A Guide for Parents and Scouts

Troop 149 has served the young men of Orangevale continuously for over 50 years as a unit of the Boy Scouts of America. Our troop is in the Pony Express District of the Golden Empire Council and is sponsored locally by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3045. We meet on the first, second, fourth and sometimes fifth Tuesdays of each month at the First United Methodist Church of Orangevale meeting hall ,9041 Central Ave, Orangevale. Over the years our troop has produced more than 50 Eagle scouts and has provided leadership opportunities both in the troop and at Council camps and events. The scouts also do valuable service in the community with special projects and good turns. This service gives the scout community awareness and helps foster a giving attitude. Scouts learn as they do and usually have a great time.

Leadership, Planning, and Support

The scouts of Troop 149 have a leadership training program and a chance to lead in "hands-on" experience by planning and putting on troop activities. Patrol Leader Council meetings are run by the Senior Patrol Leader and are attended by the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, and other elected and appointed scout leader positions. At these meetings scouts plan and organize activities in the troop and create and update the yearly calendar.

Volunteer adult leaders provide the necessary support to the activities as; Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Quartermaster, Committee Chairperson, Advancement Chairperson, Treasurer and other valuable positions. By B.S.A. policy at least two adult leaders attend all troop functions and provide overall program supervision and guidance while leaving direct leadership to the scouts.

The Troop Committee, open to all parents, meets on the third Tuesday of each month and when necessary for special needs. The committee is responsible for supporting the troops activities with funding, transportation, and adult guidance.

The Responsibilities of the Scout

The Scout Oath or Promise and the Scout Law are the basic principles of Scouting. Members of Troop 149 are expected to try hard to live by those principles. The Standards of Conduct included in this guide are necessary to operate the troop with the least possible disruption. Consequences for inappropriate behavior are outlined in this code.

Robert Baden-Powell founded scouting with the Patrol as the basic unit. Each scout learns to work with his peers in the patrol and develop leadership skills. The most sucessful troops begin with well organized and active patrols and Troop 149 works to encourage solid patrol participation. Planning and execution of activities ideally come from the patrol and all scouts are expected to join in.

Responsibilities of the Parent

Any troop is only as strong as the level of parental involvement. As a scout parent, your support is imparative. You will be asked to help in fund raisers, transportation, and to assist on scout outings. You may also be asked if you can fill a committee position or teach a merit badge. Family involvment in our troop is not restriced to Mom and Dad: Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and other members who are interested in scouting are encouraged to participate. As much as possible tasking will be evenly distributed. If you drive on one outing, for instance, you will not be the first asked to drive on the next.

Fund Raising

Troop 149 has one major fund raiser during the year which provides most of the operating budget. Parents are encouraged to participate, since the more sucessful this effort is, the lower fees become. Special needs during the year can be supplemented by one time fund raisers, but they are rare. Profits from council and national scout office projects such as Fall Popcorn sales and candy sales are applied directly to the scout who does the work. These funds are maintained in the troop treasury under the scouts name and may be used by that scout for fees, events, scout clothing or individual equipment related to scouting.

Transportation

Troop 149 travels to and from events in family vehicles. For this to be equal, we ask all parents to share in this reaponsibility from time to time. Vehicles must have seat belts for each scout and adult. Passengers may not ride in pick-up beds, even for short trips in the camp area and vehicles must be insured; Please say "YES" when asked to drive.

Troop Activities

"One campout a month" is the goal. Some of the trips will involve backpacking and others are car/truck camping. Some are as close as Folsom Lake, some as far away as the California coast. Most cooking is done by scouts; sometimes by troop, sometimes by patrol, occasionally individually. Troop tents are provided; as well as camp stoves and cooking gear. Some backpacks and personal gear are available from the quartermaster on loan; but for the most part scouts are responsible for their own personal gear, as listed in the Boy Scout Handbook. One day activities are also planned such as: bike hikes, historical treks, museum visits, wildlife observation trips and more. All are selected and carried out with scout advancement and enjoyment in mind.

Summer Camp

Every year, Troop 149 goes to a week long summer camp operated by the Boy Scouts of America. Which camp to attend; whether in, or out, of the local Golden Empire Council, is determined by the scouts during the yearly planning meeting and approved by the troop committee.

Camporee, Jamboree and Scout-O-Rama

Whenever these events are offered by the District or Council, Troop 149 participates. Competition in scouting skills between patrols, especially of different troops, promotes patrol pride and unity and encourages learning. We feel this is an important addition to the yearly calendar.

Standards of Conduct

Boy Scouts are expected to demonstrate a higher level of behavior than other young men. As a member of Troop 149, each scout is obligated to uphold the tradition of leadership, service and good conduct that set scouts apart.

By becoming a Boy Scout, every member of Troop 149 has agreed to live by the Scout Oath or Promise and Scout Law. Each scout should know both by heart and apply them to their personal standard of conduct. These are the rules scouts live by; both in scouting and every day life.

Behavior at Scout Functions

Since many scout activities involve some risk, it is necessary that scouts behave in a responsible and alert manner. Poor behavior cannot be tolerated or ignored at scouting functions. It is a matter of safety and enjoyment of the program. For this reason a behavior policy has been defined and specific standards are applied. This is so both parent and scout will know what is expected.

Volunteer Leaders

Adult Leaders of Troop 149 devote tremendous amounts of time and energy to work in the program. Scouting is important to them and they feel it is a valuable part of growing up. No adult leader wants to have to deal with a behavior problem. Time spent dealing with it takes time from working with scouts in a positive and productive manner. They are not required to and will not "Baby-sit".

What is expected of Boy Scouts

The basic rules of scouting are expressed in the Scout Oath and Law. Whenever he is chosing his actions, a scout should ask, "Is this in keeping with the Scout Oath and Law?"; if it isn't, then probably it is a bad choice.

What is prohibited

1. Ignoring or refusing to follow instructions.

2. Foul, abusive or profane language or actions

3. Fighting or acting in a threatening manner.

4. Violating established rules at scout tunctions.

Disciplinary Action

Youth leaders are not to take disciplinary action against any scout. The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster should be notified by the youth leader of any behavior problems. Actions to be taken are as follows:

First time: Verbal warning by Scoutmaster or Assistant.

Second time: Conferrence with the scout and two Adult leaders and/or time out/expulsion from the event.

Third time: Meeting with the Scoutmaster or Assistant, the Scout, and the Parent or Guardian.

Forth time: Suspension from one or more future troop activities.

* The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster has the discretion to bypass one or more of these steps depending on the severity ofthe offence.

Focusing on the Positive

Scouting is a great program. The members of Troop 149 have a chance to take part in many exciting adventures. Boy Scouts learn to do their best as they work their way through the ranks toward Eagle. Leadership training benefits the scout and the troop. Troop functions are best when planned, organized, and administered by the scouts themselves. Scouting teaches good values that can last a lifetime. A scout leads first by good example; and good behavior is a key element. The aim of this policy is to promote good values and safety in our troop programs.