TROOP 82

INFORMATION GUIDE

OCTOBER 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. General Information
3. Troop History
4. Membership
5. Standards of Behavior
6. Troop Meetings
7. Scout Uniform
8. Annual Expenses
9. Fundraising
10. Scout Account
11. Long Term
12. Summer Camp
13. Youth Leadership
14. Troop Leadership Training
15. Troop Elections
16. Court of Honors
17. Personal Equipment
18. Special Recognition’s
19. Troop Adult Leadership

INTRODUCTION

This booklet is to help you understand Troop 82 and what makes Troop 82 an exciting Boy Scouting experience for all boys between the ages of 11 and 18. This booklet also gives you a general idea of the Troop guidelines. However, the first source of information and guidance should come from the Boy Scout Handbook. If you still have questions, our Scoutmaster will be glad to answer them.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Troop 82 and its leadership provides an atmosphere where boys can learn skills that will be used by them the rest of their lives. The troop endeavors to develop a boy in all areas of leadership, moral strength, citizenship, and physical/mental fitness. The methodologies used for this development are the ideals defined by the Boy Scouts of America program. Those methods are: following the standards outlined in the Scout Oath, Scout Laws, Scout Motto and Scout Slogan; providing leadership by using the Patrol method of Scouting; encouraging citizenship through service projects; and providing a well-rounded outdoor program and advancement program to provide physical and mental fitness. Most of all, the troop wants the Scouts to have fun.

TROOP HISTORY

Troop 82 was originally chartered on May 24, 1930 and has been continuously sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church.

MEMBERSHIP (Top)

Any interested boy between the ages of 11 and 18 (or 10 1/2 and completing the fifth grade or the requirements of the Arrow of Light) is eligible to join Troop 82. The troop encourages any boy, even though they might not have been a Cub Scout or they did not join at the age of 11, to be a part of Troop 82. The troop encourages all boys to join and enjoy the great activities and outings that Boy Scouts have to offer.

For a scout to enjoy the full benefits of what Troop 82 has to offer, he must be active. The Troop encourages the boy to attend all troop meetings and Patrol or Troop outings. We realize there are many other activities that the boy participates in that are in conflict with Troop activities. For a boy to be considered a "Active Scout" he must attend more than 50% of the Troop Meetings in a six-month period and four (4) Troop Outings during the course of the year. If a boy is registered and has become inactive, he is still eligible and encouraged to attend all meeting and outings.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

The Scout Oath and Law are the principles by which all Scouts will conduct themselves during all Troop functions. The leaders will deal with all needs for discipline. The Scout is required to obey the rules and show the utmost respect for the leadership. If a Scout becomes too much of a discipline problem or is too disruptive, parents will be called and asked to come and pick up their son. This is true for troop meetings as well as outings -- no matter where they are being held. The parent and Scout are required to give their full cooperation regarding this matter. If discipline problems persist, the Scout may be asked to leave the Troop. The Troop does not want any boy to miss out on the things that Scouting has to offer, but it is not fair to the other Scouts if one person disrupts the activities.

Drugs, gambling, theft, tobacco and alcoholic beverages are against all Scouting precepts and can be cause for dismissal and immediate parental notification.

The Outdoor Code will be used as the guideline as to the conduct of any Scout in the outdoors.

TROOP MEETINGS

Troop Meetings are held at the First Presbyterian Church, 531 South College Avenue, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on Monday nights. The Troop meets in the downstairs Fellowship Hall in the Education Wing of the Church. Troop Meetings are every Monday year-round with the following exceptions: The Monday night following a Summer Camp; the Monday night following a Long Term Adventure Outing; and any Monday night that the Poudre R-1 School District has a vacation day for the schools and the last two Mondays of December. Scouts are expected to be on time.

Troop 82 is "Boy Run Troop." The Youth provide the planning and leadership for all meetings. The Troop meeting planning is accomplished at the monthly Patrol Leaders' Council meeting. Troop meetings are set up to give as much time as possible for each Patrol to focus on the activities for that meeting.

