Troop 4
Welcomes you
To new and exciting
Opportunities in our
Boy Scout Program
welcomeTroop 4
Welcome to Troop 4 and thank you for joining our troop.
Our main goal is to have fun while we gain knowledge of the world around us.
Our philosophy is to provide experiences to each boy that will assist them in living a quality life now and in the future.
The Boy Scouts and the parents committee will determine a lot of the direction of the program. The leaders will guide the boys through the experiences that are approved by the parents and the troop committee.
The troop will participate in district and council programs. They support us with programs and camping facilities, we need to support them in return.
The following guidebook gives a detailed outlook of our troop.
This handbook explains details of Troop 4's self-governance within the BSA guidelines. It will be made available to each member of Troop 4 and those interested in joining. Scouts and parents will sign and return the last page. Additions and changes will be made at the discretion of the Scoutmaster, with approval from the Troop Committee. This document will be reviewed annually at a scheduled troop committee meeting.
Troop 4 provides a line of communication for each boy and their parents through the following methods: A calendar will be published by the scribe and available at meetings. If for any reason activities will be changed or more details need to be shared about a meeting the calling tree will be initiated within the troop. The calling tree is as follows: Scoutmaster Calls the Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader calls the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leaders. Patrol Leaders call members of their patrols. If the Senior Patrol Leader or the Patrol Leader is unavailable their assistants will assume responsibility.
The Boy Scouts of America program as well as Troop 4 support boy leadership
within the program and also promotes boys running the program In every way we strive to have boys doing the jobs that make the program run. We understand that leadership positions are often a new experience for the scouts and will provide them with assistance within the troop and feel that parents may need to help teach, model, and oversee leadership skills the scout may need.
A roster of the members of Troop 4 will be available from Scribe #1 or from the Scoutmaster. The roster lists the members of Troop 4 who wish to remain active including: The troop committee members, the support/parent committee members which also includes the troop committee members and the active Boy Scouts listed in their patrols.
Boy Scout troop 4 meetings are held every Monday at 7pm at the American Legion Post 11 on Walnut Street in Downtown Mankato. The meeting will last approximately 1 hour. Parents are encouraged to attend and will be asked to assist with some of the activities during the meetings. There may be some exceptions to meeting times if specific activities are arranged prior. Ten to fifteen minutes of each troop meeting is used to discuss specific details of upcoming events. Scouts need notebooks to record all necessary information.
Parent committee meetings are held every month, usually after a camp or outing. At 7pm at the American Legion. AU parents of Troop 4 scouts are committee members and are expected to come to parents meetings. The parent committee meetings are used as times to give the final approval of the scout's calendar as well as to assist the scouts to achieve their goals. The scouts will need assistance to achieve their goals through fundraisers, parental assistance at camps & outings, and parental assistance with merit badges and advancement requirements.
The patrol leaders counsel consists of the group of scouts who will plan the schedule of events, camping experiences, outings, and merit badges offered within Troop 4. The counsel members include the Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Scribe #1, Scribe #2, Librarian, Quartermaster, and Historian. The Patrol Leaders Counsel will meet with the Troop Committee (consisting of the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters) to gain, assistance with scheduling events.
Troop 4 plans an average of one outing a month. This outing may be a camping outing, hikes, tours, or other activities the boys desire. Our troop is fortunate to have a bus for transportation. We ask that each scout donate $25.00 a year for maintenance, gas, insurance, and repairs of the bus. This $25.00 will entitle the scout transportation for the year. We normally will depart from and return to All American Towing in Mankato. Scouts will be able to call for a ride from AD American Towing when they return.
There will be times when parents are required to drive or to be a chase vehicle for the bus in case there are any breakdowns. It is necessary for all parents to help with this responsibility, so that a few are not required to carry the full load.
Please refer to "Bus Rules" for conduct to be expected while on the. Bus.
