BSA Troop 144 - Mint Hill

Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 144

Welcome to Troop 144 and The Boy Scouts of America!  Troop 144 has been serving the boys of the Mecklenburg County area for 24 years.  By becoming a parent of a Boy Scout, you are setting your son out on the grand adventure of Scouting.  This is a tremendously important and rewarding endeavor that you will be able to share with him. What is it all about?  What will you be expected to do?  What does it cost?  We have prepared this booklet to answer these questions.  The following pages describe the organization of a Troop and the advancement pattern that each boy will follow.  Reading this will help you understand how your boy can progress through the ranks with your help.  It will help you understand how you can help and what the various adult volunteers are doing to help the Troop.  Please don’t hesitate to call any of the leaders if you have a question or a comment. We value your input.   

Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

 Vision Statement

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the future scouting will continue to:

Offer young people responsible fun and adventure;

Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law;

Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership;

Serve America’s communities and families with its quality, values-based program.

                  Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program

THE AIMS OF SCOUTING

There are basically three aims of the Scouting movement: to build character, foster citizenship, and development fitness. 

1) To Build Character: includes instilling moral and ethical qualities, honesty, courage and integrity in the boy.  Included in character building are the traits of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-respect. 

2) To Foster Citizenship: can be stated as the Scout’s relationship to others in his community and nation.  He learns how his local, state, and federal governments work and his obligation to keep his country strong. 

3) To Develop Fitness:  Scouting recognizes four types of fitness and encourages the development of all of them.  They include physical, emotional, mental, and moral.    

THE METHODS OF SCOUTING

The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals. These are the personal behavior guides and standards that the boy commits to when he joins Scouting.   The Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, and Outdoor Code give the boy guidelines for living. Growth in moral strength and character is one of the aims of Scouting.   We encourage a boy to look at his personal qualifications, his values, his outlook, and hopes for the future.  By developing his relationship to others, he learns about his obligation to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society. This accomplishes our second aim of having a boy become a participating citizen. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Advancement. Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Associations with Adults. Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth. As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

Leadership Development. The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

 THE TROOP ORGANIZATION

The Troop

Probably the biggest different between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts that you will see is that of the leader-scout relationship.  In Cub Scouts, the leaders set up the program and the Den Leader leads the activities and advancement.  In Boy Scouts, the program is boy led with leader guidance.  The Troop is a group made up of several Boy Scout patrols. Each Patrol usually has a patrol leader and four to eight Scouts. The boys in a patrol elect their Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.  Here is the way it breaks down:

Boy Leadership

Senior Patrol Leader: (SPL) Highest ranking scout, but not always the oldest, in charge of the troop as a whole.  He is the top boy leader and is elected by the boys in the troop.  He leads the patrol leaders’ council in consultation with the Scoutmaster, and may appoint other junior leaders. 

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader:  (ASPL) He fills in for the SPL in his absence.  He is also responsible for training and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian, and instructors.  This position is generally appointed by the SPL. 

 Patrol Leaders:  They are responsible for giving leadership to the members of their patrols.  They are also responsible for holding patrol meetings outside the regular troop meeting.  Patrols are usually made up of between four and eight Scouts.  The patrol leader is the first person a scout should contact when they have issues or questions.  We want to teach the scouts to be self-sufficient, so if the question is about what the scout should be doing, the best solution is to have your scout call his patrol leader. 

The senior Patrol Leader and The Patrol leaders are elected in special elections twice a year along with other positions in the troop.

 You may have heard the phrase that this is a "boy led troop" and wondered what exactly that means. Well, it means that in terms of determining what the troop will do and making it happen, it is up to the boys. The more senior scouts make up something called a Patrol Leaders Council and this council effectively decides how the troop will operate. They plan the meetings and run them. The adult leaders are responsible for the health and safety of the boys, and they provide advice to the PLC, offering ideas and possible solutions to problems that may arise. But unless there is a health and safety issue, the scouts are deciding for themselves how the troop runs.

Adult Leadership

The Scoutmaster: is responsible for the program of the troop.  He and his Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts.  In general, his responsibilities include: Training and guiding boy leaders,  Working with other adult leaders to bring Scouting to the boys, Using the methods of Scouting to achieve the aims of Scouting . 

Assistant Scoutmasters: are recruited by the Scoutmaster and approved by the Troop Committee to assist the Scoutmaster in the operation of the troop.  Assistant Scoutmasters are assigned program tasks by the Scoutmaster and provide guidance to the boy leadership.  They may also be assigned as patrol advisors to assist the patrols.  They provide the required two-deep leadership.    

 The Troop Committee

The chairperson who heads the Troop Committee is supported by a number of positions including Advancement Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Chair, and Equipment Coordinator.  The committee is responsible for the administration of the troop.  It meets as necessary to discuss business for the troop. 

Committee Chairperson:  duties include organizing the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed.  He/she maintains a relationship between the charter organization and the Scoutmaster.  In addition, the chairperson prepares the agenda for and presides over committee meetings and courts of honor, secures trained individuals for troop leadership, and interprets national and local policies to the troop. 

Secretary:  keeps the minutes of the troop committee meetings and sends them out to committee members, handles publicity, and reports the minutes of the previous meetings. He/she may also conduct the Troop Resource Survey and prepare a family newsletter of troop events and activities. 

Treasurer:  (Finance/Records) handles all the troop funds.  He/she pays the bills on recommendation of the Scoutmaster and authorization of the Troop Committee, supervises the Scout accounts, prepares the troop budget, keeps adequate records, and oversees and trains the Troop Scribe. 

Advancement Chair:  Encourages Scouts to advance in rank.  When a troop board of review is held, the advancement chair makes a prompt report on the correct forms to the Council service center and secures badges and certificates.  He/she will also set up courts of honor. 

Equipment Coordinator:  Supervises and helps the troop procure camping equipment and works with the Troop Quartermaster on inventory and proper storage and maintenance of all troop equipment.  He/she also makes periodic safety checks on troop camping gear. 

Fundraiser Chair:      This position works with the Treasurer, Troop Committee, and troop leadership in setting up and coordinating troop fund-raising activities.     

 The Troop Parents

The role of parents within Troop 144 is to be supportive of the Troop's efforts and to provide the atmosphere Scouts need to learn and excel. Parents should try to:

1. Read their Scout's handbook and understand the purpose and methods of Scouting.

2. Actively follow their Scout's progress and offer encouragement and a push when needed.

3. Show support to both the individual Scout and the Troop by attending all Troop Courts of Honor.

4. Assist in Troop fundraisers and other such activities. Troop 144 is supported by various fundraising activities and by troop dues. These funds are used to provide a place to meet, camping equipment, and to help meet our goals for a troop bus and other plans for the troop.   Each Scout and his parents have an equal responsibility to participate in fundraising activities.  

5. Be aware of the Troop Events Calendar. This is maintained by our webmaster on the troop 144 website wwwbsatroop144.com.

6. Consider serving as Merit Badge Counselor in areas in which they have specialized knowledge and skills.  A Merit Badge Counselor must be Registered, must submit an additional Merit Badge Counselor application and finally must be approved by the Munsee District Merit Badge Dean and have completed the Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection training.

Remember: Regardless of your skills or interest there is something you share with all scouting volunteers that makes your involvement priceless; your interest in having your son in the best possible scouting program.

