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Parental Support
A key element in maintaining and improving the quality of the Troop 23 program, and ensuring active participation of troop members is active parental suport. To be really
successful, Scouting must become, to a certain extent, a family program and activity. Ideally, parental support does not just consist of driving your son to a Troop meeting and picking him sup. Good parental support
consists of all of the following:
1. Make sure your son attends all activities and is ready for them
2. Encourage your son in his Scout advancement
3. Take an active interest in all his Scouting activities
4. Attend all parents' meetings and Courts of Honor
5. Become active in the Troop Committee
6. Support fund raisers set by Troop 23
7. Become involved actively with Troop 23. There's lots to do
Stay Informed
The most important and reliable method of staying informed is for your son to attend the Troop meetings. Each week, announcements are made regarding coming events, changes, permission
slips, etc. If in doubt, the first person your son should call is his Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader. As always, if there is ever a question, feel free to call the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. The Troop
tries to keep you informed by ultimately the responsibility is your son's. If he wants to participate in the program, he should never "not know". All he has to do is attend meetings or ask.
Scout Spirit
Having "Scout Spirit" is included as an important element at each level of Scouting Advancement.
We discuss Scout Spirit with advancement candidates at each Scoutmaster
Conference and Board of Review.
Scouts usually mention obeying the Scout Oath and Law, helping the members of their patrol and troop, and working hard at Scout Skills, when they are asked about Scout Spirit.
The Troop Committee of Troop 23 has discussed the issue of Scout Spirit extensively and members of the committee have consulted with experienced Scouters in the District and Council. We have concluded that
participation in Troop Activities and Programs is an important manifestation of Scout Spirit. We have decided to develop a standard for participation for Troop 23 to support that element of the Scout Spirit concept.
The Advancement Committee will be asked to consider the participation standard when Scouts are evaluated for advancement in all ranks.
The standard for participation takes into account the demands on
a Scout's time by school and other activities while requiring that active involvement with the Troop is maintained.
Troop 23 will require that during the quarter spanning from the Troop's prior Court of Honor
to the one at which he intends to advance, a Scout shall attend 80% of all Troop meetings and 80% of Troop activities, including Troop service, fundraising and outings. Further, the Scoutmaster has been requested to
evaluate the quality of that participation as well. A positive attitude and eager involvement of the Scout is expected.
Attendance at meetings and Troop events will be monitored and documented by the Senior
Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders and Troop Scribe. Reports will be made to the Scoutmaster and Advancement Chairman. Attendance records will be maintained by the Advancement Chairman. Attendance will be made a part of
each Scout's advancement record and is available to Scouts at any time.
If a Scout fails to meet the participation element of Scout Spirit, he will be considered ineligible for advancement rank.
Troop Meetings
Troop 23 holds its regular meetings at the Moose Lodge on Thursday evenings, beginning promptly at 7:15 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. For any exceptions, refer to your calendar. Normal Troop
meetings consist of the following:
1. Opening Ceremony
2. Announcements
3. Program
4. Scoutmaster's minute
5. Troop Game
6. Closing Ceremony
The Troop meeting is organized and operated by the Senior Patrol Leader. Dress code for meetings is full uniform. See uniform dress code for details.
The Patrol Method
Troop 23 operates under
the Patrol Method of Scouting as developed by Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Great Britain in the early 1900's. This is one of the best methods for developing leadership and responsibility. A patrol should consist of
5-7 members under the leadership of a Scout, elected by the Patrol to be its Leader. Through their Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leaders' Council chaired by the Senior Patrol Leaders, Scouts have input into the
program of the Troop and are able to get the latest information on upcoming activities. The patrol serves to ease communication within the Troop and is of key importance on Troop trips and other activities. When
Scouts travel, hike, eat, perform, participate and compete, they operate together as a group.
Outings
Outings are a very important portion of the Scouting experience. Most of the word
"Scouting" is "outing" and here is where the Scouts learn and practice their outdoor skills. Camping, cooking, fire building, compass work, canoeing, hiking, biking, nature study, staying dry
when the weather turns bad and most important of all, our troop's first and only law "Safety First" and finally, working within the Patrol Method. We try to have an outing every month.
Boards of Review (Except for Eagle Scout)
When a Scout completes his requirement for a rank, he is instructed by the Scoutmaster after the Scoutmaster Conference to make an appointment for a Board of
Review. The Board consists of three or four Committee members, (not the Scout's parents). The review has three purposes:
1. To make sure the work is learned and completed
2. To learn what kind of Scouting experience the boy is having
3. To encourage the Scout to progress further
4. To help scouts live the scout laws
At the conclusion of the Board, the Scout is informed whether or not he has passed. If he didn't pass, he is informed of his area of weakness and is asked to show competence at the earliest opportunity. While the
Scout is required to wear full uniform and should be familiar with the requirements for the rank, the Board is informal, with all members encouraging the Scout toward excellence.
Courts of Honor
When a Scout fulfills a requirement for Merit Badge, Advancement in Rank or other honor, he will be recognized as soon as possible. This should occur at the next Troop meeting. He is then formally recognized
at the next Court of Honor.
Courts of Honor are conducted at least three times a year. We strongly recommend all parents attend and also invite other family members and friends to attend.
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