TROOP 150
PARENTS GUIDE
MEETINGS
 | Start at 7 pm - end at 8:30 pm |
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Announcements are held during the last 5 minutes; parent attendance is suggested, although, we do send the boys home with informational flyers…PLEASE ASK FOR THEM! |
| Parents are expected to attend all Court of Honors whether their son is receiving awards or not. This is to support all the boys in the troop. |
| At each meeting the scout should bring his handbook, paper and a pen. |
DUES
| Dues are $10 per month, payable at the first meeting of each month by check only payable to "Troop 150". This serves as a double check, should a dispute occur. Dues may also be prepaid for the year, or partial portions of the year. 80 dollars constitutes a full years fee. |
| Dues are used to pay for: neckerchiefs, registration, camp use fees, camping gear, supplies, advancement awards, and other expenses. |
| Boys who are grossly behind in dues are prohibited from going camping. |
UNIFORMS
| The troop supplies a neckerchief, the scout is responsible for the remainder of the uniform. |
| The troop committee understands how rapidly boys grow and as such, do not require scout pants, but take pride in their appearance. |
| Each boy is expected to be fully attired for all scouting functions with the following: scout hat, scout shirt, with appropriate insignias, neckerchief, and slide. This is not required generally for camping trips. |
EQUIPMENT
| The troop has 12 tents capable of sleeping 2 boys per tent. If the scout does not own his own tent, one of these will be assigned. |
| Each boy using a troop tent is expected to supply his own 10x10 ground cloth (blue tarp) 4 tent pegs and 24’ of sash cord. |
| Any boy using a troop tent is expected to take it home after a trip and set it up to air dry. Failure to do so will result in a mildew condition, rapidly deteriorating the life expectancy of the tent. The tent should be returned at the next meeting night. |
| Personal equipment needed for each camping trip can be found in the scout book. Additionally, we suggest a thermal mug for hot drinks as the cup in most mess kits is unsuitable for hot drinks. We also suggest engraving their initials on mess kits and utensils. |
| POCKET KNIVES – May only be carried after earning a totim chip card. Once earned, the pocketknife must be carried in a belt pouch containing not only the knife, but also the totem chip card and several Band-Aids. |
CAMPING
| Troop leaves on Friday nights from the church parking lot, usually at or after 5 pm. The exact time is announced at the meeting prior to the camping trip. We generally return around noontime on Sunday. |
| The cost of most trips is $25, payable in CASH ONLY. This covers the cost of food. Each patrol takes turns shopping for the food. As the troop committee understands not every one can front $200 - $300. This is why we request cash to avoid embarrassment. |
| During spring and fall sports seasons, we try to pick local areas to camp in to accommodate the boys’ busy social schedules. The way the boys advance is generally during these camping trips and as such, attendance is highly suggested. |
| Once a year in May the troop takes a special camping trip. The places we’ve been already are Washington, D.C.; Quantico, VA; Gettysburg; Fredericksburg; Cooperstown, NY; and a weekend on the USS Massachusetts. We encourage parents with other special camping locations to suggest them to the troop committee. |
| All parents, M-F, are warmly welcomed on all of our camping trips. Parents who drive other than their son, do not pay the usual $25 fee. Yes, there is always coffee, but we do discourage smoking in front of the boys. |
| The troop utilizes a troop buy for food and patrol cook method. We have found this avoids tremendous waste. An adult cooks for the other adults. |
| Whether a weekend trip or summer camp, please do not send individually wrapped candies, or pure sugar hard candy. This usually results in hyper activity and excessive littering. The troop generally has cookies and other snacks available. You may send healthy snacks with your son. |
DISCIPLINE
| Troop utilizes the time-out method for boys. |
| There is zero tolerance for any disrespect to any adult or to any other scout. |
| A scout who leaves behind any possession at any scout function will be required to sing for the troop. The boy will have the choice of "I’m A Little Teapot" with hand motions or the "Barney" song. The purpose of this is fourfold. Firstly, he’ll be more careful about leaving his belongings around. Secondly, it will help develop a sense of humor about oneself. Thirdly, it initiates him into public speaking. Finally, it makes him a member of an exclusive club which most of the older boys is a member of. |
| A severe situation will require a parent to come immediately and retrieve their child. |
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Please do not use the attending of Scouting functions as a form of punishment. |
CRITICISM
| As this is a boy-run troop, a parent can anticipate all messages not being relayed correctly or in their entirety. As such, any parent should feel free to call any committee member when they have a question. |
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ANY PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE BOYS SHOULD BE BROUGHT IMMEDIATELY TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SCOUT MASTER. WE CANNOT FIX PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE NOT AWARE OF. |
| Any parent who has a problem with a boy who is in a leadership or troop position, i.e., dues dispute, shall not confront the boy. The dispute shall be handled between the scout and the troop scribe. If they cannot be resolved then, the parent may contact the troop treasurer. (Remember, this is a boy-run troop.) |
| Any parent who feels it necessary to criticize, or chastise any of the volunteer adult leaders should join the troop committee and offer their input and support |
The troop committee consists of a scoutmaster, assistants, treasurer, secretary, chairperson, outdoor committee, advancement committee member, publicity committee and fundraising. There is always room for adults who want to be involved with their children. The troop subscribes to the 2 tier adult deep leadership at all events.