 Troop Communications

The Troop’s adult and youth leaders attempt to keep everyone informed but it is the personal responsibility of everyone associated with the troop to keep themselves informed. The best way to stay informed is to attend the weekly Troop meetings. The Troop uses the following methods of communication:

E-mail via constant contact        

The Troop’s website www.bsatroop144.com

Announcements at the end of each meeting

Announcements at the end of each scout activity

Calendar posted on the troops website

 Chartered Organization (Sponsor)

A Boy Scout troop is organized and administered by a Chartered organization, which is granted a charter annually by the Boy Scouts of America.  Troop 144 is chartered by The Methodist Men at Blair Road Methodist Church.  A Chartered Organization Representative acts a liaison between Troop 144 and Blair Road Methodist Church. Troop 144's Chartered Organization Representative (COR) is Steve Murphy. 

And you may have questions about:

Meetings

Meetings will normally be held at 7:00 PM each Tuesday (this includes summer) at Blair Rd. Methodist Church.  They will generally last about 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Scouts will work on skills, merit badge activities, and preparing for upcoming events.  

Troop Committee meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month.

 Equipment Needed

The troop provides cooking equipment, tents, tarps, and other joint use items for campouts.  Scouts will need a sleeping bag, eating dishes and utensils, personal hygiene items, and a backpack to carry your equipment.  The backpack is commonly referred to as the day bag.  It’s the same thing as a school book bag and your scout will keep it with him at all times  will have with him in a vehicle on the way to troop 144 outings as the rest of his gear, sleeping bags etc. will be in the troop trailer and inaccessible. 

In the day bag scouts should have the following items referred to as the Scout Outdoor Essentials: Pocketknife, First aid kit, Extra clothing, Rain gear, Water bottle, Flashlight, Trail food, Matches and fire starters, Sunscreen, Map and compass, and Boy Scout Handbook.

It is better to start with the basics and build up to a better inventory of gear as birthdays, Christmas, etc. come along. 

 Troop Costs/Fee

Effective for 2011, the troop has set annual dues at $80.00 per boy.  Dues are paid in February, when the troop goes through its re-charter process with BSA.  A portion of this fee (20.00 in 2011) goes to cover National BSA expenses (registration, Insurance, Boys’ Life) for each boy.  The rest of the money covers a large portion of the troops budgeted operating expenses.  The rest of the Troop 144 operating expenses are covered through various fund raising activities (sales, popcorn sales, BBQ, and other fund raisers) in which all scouts are expected to participate.  

 Service Projects

In addition to weekly meetings and monthly camping activities, Troop 144 scouts develop a sense of citizenship and strengthen their community by participating in special Service Projects throughout the year.  These include participating in the annual Veterans Day “Salute to Veterans” at the Mint Hill Historical Village on Hwy 51, behind the scenes grunt work for the happenings at Blair Road Methodist Church, and many hours of Eagle Scout project work at the church and in the Mint Hill area.

Monthly Campouts

Troop 144 loves to camp. We try to have a campout or some other activity each month. We will also attend Summer Camp in July and possibly have another special trip during the summer.  Our campouts generally cost $30.00 for a two night day and a half trip.  This includes meals and activity.  The winter ski trip and summer camp are considerably more.        

Summer Camp

The past several years, the scouts of Troop 144 have chosen to alternate attending Camp Grimes in Nebo, NC just north of Shelby and Camp Rock Enon in Gore, Virginia. Gore is around 16 miles west of Winchester and Interstate 81 and a stone’s throw from West Virginia in the extreme northern tip of Virginia. This year our troop is going to Camp Daniel Boone. The camp is in Canton, NC twenty miles west of Ashville, NC.  This will be our first trip to Camp Daniel Boone and the troop is really looking forward to the Adventure.

All scouts are strongly encouraged to attend summer camp.  It is the highlight of the scouting year.  Previously acquired scouting skills are put to use and many skills are learned in the merit badge classes and programs offered at camp.

Summer camp runs for approximately 6 days with a family visitation day scheduled during the session.  A prearranged payment schedule is established through the months prior to camp.  The cost of summer camp for 2011 is $280.00 per scout and $280.00 for adults.  There are no part time scouts at summer camp, although adults can attend part time.

The summer camp experience can be especially beneficial to scouts new to the troop as it speeds their assimilation into the Troop 144 family.  Scouts who attend summer camp return home enthused and committed to the scouting program.

In addition to a series of informative emails on the subject, a summer camp informational meeting is held in the a few weeks prior to camp to address questions and concerns of parents and to assist the scouts sign up for the various merit badges offered.

We also have a warm up to summer camp in the month of May called Beaver Days at Camp Grimes.  This is a yearly service project for the Mecklenburg county council and a good time to go see the camp and stay a couple of nights so that it isn’t as big a shock in the summer.

Yearly Physical Examination / Annual Medical Form

In order for your son to participate in scouting activities he must undergo a yearly physical examination by the doctor of your choice, the official BSA Annual Medical Form completed, IN FULL, and a copy must be on file with the Troop. The information requested includes your insurance carrier and policy number, physician's name and contact information, any, and all, allergies or pre-existing medical conditions, inoculations with date of last inoculation and any, and all, prescribed medications, including inhalers and epi-pens. This is for your son's protection and is extremely important!  This also goes for adults who plan to attend summer camp or any other event lasting more than three days.

Uniform and Handbook

 Each scout is given a Boy Scout Handbook by Troop 144 at crossover.  In addition to the many pages of information your scout will cover through the years are the rank requirements found at the back. The scoutmaster and assistant will initial and date many times over course of several years as this is the paper record of your sons achieved rank requirements.  Please encourage your son to take care of this book and bring it to meetings and campouts.  Scouts will also need to have his Boy Scout Handbook when appearing before a Board of Review.  

The scout uniform MUST be worn at all troop meetings.  If your scout will be coming to the meeting from school, sports, etc. he should have his uniform to change into.  Be Prepared.  The class A uniform must be worn to and from all camping trips.  Uniforms consist of:

Class A:  Scout pants or shorts, Scout shirt, Scout socks, scout belt with scout buckle.

Class B:   Scout pants or short, Troop T-shirt, scout socks or white socks, scout belt.

A ceremonial class A uniform would consist of the above plus a neckerchief, slide and merit badge sash.  Uniform items such as pants, shirts, shorts, belts, socks, hats, etc. are available at the scout stores on 7^th St. or Westinghouse Blvd.   

Advancement

One of the biggest differences between cub scouts and boy scouts is how the boys advance through the ranks. In cub scouts, the den did everything together. If you came to the meetings, you advanced at the same rate that everyone else did. In Boy Scouts, that is not true. Everyone advances at their own rate. As the boys master skills required for a particular rank, they can get them signed off. Some skills are taught during troop meetings, but many are not and need to be learned outside of the regular troop meetings. This often happens at the campouts and at summer camp, or at special sessions for teaching scout skills. The scout can also learn the skills on their own.

The Boy Scout advancement program provides a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. As he acquires these skills he moves up through a series of ranks, for which he is awarded the following badges: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The higher he climbs the more challenging his tasks — and the more rewarding.

Details for advancement are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook, which is given to each scout as a gift from Troop 144 at crossover. Take a look at Chapter 1. This short chapter has an advancement summary through First Class.

Merit Badges

The goal of the merit badge program is to expand a Scout's areas of interest and to encourage the Scout to meet and work with adults in a chosen subject. Merit badges are earned by a Scout working at his own pace with a registered merit badge counselor.

Qualified parents of scouts are encouraged to become a Merit Badge Counselor if they are registered and verified by the Etowah District Merit Badge Dean. If you are interested please complete a Troop Resource Survey Form and return it to a Troop Leader.

Boards of Review

When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he appears before a board of review composed of members of the Troop committee. The purpose of the review is not an examination. Rather it is to determine the Scout's attitude and acceptance of Scouting's ideals; to ensure that the requirements have been met for advancement, to discuss the Scout's experiences in the Troop and the Troop's program, and to encourage him to keep working towards advancement. A Board of Review may also be held to counsel a boy about his lack of progress toward advancement.

