INFORMATION FOR PARENTS 

SCOUT TROOP #315 

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 

1 January 1996 
Prepared by: STEWART R. BYRNE
Revised 2002 by: TED NIEMANN



Current Committee Chair - 2002: TED NIEMANN

TROOP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 


FORWARD 

Today scouting is more exciting than ever and Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church 
is a wonderful home for our troop. If your boy is coming out of Cub Scouts, 
transferring from another troop, or entering scouting for the first time, this 
material will help you orient yourself to Troop 315. Read it carefully and don't 
hesitate to call on members of the Troop Committee for further information. 



PURPOSE 

Troop 315 is dedicated to fostering the growth of boys into young men by giving 
them the opportunity to develop good basic values; to learn about leadership and 
how to be a good follower; to practice organizational skills and teamwork; to 
become self-reliant; and to feel the pleasure of individual accomplishment through 
a program of group outdoor activities. 



SPONSORING ORGANIZATION 

All Boy Scout troops have a sponsoring organization. Troop 315 is fortunate to have 
been sponsored by the Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. The Troop 
is registered in the Seneca District, Lincoln Heritage Council, Boy Scouts of America. 



THE TROOP COMMITTEE 

The Troop Committee, consisting of a group of parents, represents and is responsible 
to the chartered (sponsoring) organization. The committee provides for meeting 
facilities, establishes local policy, carries out the policies of the Boy Scouts of 
America, is responsible for finances, supervises the development of the Troop activities 
program, and assures that adult leadership is available. The Troop Committee normally serves 
for a calendar year and has a chairman, vice chairman, and four subcommittees with basic 
responsibilities as follows: 

CHAIRMAN: Organizes, selects, and trains committee members; delegates responsibility; 
maintains a close relationship with the chartered organization and the Scoutmaster; 
interprets national and local policy; presides over troop committee meetings; ensures 
the troop has qualified leaders; arranges for charter review and rechartering. The vice 
chairman performs the duties of chairman when the chairman is absent. 

TREASURER: Conducts troop banking, collects dues, organizes fund raisers, keeps financial 
records, and prepares the necessary paperwork for the annual rechartering of the 
troop. 

SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP: Records troop committee meeting minutes, conducts publicity 
campaigns, maintains membership records, and assists in preparing the necessary 
paperwork for the annual rechartering of the troop. 

OUTDOORSMAN/ACTIVITIES: Manages troop equipment; coordinates camping trips, including 
summer camp; assures appropriate camping arrangements are made and required permits 
are obtained. 

ADVANCEMENT: Provides for merit badge counselors, maintains advancement records, 
works with the Scoutmaster and his assistants, encourages steady progress from each 
of the boys, and organizes advancement ceremonies. 

Specific duties of troop committee members are attached at the end of this publication. 







PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES 

The most important feature of Troop 315 is the active involvement of the parents. 
By providing the structure and back-up for supporting the troop, the scoutmaster and 
his assistants can concentrate on working with the boys. Each parent will be expected 
to serve on the troop committee, participate in camping activities, help with fund 
raisers, or assist when and where necessary. Don't wait to be asked, volunteer to assist 
in a way most compatible with your interest and availability. 



ELIGIBILITY 

Troop 315 is open to all boys living in our community who are eleven years old or 
older and have completed fifth grade or have earned the Arrow of Light from the Cub 
Scouts. Boys may remain in the troop until age 18. 



TROOP MEETINGS 

The Troop normally meets from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Wednesdays, at the Harvey Browne 
Presbyterian Church's Scout Loft. Scouts are expected to attend regularly in the appropriate 
scout uniform. Consult the schedule for meeting changes and other activities. 



LEADERSHIP 

The Troop program is determined by and run by the boys with supervision from the Scoutmaster 
and his assistants. The Troop consists of three to four patrols of eight to ten boys each. 
The patrol is the heart of the organization. The boys elect the leaders, Senior Patrol Leader, 
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Patrol Leaders with counseling from the adult leaders. 

The Senior Patrol Leader must have served as a Patrol Leader, be at least a Star scout, have 
been a member of the Troop for at least one year and have attended summer camp. The Patrol 
Leader must be a First Class Scout while meeting the camping and membership requirements above. 
Patrol Leaders appoint their assistants. The Senior Patrol Leader appoints a Quartermaster, a 
Librarian and a Historian or Scribe to his staff. All officers serve six month terms starting 
in February and August. 

