IS PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?

You will only get as much out of scouting as you put into scouting.  By not participating you will not be able to benefit from the fun and excitement of scouting.

 

WHAT IF THERE ARE CONFLICTING ACTIVITIES?

We understand that there are many activities that out scouts participate in during the course of their youth.  We do not want to discourage Scouts from being active in church, school, and extra curricular activities.  However, if a scout misses meetings and troop activities, it will be difficult to maintain steady advancement progress.  In addition, there are some outings and activities that may require attendance at meetings to be prepared for the activity.

 

WHAT IF MY SON CANNOT ATTEND AN ACTIVITY OR A MEETING?

To help teach responsibility, please remind your son that it is his responsibility to contact his patrol leader.  The scout should let the patrol leader know that the scout will not be attending a meeting or an outing, and to find out what he will miss.

 WHAT IF MY SCOUT HAS NOT FINISHED HIS HOMEWORK?

The troop understands and supports the importance of school, and that education takes priority.  This is a good learning opportunity for the scout: try to work with your son to teach him the importance of scheduling his time.  As well, please be sure that the scout contacts his patrol leader.

 WHAT IF MY SON IS A PATROL OR TROOP LEADER?

By accepting a position of patrol or troop leadership, your scout has made a commitment to provide leadership to his fellow scouts.  By undertaking a leadership position, it is essential that he attend the overwhelming majority of troop activities and meetings.  If he misses an activity, he is letting down the scouts that are looking to him for leadership.  If he finds he cannot complete his leadership assignment due to outside time commitment, he should contact the Scoutmaster immediately. 

DOES BSA STAND FOR “BABYSITTERS OF AMERICA”?

There is sometimes the misunderstanding that scouting is a program where you drop your son off, and then show up 90 minutes later.  For scouting to be a successful program, we need the support of parents.

 WHAT ABOUT BOY RUN?  DOES THAT MEAN YOU DO NOT NEED MY HELP?

Scouting is a boy-run program.  However, we as adults need to be there to support and guide our sons.  Without parental support, scouting will not be there!

 WHAT ARE MY BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES TO MY SONS?

Your most important role is to support your son.  You can support him and ensure that he has a rewarding scouting career if you do the following:

v     Read your Scout's handbook and understand the purpose and methods of Scouting

v     Safely store all advancement certificates and cards.  Many parents use plastic baseball card collection sheets.

v     Demonstrate support for your son by attending all Troop Courts of Honor

v     Read all troop newsletters

v     Encourage your son to fully participate in all the troop programs and activities

v     Help your son learn to prioritize and plan his time so that he can participate in scouting activities.

v     Maintain open communication with the scoutmaster and the assistant scoutmasters, especially if there are problems or concerns.

v     Be sure that your son has timely transportation home after all troop activities

v     Meet and become familiar with the troop adult and boy leaders.

v     Notify the troop leadership if there is a change in address, phone number, or e-mails.

 WHAT ARE MY MINIMUM RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE TROOP?

Citizenship is one of the aims of scouting.  Citizenship includes helping others in your community.  Parents can model this behavior for their sons by helping the troop.  Basic ways to help the troop would include:

v     Assist in the Troop fund-raiser and other similar activities.

v     Drive to or from a campout at least twice a year., and serve as an adult chaperone.

v     Provide transportation to or from Summer Camp.

v     Serving on one of the activity sub-committees once a year.

 WHAT ARE SOME ADDITIONAL WAYS THAT I CAN HELP THE TROOP?

The more you put into scouting, the more your son will get out of scouting.  Here are some additional ways that your family can support your son by helping the troop:

v     Registering as a Merit Badge counselor

v     Participate on a campout as an adult chaperone at least once a year.

v     Participate on a Board of Review

v     Registering as a committee member or an Assistant Scoutmaster

 I KNOW THAT SUPPORTING THE TROOP IS “GOOD” – BUT IS IT FUN?

Scouting is not only fun for the boys; it can also be fun for the adults as well!  Our parents are a great group of individuals, united by a common concern for our sons.  You can also have the joy of watching your son grow into a mature young man.

WHY ARE WE CONCERNED WITH CHARACTER?

Developing strong moral character is one of the aims of the Boy Scouts of America.   We hope that our sons grow to be good fathers,  good husbands, and effective leaders.  This requires that our sons develop critical thinking and the ability to make sound judgments and ethical decisions. 

 

WHAT IS THE BASIC “CODE OF CONDUCT” FOR THE TROOP?

All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the unit.

 

IS THERE A SPECIFIC LISTING FOR ALL POSSIBLE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS?

To serve as effective role models, the adults in Troop 228 will try to exercise these characteristics and not hide behind a long list of inflexible rules.  Comprehensive by-laws, codes of conduct, and behavior consequence plans tend to preclude the application of common sense, fairness, and justice. 

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SCOUT MISBEHAVES?

When a Scout does not follow the Scout Oath or the Scout Law, the Scoutmaster (or his designee) will evaluate the situation, consider the circumstances, and then use his best judgment to make a decision that is fair and just. 

 

WHAT IF THE SCOUT CONTINUES TO BREAK THE SCOUT OATH OR LAW?

If a scout continues to violate the Scout Oath or Law, the scoutmaster will talk with the scout’s parents.  If the unacceptable behavior or attitude continues the scout may be asked to leave the troop.

 

DOES THE TROOP USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT?

Under the BSA youth Protection Guidelines, all Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.

 

WHAT IF I HAVE CONCERNS ON BEHAVIORAL ISSUES?

Any concerns should first be brought to the scoutmaster.  If concerns are not solved on that level, they can be addressed to the Committee Chair.

WHAT IS A GOAL OF TROOP COMMUNICATION?

Our goal is two fold.  One, obviously, is to be sure that important troop information is sent out to our troop family.  The other goal of the communication is to develop leadership and maturity among our scouts.  Patrol leaders should stay in contact with their patrol members, and scouts should be sure to let their patrol leaders know if there are any problems or concerns. 

 However…..it’s also nice to have a backup plan!

HOW IMPORTANT IS E-MAIL TO THE TROOP?

The troop relies heavily on e-mail for its internal communication.  As far as possible, we try to get information out to scouts through e-mail.

HOW MANY E-MAIL ADDRESSES CAN A FAMILY HAVE?

Our database program can hold up to three e-mails per family.  In addition to designating the “primary” e-mail for the family, you can also identify two additional e-mails where we will send out troop information.

HOW DOES THE TROOP PROTECT OUR PRIVACY?

When we mail out a mass e-mail to the entire troop, we use a “recipient withheld” protocol.  As a result, anyone who receives an entire-troop e-mail will not be able to see the e-mail addresses for that mailing.

IS THERE A TROOP WEB PAGE?

The troop hosts a web page as a resource for scouting and troop information.  As part of our educational program, we will be trying to have scouts assist in the ongoing development of the webpage.

IS THERE A PRIVACY POLICY FOR OUR WEBPAGE?

We are concerned with the privacy of our youth and our members.  You can find our privacy policy on our web page.

HOW CAN ITEMS BE PLACED ON THE WEB PAGE?

To ensure that we uphold the standards of scouting, the Committee Chair or the Scoutmaster must approve any item before it is placed on the webpage.

WHAT IS THE BUDGET YEAR FOR THE TROOP?

The “Budget Year” begins in March, and the “Program Year” begins in September. 

 

HOW MUCH ARE THE ANNUAL DUES?

Currently, the annual dues are $50.00 per scout.  This includes BSA Registration, a subscription to Boy’s Life Magazine, as well as all rank patches, and position patches earned during the year.

 

IS THERE A JOINING FEE?

For new scouts, there is a one-time $50.00 joining fee.  This fee covers the troop neckerchief, troop numerals, red shoulder loops, patrol patches, as well as other one-time troop expenses associated with new members.

 

WHEN ARE THESE FEES DUE?

For ongoing scouts, the annual dues are payable in late February/Early March.  For new scouts, the fees are generally due upon registration.

 

WHAT OTHER EXPENSES ARE INVOLVED WITH SCOUTING?

In addition to the annual dues and the joining fee, there may be costs associated with:

·         Campouts

·         Summer Camp Fees

·         Personal camping equipment

·         Scout uniform

·         Scout Handbook

 

WHAT IF A FAMILY HAS SOME FINANCIAL CONCERNS?

No boy should be ever be missing the scouting adventure and experience for financial reasons.  Please contact the Committee Chairman if there is a family who might have some financial concerns.

 

DOES THE TROOP HAVE FUNDRAISERS?

Fundraising is kept to a minimum.  We understand that families today are buffeted by requests and fund raising drives for school, church, sports, and other activities.  As such, we will try to keep fundraising to a minimum. 

 

Currently there is one major fundraiser, the “Mother’s Day Pie Strawberry Pie Sales”.  Due to the importance of this fundraiser in the overall support of the troop, all scouts and scout families will be expected to participate in support of this event.

WHY DOES SCOUTING USE UNIFORMS?

The scout uniform is a major part of Scouting.  It signifies that a boy is a member of one of the largest and most worthwhile youth movements in the world.  At certain scouting events, the full "Class A" uniform is required, and at other times the troop wears only the "Class B" uniform.

 

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE UNIFORM?

Personal appearance reflects troop pride and spirit.  Cleanliness is also part of the uniform.  Troop 228 strives to look sharp at all times

 

WHAT IS “CLASS A” UNIFORM?

The Class A uniform consists of

·         The scout shirt with American flag, troop numerals, council strip, red shoulder loops and the patrol insignia;

·         Troop neckerchief; and,

·         Scout pants, (Scout socks if scout shorts are worn.).

 

WHEN IS THE “CLASS A” UNIFORM WORN?

Class A uniform is required at the following events: regular troop meetings;

·         Boards of Review;

·         Courts of Honor;

·         travel to and from camp outs; and,

·         other activities as determined by the scoutmaster.

 

WHAT IS A CLASS “B” UNIFORM, AND WHEN IS IT WORN?

Class B Uniform consists of a troop T-shirt with scout pants.  This is to be worn during campouts, or other activities designated by the scoutmaster.

 

WHERE CAN I FIND SCOUT UNIFORM PARTS?

Uniforms may be purchased at Sport Chalet, or at the Council Service Center in Van Nuys. 

 

WHAT UNIFORM PARTS WILL THE TROOP PROVIDE?

The troop will provide you with

·         Troop neckerchief & neckerchief slide

·         Troop numerals

·         Red shoulder loops

·         Patrol insignia

·         Troop T-Shirt

With just a few changes, you may continue to wear your tan shirt from Webelos as long as it still fits. If you are still wearing the blue Cub Scout uniform, you will need to replace it with a Boy Scout uniform.

 

You may keep on your uniform:

·         The Western Los Angeles Council patch;

·         Your Arrow of Light patch (however, its position moves to the bottom edge of your left shirt pocket);

·         Service stars, but only one per program. (If you were in Tiger Cubs you may wear a "1-year" star with an orange background and you may wear a single star with a yellow background showing the number of years you were in Cub Scouts)

 

Remove patches and badges from Cub Scouts and Webelos, including:

·         your den number;

·         all of your Cub Scout ranks (Bobcat through Webelos, including arrow points);

·         the Webelos colors where you display your Webelos activity pins;

·         Other pins (e.g., Summertime Pack awards, sports pins, Webelos activity pins, popcorn and Scouting for Food); and,

·         Quality Unit patches;

 

Replace the following, all of which will be initially provided by the troop:

·         your Pack Numerals with Troop Numerals (“228”);

·         your Webelos Patrol Patch with your scout patrol patch; and,

·         the blue shoulder loops with red ones