Troop 4, like all scouting units, operates on the basis of volunteer time. Nothing happens without your help as a parent. AU parents of scouts need to provide some of their time in order to spread the work to all that are benefiting from the troop operation. All parents are expected to camp with the patrols at least once a year, take on parent jobs within the troop, and to help with fundraisers within the troop. The committee chairman and other troop leaders will periodically ask you to help. Your cooperation is vital for the success of the troop.
Scouting is boy lead and adults are the overseers. Therefore, older boys are primarily responsible for getting the work accomplished within the patrols. If the younger boys do not do what the older boy says or if the younger boy feels that the older boy is hazing them or expecting more from them than they can accomplish they are to discuss this with any adult or the Scoutmaster.
Physical contact discipline is not permitted. Physical exercise discipline is permitted when cooperation cannot be obtained any other way.
Because the Boy Scouts is a volunteer organization staff tolerance of misconduct will not be the case. When a scout is habitually not cooperating, or a serious incident such as smoking, stealing, serious fighting, drinking alcohol, or using illegal drugs occurs the scoutmaster will become involved and the scout will face expulsion by the parents committee. Generally, unless it is a very serious matter, three warnings are given to a scout before he is asked to permanently leave the troop. If a scout would do an action that would warrant a warning all of the adults at the outing should discuss the matter. After the adults agreed that a warning should be given, the Scoutmaster will give the warning. The first warning is a verbal warning followed by a phone call to the parent to explain the situation and the parent will be asked to take the scout home for the remainder of the outing or meeting. The second verbal warning will result in Scoutmaster and Troop Committee members meeting with the scout and their parent to work out a solution and to decide on restitution for their actions. On the third warning by the Scoutmaster, the scout is recommended to the troop committee to be released from the troop. The Troop Committee will review the recommendation and take action. If the parents of the Scout or the Scout feel that they are being treated unfairly they should contact the Scoutmaster or the Committee Chairman. Our goal is to retain all our scout members, not lose them.
Scouts are required to wear their scout uniforms including scout shirt and bolo tie at all meetings and official scout functions. During the summer months the scout may wear a Troop 4 t-shirt or Cuyuna t-shirt to regular meetings. No hats are allowed while in uniform or T-shirt except for official Boy Scout uniform hats.
Scouts are required to have a Boy Scout Handbook and a Boy Scout Requirement Book of their own and bring it to each meeting. They should also bring a pencil,
notebook, and other supplies instructed by their merit badge counselor. The Boy Scout Requirement book lists the requirements for all advancements and all merit badges. The troop keeps a library of merit badge books and other reference material, which boys may check out from the Librarian.
There are seven levels of advancement in scouting. The requirements are outlined in the Official Boy Scout Handbook. While the general requirements are the same in every Boy Scout Troop, some requirements may vary for special situations, such as a handicapped boy.
In Troop 4, some of the badges are done together in meetings and on camp-outs. Those usually have some assignments to be finished at home. The opportunity to do requirements in a group seems to really help. However, beyond the First Class level more independence and self-drive is required and increasingly some badges must be initiated and completed by the scout on his own.
Before beginning a merit badge the scout must discuss the plans with the merit badge coordinator. The coordinator assures that the merit badge counselor is registered with the scouting office and that the person is qualified to guide the scout with the merit badge.
The Scout will be given a blue card that Will be used by the counselor to initial progress and will be signed off by the counselor when completed. When the merit badge is
completed the scout needs to return the blue card to the merit badge coordinator. The scout will receive recognition for earning the badge at the next Court of Honor that is scheduled quarterly.
The advancement coordinator keeps a record of the Scouts achievements. This record can be viewed at any meeting. The scout should also keep a record in their Boy Scout Handbook so that they can view their progress towards rank advancements and Eagle Scout. When the scout has the required number of merit badges for advancement to Star, Life, or Eagle Ranks the Scout must notify the Advancement Coordinator and the Advancement Coordinator will arrange a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review.
Requirements for Boy Leadership Positions
Each Boy Scout Troop has what is called a troop Leadership Corps. This is made up of all members of the following: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Librarian, Scribe, and Quartermaster. This group runs the boys' aspect of the troop and determines the program. The following are leadership requirements.
