BSA Troop 29 Parent Guide Rev 5-6-07
CONTENTS
Overview of Scouting
History of Troop 29
How to Join
Getting Started
Uniform
Initial Personal Equipment
Needs
Advanced Personal Equipment
Needs
Troop Equipment
The Patrol Method
Camping Policy
Advancement
Summer Camp
Order of the Arrow
Scout Spirit – Troop
Attendance Policy
Typical Troop 29 Camping
Agenda
Camp Inspection Form
Cooking Policy
Fundraising
Troop 29 Code of Conduct
Scout Motto
Scout Slogan
Outdoor Code
Service Hours Record
Planning an Eagle Project
Planning the Eagle Court of
Honor
Northwest Suburban Council
Phone Numbers
OVERVIEW
The Boy Scout program is
designed to be fun while achieving the ideals set out in the Scout Law.
The
program is centered on a monthly campout, a skills advancement program
and a
weekly troop meeting. Scouting is an
adventure – a terrific way to make new friends, camp at places you might
never
have the chance to without being in scouting, and learn skills the
average kid
would only dream about. It is also a
proven method of building character, citizenship and fitness.
Our troop has been involved
in canoeing, kayaking, mountain climbing, spelunking, snow camping,
small
aircraft and glider flying, shotgun and bow marksmanship, international
travel,
wood carving, and outdoor gourmet cooking competitions. Troop
29 has been a quality unit within
Northwest Suburban Council for the over
20 years and has maintained both an active camping and high adventure
program.
We will do our best to make
scouting an enjoyable experience for your son.
Feel free to speak to the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters
with any
questions, concerns or suggestions. We
encourage parents to join us at all troop meetings and welcome you to
attend
all troop committee meetings and adult leader meetings.
HISTORY OF TROOP 29
Evangelical Church of
Barrington first chartered Troop 29 on 10-24-32. This charter
expired in 1940 with the outbreak of World War II. The
PTO of North Barrington Grade School
re-chartered the troop from 1951 through 1975.
The charter lapsed until Jan. 1982 when it was re-chartered as
Troop 229
under sponsorship from the same school. The troop successfully lobbied
to
regain its original number, Troop 29.
The troop gained a more central location in the Barrington area as Troop 229 from when St Anne Church
agreed to
become the sponsoring organization in April 1998, while retaining it’s
nondenominational character.
Prior to 1997, Troop 29’s
traditional summer camp was at Camp Napowan near Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Since that
time, the troop has gone to Chicago Council’s summer camp at Camp Owassippi in Michigan, having the advantage of a mid level
camping/canoeing
adventure program called Manistee Quest located in the adjacent Manistee National
Forest. The high adventure program history of
the
troop includes 1998 Northern Tier trekking, 1999 Boundary Waters
canoeing/portaging, 2000 International Scouting Jamboree in Poland, 2001
Isle
Royal primitive camping/ hiking, 2002 West Virginia ACE Adventure Camp
with
White Water Rafting, spelunking, mountain climbing, 2003, Florida Sea
Base Out
Island Adventure, 2004 Boundary Waters, 2005 Philmont Trek, and 2006
Florida
Sea Base Out Island Adventure.
HOW TO JOIN
First visit us at a troop
meeting and consider being a guest at one of our campouts to get to know
us. To
officially join you must submit a completed official Boy Scout of
America Youth
registration form signed by a parent, and registration fees (payable to
Troop
29) to the troop’s Webelos Coordinator or Membership Chairman. The registration form is available online at
http://www.scouting.org/forms/28-406.pdf
Webelos scouts that plan to
join during a Blue and Gold ceremony or Cub Scout graduation ceremony
should invite
Troop 29’s Scoutmaster to attend the event.
The Scoutmaster will participate in the ceremony and decorate the
new
scout with the troop’s red scarf and epaulets.
Registration fees
periodically change within the troop but at the time of this printing
are as
follows:
Please note that this fee
covers the cost of membership through August of the same year and is not
prorated.
New to Boy Scouts fee - $85
New to Boy Scouts but have
registered with Cub Scouts for the current year
- $75
New to Boy Scouts but have
another sibling registered in any scouting program - $75
New to Boy Scouts but have
registered with CS and have 1 sibling in any scouting - $65
New to Boy Scouts but have
registered with CS and have 2 siblings in any scouting - $55
Transfer from another Boy
Scout Troop and are registered for current year - $50
Membership/registration
lapsed in Troop 29 for 6+ months - $75
Registration costs help to
offset the cost of the national registration fees, one Boy’s Life
magazine per
family, supplemental accident insurance, advancement awards, court of
honor
supplies, leader training, troop equipment and operating fees, cost of
initial
handbook, scarf, epaulets, slide, patches, beret.
Membership lapses if not
renewed in September of each year.
