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Purpose of Scouting The Scouting Program The Scouting program is built on the theme that education should be fun. It must be fun to keep boys interested in Scouting. Scouting is educational because it works toward four basic aims or goals referred to as the purpose of Scouting. Four aims or goals of Scouting are:
BSA National fact sheet titled What is Scouting? The Scouting program offered by Troop 244 accomplishes its aims and goals through:
Advancement Boy Scouts provides each boy with the opportunity to learn skills and receive recognition in the form of ranks and merit badges. This advancement in the Scouting program rewards achievement and allows a Scout to be recognized for his work. The requirements for each of the seven ranks and the required merit badges are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook. The boy is able to complete rank requirements through his participation in troop meetings, camp outs, and other activities. Advancement is not mandatory in Troop 244, but it is strongly encouraged. Core parts of the advancement program are:
The order of BSA rank progression is: The first rank earned is Scout. The joining requirements require the boy learn the basics of Boy Scouts, like the oath, law, slogan, etc. Once the boy completes these requirements, he participates in a Scoutmaster Conference. The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster reviews the boy's progress, makes sure the boy knows the basics, and discusses what the boy would like to do in Scouting. The next three ranks concentrate on outdoor, first aid, citizenship, swimming, and patrol skills. The requirements for these three ranks can be earned in any order, i.e., a boy could complete the cooking requirements for First Class rank before he earns the Tenderfoot or Second Class ranks. However, the ranks must be earned in order. Troop 244's activities are oriented to giving the boys opportunities to complete these requirements. The program at the summer camp that the troop attends will assist the boys in achieving these ranks. There are some requirements that the parent can assist the boy in earning: physical fitness (Tenderfoot); swimming (2nd & 1st Class); visit with civic leader (1st Class); and drug awareness program (2nd Class). After completing each rank's requirements, the boy will then participate in a Scoutmaster's Conference and a Board of Review. The Board of Review consists of 3 to 6 Troop Committee members who meet with the boy to determine how the troop is helping the boy, how boy is enjoying his involvement in the troop, and to encourage further advancement.
Merit badges provide the boy an opportunity to learn skills or to be introduced to many subjects. Each merit badge has specific requirements that must be completed to earn the badge. The troop maintains a library of merit badge pamphlets which a boy may borrow when working on a merit badge. There are two ways for boys to earn merit badges. Most merit badges are earned at summer camp. A boy signs up for badges and attends classes taught by camp counselors. A partially completed badge can be completed by the boy at a later date when back home. The second way to earn merit badges is through a troop/council merit badge counselor. Parents are encouraged to become counselors. Some counselors will have the boys work on their merit badge at troop meetings or camp outs. Others will schedule time for the boys to work on the badge away from troop activities. Counselors do not conduct meetings one-on-one, but will meet with a group of Scouts at one time. Merit badges are broken in to two groups, those required to earn the rank of Eagle and those that the boy may chose based on his interest. The next two ranks require the boy to participate in troop activities, be in a leadership position, perform service hours, and earn merit badges. At the Star rank, a boy must earn four Eagle required merit badges and two non-required merit badges. At the Life rank, a boy must earn an additional three Eagle required merit badges and an additional two non-required merit badges. The highest rank in Boy Scouts is Eagle. The requirements are the most demanding and specific. The Scoutmaster works directly with each Life Scout to help them understand these requirements. After being in a leadership position, earning 21 merit badges, participating in troop activities, and completing an Eagle Service Project, the boy will complete an Eagle Application and have a Scoutmaster's Conference. The application is then sent to the Council Office and an Eagle Board of Review will then be conducted. Troop Boy Leaders Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) The Boy Scout organization is a program for boys and as such is governed and operated by boys with guidelines and assistance from the adult uniformed leaders and committee members. The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) is charged with the responsibility of deciding what the troop wants to do, planning it, and carrying it out. Thus, every Scout, through his patrol leader, has a voice in the planning and running of the troop's activities. The PLC is composed of all patrol leaders, the ASPL, Quartermaster and the SPL who chairs the meeting. Others may be invited to sit in at the invitation of the SPL.
