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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICASHERBORN BOY SCOUTS - TROOPNew Parent OrientationSeptember 2017

Contents General Overview of Boy Scouts–––––––– Specifics About Sherborn Troop 1––––– Mission and Vision StatementsScout Oath and Scout LawSimplified Organizational HierarchyFunding Sources and UsesMajor Philosophical Difference vs. Cub ScoutsProgression in RankMerit Badge ChoicesMerit Badge ProcessRange and Timing of Major ActivitiesParent Involvement and SupportKey Initiatives for 2017-18Organization and LeadershipCritical Open PositionsAppendix– Helpful Hints and TipsSlide 2 of 17

BSA - Mission and Vision StatementsMission StatementThe mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young peopleto make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling inthem the values of the Scout Oath and Law.Vision StatementThe Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth inAmerica to become a responsible, participating citizen and leaderwho is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.Slide 3 of 17

BSA - Scout Oath and Scout LawScout Oath (or Promise)On my honor I will do my bestTo do my duty to God and my countryand to obey the Scout Law;To help other people at all times;To keep myself physically strong,mentally awake, and morally straight.Scout LawA Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful,friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, andreverent.Slide 4 of 17

BSA - Simplified Organizational HierarchyNational Headquartered in Irving, Texas Establishes nationwide policies, programs,requirements, and resourcesRegional Council Ours is Mayflower Council in Marlborough, MA Provides guidance to our Troop and importantresources such as summer camp facilitiesLocal District Ours is Cannon District, also in Marlborough Provides more specific guidance and in-personsupport to our TroopCharteredOrganization Ours is Pilgrim Church, which “owns” the BoyScout “franchise” in Sherborn Ultimately responsible for Troop 1’s successTroop Committee Comprised of Troop leaders who meet monthly Provides overall leadership, guidance, resources,and administrative functions for the TroopScoutmasters Comprised of the Scoutmaster and his Assistants Provides direct guidance to the Troop’s boys asthey plan and run the indoor/outdoor programsUsSlide 5 of 17

BSA - Funding Sources and UsesFundingNationalRegional CouncilTroop 1 - SherbornSources Scout supply sales Membership fees Grants fromfoundations Legacies andbequests Corporatesponsorships Friends of Scouting donationsSpecial eventsProduct sales such as popcornLegacies and bequestsFoundation grantsLocal United WaysActivity fees from summer camp,camporees, etc. Investment income/endowments Annual dues paid for each boy Proceeds from the major fundraiser, which is the wreath andcandle sale in December Participation fees for specificactivities and tripsUses Development ofprogram materialsand resources Infrastructuresupport for localcouncils Development oftraining materials Salaries and benefitsfor employees Maintain camp properties andthe council service center Provide insurance Maintain membership records Salaries and benefits foremployees Purchase program supplies foryouth activities Provide volunteer training Costs of Troop activities such ascamping and events/trips Equipment such as tents, campstoves, etc. Advancements/awards, i.e., rankemblems and merit badges Boys’ Life subscriptions Training of adult leaders Troop 1 annual donation toFriends of Scouting Aid for family hardship inaffording Troop 1 activity feesSlide 6 of 17

BSA - Major Philosophical Difference vs. Cub Scouts The Boy Scout adult leaders’ role is to provide an environment and support toexpose the boys to new activities, knowledge, and skills . . . but . . . The Boy Scout program is to be led and run by the boys . . . so the adultleaders and parents must continuously remind themselves to “chill out”! It’s all about developing new leaders . . . so the focus is less on results . . . andmore on allowing the boys to learn how to plan activities, to recruitparticipants, and to train, motivate, and lead other boys. “Failure” is a valuable lesson . . . not only in what doesn’t work . . . but moreimportantly that failure is simply an opportunity to start over in a better way. If adult leaders always “step in” to prevent “failure” . . . the lesson is lost! A famous Henry Ford quote is “The only time you cannot afford to fail . . . isthe last time you try.” Persistence is an important skill to develop in Scouts. What often emerges from this environment . . . is that the Scouts figure outsomething more interesting, imaginative, and effective than any of the adultleaders had ever considered . . . and the boys are keenly aware of thedifference between doing it themselves vs. having it done for them!Slide 7 of 17

BSA - Progression in Rank6 months – 18 months1 – 2 years1 – 2 years1 – 2 years Each rank requires a mastery of knowledge and skills with documented work Progression in rank is not a “fast track” race . . . nor is it just a “resume builder” Some boys may not be motivated by higher rank . . . they may just enjoyparticipating in the outdoor programs and skills development activities Rank progression reflects not only individual accomplishments . . . but alsoleadership of younger boys and service to the Troop and the communitySlide 8 of 17