Renewal fee is $50 for registration through the following August.
GETTING STARTED
1. Troop Meetings are held
at St. Anne’s Church in the basement, generally in the school cafeteria
on
Friday evenings from 7-8:30 PM. Scouts should arrive
10
minutes early as the meetings start promptly.
They should wear the official scouting dress uniform
2. Each son will receive
the Boy Scout Handbook from the troop upon registration
and
should bring this book to all troop meetings and campouts.
Please review the section at the beginning How
to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parents Guide. Completing the exercises in the section is
required for your son to achieve his first advancement to the rank of
Scout. A sturdy and waterproof cover for
the handbook is also recommended to prolong its life. The
Handbook is not only your scout’s history
but is an official record from Scout rank to Eagle.
3. Have a designated place
at home for all Boy Scout information, patches, and forms such as a note
book
where rosters, calendars, awards, photos, newsletters, merit badge
cards,
camping permission slips, and rank advancement cards can be filed as
well as a
shelf for the scout handbook, trophies, merit badge work, and beret. Each time your son received a rank
advancement or merit badge, he receives a card, which should be retained
in the
notebook. (Clear baseball card protectors work well). These
cards are documents that verify his
work and at times need to be accessed.
4. After a troop meeting
you have not attended, talk to your son about what happened at the
meeting and
about upcoming events he has heard about.
Ask for any forms he may have received relating to these events
and put
the appropriate dates on your family calendar.
Details of all significant events are also communicated through
email
and are usually included on our web site www.scouttroop29.org. If you attend the troop meetings you will see
how your son functions within the troop, get to know the other parent,
and be
better able to help your son take full advantage of the troop’s program.
UNIFORM
Troop 29 only recognizes
one dress uniform, which is required for all troop meetings, Scoutmaster
Conferences, Boards of Review, Courts of Honor and all District
Camporees. Generally the dress uniform is not
worn on
monthly campouts.
The part of the dress
uniform provided by the scout’s parents consists of scout khaki shirt
with
short sleeves, long green scout pants, scout belt, pocket sized notepad,
and
pen.
The part of the dress
uniform provided by the troop consists of red scarf and epaulets, slide,
29
patches, nametag, and upon attaining the First Class Rank, a beret/hat.
The official dress uniform
can be bought by mail order or at the local BSA shop in Mt Prospect (600 N Wheeling Rd). We recommend
buying the shirt and pants 1 to 3 sizes too large to accommodate
adolescent
growth spurts. Do not cut the pant leg
to size, rather tuck it under to make a large hemming it as your son
grows, to
give you the most out of this investment.
If your son does replace his uniform with a larger size, please
consider
donating the old one to our uniform exchange program.
INITIAL PERSONAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS
>> Remember to
label all items with scout’s name, Troop 29 and NWSC
>> Realize that
some things will be lost, broken, or worn out.
>> So don’t start
with the most expensive equipment
1.
Sleeping
bag
rated for 25degrees F
(Polyester shell
and
liner and Polyester (not down) filling for quick drying and heat
retention)
2.
Fleece
liner to
insert into sleeping bag for temperatures below 25 degrees.
(Make or buy at Walmart for
$15)
3.
Ground
pad to use
under sleeping bag
(Closed cell on one side
and open/egg crate on reverse)
4.
Unbreakable
plastic
plate, mug, and flatware
5.
Flashlight
with
batteries
6.
Rain
gear
7.
Second
pair of
shoes
8.
Personal
Dub kit
to include toothbrush, toothpaste.
9.
Personal
first
aid kit – mole skin, band aides, etc
10. Clothing suited to weather forecast, extra
socks, hat
ADVANCED EQUIPMENT NEEDS
This equipment generally
makes for excellent gift items for special occasions throughout the
year. As the scout becomes more comfortable with
camping and his skill level increases, he will desire additional
equipment of
higher quality. Some purchases are best
delayed until the scout reaches a more mature physical size (generally
as a
high school student in the Venture Patrol) when that equipment can last
him a
lifetime.
Book Scouts
Compass – good to have on
the trail
Pocket knife – carry your
Totin Chip as well.
Knife sharpener – a dull blade
is more dangerous than a sharp one
Sunscreen on a carabineer–
needed even on overcast days
Bug Spray – better to use
lotion. Never use spray in or near tents
Whistle – for signaling in
an emergency
Toilet papers – remove cardboard
tube and stash inside zip lock bag to keep small and dry
Day Pack – small back pack
to carry a lunch, water, first aid kit when your patrol hikes
Nalgene type water bottle
(break resistant), canteen or hydration pack
Binoculars – get a closer
look at wildlife
Tripod chair or folding
camp seat – not every campsite has a chair
Bandana – for hot pad when
cooking, bandage, personal hygiene, fashion accent
Scout book – essential if
working on advancement
Camera/journal – take only
photos and leave only footprints
Matches, waterproof case,
hot spark fire starter,
Fishing pole and
accessories
Mosquito Hat
Hiking Boots
Advanced Scouts
(1st Class and above)
Pocketknife
Merit Badge Sash
Down Sleeping Bag
External Frame Back pack
Compression Sacks
Carabineers, rope
Snow shovel
Quick dry towel
Sock Liners, Wool Hiking
socks
High Adventure Scouts
Equipment needs vary
according to destination.