The primary job of the SPL is to lead the troop with minimal adult supervision, but with the help of his fellow boy leaders. The SPL has specific jobs in addition to being the boy leader of all activities in the troop. First, he must conduct the monthly Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) where all boy troop leaders meet with the Patrol Leaders of each patrol to plan troop meetings and camp outs. After the PLC planning is completed, it is the job of the SPL to properly execute the troop program through direct leadership and by delegating tasks to members of the PLC or other Patrol Leaders. All troop activities are the responsibility of the SPL even if a qualified substitute acts in his absence. (This is usually the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.) A SPL must, with input from patrol leaders and adult leaders, establish certain goals for the troop to achieve, then work with the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters to accomplish those goals. Another specific and vital responsibility of the SPL is the task of organizing and conducting weekly troop meetings that are interesting, active and educational. The SPL is elected by a vote of all Scouts in the troop. The SPL works with and reports directly to the Scoutmaster in the daily planning and operation of the troop.
The ASPL must assist the SPL in his duties and in the leadership of the troop. He takes the place of the SPL when the SPL is unable to attend a troop activity. The ASPL is also the patrol leader of the Leadership Corps. This position is appointed by the SPL with consultation with the Uniformed Leaders.
Leadership Corps In addition to the SPL and ASPL, the leadership corps is made up of the following leadership positions, each of which is appointed by the SPL with advice from the uniformed leaders:
Patrols are the basic units of a Scout troop and the patrol leaders have the
responsibility for making the "patrol method" work. They are the backbone of all
successful troops and are elected by the Scouts in the patrol. The patrolleader appoints
an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). A patrol leader's responsibilities include: 1. Assigning jobs to patrol members A good patrol leader sets a good example, lives the Scout Oath and Law and generates Scout spirit in the patrol. He also delegates many of the patrol tasks to members of the patrol.
Uniforms and Equipment Wearing the scout uniform is a major part of being a Boy Scout. 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. [Example of proper uniform] 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 some camp activities as scheduled. The Class A uniform consists of the following:
Class B uniform is for times other than the above, such as daytime activities at summer camp, troop car wash fund raiser, Scout related work details or participation in sports events. The Class B uniform consists of the following:
New uniforms can be purchased at the Scout Service Center in the Suffolk County Council building at 7 Scouting Boulevard in Medford, New York. Used uniforms (for exchange or donation) are available from: Troop 244 strives to look sharp at all times. In addition to the uniform, personal appearance is important. Haircuts and cleanliness are also part of the uniform. Personal appearance reflects troop pride and spirit. Membership A boy may join a Boy Scout Troop if he has: earned the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award Uniforms "...putting on the uniform does not make a fellow a Scout,but putting on the uniform is a sign to the world that one has taken the Scout obligations and folks expect Scout-like acts from one wearing it." Handbook for Boys, 3rd edition, 1927
Personal Equipment While the troop maintains a sizeable inventory of equipment, the Scout will need to provide personal gear. The "Scout Handbook" provides good equipment lists for backpacking as well as basic camp outs. Some scouts get by with homemade or borrowed gear keeping their expenses down to a minimum. Others with an interest in high-tech gear can spend several hundred dollars. There is no reason to spend beyond your budget. Any of the Assistant Scoutmasters will be glad to assist and advise you in properly equipping your Scout. As a rule, we recommend a minimum investment for a new Scout. Better equipment can be purchased over time as the scout's knowledge and preferences grow and as gift giving occasions occur. Medical Forms It is imperative that the uniformed leaders have a through knowledge of the Scout's medical background, including authorization for treatment should the need arise. The following list describes the three medical forms in use and the setting in which they are required. Class 1 - Required for all new scouts on joining the troop and is filled out by the parent. Includes treatment authorization and medical history. Needs to be updated annually. Class 2 - Includes the above plus a physician's examination. Class 3 - Similar to the class 2, including the physician's examination. Required for the week long summer and spring camps, for high adventure activities, and for any adult over 40 years of age. This form must be updated every year. These forms can be obtained by following the
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Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL)
Quartermaster: responsible for inventories, issues and
receives troop equipment. Works closely with the Equipment Chairman of the Troop
Committee.
Scribe: responsible for troop records and any required
correspondence. Prepares write-ups of troop activities for the local newspapers. Fills in
for the ASPL if necessary.
Troop Historian: works with all boy and adult members of
the troop to document troop events. This is accomplished by collecting printed and
photographic materials and significant objects and arranging them in a displayable mannor.
Responsibilities also include collecting digital images from troop members and working
with the webmaster to prepare timely updates to the troop website.
Patrol Leader (PL)
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM)
Den Chief - A Den Chief is a Boy Scout position of
leadership where all the boy's activity takes place in the setting of the Cub Scout
program. A Den Chief may work with either a Cub Scout or Webelo den. The duties of all den
chiefs are: