Troop 55 Handbook
Meeting Times and Location:
Troop 55 meets on Monday nights (mid-August through mid-May) at 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM. We meet once or twice during the summer in addition to attending summer camp together for one week in June. Troop meetings normally are not held on the Monday after campouts.
We meet at Second Presbyterian Church downstairs in room C100.
Financial Obligations:
There is a one-time registration fee of $25.00. Dues are $2.00 per week/$104 per year. You may pre-pay dues for the entire year or pay it in two installments. Dues are prorated for new scouts based upon the date they join the troop. Dues and the registration fee should be paid when the boy joins Troop 55. Troop 55 T-shirts are available for $8.00 each.
The cost of campouts varies depending upon the food and activities planned, but the fee is typically between $20.00 and $35.00. Summer camp costs approximately $130-140. (This does not include spending money for optional items such as T-shirts that scouts may want to purchase at camp or drinks/food they may want to purchase while traveling to and from campouts.) Boys should not travel with large amounts of money.
If the financial obligations create a hardship on any family, a parent should contact the Scoutmaster or Treasurer. There are scholarships available for some scout programs and camps.
When scouts and parents sign-up for campouts, the Camp Master will announce the deadline for making and canceling reservations. Scouts and parents are expected to pay the full cost of the campout if they have signed up—even if they do not attend. The Camp Master is responsible for any exceptions to this rule. The last date to cancel a reservation without being charged is normally the Monday before the campout.
Parent Participation:
Parents (mothers as well as fathers) are encouraged to attend Monday night meetings and to participate in troop activities. Parents are needed to sit on Boards of Review for rank advancements. Since Boards of Review normally occur during Monday night meetings, it is important to have enough parents in attendance to conduct the reviews in a timely manner. Adult supervision is required for all campouts. We ask that at least one parent of every scout attend a minimum of one campout per year. We also need parents to help teach merit badges. If you have a skill or special interest, don’t be bashful. The boys are eager learners and it’s fun for the adults too!
BSA Policy on Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use:
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members.
Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis. Smoking areas must be away from all participants.
Uniforms:
It is important to get a Boy Scout uniform as soon as possible. You may purchase one at the Boy Scout Shop at 171 South Hollywood
The official Boy Scout uniform is called a Class A uniform and includes:
Scout long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirt
Scout pants or shorts,
Scout belt and buckle
Scout socks
Neckerchief and slide*
Merit badge sash
Scout cap/hat is optional (It must not be worn inside buildings.)
*New scouts will be awarded a Troop 55 neckerchief when they have completed all of the requirements for becoming a Boy Scout. You do not need to purchase a neckerchief, but you should purchase a neckerchief slide at the Scout Shop.
When to wear Class A uniforms:
Boards of Review (required)
Scoutmaster Conferences (required)
Courts of Honor
To and from campouts (do not wear badge sash, neckerchief, or slide to campouts)
At special times during summer camp
For most outdoor activities, Scouts may wear a Troop 55 or scout related T-shirt with scout pants or shorts. (This is called a Class B uniform.)
What to wear to Troop meetings:
Scouts should purchase a red Troop 55 T-shirt from our Troop. The cost is $8.00.
Boys should wear a red Troop 55 T-shirt and green or khaki shorts/pants to Troop meetings. (Unless they need a Board of Review or Scoutmaster Conference in which case they should wear a Class A uniform.) Wear closed-toe shoes. Tennis shoes are permitted.
Boy Scout Handbook and Related Material:
Each boy needs his own Boy Scout Handbook. It contains a wealth of information and is used frequently. The Scout Shop sells plastic covers for the handbooks. It is suggested that you purchase one since the handbook is often used outdoors.
Scouts should become very familiar with the contents of the handbook.
It should be brought to meetings and all campouts.
There is a pamphlet attached inside the front cover of the Boy Scout Handbook titled How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. A parent or guardian must complete the exercises in this pamphlet with their child. This is one of the requirements of becoming a Boy Scout. A list of all requirements for becoming a Boy Scout are listed on page 4 of the Boy Scout Handbook.
Scouts are encouraged to purchase a paperback book titled Boy Scout Requirements.
This book is a summary of the requirements for merit badges, rank advancements, and Eagle Palms. Most scouts will find this book very helpful.
Summer Camp:
Troop 55 attends summer camp for a week each June. We go together as a troop and encourage parents to go for all or half of the week. A physical is required if you are attending summer camp. The troop usually offers one night when the scouts and adults attending camp can get a free physical. All boys and adults attending summer camp must also attend Youth Protection Training. This training is normally conducted during a troop meeting in April or May.
Campouts:
We have seven to eight campouts per year. We ask that at least one of each boy’s parents participate in at least one campout each year.
Please note the following rules concerning campouts:
1. No fireworks, flares, firearms, or cigarette lighters of any kind.
2. The only knives allowed are the kind that fold and lock with a blade that does not exceed 3 inches. Only scouts who have passed the “Totin’ Chip” class may have the above described knives on a campout. A “Totin’ Chip” card will be issued to each
scout when he completes the appropriate requirements. It is recommended that
scouts tape the “Totin’ Chip” certification card to the inside cover of their Boy Scout
Handbook after it is earned.
3. We discourage scouts from bringing candy, sweets, or soft drinks to any scout activities including meetings and campouts. Any items deemed excessive may be confiscated by the adult leaders.
4. During warm months, please check carefully for ticks.
5. No items of combat or martial arts are allowed.
6. NO ONE is allowed to have alcohol, tobacco, or drugs of any sort. If a scout has a drug prescribed by a doctor, the parent must advise an adult leader in advance of departure so that he/she may supervise the proper storage, handling, and administration of the drug. Over the counter drugs must also be distributed by an adult. INCLUDE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING FREQUENCY AND DOSAGE FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. GIVE TO CAMPMASTER OR DESIGNATED ADULT LEADER PRIOR TO LEAVING FOR A CAMPOUT.
7. The adult leaders will take any of the above items or items that they deem not appropriate for a scout to bring on a campout. We will return them to the parent at the end of the campout. This includes radios, jam boxes, TVs, Game Boys, etc.
8. No scout is to leave the camp area without specific permission from an adult leader. Leaving the camp area or disobeying the adult leaders in charge will require that the parent come and get the scout. The adult leaders are not expected to be responsible for a scout who refuses to follow these rules.
9. Please send only the money needed to cover the scout’s meals and other costs that
may be needed to attend a special event. Pay troop fee for campouts prior to departure when possible.
10. A parent must sign a “Permission, Release and Indemnity Agreement” and/or have one on file before a boy may attend a campout.
11. A scout must wear his uniform to and from all scout campouts. Class A uniforms must be
worn during travel time unless it has been announced that Class B uniforms are acceptable. Jeans, shorts, and t-shirts (as long as they are respectable) are fine once we are at camp. The most important thing is to be neat and clean. Remember that we represent the church that sponsors us.
12. Scouts and parents must sign-up to attend all campouts no later than the Monday prior to a campout. No shows will be charged the full cost of the campout unless the reservation is canceled by the Monday before the campout. The Camp Master must approve any exceptions.
Advancements:
A number of specific skills are required to advance through the Boy Scout ranks—Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific “tests,” which are organized by requirements and merit badges. Advancement requirements for each rank are outlined in the Boy Scout Handbook. It is important for each boy to have his own Boy Scout Handbook. He should bring it to all meetings and campouts so he can have requirements signed off as he completes them. Take time to review the requirements for each rank, so each scout knows what he must do to advance to the next level.
All skill work may be signed off by a scout of the rank of Star Class or higher. Family members are not to sign off younger family members, i.e., father/son, brother/brother. All merit badge work must be signed off by an adult who is a registered leader of the troop. Any exceptions to this must be cleared in advance with the Scoutmaster.
It is the scout’s responsibility to get the items signed off in the six-month timeframe from when he begins the specific badge work or it must be redone. The scout also has the responsibility to see that his records are correct with the Scoutmaster and Advancement Chairman. We use the blue card system for completing merit badges. The scout should submit approved blue cards to the Advancement Chairman, Llewellyn Hall.
All service project work must be approved by the Scoutmaster in advance of the work being done for credit to be given toward a rank advancements.
Historically, Troop 55 has produced a higher percentage of Eagle Scouts than most troops. This is due in no small measure to the participation of parents and adult leaders who volunteer their time to work with scouts encouraging and instructing them until they have their own internal desire to expend the considerable effort that becoming an Eagle Scout represents. The skills and confidence that come with participation at any level of Boy Scouts is worthy of your and your son’s time. Additionally, it is widely accepted that being able to list “Eagle Scout” on a job application, resume, or college application often tips the scale in a candidate’s favor.
Being a member of this group sets a boy apart and is an acknowledged testimonial to his tenacity, dedication, and skill. The designation follows him throughout his life and career. For this reason, we hope you will encourage your son to set the rank of Eagle as his goal and that you will also participate with him and the other boys in pursuing it.
Boards of Review and Scoutmaster Conferences:
When you have completed all of your requirements to advance in rank (for example, Tenderfoot to Second Class), you are to meet with the Scoutmaster and also have a Board of Review meeting with other adult leaders in the troop. The Scoutmaster Conference and the Board of Review normally take place during troop meetings. If you need a Scoutmaster Conference or a Board of Review, notify Mr. Dave Curran as soon as possible BEFORE the next troop meeting. Mr. Curran may be contacted as follows:
Home: 795 - 0246; E - Mail:davecurran@bellsouth.net
CLASS A UNIFORM IS REQUIRED FOR ALL BOARD OF REVIEWS AND SCOUTMASTER CONFERENCES.
All Boards of Review will begin with the scout demonstrating the scout sign, salute, and handshake. He must also repeat from memory the Scout Promise, Law, Motto, and Slogan.
Troop 55 Website:
Our web address is: www.troop55.net
It contains the minutes from our meetings and a lot of important information about our troop. It also has links to some cool scout related websites. Check it out!
Due to child protection considerations, a password is needed to access pages on our website that contain the scouts’ full name. Contact a leader to get the password
HOW A SCOUT LIVES:
All scouts must understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Scout Law, Scout Motto, Scout Slogan, and the Outdoor Code. Each troop meeting begins with the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Troop 55 Purpose Statement being recited. Each boy should memorize these as soon as possible if he does not already know them:
Scout Oath or Promise
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is
trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
friendly, courteous, kind.
obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent
Scout Motto
Be Prepared
Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily
Troop 55 Mission Statement
The purpose of Boy Scout Troop 55 is to serve God and to develop leadership skills and character for the scout’s trail to Eagle and for life.
Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.
Troop 55 Charter Organization:
Boy Scout Troop 55 is an outreach program of Second Presbyterian Church.
We are grateful for their sponsorship of our Troop.