A Leadership Corps is formed consisting of the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol 
Leader, Patrol Leaders, and all boys who have served in these positions who are no longer 
assigned to a patrol. The Leadership Corps will form as a patrol for meetings and camping trips. 
The Troop Leader's Council is comprised of the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol 
Leader, Patrol Leaders and other designated members from the Leadership Corps. Assistant Patrol 
Leaders may be included when special training sessions are held. Periodic leadership seminars 
will be conducted to help the boys develop required leadership skills. 

When possible, Cub Scouts entering the Troop as a group will remain together in a 
patrol until completion of First Class or graduation to the 7th grade. At this time 
they will move into a regular patrol. A Troop Guide will be appointed by the scoutmaster 
to act as a Patrol Leader for these new Boy Scouts until they display the required 
maturity to elect a creditable leader. An Assistant Scoutmaster will also be appointed 
to supervise the new patrol. 



DISCIPLINE 

The boys are expected to maintain a reasonable level of discipline while attending 
scouting functions. If a serious discipline problem occurs and the boy does not 
respond positively to adult guidance, he will be taken to the nearest telephone to 
arrange for a parent pick-up. We have not, and do not expect problems that the leaders
can't resolve. 

ADVANCEMENT 

The Troop has an excellent advancement record with many boys reaching the Eagle Scout 
rank. Individual accomplishment, advancement in rank, and public recognition are vital 
elements of the scouting program. The requirements for advancement from Scout to Eagle 
are contained in the Scout Handbook. It is helpful for a parent to periodically review 
these requirements with the scout to show interest in his progress. The first scheduled 
Troop meeting each month will be dedicated to advancement. This is a great time to 
complete required personal growth conferences with the scoutmaster and to arrange for 
a Board of Review. 

Board of Review: For ranks up to and including First Class, the scout will appear before 
a board consisting of at least three and not more than six members of the troop who hold 
leadership positions and who have a rank above that of the boy seeking advancement. Actions 
of this board must be approved by the Troop Committee Advancement Chairman. Scouts seeking 
the rank of Star or Life must appear before the Troop Committee for a Board of Review to 
certify the completion of requirements before the scout is advanced in rank. A special 
Eagle Board of Review is required for boys seeking the rank of Eagle Scout. The scoutmaster 
will schedule the required Boards of Review. 

Records: Record of achievement is very important, especially for advancement in the senior 
ranks. Accurate documentation is particularly important when submitting the final paperwork 
to the council to become an Eagle Scout. Omission of dates or signatures on required achievements 
for junior ranks may be cause for denial of the prestigious eagle rank. Scoutmaster approval 
is required for a parent to certify an advancement requirement. 

Service Projects: Service projects are required for advancement to the rank of Star, Life, 
and Eagle. These Projects will be approved by the Scoutmaster before starting work. The Eagle 
project must also be approved by the council before commencing work on the project. 

Advancement Ceremonies: Promotions and awards are normally given out at the quarterly Court of 
Honor which is attended by friends and relatives. For the rank of Star and above, a miniature 
version of each rank badge is presented to the mother of the Scout symbolizing the crucial role 
parents play in the advancement process. Parental involvement is absolutely essential for the 
continued success of the program. 

General Requirements: Other requirements for advancement are "Scout Spirit", regular attendance, 
cooperation, participation, leadership and the development of individual skills. The troop 
committee will not recommend a scout for advancement if fulfillment of these requirements is not
 evident. 

Merit Badges: Merit Badges must be signed-off by an adult Merit Badge Counselor and Scoutmaster, 
or Assistant Scoutmaster. We are fortunate to have numerous Merit Badge Counselors in our area 
who have been certified by the Troop Committee. Contact the Scoutmaster or Advancement chairman 
for assistance with Merit Badge Counselors. Boys must obtain the scoutmaster's signature on the 
Merit Badge card before contacting the Merit Badge Counselor. 



ORDER OF THE ARROW 

Each year the boys elect several of their members into the Order of the Arrow, the 
national scouting fraternity of honor campers. These boys wear the distinctive white 
sash and red arrow with their scout uniform. The Order of the Arrow is a service 
organization with its own ranks, secret initiation ceremony, meetings, and campouts. 
The Troop Committee may recommend one eligible adult leader for induction into the 
Order each year. The adult must go through the same induction ritual as the boys. 
This is generally done at summer camp or at a camporee. 









