A Visitor’s Introduction to
Adventure, Leadership, Values
www.bsatroop.org/Home/t387
Colonial Heights
United Methodist Church
Kingsport, Tennessee
Troop 387
Colonial Heights United Methodist Church
631 Lebanon Road, Kingsport, TN 37663
Welcome to Boy Scouting and to Boy Scout Troop 387! We are happy you are considering joining our Scouting family. All Boy Scout troops are a little different, depending on the scouts, leaders, and history of the troop. Here’s what makes us unique:
--Troop 387 is a Boy-Led Troop:
The boy leaders run the troop meetings and quarterly awards ceremonies;
The boy leaders meet once/month to plan out the next 30-60-90 days.
Each January they choose themes and activities for the coming calendar year.
Elections for leadership positions for scouts every 6 months
Ongoing leadership training by adult leaders.
Many adults/parents/leaders in background roles to help support the scouts in
the planning and implementation of the themes and events on the calendar. Adults take care of the checking account, the transportation & logistics for each camping trip, the data on each scout’s personal rank advancement, and many other important roles.
--We emphasize character development
Character development is the number one aim of the Scouting program. We strive to provide a Scouting program that helps to instill positive values in our scouts. A scout learning to adhere to the principles set forth in the Scout Oath (duty to God & country, duty to others, duty to self) and Scout Law (trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent) learns to live by fundamental values that will serve him through his whole life
Rank advancement for all scouts requires that scouts demonstrate adherence to the “Scout Law,” and “Scout Oath.” Scouts mentor younger scouts and do not participate in any type of hazing activities. Both personal responsibility and civic responsibility are reinforced through rank advancement and merit badges. We also emphasize service to others in many service projects each year.
--New Adventures Each Year
How do we make leadership training and character development appealing? We do it through the use of activities and adventures that are appealing to boys. Through these activities, boys have fun while learning leadership, values, and character development. They also learn outdoor skills, emergency preparedness training, basic first aid, and many other skills that are useful throughout their lives.
Activities for both younger and older scouts: Because of our large number of parents, we often combine two options in our camping trips, an easier option for younger scouts, and a more challenging option for older scouts. We also plan a “super trip” each year, which usually requires a longer driving distance.
High adventure trips such as Philmont in NM, Sea Base in FL, Canoeing at BSA’s Northern Tier Base in MN, keep older scouts interested and active in scouting. These trips require 1-2 years of planning by scouts and adults, but we believe the maturity gained by the scouts through these trips makes the effort worthwhile.
---We have a tradition of active parent-volunteers
Our troop is proud to have many volunteers. We practice the adage of “Many hands make light work.” We believe parents are more inclined to step up and volunteer their time when they know that many others are sharing the responsibilities of maintaining an active troop of scouts.
Trevor Drozdowski, Scoutmaster Tish Kashdan, Troop Committee Chairman
Troop 387
Frequently Asked Questions from New Scouts and Parents
How do Webelos join the Troop?
If your scout wants to cross-over from a Webelos Den directly into our troop, contact the Scoutmaster or Troop Committee Chairman and tell them of the date/time/location of their cross-over ceremony. Our Scoutmaster will arrange for an adult leader and a boy leader to be present at his cross-over ceremony to welcome him into the troop. They will be expected to attend their first Boy Scout troop meeting on the following Monday night, where they can complete a BSA form to “transfer” them from their Cub Scout Pack to our Boy Scout troop. They can also pay their pro-rated dues to the troop treasurer.
How do boys who are not in Cub Scouts join the troop?
Ask the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster for a BSA registration form. It needs to be completed and signed by a parent or guardian. National dues ($15) and troop dues ($40) are paid by check or cash to the troop treasurer; in a pro-rated amount, depending on the month that a scout joins.
What are the biggest differences between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts?
(1) Boy Scouts are responsible for their own advancement, at their own pace. (2) The scouts, not their parents, are responsible for talking to scout leaders about questions on advancement, merit badges, signing off on requirements, etc. (3) Parents may not sign off on requirements for their own scouts. (4) A Boy Scout is not required to be accompanied by a parent on scouting events.
Does the troop have a website that contains information for parents, such as the calendar, announcements, etc?
Yes, All scouts and leaders have a user ID and password for using our troop website. We collect the email addresses from all our scout families, and send out frequent announcements and sign-up sheets using our email distribution list. There is also a Resource Page with information on almost everything a scout or parent needs to know. The website address is: www.bsatroop.org/Home/t387.
What about uniforms?
A scout needs a scout shirt and pants (and/or shorts), a badge sash. The shirt also needs a council patch and a Troop 387 patch. No neckerchiefs or scout socks are required. A Class-B T-shirt can also be ordered once/year from the troop (usually in April). The uniform can be purchased at the scout council’s Trading Post at the Boone’s Creek exit of I-26. A uniform is not needed immediately, but it is needed by summer camp. A variety of second-hand uniforms can also be found in the “scout closet” in the scout wing of CHUMC, at no charge.
Does a scout need a BSA Handbook?
Yes, definitely. This is the first item needed, even before a uniform. Scouts should make certain that their name is on it. Another useful item is a handbook cover, which will keep the book in good condition during the scout’s 6 years of scouting. This handbook has a page for each rank, with places for dates/signatures when requirements are signed off by leaders. The handbook should routinely be submitted to the Advancement Chairman so he/she can enter the dates of completed requirements into the troop’s computer database.