Senior Patrol Leader
Ø Completed three years of scouting Be at least a Star rank
Ø Successfully been a Patrol Leader
Ø Elected From those eligible
Ø Approved by the Scoutmaster
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Ø Completed three years of scouting > Be at least a First Class Rank
Ø Successfully been a Patrol Leader
Ø Selected by the Senior Patrol Leader
Ø Approved by Scoutmasterr
Patrol Leader
Ø Completed two years of scouting
Ø Be at least first Class Rank
Ø Elected from within the Patrol
Ø May not have been a Patrol Leader in the past six months
Ø Approved by the Scoutmaster
Assistant Patrol Leader
Ø Completed one year of scouting
Ø Be at least a Second Class Scout
Ø Appointed by Patrol Leader
Ø Approved by Scoutmaster
Scribe #1
The boy appointed scribe #1 by the Scoutmaster must hold the rank of at least a First Class Scout. Scribe #1 will be responsible for the "point system" as well as assuring the roster is current and available to the scouts. A scout must be a First Class Scout to assume this responsibility.
Scribe #2
The boy appointed scribe #2 by the Scoutniaker must be at least the rank of a First Class Scout. Scribe #2 will be responsible for the calendar and assure its completeness and availability to the scouts. To assure completeness the scout win attend Patrol Leaders Counsel Meetings and accurately record planned events and verify approval by the parents committee.
Historian
The Scout, appointed by the Scoutmaster as historian, will be responsible for taking pictures of Troop 4 outings and campouts. He will maintain a photo album of the pictures. He will also keep a record of members and jobs by keeping a written record of the rosters.
Librarian
The scout that is appointed by the Scoutmaster, as Librarian must hold the rank of at least a First Class Scout. The Librarian will be responsible for Merit Badge Books as well as other resource material owned by the Troop. Scouts wanting to work on merit badges will ask the librarian for the appropriate book. The librarian will be responsible for what scout has which book.
Quartermaster
The scout appointed by the Scoutmaster as Quartermaster must hold the rank of at least a First Class Scout. The Quartermaster will have the responsibility of assigning camping equipment and will make sure that camping equipment is returned in good repair. If repairs are needed the scout will notify the adult who shares the Quartermaster position to assure camping gear is in good repair.
Den Chief
The Den Chief works with Cub Scout Dens and Den Leaders. The Den Chief is accepted by the Den Leader and approved by the Scoutmaster.
A Court of Honor Ceremony is held on a quarterly basis. It is the time that the scout is given the badges and skill awards that they have completed. The scouting patrols will rotate the position of being the host for each court of honor. Parents and families are invited to the Court of Honor ceremonies and are encouraged to come. Each family is encouraged to bring a dessert to pass for refreshments. Courts of Honor are also a time to convey information to the parents so their attendance is important.
Calendar planning is completed by the leadership scouts in the Patrol Leader Counsel. The calendar is then is approved by the parent committee. AU scouts in the troop can make suggestions to the calendar through their patrol leader or senior patrol leader.
The uniform is a proud tradition of the scouting program. It is to be worn proudly and correctly. Troop 4 requires that the official Boy Scout shirt in the khaki color to be worn to all meetings. The shirt may be long sleeved or short sleeved and may be purchased through the J.C. Penney catalog or through the Scout Office on Madison Avenue in Mankato. Patches for the shirt may be purchased at the scout office.
Troop 4 Bolo
A scout who is a member of Troop 4 will earn a bolo tie after participation in 3
separate overnight camping experiences or one week of summer camp. They will be presented with their bolo at the next Court of Honor.
The Official Boy Scout Handbook is required. The handbook is used at most meetings and campouts.
Some of the patches that are placed on the scout's shirt are to be purchased by the individual scout. Others are earned by the scout or given to the scout when they participate in a particular scouting activity. You will find an illustration of the placement on the inside front and back cover of the handbook.
Members of the Troop Committee and Parents Committee are responsible for conducting fund raising activities. Scoutmasters are not responsible for these activities. A parent from each family will work on at least one fund raising committee each year. A parent is required to come to any fundraising event with the scout.