CUB SCOUTS 

Our troop provides Scout Den Chiefs to selected Cub Scout Packs to assist the adult 
Den Leaders. Den Chiefs are selected from members of the Leadership Corps who have 
attained the rank of First Class or above. Cub Scouts who have earned the Arrow of 
Light automatically enter the Troop with the rank of Boy Scout. Other boys must earn 
this first advancement. 



UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT 

Uniforms may be purchased at local retail stores such as Allied Sporting Goods, through 
the J. C. Penny or official Boy Scout catalog or from the Scout Shop at the local Scout 
Office, 824 Phillips Lane, Louisville. The boys are expected to wear the complete scout 
uniform to scheduled troop meetings and other events as directed by the Scoutmaster. To 
help hold down cost, boys are allowed to wear nonuniform trousers that closely match the 
uniform color. 

Our troop tends to do more back packing than base camping so you will want to purchase 
light weight camping equipment. Camping equipment can be purchased through local sporting 
goods stores or through various catalog companies. Consult the scoutmaster for a list of 
recommended equipment items and references for reduced prices. 



TROOP INFORMATION BULLETINS 

A master schedule is published quarterly, by the Scoutmaster after coordination with the 
Troop Committee. The schedule will include meeting dates, camping, advancement activity, 
Courts of Honor, and other planned events. Generally, two weeks before each campout, Court 
of Honor, or special event a supplemental bulletin will be distributed at the Troop meeting 
giving more detailed information, transportation arrangements, required equipment / clothing 
and other special notes. It is the scout's responsibility to acquire these bulletins and see 
that his parents receive a copy. The Patrol Leader should be contacted to receive additional
 copies or to resolve problems. 





BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS 

The Boy Scout Handbook is required for all Scouts. It's the one thing that the scout can not 
do without. The current "Requirements" booklet is also recommended. The Troop has an extensive
collection of Merit Badge pamphlets which are kept at the Scout Loft by the troop 
Librarian. It is requested that boys donate their used pamphlets to the library when 
hey have completed the merit badge requirements. As part of their registration fee, 
the boys will receive Boy's Life Magazine. Other books of use are the Patrol Leader's 
Handbook, Troop Committee Handbook, and Scoutmaster's Handbook. 



PARENTS PERMISSION SLIPS 

Signed Parent's Permission Slips and Medical Releases (when required) must accompany 
each boy on campouts, field trips, and sports activities. These required forms will 
be distributed with the trip information bulletin and must be received by the designated 
adult supervising the event before departure. 



MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS 

Scouts must have a properly completed medical examination from a licensed physician, 
using the designated Boy Scout form, before they will be permitted to leave for Summer 
Camp. The examination is generally valid for 12 months from the date of completion and 
will normally be requested early in the calendar year to cover other scouting events. 


MEMBERSHIP 

Boys join the troop for a variety of reasons and most enjoy the scouting experience. 
However, some chose to leave in favor of other activities. The scout program has a wide 
appeal and generally minor dissatisfactions can be easily rectified with prompt communication. 
If you are experiencing a problem, please discuss it with the Scoutmaster, Chairman of the 
Troop Committee, or other adult leader at the earliest opportunity. The Senior Patrol Leader 
and Patrol Leader take an active part in the running of the troop which includes resolving 
membership problems. As the boys are learning leadership skills, often adult guidance is 
required. Bring problems to the attention of the adult leaders before they become insurmountable 
and everyone will benefit. 



CAMPING FOOD 

Menus for camping trips are generally determined by the patrols under the guidance of the Patrol 
Leader with direction from the Senior Patrol Leader and adult leaders taking the trip. Each Scout 
will have his turn to purchase the food. The Patrol Leader is expected to provide a detailed 
list of items and quantities to be purchased. Junk food and needlessly expensive items will be 
avoided. If you have questions or special requirements, contact an adult leader. Once scheduled 
to attend, you are expected to pay your share of the trip cost even if you can't make the trip. 
A portion of the cost will be refunded as expenses allow. 



TROOP EQUIPMENT 

The troop has acquired a variety of equipment over the years as a result of various fund raising 
events. The Outdoorsman chairman on the Troop Committee is responsible for the inventory and 
general condition of the equipment. The boys must insure that the equipment is ready for use 
as the activity requires and that the equipment is properly cleaned and repaired following its 
use. Individual camping gear and clothing are the responsibility of each boy. See the Scoutmaster 
for guidance before purchasing camping equipment. 



