.

Adult Leaders

Scoutmaster - The Scoutmaster’s main function is to coordinate the activities of the Troop. This includes training the Junior Staff leaders to plan and run the troop activities, ensuring functions such as finance, activity programs and individual scout advancement are staffed adequately. The Scoutmaster helps scouts to grow by encouraging them to learn for themselves. He conducts Scoutmaster Conferences and supports his Assistant Scoutmasters in their roles.

Assistant Scoutmasters - Assistant Scoutmasters support the Scoutmaster. They are assigned specific program responsibilities, such as advising patrols and assisting scouts in advancement.

Youth Staff

The troop is to be run by the Junior Leaders. With the guidance of the Scoutmaster and his assistants, they plan the program, conduct the troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers. Troop 196 holds elections for the senior patrol leader every year in January.

Senior Patrol Leader – The top junior leader in the troop. He is elected by his peers to serve in this position. He leads the patrol leaders’ council and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader – Fills in for the Senior Patrol Leader in his absence. He also is responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, troop historian and librarian.

Patrol Leader – Takes responsibility for the patrol activities and represents the patrol as a member of the patrol leaders’ council.

Assistant Patrol Leader –Fills in for the patrol leader in his absence.

Troop Guide – A Senior Scout who is responsible for assisting new members and patrols in learning the Boy Scout methods and Troop policies.

Scribe – The troop’s secretary. He attends meetings of the patrol leaders’ council and keeps a log book of their discussions, but is not a voting member. During troop meetings, he records attendance and maintains advancement records.

Quartermaster – Responsible for troop supplies and equipment. He keeps a current inventory of troop equipment and sees that it is in good condition.

Historian – Collects and maintains troop photos, news stories, trophies and other memorabilia.

Librarian – Maintains troop books, pamphlets, magazines, audiovisuals, and merit badge counselor list available for use by troop members.

Order of the Arrow Representative – Serves as a communication link between the troop and the local OA lodge or chapter.

Chaplain Aid – Assists the troop chaplain. He sees that religious holidays are considered during program planning and promotes religious emblems program.

Den Chief – Works with Cub Scouts and Den Leaders. He encourages the Cubs to advance and serves as a role model for the younger boys.

Junior Assistant Scoutmaster – A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the senior patrol leader, with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster.