Dear Parents and Scouts

Scouting is one of the largest and oldest organizations around. It is also one that is immediately known and respected by many people throughout the world.

Troop 88 and its leaders believe strongly in the character-building that comes trom following the Scout Oath and Scout Law. We also believe strongly in parents’ participation in all Scouting activities. The youth who get the most out of Scouting are those whose parents are visible and active. Parents enjoy a key role in the success of Scouting. You help motivate your son. provide moral support, and help as you can with troop activities. Your excitement and involvement rubs off on your son.

Scouts get out of Troop 88 what you put into it. Leaders try to keep the "outing" in Scouting by offering plenty of activities of all kinds. We ask our Scouts to lead the troop as much as possible, and that includes work planning and preparing for campouts and weekly meetings. Developing self confidence, self reliance and leadership are key goals of the Scouting program.

We hope this booklet will be useful to you. Please read it together, along with the first pages in the Scout Handbook. If you are a new scout making the exciting transition from Webelos to Scouting it can be confusing at times. Please do not hesitate to ask one of our leaders if you ever have questions, now or any time in the future.

Activities

Troop 88 strives to keep busy with a variety of fun events. Each month our youth leaders meet to plan interesting and fun activities such as:

· A whole week of Summer Camp

· Troop Campouts

· Troop Hikes

· Scouting for Food

· Canoe Trip

· District Camporees, Spring, Fall

Parents Involvement

Without help of all kinds from our parents, Troop 88 would not exist. We hope you will take an active part in encouraging your son. Your role as "cheerleader" is a big reason for your son’s interest and success.

Parents also have a big impact on our Troop Committee, which meets quarterly. The time commitment of a committee member is minimal, but your assistance is invaluable. The committee oversees the troop, helps plan activities, approves our calendar, and forms the Board of Review for each Scout’s rank advancement.

Our troop also needs parents to help counsel merit badges, assist with special events, and drive to activities. Many of our best ideas have come from parents who just spoke up!

Because the Scouts run the troop, "helping" is usually just "watching". Your help makes the difference. National B.S.A. rules require at least two adults at every meeting and activity. EVENTS MUST BE CANCELLED if sufficient leaders are not available.

Meetings

Troop 88 meets every Monday night year round, at New Providence Presbyterian Church, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Once you arrive, Scouts are expected to remain at the meeting unless leaders are told of special situations in advance.

Occasionally a meeting will be held at another place for a special event. Scouts and parents will be told about these special meetings as far in advance as practical. If Maryville City Schools are closed due to snow, we do not meet.

Your (scout) attendance is expected at all troop functions. If you are unable to be at a camping trip, hike, service project, meeting or other announced activity it is your responsibility to notify your Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, or Scoutmaster that you will not be present and why. Patrol Leaders and the Senior Patrol Leader are to notify the Scoutmaster when they will not be present. If you miss 2 or more meetings/activities per month without notifying your leader your advancement may be effected.

All fees for any camping trip must be paid the Troop Meeting just before the trip

Committee and Adult Leadership

Our Troop Committee of parents and leaders, oversees all activities and is the ultimate authority concerning troop operations. As described throughout this booklet, parents’ involvement in the committee is very important.

The committee helps with record keeping, advancement including Board of Reviews, and long range planning. Committee members work with the Scoutmaster and other troop leaders to insure an interesting, successful and safe troop. Parents are welcome to express their views at any time and can register as a committee member for an official vote in troop decisions.

The Scoutmaster is responsible for day-to-day troop operations, and is in charge of all meetings and activities. Assistant Scoutmasters work with the Scoutmaster and our youth leaders, to carry out meeting plans and activities described by National B.S.A. regulations.

Youth Leadership

A major goal of Scouting is developing leadership in our youth. Youth leaders are elected by their peers twice each year to help run our troop.

The highest youth leader is the Senior Patrol Leader, or SPL. The SPL runs the troop activities, with the Scoutmaster’s help, following the plan decided at monthly Patrol Leaders Council meetings.

Our troop is organized into patrols of four to eight scouts, each with an elected Patrol Leader and Assistant. The Patrol Leaders and Assistants have a key role in helping the SPL and adult leaders accomplish the goals of the troop.

Advancement:

Advancement is the way you grow as a Scout, and become eligible for troop leadership positions and other honors. You start as a "Scout" and progress to "Eagle Scout" in the following order: Scout; Tenderfoot; Second Class; First Class; Star; Life; Eagle. The troop leaders are the only ones who can pass you on your requirements. You must have your requirements signed by one of the Troop Leaders (adult or youth). No one else is eligible to sign off your requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class or First Class.

Requirement #1 for the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle state you must be active in your troop. In order to fulfill this requirement you must have attended a majority of the activities during the 6 months immediately preceding your Board of Review for that rank

Advancement and attendance is how you become eligible for troop leadership positions, high adventure camping trips, and honors such as election to the Order of the Arrow.

Merit Badges

Although you start at "Scout" rank, you can progress to First Class rank within one year. Bring your Scout Handbook to every meeting and activity. This is very important so your progress can be promptly recorded.

Once you reach First Class, Merit Badges become the main advancement tool. (You can work on badges earlier if you choose.) There are over 125 merit badges to choose from. Many, like Pets, Athletics, Theater and three Citizenships, you may be working on in school or at home. You can get credit for this work.

You work independently on merit badges that interest you. Leaders help by allowing time to work on some badges during troop meetings. Camping offers many opportunities as well. You must tell the Scoutmaster BEFORE starting work on a badge. This allows leaders to follow up, while you work with a specific, approved counselor who has experience in the subject.

Board of Review

Boards are scheduled August, November, February, and May at 7:00 pm. The Board of Review is made up of at least three adult members of our Troop Committee. The Board will check to make sure your Scout Handbook and other records are up to date. They will also ask you what you learned while working on the badge or rank, and what you think about our troop in general. This sounds scary, but it really isn’t. Many of the people on the Board of Review are the same ones you see each week. They all want to see you succeed and grow with our troop.

Courts of Honor

The accomplishments of our Scouts and leaders are formally recognized at Courts of Honor, held four times per year. Most are held on Mondays in place of a regular troop meeting. Parents’ attendance at our Courts of Honor is an important and very easy way to demonstrate an interest in your son’s Scouting progress.

Uniforms

There are a few things that Scouts need right away to begin the Scouting trail: a Boy Scout Uniform and a Scout Handbook. Your uniform is the place to wear all the awards you will soon be earning; your handbook tracks your progress from your first meeting.

Troop 88’s uniform consists of a Scout uniform shirt with proper insignia, Scout pants or shorts, Scout webbed belt and Scout baseball cap. (Please see "3 types of Uniforms" below) Shirts and caps should be purchased as soon as possible, because they are worn to every troop activity and when traveling. Periodic uniform inspections help encourage pride. Uniforms can be purchased at the Scout Office in Knoxville, or by mail from the B.S.A. Outgrown uniforms may be available from other parents, and are often found at garage sales. Troop 88 also tries to maintain an Uniform Exchange. When your scout out grows his uniform you may, after removing all badges except the council patch and Troop numerals on the left sleeve and the U.S. Flag on the right sleve, donate it to the Troop’s Uniform exchange. Scouts may look through the uniform exchange to replace outgrown uniform parts.

Three types of uniform:

1. Dress or “Class A”: Complete uniform including the tan scout shirt, green uniform pants (or olive green dress slacks) or tan dress slacks, Scout belt (either the web belt or a leather scout belt with scout belt buckle), dress shoes either black or brown, dark solid color socks, white troop neckerchief, and troop beads. (If appropriate scout shorts or other olive green shorts similar to the scout shorts may be worn, remember you are after a “smart” looking appearance.) No other colors allowed with the "Class A" uniform

2. “Field Uniform” or “Class B” consisting of tan scout shirt, jeans or scout shorts, scout belt (see above), green troop neckerchief, and beads.

3. “Activity Uniform” or “Class C” consisting of troop t-shirt or other scout activity t-shirt (ie. Camp Buck Toms t-shirt, Philmont t-shirt, etc.) or the red 3 button activity shirt, and jeans or shorts.

The Field Uniform is required wear to all troop meetings. It is also required wear to and from camping trips and activities.

The Activity Uniform is to be worn at camping trips (once we have arrived) and at other designated times.

The Dress Uniform is to be worn to all Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, Scout Sunday, whenever we will be appearing in public, and at other times when a “dress” appearance is needed.

Dues and Fees

Our Troop Committee tries to keep the costs of Scouting reasonable, but some costs can not be avoided. A yearly registration fee registers your son, pays for Boys Life magazine and supplementary accident insurance.

Troop dues are collected quarterly, beginning the Monday closest to 1 January of each year. Dues are $12.00 per quarter. If you are more than two quarters behind in your dues by the third Monday in January, you will be dropped from our charter because our annual charter expires on February 28th of each year and we must have all re-registration done and turned in to the Boys Scouts the middle of February. This is very important.

To purchase food a fee of $3.00 per meal will be charged. On some trips there is a land usage fee which is in addition to the cost of food for the trip. This should be paid no later than the Monday before we leave to secure your spot and allow our Quartermaster to purchase food.

If the costs of Scouting present problems please discuss it with a leader in private. Scouts who owe money may not be able to receive advancement or take part in activities until obligations are paid. A Scout is Thrifty. There is money available through the Graham McArthur Fund to help boys who cannot afford all the expense of Scouting.

Camping Equipment

Camping is a key part of a Scout troop, and some simple equipment is needed to be comfortable and enjoy the experience. A sleeping bag, plate and eating utensils, rain gear and a flashlight is needed for the first campout. The troop has a limited number of backpacks which may be checked out, on a per trip basis, until you can purchase one of your own. Knives may be carried after the Tot ‘n Chip card is earned. Your Scout Handbook is a good source for additional information on what to pack.

Before buying expensive items like sleeping bags, boots and backpacks, we strongly suggest you use suitable family gear or borrow for the first few trips. This lets you see what is needed, what others use, research purchases and take advantage of sales.

Troop 88’s leaders have camped for years, and can suggest money-saving substitutes, or recommend good quality equipment that will survive the rigors of Scout camping.

Group items such as tents, lanterns, stoves, saws and cooking equipment are furnished by Troop 88.

Behavior and Discipline

We will operate on the principles in the Scout Laws at all times. You are expected to obey all reasonable requests of your leaders. REMEMBER - ATTITUDE IS A BIG PART OF SCOUT SPIRIT AND SCOUT SPIRIT IS A BIG PART OF ADVANCEMENT .

Fundraising

One way Troop 88 tries to keep the costs of Scouting reasonable is by promoting fundraisers during the year. Our troop takes part in the annual council popcorn sale each year. We may also organize car washes and other projects when needed.

Medical Form

So that leaders can "Be Prepared" in case medical attention is necessary and parents are unavailable, a medical history is needed from each person prior to participating in troop activities. The B.S.A.’s physical form includes a parental permission box that should be signed.

For long-term activities like Summer Camp, a physical within the last 3 years (36 months) is required by B.S.A. National policy. Information from any physical can be used, but the actual physical results must be attached if the B.S.A. form is not used.

Parents can save money by asking their family doctor to fill out the B.S.A. form at the same time a school or sports physical is done. Free physicals for Summer Camp are usually offered once a year by participating doctors.

Notes and Questions for New and/or Webelo Scouts coming into the troop

Adult leaders want to insure that your sons transition from Webelo to Scout is as successful and confusion-free as we can make it. If you have any questions, at any time, some key telephone numbers are below. Please feel free to call us if you have questions, or comments at any time

Scoutmaster: Charles Wortman Phone 983-7634

Checklist

_____Have complete Scout Uniform ?	_____Have Scout Handbook ?
_____Dues and Registration paid ?	_____Medical and Permission form signed ?
_____Additional questions answered ?	_____Ready to have fun ?

ATTACHMENT 1 TROOP 88 GENERAL CAMPING GUIDE

SCOUTS PLAN THEIR OWN TRIPS:

1. Location

2. Type

3. Meals - including the shopping

4. Duty roster preparation

5. Agenda

REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTENDANCE:

1. Attendance at Troop meetings

2. Scout-like conduct during all functions

3. Permission slip and fees must be submitted in meeting prior to the trip

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Sleeping bag 12. Flashlight

2. Mess kit 13. Whistle

3. Hygiene kit 14. 50 ft. of nylon rope/cord

4. First aid kit/sun protection 15. Extra Clothing

6. Water bottle/canteen 16. Rain gear (poncho or rain suit)

7. Map and compass

8. Matches and fire starter

9. Pocketknife

10. Tent - (or share with a buddy his tent)

11. Proper clothing for season

Please read Chapter 2 of the Boy Scout Handbook (checklists of items on pages 51-54.

SITE RULES:

1. Troop gear and facilities set-up prior to patrol set-up prior to individual set-up

2. Buddy system will be used at all times.

3. Tote-N-Chip rules will be followed at all times

4. The Patrol method will be followed (duties)

5. Respect of fellow campers and equipment is expected

6. Observation of the Outdoor Code -

As an American, I will do my best to

Be clean in my outdoor manner,

Be careful with fire

Be considerate in the outdoors

and

Be conservation minded.

Although all Scouts are expected to conduct themselves appropriately, adult leaders in attendance will ensure that safe practices are followed in all activities.

___________________________________

ATTACHMENT 2 PERMANENT PERMISSION SLIP

BOY SCOUT TROOP 88

MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE

To Whom It May Concern:

I the undersigned give my son, ___________________________________

permission to attend Boy Scout Troop 88 activities/campouts with the

understanding that hazards possibly happen and also that accidents do

possibly happen. I hereby relieve the Scoutmaster and/or any of his staff

from any legal liability of personal injury or accidental death for my son

mentioned above. This will include all times from the time I leave my son

with the Scoutmaster until the time I pick him up. I also relieve all drivers

of any liability on the trip to or from a campout/activity. Furthermore, in

case of an emergency, I grant permission for rendering of all emergency

medical attention by qualified medical personal.

My son has a unique medical problem of ____________________________

(state none, if none) and I will ensure that he has all proper medication

with him for the duration of scouting functions.

_____________________________________ ___________________

(Signature of Parent/Guardian) (Date)