TROOP 465. Welcome to Troop 465!

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1 TROOP 465 Welcme t Trp 465! WELCOME t scuting in Trp 465! Many f yu may be familiar with Scuting frm yur experience as a yuth r yur sn s Cub Scut invlvement. Sme f yu will be jining Scuting fr the first time. There s a lt f jargn, as in any large rganizatin, and this dcument will help yu t make sense f it, learn abut scuting and hpefully find the answers t mst f yur questins. Let us knw if yu still have questins! Trp 465 is a member f the Glden Empire Cuncil, which cvers a large part f nrthern Califrnia. The Cuncil is divided int Districts and ur Trp is within the El Drad District, which cvers Flsm and El Drad Cunty west f Ech Summit. The Cuncil headquarters is lcated at 251 Cmmerce Circle in Sacrament, CA ( ) and is where yu will find the Scut Shp (separate phne number ) that has all f the fficial By Scuts f America (BSA) items yu will need t purchase fr yur sn. Anther surce is the BSA nline catalg accessible at All BSA Trps must have a chartering rganizatin that spnsrs them. The Chartered Organizatin fr Trp 465 is the El Drad Hills Rtary Club. They prvide us supprt, equipment, fundraising pprtunities and apprve ur adult leadership. They wn the trp. Withut a chartered rganizatin, a trp cannt exist. The Rtary Club prvides a representative (Chartered Representative) t act as liaisn between the Trp and the rganizatin. In additin we currently enjy a wnderful relatinship with Rlling Hills Christian Church where mst f ur meetings are held. Scuting is much mre than just a whlesme and enjyable activity. Active Scuts develp initiative, leadership, self-reliance, and self-cnfidence. Scuting helps bys becme gd citizens f strng character, wh will be leaders and achievers in the adult wrld. Meetings and Outings Trp Meetings: Trp 465 meets n the secnd and third Mndays f each mnth, thrughut the entire year, at Rlling Hills Christian Church n White Rck Rad. Trp meetings start at 7:00pm and end at abut 8:00. At the meetings, we plan and train fr the mnthly activities, wrk n advancements and merit badges and typically hld sme frm f activity. Parents are always welcme at ur meetings. The Patrl Leader s Cuncil (PLC), the yuth leadership f the trp) meets n the 4 th Mnday f the mnth. The Trp Cmmittee (adult leadership f the trp) meets n the first f the mnth at

2 7pm and is preceded by the Scutmaster/Assistant Scutmaster meetings (ASM) which starts at 6 r 6:30 depending n agenda. Each Patrl meets independently f the Trp accrding t its wn schedule. The Trp als has special meetings thrughut the year where parents are specifically invited t attend. In May and Nvember the Trp calendar is discussed at the PLC meeting. Input frm interested parents is welcme. In May, part f a Trp meeting will usually be devted t summer camp details fr families f bys that are signed up t g t camp. A Hliday ptluck fr the whle family generally takes place arund the hlidays. Three r fur times a year we meet in special Curts f Hnr. These frmal ceremnies recgnize each Scut's leadership, advancement, and ther significant accmplishments in frnt f his family and peers. Sme Curts f Hnr are preceded by a family ptluck supper r we may ask families t bring a dessert t share after the frmal ceremny. Yu will be advised what is needed prir t the event and where the event will be held. Wh can jin? Trp 465 welcmes any interested by f Scut age (either between 11 and 18 years ld OR have cmpleted the Fifth Grade OR have earned the Arrw f Light and be at least 10 years ld, whichever ccurs first). A by des NOT have t graduate frm Cub Scuts r Webels t becme a By Scut. We recmmend that yu visit sme ther Trps in the area s yu can be sure that Trp 465 is the best Trp fr yu. Registratin New Scuts Scuts typically jin the Trp when they bridge ver frm their Cub Scut prgram. This is nt a requirement, since bys ften jin withut having previusly participated in Cub Scuts. Registratin requires filling ut a Scuting Applicatin and paying the annual registratin fee. The fee is prrated depending upn the mnth yu register (mre infrmatin t fllw n fees). Yu will als be asked t prvide drivers license and vehicle insurance infrmatin required by the BSA in the event that yu r yur spuse vlunteers t drive t an activity. Finally, we ask that yu fill ut an Annual Permissin Frm and Talent Release fr yur by as well as any