BSA - Merit Badge ChoicesAmerican CulturesAmerican HeritageAmerican LaborAnimal thleticsAutomotive MaintenanceAviationBackpackingBasketryBird StudyBuglingCamping (Eagle)CanoeingChemistryCinematographyCitizenship in the Community (Eagle)Citizenship in the Nation (Eagle)Citizenship in the World (Eagle)ClimbingCoin CollectingCollectionsCommunications (Eagle)Composite MaterialsComputersCooking (Eagle)Crime Prevention(You name it . . . they’ve got it!)Cycling (Eagle)*DentistryDisabilities AwarenessDog CareDraftingElectricityElectronicsEmergency Preparedness ntal Science (Eagle)Family Life (Eagle)Farm MechanicsFingerprintingFire SafetyJournalismLandscape ArchitectureLawLeatherworkLifesaving (Eagle)*Mammal StudyMedicineMetalworkModel Design and BuildingMotorboatingMusicNatureNuclear ScienceOceanographyOrienteeringPaintingRifle ShootingRowingSafetySalesmanshipScholarshipScuba DivingSculptureShotgun ShootingSkatingSmall Boat SailingSnow SportsSoil and Water ConservationSpace ExplorationSportsStamp CollectingSurveyingFirst Aid (Eagle)Fish and Wildlife ManagementFishingFly c ArtsHiking (Eagle)*Home RepairsHorsemanshipIndian LoreInsect StudyPersonal Fitness (Eagle)Personal Management (Eagle)PetsPhotographyPioneeringPlant SciencePlumbingPotteryPublic HealthPublic SpeakingPulp & PaperRadioRailroadingReadingReptile and Amphibian StudySwimming (Eagle)*TextileTheaterTraffic SafetyTruck TransportationVeterinary MedicineWaterskiingWater SportsWeatherWhitewaterWilderness SurvivalWood CarvingWoodwork* The Eagle badge requires one of Cycling, Hiking, OR Swimming AND one of Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving 122 choices 13 Eaglerequired* Can do somejust for FUN Badges earnedare sewn on aBSA sashSlide 9 of 17

BSA - Merit Badge Process Merit Badges have specific requirements, and most of them also have an informationalBSA Pamphlet with more detailed guidelines Scouts must work in pairs with a Merit Badge Counselor who is approved and registeredby the Regional Council To start the process, the Scoutmaster approves the request and “opens” a Merit BadgeBlue Card, which tracks progress and documents eventual completion Each Scout must save and maintain records of his partial and completed Blue Cards forsubsequent advancement (see Appendix for tips)Silver border for Eaglerequired badgesCitizenship in theNationFishingSlide 10 of 17

Contents General Overview of Boy Scouts–––––––– Specifics About Sherborn Troop 1––––– Mission and Vision StatementsScout Oath and Scout LawSimplified Organizational HierarchyFunding Sources and UsesMajor Philosophical Difference vs. Cub ScoutsProgression in RankMerit Badge ChoicesMerit Badge ProcessRange and Timing of Major ActivitiesParent Involvement and SupportKey Initiatives for 2017-18Organization and LeadershipCritical Open PositionsAppendix– Helpful Hints and TipsSlide 11 of 17

Troop 1 - Range and Timing of Major ActivitiesMemorial DayJuly 4thVeterans’ DayLions Clubrecycling help Other IndoorProgram(Weekly)OutdoorProgramCivic Dutiesand Events(Monthly)(Periodic) Teaching skills toyounger Scouts Group work on meritbadges Preparing forcamping trips Holding Scoutmasterconferences Playing indoor andoutdoor games “Green Bar”meetings to planupcoming programMerit BadgeCollege(Annual) Usually 2 days inMarch Run by Council Fast way to earnmerit badgesEagle Courtof Honor(Varies) Recognizing Scoutadvancement HighAdventures(Annual) Wreath andCandle Sale(Annual)Troop Courtof HonorSummerCamp(Semi-annual)(Annual)Camping and hikingField tripsOrienteeringAnnual ski tripKayakingBikingRock climbingRegional JamboreeWinter “Freeze-Outs”PhilmontSea BaseNat’l JamboreeOther Primary Troop 1fundraiser Run by the boys Also teachessalesmanship One week in July Major fun activities Key for advancementSlide 12 of 17

Troop 1 - Parent Involvement and Support Troop 1 depends entirely upon adult volunteers to support the program Active parent involvement closely aligns with Scout enthusiasm and success Existing leaders also balance demanding careers, manage complex family schedules andhouseholds, and devote time to other siblings We offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities:– Troop Committee membership has a more predictable time commitment anddefined scope of responsibilities– Assistant Scoutmasters have somewhat more active roles but get to enjoy theactivities themselves . . . great if you plan to camp out anyway!– Merit Badge Counselors can contribute a particular expertise or skill to the boys– ”One-shot-wonders” fill specific functions such as preparing for Troop and EagleCourts of Honor, managing annual Troop registration, etc. Offering to “help out” another leader isn’t really a help . . . we need people who can owna certain defined scope of responsibility matched to your availability and preferences Obviously, we don’t set people up to fail . . . so we find roles that you can manage,provide transition periods with current leaders, and offer BSA training With your help . . . we can continue offering one of the best Scouting programs around !Slide 13 of 17

Troop 1 - Key Initiatives for 2017-18 Recruit new ASMs and strengthen the shared ASM leadership roles tocontinue supporting the Scoutmaster and all Scout activities Manage the transition of Scouts new to town and Cub Scout crossovers Sustain and expand the Troop Web site and photograph repositoryRecruit new Troop Committee members and transition existing leadersProvide BSA training for all ASMs and Troop Committee MembersRecruit new Merit Badge CounselorsReplace and upgrade Troop gear and equipment as needed, consistentwith ongoing life-cycle equipment planSlide 14 of 17