Funds earned by scouts for themselves are not given to the scout in cash. Each scout's individual money is accounted for in the troop treasurer's record book and scouting activities are paid for directly from the treasury for the scout. A copy of the balance that is in the scout's account can be viewed periodically or you may call the troop treasurer for an update when necessary.
When scouts leave scouting, the money in their account reverts to the troop treasury. This occurs for two reasons:
If a scout transfers to another troop, his account balance can be transferred to the new troop upon written request of the parent and the new Scoutmaster.
The troop committee attempts to provide a means for individual scouts to earn most, if not all, of their summer camp fees through troop sponsored fund raising projects. The funds in the scouts account will be used for scouting activities, camps, and scouting supplies.
Each troop is an individual unit and is responsible to generate its own working capital. The major source of this capital is through fund-raisers. It is only achieved with the help and cooperation of each family.
The most essential and inviting part of the scouting program is love and respect for the outdoors and environment. Camping is the tool to expand the scout's appreciation of nature. More scouting skills and the learning of leadership and responsibility can be accomplished on one camp-out than in a whole month of meetings. It is with this in mind that Troop 4 is proud to be recognized as a troop that promotes camping.
It is the intention of Troop 4 to encourage the older scouts to remain and provide challenges to help them grow. The leadership feels that the best way to accomplish this is with the use of new and more challenging experiences. Therefore, the troop aims to provide an opportunity for a High Adventure Camp at least yearly to scouts of at least 14 years of age and who hold at least the First Class Rank.
Camping Equipment List- Weekend Camps
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Sleeping bag |
Scout uniform |
Sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket |
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Raincoat |
water shoes |
underwear |
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Extra Jeans |
extra socks |
extra shoes |
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sleeping clothes |
towel |
Washcloth |
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toothpaste |
toothbrush |
personal items |
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flashlight |
compass |
BSA Handbook |
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pencil |
paper |
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If winter campout- boots, mittens, cold weather clothing
***Also bring proper clothing for the activity such as swimsuit for swimming
Optional Equipment
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Pillow |
watch |
Pocketknife |
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Camera |
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*** Please limit snacks
National Boy Scout policy states that there must be two deep leadership at all meetings and outings. This will be enforced at all outings, camps, and while working on merit badges.
A parent from each family will be required to attend a minimum of one campout each year, unless physically unable. Scouting patrols will need to have 2 adults in attendance in order to go camping. Please make your schedules so that the scouts can continue to enjoy camping adventures.
Cuyuna is an excellent summer camp in Northern Minnesota It is a perfect opportunity for scouts to get long term camping experience and work on merit badges not easily done otherwise. Troop 4 encourages all members of the troop to attend Cuyuna summer camp. We as a troop reserve the week of the Fourth of July to allow parents to come without taking as much time off work. For the parent Cuyuna does count as one of the camping adventures.
For many of our weekend campouts we will leave from All American Towing at 5pm. Please make sure your scout is there on time. When we will arrive back at AU American Towing the scout will call you for a ride home. We will try to give an approximate time of our arrival so that you can anticipate the call.
Troop 4 owns a great deal of camping equipment and the troop tries to keep it in good working order. When we tent camp, each boy is assigned to take a tent home to clean up and return at the next meeting. An instruction sheet accompanies each tent and that sheet must be signed by the scout and the parent and returned with the tent. Please look the tent over to see if there are any areas in need of repair and that all parts are there. This is important to assure that all equipment is in good repair for the next camping adventure.
Safety is a primary concern in transporting our scouts. Safety on the bus is the shared responsibility of scouts, parents, and scout leadership. Parents should read and discuss these rules with their scout. We ask your cooperation in helping us provide safe and pleasant transportation to and from scouting events by impressing upon your child the importance of safety and courtesy while on the bus.
* Any scout who disobeys bus rules will ride in the chase vehicle
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After you and your scout have read this policy book please fill out the following and return it to the Scoutmaster.
My son and I agree to the conditions of operations for Troop 4
________________________Scout signature____________Date
________________________Parents signature ___________Date