The very first thing you will need, even before a uniform, is a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. A good introduction to Scouting can be found on pages 1-17. If you have any questions, please call any of the Scoutmaster staff or one of the Patrol Leaders or your Troop Guide.
It is also suggested that you get a loose-leaf notebook for Scouting materials such as your advancement cards (Very Important to keep these).
Attendance
It is very important that you attend as many activities as possible. This is because you are a member of a patrol that works like a team.
If you have played baseball or football, you know how important it is that the entire team be there to play. Boy Scouts work the same way. The best patrols have members who are always there, rain or shine.
· Troop Meetings are scheduled almost every Tuesday (except Holidays). The Troop meetings are designed for the Patrols to work together on advancement, plan meals and service projects, conduct other patrol functions while having access to additional resources from the troop to assist. There is also time for fun as your patrol will compete in various games against other patrols.
· The Troop will go camping each month. We leave for our camp outs on Friday evening and return afternoon on Sunday. We will spend one week at Summer camp in June or July. Your “goal” as a patrol member is to have the “best campsite”. Your patrol will setup and organize your camp utilizing the scouting skills you have learned while building “camp improvements” to enhance the functionality of your campsite. Campsites will be inspected and judged, and the highest scoring patrol will be awarded “Campout Honors”.
· You will learn many new skills such as first aid, tracking, trailing, rope courses, climbing and repelling, orienteering, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, backpacking, pioneer cooking techniques.
· You will learn cold/hot weather survival techniques. You will identify plants, wildlife and know which ones to stay away from, and you will learn to conserve our natural resources. There will be troop games, campfires, free time, competitions and sunrise Chapel services. Did We mention you will have great fun!
Be an active member of your patrol. Make sure your patrol can count on you!
Please call your patrol leader when you know you will have to miss a meeting or campout. Also, call afterward to find out if there is anything you missed.