REGISTRATION 

Boys joining the troop are expected to pay a minimal registration fee and will be required to 
subscribe to Boy's Life magazine. Boys entering from Cub Scouts or transferring from another 
troop pay only a transfer fee. The registration fee for adults serving in official capacities 
will be paid from unit funds. The Treasurer can provide exact figures for these fees. 



DUES 

Troop dues are collected annually in January as directed by the Treasurer. Dues cover 
operating expenses of the troop, registration, Boy's Life magazine, awards (rank, merit 
badges, scout spirit and leadership), Courts of Honor, insurance, troop bus, etc. Make 
checks payable to BSA Troop 315. Additional funds may be requested during the year for 
unforeseen expenses but this is normally not required. 



OTHER COST 

Boys are expected to pay their part for all activities including gas money, tolls, food,
 etc. Transportation is normally provided for the adult leaders accompanying the scouts 
 and is consider as part of the expense for the boys taking the trip. This is not an 
 inexpensive activity but you will find it very rewarding for the cost. 


WAIVERS 

The Troop Committee is the waiver authority for guidelines established by this publication.
Rules established above the troop level may not be waived by the Troop Committee unless 
specific guideance allows this to occure. 



SUMMARY 

We expect scouting to be fun and fulfilling for both you and your boy. Hopefully you have 
found this guide helpful as an introduction to Troop 315. Please don't hesitate to contact 
any of the adult leaders for clarification of this information or to answer other question 
you have concerning the operation of the troop. Join us and enjoy scouting with your son, 
you will find it a very rewarding experience. If you have suggestions for improvement of 
this publication or of our scouting program please feel free to bring them to the attention 
of the scoutmaster or the chairman of the troop committee. We will all benefit from your 
insight. 




MEMBER DUTIES - TROOP COMMITTEE 



CHAIRMAN 



DUTIES: 

Organizes the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed. 
Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster. 
See that troop leaders and committee members have training opportunities. 
Interpret national and local policies to the troop. 
Work closely with the Scoutmaster in preparing troop committee meeting agendas. 
Call, preside over, and promote attendance at monthly troop committee meeting and any special 
meetings that may be called. 
Ensure troop representation at monthly roundtable's. 
Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership. 
Arrange for charter review and recharter annually. 




SECRETARY/MEMBERSHIP 



DUTIES: 

Keep minutes of meetings and send out committee meeting notices. 
Handle publicity 
Prepare a family newsletter of troop events and activities. 
Conduct the troop resource survey. 
Plan for family night programs and family activities. 
Plan the charter presentation program. 
Develop a program to maintain membership at the desired level. 




TREASURER 



DUTIES: 

Handle all troop funds and pay bills on the recommendation of the Scoutmaster and 
authorization of the troop committee. 
Maintain checking and savings accounts. 
Train and supervise the troop scribe in record keeping. 
Receive troop income each week from the troop scribe. 
Keep adequate records in the Troop/Team Record Book. 
Supervise money-earning projects, including obtaining proper authorizations. 
Supervise the camp savings plan. 
Report to the troop committee at each meeting. 
Lead in the preparation of the annual troop budget. 
Prepare the necessary paperwork and coordinate the annual rechartering of the troop. 




OUTDOORSMAN/ACTIVITIES 



DUTIES: 

Supervise and help procure camp equipment. 
Work with the quartermaster on inventory, storage, and proper maintenance of troop 
equipment. 
Help in securing permission to use camping sites. 
Serve as transportation coordinator. 
Encourage monthly outdoor activities or special activities. 
Promote the National Camping Award. 
Promote, through family meetings, attendance at troop campouts, camporees, and summer 
camp to reach the goal of an outing per month. 
Conduct an annual safety survey of the troop bus and coordinate repairs as necessary. 




ADVANCEMENT 



DUTIES: 

Encourage Scouts to advance in rank. 
Arrange and conduct monthly troop boards of review. 
Conduct quarterly courts of honor. 
Develop and maintain a merit badge counselor list. 
Make a prompt report on the correct form to the council service center when a troop 
board of review is held; secure badges and certificates. 
Work with the troop scribe to maintain all Scout advancement records. 
Work with the troop librarian to build and maintain a troop library of merit badge 
pamphlets. 

Last Update: 1/19/07