Do scouts need to attend every troop meeting?
No, but come as often as possible. There is no penalty for not attending. However, there are advantages to attending as often as possible. More active scouts are able to advance in rank more rapidly.
Does my scout need to attend every outing or activity?
Scouts can attend as many outings as they choose. There is no penalty for not attending. However, attending more activities helps a scout in several ways:
1. Activities often offer opportunities for completion of rank requirements.
2. Scouts who participate feel more “at home” in the troop.
3. Advancement to 2nd Class rank requires participation in 5 activities/outings. Advancement to 1st Class rank requires participation a total of 10 activities/outings.
How much do the activities cost?
Each activity has its own cost. Only scouts who participate in an activity are expected to pay. There is an “Activity/Sign-Up” sheet distributed by email and on the troop website giving details for every activity on the calendar. These forms are distributed 4-8 weeks prior to each event.
How much are yearly dues?
Troop dues are paid when joining the troop, and each November. Dues are $25/scout. National dues are also collected at the same time ($15/per person). The troop dues pay for merit badges, rank advancement patches, merit badge handbooks, and other similar costs.
Are there fundraisers for scouts to earn money for summer camp and camping trips?
Yes, our troop has 3 fundraisers per year. Two of the fundraisers are BSA-sponsored fundraisers – BSA popcorn in Sept/Oct, and Scout Expo tickets in March/April. Our troop fundraiser is a Spaghetti Lunch fundraiser at CHUMC in mid-February.
What does the Troop do with money earned by scouts on Fundraisers?
Each scout has a personal savings account which is managed by the Troop’s co-treasurers. Each scout can access his account on the troop website to see how much money it contains. A scout can request that money be taken out of the account at any time to pay for summer camp, troop activities or high adventure trips. A scout can also present a receipt to the co-Treasurer for uniforms or camping equipment and be reimbursed.
Are there camperships for Summer Camp?
One way to “earn” a free summer camp is to sell 300 Expo tickets in March and April. If a scout’s family needs other financial aid, they can talk to the Troop Committee Chairman about partial camperships from the scout council, and/or from our troop’s scholarship fund.
What is meant by rank advancement?
In Boy Scouts, there are 7 ranks leading up to Eagle Scout. Each boy advances at an individual pace, depending on his participation and motivation. The first four ranks are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class. The ranks for older scouts are Star, Life and Eagle. A very active scout can achieve the first four ranks within one year, but most scouts require 1-2 years. Scouts that achieve First Class within the first year are statistically much more likely to stay in Scouts.
Can a scout work on more than one rank simultaneously?
The requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class can be worked on simultaneously. However, if a scout has completed requirements on these ranks, he still must have a separate Scoutmaster Conference and a Board of Review (which are the last two requirementsfor each rank), one at a time, and in the correct order. .
How long does it take to achieve Eagle rank?
The shortest possible time needed to reach Eagle rank is about 3 years, but this rarely happens that quickly. The upper three ranks of Star and Life and Eagle take a minimum of 6 months each, but on average take about 1 year each. Most scouts can reach Eagle rank by their 16th birthday, but many don’t complete requirements until age 17; the deadline is the scout’s 18th birthday.
When can a scout begin earning merit badges?
Scouts can begin earning merit badges as soon as they enter scouting. They will probably earn 1 or 2 badges at summer camp. However, the emphasis in younger scouts should be on the four ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class) instead of merit badges. No merit badges are required for completing the first 4 ranks.
When is summer camp? Does a scout need to go?
Our camp is usually the second week of July, departing on a Sunday and returning home on Friday night. Camp Davy Crockett is about a one-hour drive from Kingsport. Summer camp is one of the most important events of the year for a scout. Summer camp almost guarantees an extra rank advancement during the coming year. It also helps a scout form new friendships with older scouts. We need parental help and supervision at camp, and we do allow parents to spend days and nights at camp, and some spend the entire week.
Can parents go on campouts, or to summer camp?
Yes! We welcome parents to attend any and all outings, including summer camp. We welcome both male and female adult leaders and volunteers. One of a troop’s strongest assets is committed adult leaders. No previous experience in scouting or camping is required.
Do I have to sign up as a leader to go to summer camp or on campouts?
No, you can attend any or all events, even if you are not a registered leader. However, the council’s new policy requires registration as a leader for a driver to be eligible for coverage under BSA liability insurance. We also require a a completed medical form with a health professional’s signature on adults who spend more than 72 hours at summer camp. We need a basic medical form with emergency information on everyone attending campouts. This is a requirement of the Guide To Safe Scouting, the BSA safety handbook.
Does the troop need more adult leaders?
Yes! We welcome and need new volunteers, either as Troop Committee members, Event Coordinators, or as Assistant Scoutmasters. Our troop makes an effort to places volunteers in positions where they can best share their individual talents.
What is the Troop Committee?
This is the administrative, “behind-the-scenes” adult leadership of a troop. We have a monthly planning meeting on Sunday afternoon, and jobs include treasurer, transportation chairman, advancement chairman, secretary, and many more. As parents of older scouts graduate and move on, we always need parents of younger scouts to step up and fill their places. Troop Committee members also comprise the 3-man panels on each Board of Review needed for each scout for every rank advancement.
What do the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters do?
The role of the Scoutmaster and Asst. Scoutmasters is to work directly with the scouts on leadership training, rank advancement, and supervision of troop meetings and outs.