parent that may be participating in an uting during the cming year. This insures that we have prper permissin t render medical care if smething happens say during a trp meeting when a parent is nt present r n an uting when the riginal uting permissin frm is misplaced. Our trp website cntains a wealth f infrmatin and all the frms yu will need (with the exceptin f the applicatin itself). Please visit: fr: Trp apparel rder frm Updated Calendar the mst up t date calendar is always available nline Annual Yuth and Adult General Permissin Frms Individual and Family Talent Release Frms Vehicle/Driver infrmatin frm this is the frm t include yur driver s license and car insurance infrmatin Outings registratin frms And a whle lt mre 2

3 Trp 465 Unifrm The next step is btaining the fficial unifrm. Just as a sprts unifrm identifies a by with a team, the Scut unifrm identifies a by with the largest vluntary yuth mvement in the wrld. The Scut unifrm tends t diminish the imprtance f a persn's financial, scial, and ethnic backgrund, while clearly shwing each individual's scuting accmplishments. Class A Unifrm: Trp 465 requires members t wear a full and crrect unifrm; cnsisting f the fllwing fficial BSA parts (the Trp purchases and frmally presents the CAPITALIZED items): Scut shirt (shrt sleeves preferred) Scut trusers r Scut shrts Scut belt & Scut buckle TROOP 465 NECKERCHIEF with SLIDE Trp cap (available frm the trp stre) Scut scks Merit badge sash (n frmal ccasins) Scut Handbk The shirt needs the fllwing insignia: Green Shulder Lps BADGE OF RANK & Arrw f Light (if earned) belw left pcket Glden Empire Cuncil shulder patch & khaki and green "465" n left sleeve (the 465 patch is available as single numbers frm the scut shp r as an all in ne patch frm the trp stre) American flag (cmes n the shirt), Patrl Emblem, & CURRENT-YEAR QUALITY UNIT PATCH n right sleeve. Wrld Scut Crest (abve left pcket abut 3 inches belw shulder seam) The Scut Handbk has full-sized sewing templates n the inside frnt and back cvers t indicate prper placement f mst f the patches. Nt shwn is the Quality Unit patch (sew n the right sleeve 4 inches belw the shulder seam just belw the patrl medallin). Surces fr Scut supplies are the River City Scut Shp lcated next dr t the Cuncil Office at 251 Cmmerce Circle in Sacrament, CA ( ) and the BSA nline catalg accessible at A full new unifrm csts abut $125. The Trp and the District als have sme used items available. Ask a leader fr assistance with btaining used unifrms. Please help ur future Scuts by dnating yur sn's utgrwn unifrm parts t the Trp. Thanks. Class B r field Unifrm: At varius activities, Scuts may be directed t wear the Class B unifrm which cnsists f the Trp 465 T-shirt (available frm the trp), T465 sweatshirt, Scut shrts/pants, belt, cap, and Scut scks. These are generally specified when scuts are ging t get dirty n camputs, utings, r while perfrming service. Scuts typically wear full Class A unifrm at all meetings, when traveling t and frm camputs, t mst day utings, and t any activities where we will be in the public eye. 3

4 Trp Organizatin The key unit within the Trp is the patrl. In ur Trp, patrls are created when the bys jin the Trp; resulting in patrls f like-aged scuts. There are pluses and minuses t this methd the bys like the arrangement because they get t be with friends, but n the ther hand, they dn t benefit frm as much interactin with mre experienced scuts. A patrl is generally 6 t 10 scuts. When scuts first enter the Trp, they are rganized int unnamed New Scut Patrls (NSPs). An lder scut, called a Trp Guide, is traditinally assigned t each NSP and acts as their yuth mentr fr the first 6 mnths r s. In this perid, the NSPs will pick a patrl name, wrk n early rank advancements and learn the rpes. Each patrl elects a new Patrl Leader frm its members, including the NSPs. Trp electins are held every September and March. When a Scut enters the Trp withut a grup f ther new Scuts, he is assigned t an existing age apprpriate patrl. A Patrl Leadership Cuncil (PLC) is made up f scuts that lead the Trp, and includes the Patrl Leaders. The leader f the PLC is the Senir Patrl Leader (SPL) wh is elected by the whle Trp alng with 2 Assistant Senir Patrl Leaders (ASPL) at a Trp electin. The SPL, with the apprval f the Scutmaster, appints the rest f the PLC, including the Quartermaster, Librarian, Scribe, and s