SCOUT UNIFORM (Top)

Troop 82 requires all members to wear a full "Class A" official BSA uniform to all meetings with the exception note below. The full "Class A" official BSA uniform consists of the following official BSA uniform components: Scout shirt (short or long sleeves), Scout pants or Scout shorts (the youth may wear other well-kept, clean pants if they have been in the troop less than a year), Scout belt/buckle, and Troop 82 Neckerchief (the Troop neckerchief is awarded at the scout's Tenderfoot Ceremony). The uniform components may be purchased at the Longs Peak Council Office (Greeley) or through Troop 82's Purchasing Committee. Troop 82 does have a uniform exchange. The Scout may find uniform components in the uniform exchange. The uniforms for the exchange are kept in the Troop Room. It would be greatly appreciated that as a Scout grows out of his uniform, it is contributed to the exchange.

The Scout is also required to wear the proper insignia in the proper location on the uniform (for the proper location of all insignia, please see the inside cover of the Boy Scout Handbook). The following are required items on the uniform: red shoulder loops (epaulets); Long's Peak Council shoulder patch; Troop 82 numerals; year bar; patrol patch; and World Crest. The Troop will furnish one set of the aforementioned insignia or badges. If the Scout needs more of the aforementioned insignia or badges (for a second uniform or has lost them), they may be purchased from the Troop.

The full "Class A" uniform is required at all Courts of Honor. If the Scout does not wear the full "Class A" uniform, the Scout will not be allowed to receive any of his awards in front of those attending. The Scout will receive his awards at the next regular Scout meeting.

Troop 82 has a Troop T-shirt. This T-shirt is given to a new scout the first summer that the youth joins. The Troop 82 T-shirt or any Scout theme T-shirt, may be worn instead of a "Class A" uniform at troop meetings from the last school day of the school year to the first school day of the new school year.

The Scout is required to wear a Scout T-shirt with Troop 82 clearly marked on the shirt or a scout theme T-shirt to all troop outings unless a uniform is required.

ANNUAL EXPENSES

The Troop 82 dues are $46.00 per year. The Troop 82 financial year runs from January 1 through December 31. Dues for the new year are due by December 1 of the current year. New Scout dues are pro-rated at the time of his joining. The dues structure includes the paying of the National Registration, Boys Life subscription and the troop fee. The Troop Fees are used for advancement badges, program materials, Troop Insurance and Troop Equipment. Dues can be paid out of the Scout Account (see Scouts Troop Account for more information).

Camp-out and other outing expenses are based on the needs of the individual outing. Some of the possible outings are: Local (with in 100 miles) and Weekend Campout (two day/two night camp outs) $15.00; District Camporees $20.00; District Klondike $25.00; Fort Robinson $30.00; and Lock-in $5.00.

The fee for the Weekend Camps is due at the time the scouts depart for the Campout. The fee needs to be cash only. or can be paid for with point money if prior arrangements have been made. A patrol parent prior to the camp-out buys the food for the weekend campouts and we would like to reimburse the individual at the time of departure. There are other expenses that need to be paid during the campout, and cash is needed.

Summer Camp expenses can vary from year to year. Troop 82 changes where they attend Summer Camp every year to give the scout a greater variety. Some of the Camps that the Troop have attended are: Ben Delatour Scout Ranch; Laramie Peak Camp; Tip-Top Summer Camp; and Medicine Mountain Camp. The cost for these camps will change and during the planning of the year's Summer Camp an exact fee will be stated. These stated fees are for your use in planning yearly expenses. Troop 82 has scholarships for any boy wanting to go to Summer Camp. The approval of a Scout for a scholarship is by the Scoutmaster.

Long Term expenses can vary from year to year. Some of the Long Terms that the troop has done in the past are: Canoe Trip $140; High Adventure at Ben Delatour Scout Ranch $120; South Dakota $110, Alaska $800, Florida Sea Base $1,000, and Boundry Waters $600.

FUNDRAISING (Top)

Boy Scouting can be expensive if a boy is active. We believe the benefits of Scouting more than outweigh the expenses. Troop 82 provides fundraising projects or dinners to help the Scout earn his own way. The fundraiser not only provides a way to help the Scout to earn his own way, but provides a way for the Scout to set goals and work to achieve them.

Troop 82 has a Chili Supper fund raiser each February. The scouts are expected to sell tickets to this supper. The Scout and his parents are also expected to work at the supper.