Iodine tablets for water
purification
Water filter
Ultralight camp stove and
pot
Light weight 3 season one person
tent
Winter Gear
The scout will undergo
special training for cold weather camping which requires special
equipment for
camping in freezing temperatures.
TROOP EQUIPMENT
The troop provides a
trailer (circa 2004) stocked with quality tents (circa 2007), ground
cloths,
tarps, dining fly, tables, cooking pots and utensils, cook stoves,
propane,
charcoal, fire buckets, water coolers, first aide kit, firewood, paper
towels,
dish soap, bleach, and digital camera.
The quartermaster (QM) and
quartermaster assistant (QA) maintain the troop’s equipment with the
help of
all scouts. He also determines who may
have access to troop equipment based upon their ability to use the
equipment
safely and return it in good shape.
Scouts are trained on how
to properly use troop equipment to avoid damage or excessive wear and
tear. A check out system is in place for
tents to insure that they are properly maintained. Scouts
who do not follow the troops procedure
may be liable for the cost of replacing the tent if damaged (e.g. by
using bug
spray near tent, setting tent too close to campfire, bending poles by
waving
them, returning tents damp or dirty, putting them through a washing
machine)
ORGANIZATION –THE PATROL METHOD
This is a boy led, adult
guided troop using the patrol method.
The boys are organized
within the troop in patrols. Each patrol
has a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. The
other members of the patrol in biannual
elections elect these boys in biannual elections. The
Patrol Leader is responsible for
attending monthly Patrol Leader Council (PLC) meetings, calling boys
with
reminders of due dates, special events and keeping his patrol organized
at
meetings and campouts. Each boy in the
patrol, will have the opportunity to be the patrol leader.
Boys new to the troop generally are formed
into a new boy patrol where they will form close friendships. The new boy patrol works together on advancements,
camping activities and also tent together.
The Assistant Patrol Leader
helps the Patrol Leader perform his duties, fills in at any event and
performs
any required tasks should the Patrol Leader be unavailable.
The Patrol Leaders are
responsible to the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL).
The SPL runs the troop meetings, runs the PLC, and disseminates
information to the Patrol Leaders. The
SPL is responsible to the Scoutmaster. He is assisted by the Assistant
Senior
Patrol Leader (ASPL) who helps the SPL perform his duties and is
responsible
for assigning the remaining positions of responsibility within the
troop. These troop leadership positions include
Librarian, Scribe, Quartermaster and QA, Historian, Chaplain’s Aid,
Troop
Guide, OA representative and Den Chief.
The adult leaders provide
overall guidance. Adult leaders are
trained parent volunteers who work directly with scouts in the skills
program
and camping program and are titled Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster.
The troop committee is a
group of parent volunteers who support the scouting program through
fundraising,
handling finances, newsletters, advancement records, recruitment, record
keeping, training, merit badge councilors, and transportation.
The Patrol Leader Council
(PLC) meets monthly to plan details of the next month’s events. The PLC is composed of the SPL, ASPL, Patrol
Leaders or Assistant Patrol Leaders, the Scribe as well as all other
positions
of responsibility.
A high adventure program
for senior scouts is organized by these scouts and their elected Venture
Patrol
Leader. During the school year the
Venture patrol runs a parallel camping program.
Requirements to join the High Adventure Patrol include being Star
Rank,
high school enrollment, minimum age of 14, completion of swimming,
camping,
wilderness survival, first aid and life saving merit badges, passing a
personal
equipment gear check of sleeping bag, ground pad, hiking back pack,
first aid
kit, hydration system, appropriate footwear and a fitness assessment
consisting
of a shakedown consisting of hiking one mile with a backpack loaded with
one
week of gear.
CAMPING POLICY
1. A permission slip is
available several weeks before every camping trip at troop meetings and
on the
troop web site. The permission slip is
returned to the Adult Leader in charge of that campout along with the
camping
fee at least one week prior to the event.
The permission slip includes a request for medical information
and
parent contact information
2. Boy Scouts of America requires that at least two adults be present
at all
troop meetings and campouts and that no single adult be alone with a
single
scout. This is what ‘two deep
leadership’ means. Parents are welcome
to join us on all campouts. It is a
great experience! We choose camps we
believe to be safe. We require parents
camping overnight prepare by obtaining Youth Protection Training
available through our troop, council, or national website at http://olc.scouting.org/info/ypt.html This training needs to be renewed
every 3 years.