n. The PLC meets nce a mnth (n the 4 th Mnday f the mnth) with the Scutmaster t plan each mnth s activities. Trp Meetings are run by the SPL and his assistants based n agendas frmed with the PLC and the Scutmaster. The meetings are designed t be Scut led with supprt frm the Scutmaster and his assistants. There is a theme fr each mnth that determines the types f activities the Trp and the Patrls will be wrking n. Rles fr Adults Adults play a crucial rle in running the Trp, althugh the emphasis is n letting the bys lead. The primary adult leader f any Scut Trp is the Scutmaster (SM), wh is respnsible fr leading the bys in executing the By Scut Prgram. The Scutmaster depends n tw grups f adults fr help: the Assistant Scutmasters (ASM) and the Trp Cmmittee. The ASM's are mre typically invlved with the bys at meetings and n activities, while the Trp Cmmittee manages and administers key functins within the Trp, such as finances, equipment purchase and maintenance, and registratin. Parents are expected t register with the BSA and participate in either capacity as an ASM r Cmmittee member. Registered adults can becme merit badge cunselrs, and can be listed n the required By Scut Tur Permit as either a leader r assistant fr any trp activity. All activities require a minimum f 2 adult leaders (referred t as tw-deep leadership). Ranks & Merit Badges - Hw Scuts Advance By Scut advancement is much mre challenging and difficult than Cub Scut r Webels advancement, and it requires much individual effrt and initiative. It als emphasizes leadership and service as much as badges and skills. The By Scut prgram is based n rank advancement. The definitive guide fr all rank related infrmatin is the By Scut Handbk that every Scut is required t have and advancement requirements fr all Scut ranks are shwn starting n page 432. T advance, a Scut must be active, must d his best t live by the Scut Oath and Law, practice leadership, give service t thers, learn Scut skills (mstly in the utdrs), and earn merit badges (primarily frm adult cunselrs). New Scuts cme in withut any rank and wrk with their Trp Guide, as a Patrl, t achieve the entry level rank f Scut. The next three ranks are geared twards learning general Scuting skills and cnsist f Tenderft, Secnd Class and First Class. Requirements fr Tenderft thrugh 4

5 First Class can be signed ff by the SM r ASM's (nt by the parents!). The By Scut Handbk has all f the infrmatin and requirements needed t achieve these advancements. Scuts shuld bring their Scut Handbk t all meetings and t utings where rank requirements are likely t be taught, tested, and signed ff (in their Handbk). BSA recmmends that bys reach the First Class rank within mnths, althugh there are n time limits fr any rank advancement. Once a Scut has all requirements signed ff in his Handbk fr a given rank advancement, he shuld cntact the Scutmaster t arrange a Scutmaster Cnference (parents d nt d this, it is the Scut s respnsibility!). The Scutmaster will review the Scut s skills and knwledge and discuss the Scut s prgress and gals. The Scut will then meet with members f the Trp Cmmittee r ther parents at a Bard f Review t discuss the Scut s verall experience within the Trp. The Bard f Review is a great time t give feedback r suggestins n hw the Trp may better meet the Scut s needs r interests. Finally, the Scut will receive their new rank badge at a Curt f Hnr. Merit badges are fcused n learning skills in specific areas f interest. There are ver 120 merit badges that can be earned! Merit badges are nt required fr Tenderft thrugh First Class, but many scuts may earn a few at Summer Camp r at a patrl activity. Fr the remaining ranks f Star, Life and Eagle, earning merit badges is mandatry. T reach Eagle, there are specific required merit badges, and each rank abve First Class requires the Scut t earn several f these. See the Handbk fr details. What can yu d t help yur sn take full advantage f the By Scut Advancement methd? Make sure yur sn attends Trp meetings, camputs, activities and summer camp! Offer encuragement and supprt. Knw what yur sn needs fr his next rank. Be active in scuting with him, and strngly encurage him t attend as many Scut activities as pssible, because nly active Scuts advance. Scuts shuld als maintain a ntebk t keep track f their achievements. A three ring binder wrks best, with sectins fr nte taking, hlding merit