The funds from this supper are then divided among the boys that sold tickets and/or worked the dinner. The money from the ticket sales, after expenses and 10% of the total gross sales, is divided among the Scouts by the point system formula (see formula above). A scout must sell a minimum of 20 tickets to the supper to qualify for work credit. The 10% of gross sales goes to the troop account for troop expenditures.

Money earned by the boys goes into their scout account in the Troop Treasury. The uses of these funds are discussed under the Scout Account section.

The troop also participates in the Trails End popcorn sales and other fund raising projects. Previous fund raisers have included Gold C, candy bars, pizza coupons, cookie dough and poinsettia certificates. The money from these sales goes directly into the Scout's Account.

SCOUT ACCOUNT

The Troop has fundraisers to help the scout defray the cost of activities. The funds from these events go into the Scout’s Account. The Troop Treasurer maintains the Scout Account in the Troop Ledger.

The scout may withdraw funds from his account to pay for Scout dues, Scout clothing, Troop or Patrol outing costs (including campouts, Long Term and summer camp), for Eagle project/ceremony and Scout related equipment (limit to tents, back-packs, sleeping bags, hiking boots and back-packing stoves only). The Scoutmaster must approve all equipment purchases before the purchase is made.

The scout may only draw from his account if the scout is an "Active Scout" (see Membership section). For any scout that has turned 18 years old or quits the troop, his funds are returned to the Troop General Fund. If a scout is delinquent in paying for any scouting expense, it can be automatically taken from his account at the discretion of the Treasurer.

LONG TERM (Top)

Once a year the troop has a high adventure week. This week is planned at the Youth Leadership Training Weekend two years before the week occurs. The Youth Leadership comes up with three Long Terms that they would like to do. Their choices are presented at the January Court of Honor, where the parents vote on the one they will support. One family vote per scout.

SUMMER CAMP

Once a year the troop takes part in a Summer Camp. The Troop tries to give a variety when choosing a place to go. Typically we utilize the excellent Longs Peak Council Camps and other Council Camps. Every four years the Troop will put on its own Summer Camp at Tip-Top Ranch. The Troop 82 Summer Camp is totally staffed by the parent volunteers of the Troop.

Troop 82 believes that summer camp is a major part of the scouting experience and encourages all youth to attend.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

In Boy Scouts, the boys provide the leadership and planning for the meetings and outings. Adult leadership gives guidance and provides resources. This method of organization provides a growth opportunity for the boys in leadership. The scout is required for their Star Scout and above rank advancements to hold a leadership position in the Troop.

The Youth Leadership of Troop 82 is as follows: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Librarian, Quartermaster, Historian, Instructor, Guide, Bugler and Chaplain Aide. The job descriptions for each Youth Leadership position are found in the Leadership Guide Training Manual; a copy is in the troop library.

The Patrol Leadership Council (P.L.C.) consists of the Senior Patrol Leader, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, and Scribe. The P.L.C. is responsible for the planning the meetings and outings. The planning of the activities is accomplished at the monthly P.L.C. Meeting and all members of the P.L.C. are required to attend.

The entire Youth Leadership of the Troop at the annual Troop Youth Leadership Training plans the yearly calendar. The planning includes the Long Term, weekend outings, special Troop meetings, Summer Camp and day activities.

TROOP YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (Top)

The Troop provides a weekend of training for the Youth Leadership once a year in the fall. All Youth Leadership elected and appointed are required to attend. At the weekend training, the Youth Leadership will evaluate the last years' activities and Troop Meetings, set goals for the new year, receive training for the new positions of responsibility and plan the next years' calendar.

TROOP ELECTIONS

Troop elections are held at the first Troop meetings in October and April. All of the Youth Leadership positions are elected or appointed for six months. The Senior Patrol Leader can only serve in that position for one term. Active scouts that are at least Life rank and 15 years old are eligible to serve as Senior Patrol Leader or an Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders. The other leadership positions do not have a restriction for service in the position.

The Scoutmaster can make exceptions to the eligibility requirements for each position prior to each election. The Scoutmaster has the right to exclude any scout for an elected or appointed position based on his knowledge of the scout’s ability to function in that leadership position.

COURT OF HONOR

A Court of Honor is the Troop opportunity to formally recognize the scout for his accomplishment and rank advancement in front of his peers and family. Troop 82 conducts three Courts of Honor a year (Winter, Spring and autumn).