 Courts of Honor

Troop 144 will conduct a Court of Honor usually three times a year to recognize Scout advancements and awards. The Court of Honor is a public ceremony, and is a chance for the Scouts to be recognized for their achievements. Families and all other interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

 And Finally

What we expect from your scout

Eleven year old boys need direction; they don’t have all the answers. However we as leaders wish to instill in them a feeling of commitment and responsibility to scouting at an early stage. This means a willingness to attend meetings, study for advancement at home and to attend monthly outings. This level of commitment will impact your entire family and should be a joint decision between the parents and scout. Each boy must fully realize that to get the full benefit from scouting, he must commit to attending and participating. There will often be conflicts with sports, family activities, and social events, but troop functions must rank high on your list of priorities. To quantify this issue, the troop expects that a boy attend at least 50% of all troop meetings and outings, participate in fund raising, community service and Eagle Scout projects. Failure to meet this level of commitment will result in consideration for deactivation. Lesser involvement causes your son to fall behind his peers, which works counter to the positive development we are trying to achieve.

Scouting means a substantial commitment from parents also, in the form of money, time, transportation to and from meetings and events, and support of advancement learning. Motivation is necessary from both home and the troop leaders. The philosophy of living by the Scout Oath and Scout Law needs continuous reinforcement at this age, but it can be a valuable tool in shaping the future success of your child. Parent involvement and encouragement combined with the efforts of our troop’s adult leaders will enable your boy to mature into a strong and confident adult.

Boy Scouting is a year-round, home-centered program involving boys and their parents, adult leaders and friends. The Troop can only function successfully with parent participation. Parents are expected to contribute time, energy and talent as needs arise within the Troop. (Boy Scouting Training Programs are available to benefit adult members.)

 The Founder’s Prayer

"Father of us all, We meet before Thee here today, numerous in the lands we come from and in the races we represent, but one in our Brotherhood under Thy Divine Fatherhood.
We come before Thee with hearts grateful and gladdened by the many blessings Thou hast granted us and thankful that our Movement has prospered as acceptable in Thy sight. In return we would lay on Thine Altar, as our humble thank-offering, such sacrifice as we can make of self in service to others. We ask that during our communion here together we may, under Thy Divine Inspiration, gain a widened outlook, a clearer vision of all that lies open before us and of our opportunity. Thus we may then go forth with strengthened faith to carry on our mission of heightening the ideals and powers of manhood, and of helping through closer understanding to bring about Thy happier Rule of Peace and Goodwill upon Earth."

Written by Robert Baden-Powell,

Founder of the Scout Movement for use in international events.

 Troop 144 Adults

Shawn Coffman……………………SR-1037………………………………...................................………Scout Master

Steve Fisher…………………………SR-1037……………...…...............................…………..Assistant Scout Master

Tad Huntley………………………………………………..................................………….……. Assistant Scout Master

Chris Wall…………………...………SR-489……………………….................................……. Assistant Scout Master

Larry Wall……………………………………………………...................................……...……. Assistant Scout Master

Lee West………………………………………………….……………..................................…. Assistant Scout Master

Troy Williams…………………………………………………..…...................................……… Assistant Scout Master

Ted Loring……………………………………………….................................………Outdoor Chairperson/Webmaster

Tim Otten………………………………………………………………...................................……Committee Chairman

Vince Foster…………………………………………………………..................................……………………Treasurer

Donna Fries ……………………………………………………...…...…..................................…….Rank Advancement

Karen Johnson……………………………………...…………………………..................................……Medical Forms

Susan Zielinski………………………………………………………………..................................…………....Secretary

Alecia Otten…………………………………………………………………………....................................…Fundraising

Joe Balent……………………………………………………………………...................................…….……Committee

Steve Murphy…………………………..………………................................…Chartered Organization Representative

John Dick…………………………….SR-702………...…..................................………Etowah District Commissioner