3. We abide by BSA
regulations related to safety with fires, use of knives, saws, and axes. Alcohol, fireworks and illicit drugs are
prohibited any scouting activity.
Tobacco use is prohibited. These restrictions apply to both
youths and
adults.
4. The troop trailer is
used for most campouts for hauling troop equipment and personal gear. We need and welcome parent volunteers to pull
the trailer and to car-pool our campers to the campsite.
5. Uniforms are not
required at campouts except
for district sponsored Camporees, summer camp or if indicated on the
camping permission
slip.
6. Full or partial refunds
are available for a campout that a scout cannot attend due to unforeseen
circumstances if there is enough time to cancel their camp reservations
and
their food has not been bought by the patrol’s cook.
7.The patrol’s cook is
responsible for advance meal planning and grocery buying with the
assistance of
either the cook’s parent or an adult leader.
The food budget is $3 per scout per meal, with most campouts
comprising
4 meals: Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday Breakfast. Junk food, pop and foods that require
refrigeration are discouraged. The cook
submits the grocery receipt to the committee treasurer for reimbursement
at the
next week’s troop meeting. The receipt should be labeled “Please
reimburse name
of cook” and list the names of the patrol members he cooked for.
8. The other patrol
members will have other
duties assigned on a given campout, that they must fulfill in order for
the
camp to be successful. Such duties
include: water crew, clean up crew, campfire building and tending,
campfire
program, and Sunday worship service.
9. Electronic devices are
not permitted at campouts, although may be permitted during travel to
and from
campsites.
10.The scout may bring a
scout knife (defined as a pocket knife with a blade 2 and ½ inches or
smaller)
and fire making equipment to any campout but are not allowed to use them
without adult supervision until they take specific skills training and
have
passed the corresponding tests proving they know the safety skills
required. Once they pass these tests the
scout will receive a license called a Totin’ Chip and Fireman’s Chit
which
permits them to use these things. These
licenses should be carried with them during these types of activities. Scouts who do not abide by the safety rules
will lose this privilege for a time until they retake and pass the
skills
training.
11. Items that are not
troop equipment are someone’s personal equipment. Personal
equipment may not be borrowed at
will – you must ask and obtain permission
from the owner to use it.
12. Costs for campouts are
determined by the cost of site reservation, food costs, and trailer
supplies
with most costing around $25 per 2 night campout.
13
Parents (excluding trained
leaders) who join the troop on a campout are required to pay the same
scout
camping fee, must show proof of taking Youth Protection Training, and
may use
troop camping gear including tents if available.
14 Any
scout on a trip who does
not live up to the behavior standards required of all the participants,
may be
sent home at parents expense after contact is made with a
parent/guardian. Final authority needed for a
scout to be sent
home from an event will be the adult in charge of that event.
15 A
scout who becomes ill, incapacitated
and unable to complete a trip may be sent home.
Parents will be responsible for all costs over and above those
covered
by insurance.
ADVANCEMENT
1.The initial ranks of
scouting ( Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class) are
progressively
difficult accomplishments that are the basis of the Scout Handbook. Personal fitness, first aid, camping, outdoor
skills, and team spirit are the basic abilities Scouts learn in
completion of
these ranks. Scouts who regularly attend
troop meetings and campouts will usually obtain First Class rank in one
year. These scouts are sometimes
referred to as Book Scouts.
2.There are 125+ Merit
Badges covering different subjects. It
is through the completion of Merit Badges and Troop leadership that
Scouts
progress through the ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle. To
begin work on a Merit Badge, the Scout
first speaks with a scoutmaster and obtains a signed Merit Badge card. He then reads the Merit Badge booklet and
discusses the requirements with an approved Merit Badge Councilor. He may then work on the Merit Badge
requirements alone, or with others in the troop, reporting to the
Councilor at
agreed upon intervals until completion of the requirements. The Scout must have his work approved and
card signed by the Councilor. The
Scout gives the card to the Advancement
Chairman who documents the work and arranges for the award at the next
Court of
Honor. The Scout will also discuss his
merit badge work with the scoutmaster at his Scoutmaster conference
prior to
the Court of Honor. Troop 29
traditionally helps scouts with several merit badges during troop
meetings and
campouts such as First Aid, Camping, Hiking and Cooking.
The advancement chairmen keep a current
listing of available merit badge counselors.
The troop librarian can loan any merit badge book to the scout,
or they
can be purchased at the local scout shop.
3. When the Scout has
completed all requirements for a rank he requests a Scoutmaster
Conference and
reviews the material with his Scoutmaster.
This can be done during most troop meetings through a sign up
sheet.
4. The Scout then asks for
a Board of Review. The Board is
composed of an advancement chairman, 2 to 5 committee members or
volunteers. The Scout, in uniform and
with his Scout Handbook, is presented by the Scoutmaster to the Board to
determine if the Scout is qualified to advance and to inquire about his
experiences in scouting. Scouts who are
not advancing should also come before the board on a periodic basis. Scoutmasters, the scout’s parents and
Assistant Scoutmasters do not participate in the Board of Review. The Board of Review can be done at most troop
meetings through a sign up sheet. The
advancement committee will refuse to do a Board of Review for First
Class rank
and higher if the scout is without full dress uniform and handbook.
4. The scout is immediately
recognized at the scout meeting for attaining a new rank.
He is recognized again in a public ceremony
called the Court of Honor, held four times each year. Parents
and family are invited to the event.
SUMMER CAMP
Troop 29 generally
schedules this week long campout the week following Independence Day. For the past 7 years Troop 29 has attended
Owasippe Scout Reservation located in western Michigan. It consists
of 5000 acres of rolling hills, towering forests, crystal lakes and
streams in
the heart of Michigan’s water wonderland and is surrounded in part
by the Manistee National
Forest.
This camp always has a high
level of participation due to the many opportunities: merit
badge clinics, high adventure programs,
outposts, Project COPE, US Silversides, tubing, sailing, canoeing,
fishing,
horsemanship and more.
A scout camp physical form
signed by a physician must be obtained prior to attending.
These physicals are is valid for 3 years.
Family campsites are nearby
for families who want to pre arrange such a trip. There
is a greater need for parent volunteers
at this campout due to its duration and high numbers of scouts
interested in
attending.
ORDER OF THE ARROW
OA is a national honorary
scouting society committed to service and camping. Each
year several youth and adults from our
troop have a formal induction into the OA at the Spring Camporee each
April.
Requirements for joining are
1) Be elected by your
fellow scouts in Troop 29
2) Have the rank of
Star
3) Be an active participant
at troop meetings and campouts
4) Have the Camping Merit
Badge.
SCOUT SPIRIT- TROOP ATTENDANCE POLICY
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 feels
that participation in troop activities and programs is an important
aspect of
Scout Spirit. We consider the
participation standard when scouts are evaluated for advancement in all
ranks. This standard for participation
takes into account the demands on a Scout’s time by school and other
activities
while requiring active involvement with the troop is maintained.
Troop 29’s standard
requires that during the period spanning from the Troop’s prior Board of
Review
to the one at which he appears for advancement, a scout shall attend 60%
of
troop activity days (troop meetings,
troop service projects, fund raising, campouts and special
events). The scoutmaster has been requested to
evaluate the quality of that participation.
A positive attitude and eager involvement as a scout is expected.
Attendance at meetings and
events is documented by the Senior Patrol Leader, ASPL and Scribe. Attendance records are maintained by the
Advancement Chairman and are made a part of the scout’s advancement
record.
If a scout fails to meet
the participation element of Scout Spirit, he will be considered
ineligible for
advancement in rank, participation in high adventure activities and
summer
camp.
TYPICAL TROOP 29 CAMPING
AGENDA
Friday 7-9pm Check in
and camp set-up
Saturday7:30 am
Reveille
8-9am Breakfast
9-9:15am breakfast
cleanup
9:30-noon Flag
raising ceremony + activities
noon-1pm Lunch
+ cleanup
1-3pm activities
3-5pm free time
5-6:30 supper
+ cleanup
6:45-7pm retire the
colors
7-9:30pm free time
9:30-10:15pm campfire program
10:30 taps
Sunday 7:30am reveille
8-9am breakfast
+ cleanup
9-9:15 flag
raising ceremony
9:15-9:30 religious
ceremony
9:30-10:30 Break camp
CAMP INSPECTION FORM
Point system:
4 points – excellent
3 points – very good
2 points – good
1 point – fair
0 point – unacceptable
Safety:
1.
Tents
pitched
properly in a safe location, 5 feet apart
2.
Tents
each with a
fire bucket
3.
Tents 5
feet away
from fire scar area
4.
Cooking
area
defined and away from tents
5.
Fire
buckets for
cooking area if stoves are present
6.
Cooking
utensils
stored safely
7.
No
evidence of
liquid fuels being used by scouts
8.
Fire
buckets available
for fire scar area
9.
No
open fire left
unattended
10. No flames in tents.
11. Tools safely stored
Health
1.
First
aid kit
available and in sight
2.
Drinking
water
supply clean and covered
3.
Cooking
area
clean
4.
Washing
facilities
for dishes and utensils available
5.
Food
properly
stored or refrigerated
6.
Tents
have ground
cloths
7.
Hand
washing
station with soap set up
Identity
1.
Tour
permit
available
2.
Agenda
Posted
Attitude
1.
Courtesy and respect for judges
COOKING POLICY
—Cooking for campouts is done
by the patrol method. The Patrol Cook
will prepare the menu after conferring with his patrol, then create the
shopping list, buy the patrol’s food with the assistance of a parent or
adult,
and then prepare the food on the campout.
He may designate an assistant cook.
He may do some of the prep work at home.
His parent should help advise regarding frugality and nutritional
aspects of food choices.
-—He will know ahead of
time the number of scouts in his patrol he will cook for.
He should have his shopping list approved by
the Adult leader prior to buying the food to ensure a balanced, healthy
menu
without undo waste of food.
-Samples of outdoor recipes
are available on the troops website, listed according to difficulty.
—The food budget is $3 per
meal per Scout. 4 meals are planned for
most campouts- Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast.
—The Patrol cook should
have his receipts initialed by the Adult Leader and turn it in to the
Troop
Treasurer for reimbursement at the following troop meeting.
-Soda, candy and junk food
is not reimbursed.
—Troop 29 provides training
on proper menu and cooking methods and expects safe handling of food and
of
fire. We discourage bringing food to
campouts that require coolers or refrigeration especially whole milk and
raw
meat especially chicken. Powdered milk
and canned meats should be substituted.
Parents will need to assist their scout with the grocery shopping
and
budget requirements.
—Adult campers function
under the same guidelines.
FUNDRAISING
The profits from the
October Wreath fundraiser benefit the participating scouts. They may use the money for any scout related
activity. A small portion is retained by the troop for equipment needs. The scouts in the High Adventure program may
participate in additional fundraising to offset the cost of their trips.
Troop 29 CODE
OF CONDUCT
As a member of Troop 29,
each member promises to conduct himself in a manner consistent with the
Scouting Ideals set forth in the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Oath: 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 Behavior:
Consistent with the Oath
and the Law, Troop 29 expects all scouts to adhere to the following
standards
of conduct at all Scouting events:
1. Abusive, rude, or
destructive behavior will not be tolerated at any scout-related activity
or
meeting. Any scout engaging in such
behavior will receive a warning from a Troop Leader. If
the behavior continues, the Scout may be
dismissed from that activity. The Troop
Leader will contact the Scout’s parents, explain the situation, and make
arrangements for the parents to pick up the Scout immediately. Repeated misbehavior could result in
dismissal from Troop 29.
2. Scout will not
possess, use or consume alcohol,
non-prescription drugs, tobacco or fireworks at any scout-related
function. Such behavior is specifically
prohibited by BSA policy. Two Adult
Troop Leaders will search any Scout suspected of having the
above-mentioned
substances in his possession, along with his belongings. If any of the
above-mentioned substances are found in the Scouts possession, the Scout
will
be subject to immediate dismissal from that activity and possibly from
Troop
29.
SCOUT MOTTO
BE PREPARED
SCOUT SLOGAN
DO A GOOD TURN DAILY
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
SERVICE
HOURS SERVICE HOURS
RECORD RECORD
=============================
=============================
Scout_____________________
Scout____________________
Project___________________
Project____________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Sponsor___________________
Sponsor___________________
_________________________
_________________________
Benefactor_________________
Benefactor________________
_________________________
________________________
Date & Number
Hours_______ Date &
Number Hours______
_________________________
________________________
Scoutmaster’s
Approval______ Scoutmaster’s
Approval___
_________________________
_______________________
SERVICE
HOURS SERVICE HOURS
RECORD RECORD
===========================
=============================
Scout____________________ Scout____________________
Project___________________
Project____________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Sponsor__________________ Sponsor___________________
_________________________
_________________________
Benefactor________________
Benefactor________________
_________________________
________________________
Date & Number
Hours_______ Date &
Number Hours______
_________________________
________________________
Scoutmaster’s
Approval______ Scoutmaster’s
Approval______
_________________________
_________________________
SERVICE
HOURS
SERVICE HOURS
RECORD RECORD
============================
=============================
Scout_____________________
Scout____________________
Project___________________
Project____________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Sponsor___________________
Sponsor___________________
_________________________
_________________________
Benefactor________________
Benefactor________________
_________________________
________________________
Date & Number
Hours_______ Date &
Number Hours______
_________________________
________________________
Scoutmaster’s
Approval______ Scoutmaster’s
Approval______
_________________________
_________________________
PLANNING AN EAGLE
PROJECT
Upon attaining Life rank,
the scout receives a Leadership Service Project Workbook and
Instructions for
Eagle Scout Candidates that give detailed instructions on the Eagle
project
rules and earning the Eagle rank. Prior
to reaching the Life rank, scouts and their parents often have questions
about
the details and specifics regarding the path to attaining the Eagle
rank. This
overview is meant to answer some of these questions by creating a
summary of
the process.
1. Obtain a spiral bound
paper notebook and a Binder with
plastic sleeves.
-The spiral notebook is
used as an ongoing time log for your
hours spent planning and completing the project. In
this notebook you should keep tract of all
telephone calls, time you interact with people, and description of what
took place
by making a brief listing of the date, minutes spent and a description
of each
event entered.
-All other materials and
info related to the eagle project should be kept together in the binder,
including the Eagle project workbook, project write-up, photographs,
receipts,
business cards, and correspondence.
2.
Estimate 12 or more months to complete the project.
-All aspects of the eagle
project must be completed while a Life scout and prior to your 18th
birthday.
-Only the Eagle Board of
Review may be completed after turning 18.
3. Identify a service
project that will meet the requirements of the Eagle Scout service
Project.
-A great way to gather
ideas for a project is to assist other Life scouts with their Eagle
projects.
-Speak with the Adult
Leaders in the troop, charitable organizations in the area, churches,
and various
public entities like schools, village board, park district to get ideas.
4. Meet with the troops
Eagle Coach (identified by the scoutmaster) to identify the best idea.
-Most scouts reject several
of their initial project ideas after investigating them, but retain the
planning log in your spiral notebook regarding time spent on them and
use the
same log for the multiple Eagle project plans.
5. Meet with the individual
representing the Benefiting Organization to discuss their needs and
determine
their willingness to sponsor your project.
6.
Create a detailed written
proposal for your Eagle Project, and then meet with the Benefiting
Organization
representative to present an discuss the proposal.
-The proposal should be on typing
paper, not on the Eagle Workbook.
-You should make it clear
in your proposal that you would be the individual to direct the project
-Include the tangible
benefit to the sponsoring organization
-The scope of the project
should be large enough to demonstrate leadership
-Include the number of
workers you will need and how you plan to recruit them
-Include project materials
and how obtained
-Include tools needed and
how obtained
-Include project costs,
duration, and potential safety concerns, and other potential challenges
that
may occur and how to deal with them.
-Include photos, maps, or
construction drawings if appropriate
-Include a time line
showing basic steps to complete the project
7. Obtain the Benefiting
Organization signature and scoutmaster signature in your Eagle Workbook.
-Also request a letter on the
organization stationary from the Benefiting Organization representative
indicating they have both reviewed and accept your proposal dependant on
the
approval of your troop committee and District Eagle Advisor.
8. Present your project to the troop’s
eagle project review committee.
-The Eagle Committee review takes about one hour and involves an
oral
presentation by the scout, a paper review of the project proposal
(provide 4 copies),
and questions/suggestions/revisions from the committee.
-Be on time for all meetings; wear a dress uniform at all
meetings
involving your Eagle project.
- Arrange a second Eagle Committee meeting after a rewrite if a
revision
was requested. Get the committee
chairman’s signature on your Eagle workbook.
Most projects will take two or more weeks to get a final
committee
approval and committee signature.
-the committee discourages projects that heavily involve the
scout’s parent
or money
-the committee discourages projects that involve too few
volunteers/workers
-the committee encourages projects that involve the troop scouts
and
troop leaders
-encourages a scout that does independent research on his project
-discourages the use of power tools
-discourages a project that is too large or too small in scope.
9. Get a District Eagle Advisor assigned
to you by calling the Northwest Suburban Council at 847-.
-You may request a specific advisor if you have a preference.
-Show him your project proposal, and
obtain his signature on your workbook.
10. Start work on the project.
-Only planning may be done prior to this
point.
-Examples of planning include: talking with organizations,
experts,
reference librarians, parents, relatives, friends, potential volunteers
or
donors, reading, making drawings or times schedules, creating the
project
presentation, checking prices, references, availability of supplies,
volunteers. Taking photos.
-Examples of work on the project that cannot be done prior to
this stage
include buying materials, transporting materials, gathering material,
scheduling volunteers, accepting donations.
11. Create a volunteer time log/sign
in/sign out sheet during the work phase of the project.
-You may send each volunteer a letter listing total hours donated
to
your project to document their volunteer hours and thank them.
12. Keep track of the monetary cost of
your project and the supplies donated.
-As one donates an item to you, present them with 2 copies of a
thank
you letter before accepting the donation.
Fill out the blanks in the form letter and ask them to sign both.
They
would retain one copy and you would keep the other for your binder.
(Dear
_______________________________,
Month, Day, Year
Company Name______________________
Thank you for your donation to
assist my Eagle
service project of
________________________________________________________________.
Your donation of
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
has a value of
$_______________________________________________________________
and is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Eagle Scout Candidate
Northwest Suburban Council
Boy Scout Troop 29
13. Assign a volunteer the job of taking pictures and/or videos
of the
project as it progresses.
-Photos are an essential part of the final workbook.
-The Video can be played during your
Eagle Ceremony as an added enhancement.
-The role of photographer is often a good job for a family
member.
14. Obtain an adult volunteer for each
aspect of the project that requires non-family volunteers.
As the eagle project represents a scouting
activity, the work phase of the project requires adult presence at all
times.
15. Call the District Eagle advisor when there is any change in
the
project from the written proposal or if there is any unusual
circumstance that
develops as it is carried out.
16. Contact the Benefiting Organization Representative at the end
of the
project and request a letter confirming the project has been completed
in an
acceptable manner.
17. Consider giving the local newspaper a press release and
photograph
pertaining to you project.
18. Type the Eagle Project report.
-Include photos, receipts, flyers, notes, drawings, newspaper
clippings
and other memorabilia.
- Place it in the Eagle Binder and separate the materials with
dividers
into the sections: Application packet,
project proposal, project report, supporting materials, pictures,
records,
newspaper articles.
-Label all photographs.
19. Complete the Eagle Workbook and
obtain required signatures.
-Notify the district Eagle Advisor when
you have reached this stage.
20. After the eagle service project and
21+ merit badges are completed, distribute six blank letters of
recommendation.
-First ask the individuals if they are comfortable giving you a
positive
recommendation.
-Let them know you will never see their recommendation which will
be
kept in confidence.
-Include a stamped envelope addressed to your Eagle Advisor and
the
Letter of Recommendation form.
-Request they complete and mail the form that same day.
-Call them within 2 days to confirm they mailed the letter, and
to thank
them for doing so.
-Some scouts obtain more than six LOR, but understand that Eagle Advisors will then delay the BOR until
the six letters from people you have listed on the application are
received.
-The Eagle Advisor will contact the scout
when all LOR are received, then arrange the Eagle Board of Review with
the
troop advancement committee and troop committee chair..
Example of a personal
time log in spiral notebook:
Date Duration Activity
2/1/07 30 min Internet research on CFC project
3/1/07 10 min Phone
Call to SM re project ideas
4/1/07 45 min trip to walk creek site
Example of Volunteer
time log in Project Write-up:
Date Person Time of Arrival
Time of Departure
5/1/07 L. Bean 10 AM
1
PM
5/3/07 R. Smith 11 AM
2
PM
5/3/07 T. Ryan 2 PM
4 PM
Example of Time Line in
the Project Presentation
Day Activity #
Volunteers Est Time/person
Total Volunteer Hours
1-AM Power Hose Deck 1 1 Hour 1 Hr
1-PM Scrape Siding 4 4
Hours 16 Hr
2-AM Buy and Mix
Paint 2 2
Hr 4 Hr
2-PM Paint Siding 4 3
Hr 12
Hr
3-Am Paint Siding 4 3
Hr 12
Hr
3-PM Paint Trim 4 3
Hr 12
Hr
Total
57
PLANNING THE EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
It is the tradition in
Troop 29 for the parent to plan and execute the Court of Honor for his
Eagle
Scout with the assistance of the troop.
The Troop Committee has available a number of flags, banners,
plaques,
several samples of different ceremonies, and supplies to assist the
process.
The time line is as
follows:
Set a date for the Court of
Honor between one and six months after the Eagle Board of Review.
As soon as possible reserve
location and their hospitality room, coffee maker, podium, loudspeaker,
linens,
seating, tables and TV/VCR
If the Order of the Arrow
is participating, make contact with them as quickly as possible to
determine
their availability.
Reserve the Council
Historic flags.
Buy stationery at scout
shop
Pick up Troop supplies,
candles, flags from Committee Chair.
Invite scoutmaster to
participate in ceremony and verify availability.
Invite Eagle Advisor to
participate in ceremony and verify availability.
Invite special guest/s to a
speak in the ceremony
Invite the Sponsoring
Organization representative to the ceremony.
If food is planned, contact
a caterer and determine menu.
Print invitations with map
and RSVP to family, friends, troop members.
Mail invitations one month
prior to event
Notify Advancement
Committee one month prior to buy/order award, pins and trophy.
Review ceremony options and
select one from the available ones in the troops material packet or from
online
ceremonies, or from book or eagle ceremonies.
Order Cake one week prior
to event
Print program and
participants script.
Gather items for brag table
to display.
Day before event, decorate
room with banners and table linens.
Verify timing of caterer.
Deliver cake.
Parents participate as
guests in there
COUNCIL PHONE NUMBERS
Scout Shop 847
824-6887
600
N. Wheeling Road, Mt Prospect
Northwest Suburban
Council 847 824-6880
NWSC fax 847
842-6925
St. Anne Parish Office and
facility reservations 847 382-5300