The full "Class A" uniform, including merit badge sash, is required at all Courts of Honor. If the Scout does not wear the full “Class A" uniform, The Scout will not be allowed to receive any of his awards in front of those attending. The Scout will receive his awards at the next regular Scout meeting.

The Spring Court of Honor is different from the other two Courts of Honor. At the Spring Court of Honor the Troop also has a potluck. The families are asked to bring a main course (enough to feed your family plus two more) and the families with the last name beginning A-H bring a salad and the families with the last name beginning I-Z bring a dessert. The families also need to bring their own plates, cups and utensils. The Troop provides the drinks. The Spring Court of Honor begins at 6:00 PM. This provides us a great time to get to meet the newer scout families and welcome them to the Troop.

At other Courts of Honor we ask families to bring two dozen cookies for a fellowship time after the Court of Honor. The Troop will furnish drinks. The other Courts of Honor begin at 7:00 PM.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (Top)

Troop 82 does not allow candles, butane lighters, non-folding knives, radios/walkman or computer games on campouts. The walkman and computer games can be in the vehicles on long trips, only at the approval of the driver.

Weekend campouts

• Pack & frame or duffel bag
• Clothing for the season
• Warm weather cold weather
• 2 pair socks 2 pair wool socks
• 2 underwear long-sleeve shirt
• T-shirt(scout theme) wool shirt
• Long pants long pants (wool) no cotton
• Shorts wool sweater
• Warm jacket or sweat shirt long underwear (wool preferably)
• Hat 2 underwear
• Rain gear wool stocking cap
• Insulated parka or heavy coat with hood
• Mittens
• Insulated boot(packs) with removable liners
• Gaiters
• Sleeping bag / sleeping bag with polar fleece liner for cold weather
• Sleeping pad
• Tent (the troop does not have tents for the scouts)
• Flashlight
• Personal gear
• Chap stick toothpaste toothbrush
• Sunscreen comb hand towel
• Soap, toilet paper, plastic hiker's trowel
• Pocketknife first aid kit matches
• Water bottle
• Personal extras
• Camera and film
• Notebook and pencil
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
  

The source for the above checklist is the Boy Scout Handbook. If you have any questions or need more information, refer to the Handbook.

See the attachments for more detail list and explanation of the equipment.

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

Troop 82 recognizes the Scout's participation in outings outside of the troop meetings with beads. The beads can be worn on a lanyard as part of the uniform. The color of the bead represents the activity that the scout has participated in. The following is a list of beads and what they represent:

• Red bead Weekend Campout (2 nights)
• Green bead Leadership
• Yellow bead National
• White bead Council or District events
• Purple bead Long Term
• Blue One Night Campout

Troop 82 recognizes adults and scouts that have shown outstanding service and leadership with the awarding of a Yeti bell. The Yeti Bell is used by the Himalayan people to warn any yeti (their version of Bigfoot) of the peoples approach. They wear this bell around their neck with it constantly ringing. Troop 82 adopted the yeti bell in 1981 to signify outstanding scout leader and any scout with Eagle Scout potential.

For youth members to be awarded this bell, they must show leadership ability, scout spirit, have the rank of at least first class and live by the scout law. This award is not guaranteed to every boy who makes the Eagle rank, but is given only to those who pass the above requirements.

For an adult leader to be awarded this bell, they must show outstanding leadership, show scouting spirit and portray selfless services to the Troop.

In the years since the Yeti Bell was introduced to Troop 82, it has become one of the most honored awards available in the troop.

TROOP ADULT LEADERSHIP (Top)

Your son will receive the greatest experience in scouting only by your support. We ask all parents to participate in the Troop in some way. We have the following adult positions of service: Troop Committee, Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselors and provide transportation to and from outings (this includes your participation in the outing). Your service is also required to help at all funds raiser dinners.

The Troop Committee has the following committees: Quartermaster, Fund Raising, Newsletter, Advancement, Purchasing, Recruitment and Outdoor. The responsibilities and description of these committees are found in the Guide for Troop Committees, published by B.S.A. (a copy is in the Troop library). The Troop Committee meets once a month on the second Tuesday at 7:00 PM. All parents are encouraged to attend.

Merit badge counselors are an important part of the scout advancement. If you can help the troop or District as a counselor in the field in which you may be qualified, in your profession or hobby, it would be rewarding for you and the scouts you can help.