badge and rank advancement cards, patches frm treks, a lg f all f their Scuting activities, newsletters, calendar, and ther related infrmatin. Encurage yur Scut t keep a Scuting diary they ll find this very rewarding. Merit Badge Prcedure: 1. Get a Blue Card frm the Scutmaster, fill it ut fr the specific badge, and have the SM sign it. The SM will als assist the scut in btaining the name and cntact infrmatin f a Merit Badge Cunselr fr the badge he has chsen t wrk n. 2. Find and meet with a cunselr befre wrking n the badge (This is the by s respnsibility t set up; NOT the parents ). Obtain the merit badge bk frm the Trp Librarian and read it! Wrk with the cunselr t cmplete the requirements fr the badge. 3. Upn cmpletin, have the cunselr sign yur blue card. He r she will keep ne prtin. Return the remaining tw sectins t the SM. Yu will get yur badge and yur sectin f the blue card at the next Curt f Hnr. Keeping Infrmed - Hw t Cmmunicate With the Trp Annuncements f pending activities are always made at Trp meetings. Scuts shuld take ntes in their ntebks that they shuld bring t each meeting (alng with their Handbk). If yu dn t attend the meetings with yur Scut, make sure t ask them abut upcming activities and help them t schedule thse int yur family calendar. The Trp Calendar is anther imprtant resurce fr parents and Scuts. It is crafted by the PLC and includes meetings, activities, utings and anything else we are planning t d during the year. Hwever, changes arise as the year prgresses, s check the web site ften fr updates! 5

6 Finally, there is the Trp website lcated at The website cntains a variety f useful infrmatin including the trp calendar, nline uting registratin, phts, useful scuting links and varius frms mst imprtantly, permissin frms fr upcming utings. Permissin slips are required fr all the Trp activities. The trp als maintains a trp distributin list which is a KEY frm f cmmunicatin f all types within the trp. All families shuld enrll at least ne address. Fees, Fundraisers, Dnatins and Finances Annual Fees We cllect registratin fees annually and activity/camput fees, if required, at a designated time prir t the activity/camput. Scuts are encuraged t earn the fees by wrking, participating in Trp fundraisers, and/r perfrming chres at hme. Thse wh need t handle fees by a payment schedule may discuss arrangements with the Cmmittee Chairman and pay ver several mnths. The current annual registratin fee fr a Scut is $55.00, which includes earned rank insignia and merit badges, sme ther recgnitins, BSA registratin, and By s Life magazine. Additinal fees that are cllected during the year depend upn what yur Scut participates in and may include apprximately $350 fr summer camp and varius fees fr ther events. Adult fees are $15 fr the year and include BSA registratin and Scuting magazine. Adults participating in activities/camputs/summer camp may have fees assciated with these events as well. Camput Fd/Activity Fees The Trp cllects an uting fee in advance, facilitated thrugh the nline uting registratin and generally using scut accunt debit, frm each scut t ffset any campgrund site csts, reservatin fees, travel csts and fd expense. The uting fee is nn-refundable in rder t gain the scuts cmmitment fr participatin, and s the Trp can arrange adequate transprtatin fr the activity. Sme activities, such as whitewater rafting r skiing, will have additinal csts. The average cst fr fd is budgeted as $3 fr breakfast, $3 fr lunch and $4 fr dinner per scut per day. Each patrl plans their wn menus fr the weekend and appints a grubmaster t d the necessary shpping fr fd and supplies. Fd expense will be reimbursed t the grub master up t the budgeted amunt. Fundraisers The Trp participates in tw main fundraisers per year with additinal fundraisers whenever we can get smene t crdinate ne. The Trp sells ppcrn in the fall as part f the district wide fundraiser fr By Scuts. This is part f a natinal fundraising prgram similar t Girl Scut ckies. A prtin f the mney earned by sales f ppcrn is directed back t the Scut. The mney that cmes back t the Scut is depsited int the Scut s Scut Accunt and these funds are available t fund any scut related activity. Our secnd large fundraiser is participatin in an annual Christmas tree pickup and recycling prject usually the first Saturday after New Year s. Thrugh all f these fundraisers, it is pssible fr Scuts t be cmpletely self-funded fr their Scuting activities! As a parent, yu can help yur Scut by supprting their fundraisers at yur place f emplyment. Finally, Natinal BSA ffers a charitable means f supprting Scuting thrugh the Friends f Scuting prgram. Yu can dnate cash, in-kind gifts, r prperty t Scuting. Yu can als help 6

7 Scuting thrugh direct designatin via yur emplyer spnsred United Way r Cmbined Federal Campaign prgram (designate #6122). Dnatins The Trp accepts dnatins f equipment, unifrms, mney and especially time. Camping equipment is tugh t maintain and many items are cnsumables that need t be stcked regularly. Instead f bmbarding families with fundraisers, we ask that parents cnsider the Trp when updating camping/kitchen equipment at hme r befre hlding that garage sale. Chances are gd the Trp needs smething yu dn t want anymre s please check with us ften! Equipment needs refurbishing and repair regularly as well. Parents and Scuts are expected t vlunteer time t help with their upkeep. Equipment There is n need t rush ut and fully equip yur sn. Starting with a minimum f gear allws him time t determine the extent f his cmmitment t scuting and t learn fr himself frm his patrl what equipment is mst suitable fr lightweight, lw-impact camping. Please seek the advice f the Scutmaster r ne f the ASMs abut majr purchases. In additin, the Hiking and Camping sectins f the Scut Handbk cntain guidance n clthing and equipment fr a weekend camp. Trp 465 des nt allw glass cntainers, nn-flding (sheath) knives, candles, butane lighters, radis/walkmans/ipds, r electrnic games at Trp events. Getting Invlved YOU are the single mst imprtant factr that will determine hw successful yur sn will be in scuting! If yu want yur sn t reap the benefits scuting ffers, yu need t jin scuting with yur sn, either as a unifrmed leader r as an active member f the Trp cmmittee. Scuts whse parents were actively invlved attended mre than twice the number f activities and attained mre than twice the rank f Scuts with less-invlved parents (and 90% f ur Eagle Scuts have cme frm the 40% f ur parents wh have been mst active). Fr these reasns, parent invlvement is strngly encuraged with enrllment (see Parent Jbs later). Being an invlved parent takes time and effrt, but it's als rewarding and FUN! One f the reasns ur Trp is s successful is because f the dedicatin f s many f ur parents. There is smething t d that matches the talents f anyne, and yur invlvement is vital t yur sn as well as t ur ther Scuts. Current BSA plicy requires all adults wh have cntact with the Scuts t register with the BSA and cmplete Yuth Prtectin Training (available nline at That is why we encurage all parents t be registered. The fee fr parents is $15 fr the year. Additinal training t clarify jb respnsibilities is available lcally several times a year and thrughut the year within the Cuncil. Parent Jbs: By nw, yu ve caught a glimpse f the ways yu can help ut. With the natural turnver f bys as they prgress thrugh the prgram, the Trp is always in need f fresh adult leadership t replace the lss f experienced leaders. N assistance will be turned dwn! The Trp Cmmittee and Assistant Scutmasters are the tw primary ways f helping ut within the Trp and t experience scuting with yur sns. The Cmmittee meets nce a mnth n the first Mnday f the mnth at Century 21 Select in the Twn Center starting at 7pm. See the lists belw fr psitins. Sme members wear several hats and the Cmmittee can always use mre 7

8 help. We als welcme parents wh wuld like t take leadership fr a specific activity, fr example, crdinating Ppcrn sales, rganizing a camping trip, leading a hike, r helping with transprtatin t an uting. It takes the active invlvement f every family t make ur Trp successful. And there is a jb t suit yur special talents and yur available time. It's challenging, it's fun, and yur sn will reap the rewards f yur invlvement. Thanks n behalf f all ur Scuts. Scutmaster Assistant Scutmaster Bard f Review Member Camput Leader Activity Leader Summer Camp Leader Merit Badge Cunselr Cmmittee Chairman Treasurer Camping Cmmittee Advancement Directr Secretary Equipment Cmmittee Chartered Representative Cmmittee Members Fundraising Crdinatrs Adult Training Dn t feel that yu can t participate because yu dn t knw hw Scuting wrks r yu weren t a Scut yurself. There are numerus training pprtunities ffered either free r at nminal cst by the Cuncil, t give yu the skills yu need. Yuth Prtectin Training (YPT): Available nline ( as a self tutrial curse r as a sixty-minute vide curse that cvers hw t spt such things as child abuse and hw t reprt it within the BSA rganizatin. At least ne leader wh is listed n a trek tur permit must have this training. YPT training is required fr every registered adult in Scuting and is gd fr tw years. This is Scuting: This is Scuting is the initial training fr adult leaders. In this apprximately 30- minute nline curse (als available at leaders learn abut the bjectives f the Scuting prgram and the methds that are used t achieve these bjectives. Leaders als gain a basic understanding f yuth develpment, as well as hw Scuting is rganized and financed, plicies related t the prgram, and resurces t help leaders succeed. A Scut leader needs t cmplete This is Scuting nly nce. Fast Start By Scuting: Available nline at and designed t give all new leaders are in By Scuting the immediate infrmatin that will help them get started. Prper training lays the grundwrk fr success in their leadership rles. This training will help new leaders understand what is expected and establish effective meeting patterns s that the bys and their families can enjy a quality prgram frm the start. Scutmaster and Assistant Scutmaster Leader Specific Training: This training has three sessins designed t prvide leaders with a gd wrking knwledge f Trp peratins. The three sessins are: Rle f the Scutmaster in a By-Led Trp; The Outdr Prgram and the 8

9 Advancement Prgram; and Prgram Planning and Trp Administratin. The curse may be held in ne sessin r brken int three 3- hur sessins. Intr t Outdr Leader Skills: Teaches basic utdr skills and safety issues t adults. This is a weekend camping experience. Cmpletin f all f the abve curses allws an adult leader t wear the Trained patch n the left sleeve f their unifrm. Trp Cmmittee Challenge: Available nline at and designed t give trp cmmittee members an verview f their rle in supprting the trp. High Adventure Training (HAT): Three separate curses that teach the skills and prvides resurces necessary fr adults t lead a backpacking uting, snw camping adventure, r a paddle sprt trip. Each curse cnsists f an evening sessin, a day lng Saturday sessin and a weekend sessin. First Aid/CPR: Many f ur activities require that at least ne adult be trained with a Red Crss apprved first aid and CPR prgram. has a wealth f infrmatin that is useful fr parents and leaders alike. We invite yu t explre this site frequently. Trp 465 Gals Scuting in Trp 465 means fun and challenges fr yur sn and fr yu. Scuting is a GAME with a PURPOSE: t develp future leaders f strng character, gd citizenship, and persnal fitness. Scuting's eight methds make it unique: Scuting Ideals (Law, Prmise, Mtt, Slgan) Patrl System Advancement Adult Rle Mdels Outdr Prgram Leadership Develpment Persnal Grwth Scut Unifrm Scuts tent and eat with ther Scuts in a patrl, led by an elected by patrl leader. Adults tent and eat nearby in a special adult patrl. By leaders plan, execute, and evaluate the Trp prgram, guided by ur BSA-trained adult leaders. Standards f Membership We expect each f ur Scuts t be active, t advance regularly, t wear full Scut unifrm, t practice gd manners and behavir, and t d his best t live by the Ideals f scuting as expressed in the Scut Prmise and Law. The key t successful scuting is the camping and utdr prgram, and nly active Scuts can reap its full benefits. We expect ur Scuts t attend vernight camputs year rund, and t make every effrt t attend ur vital week at summer camp. We als expect parents t be actively invlved with their sn in scuting, since Scuts with invlved parents reap the greatest benefits frm scuting. By Leadership In Cub Scuts and Webels, adults prvide all the planning and leadership. On the ther hand, bys prvide the planning and leadership fr gd By Scut Trps and patrls (with adult guidance). 9

10 This takes sme getting used t, especially when we adults think we can run things mre efficiently than the bys can. But remember, it takes practice t learn anything, including leadership. Yur sn will elect his patrl and Trp fficers, and later, he will hld sme f these ffices himself (leadership is a requirement fr advancement beynd First Class). Many thanks t Trp 454, El Drad Hills, CA fr the bulk f this handbk. 10