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Notre Dame de Lourdes Troop 26Parent Information Package |
It is the mission of Troop 26 to promote and foster an atmosphere that will provide a foundation for positive growth of the membership in the areas of moral strength and character; participating citizenship; and physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Specific goals include providing an adequate meeting facility, support and enforce the policies of the Boy Scouts of America and Chartered Organization, provide for financial stability utilizing a budget plan, manage troop property, provide an adequate camping program, and recruit the best leadership available to operate the program.
| Meeting Day: | Wednesday Evenings |
| Time: | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm |
| Place: | Notre Dame de Lourdes Church Hall 101 Smith Street, Lowell MA |
| Telephone: | (508)452-8398 pay phone |
It is important to adhere to the above times and schedule requirements to ensure a smoothly run program. Our unit leaders all have full time employment and we schedule their arrival times to ensure they have time to return from work and have dinner with their families. We have a requirement of two deep leadership and will abide by this requirement at all times.
To ensure proper image Scouts are encouraged not to wait outside the church for meetings to begin as they often times get into mischief and attract blame for things they may not be involved with. This gives the program a less than desirable image resulting in negative criticism by those that do not understand the program. Often times a Scout may want to arrive early to work on a special project or advancement requirement. Special circumstances can be accommodated if scheduled in advance with the Scoutmaster.
Meetings with parents will be scheduled throughout the year both prior to and following the regular weekly meetings. Parents wishing to discuss special situations are encouraged to schedule this meeting with the Troop Committee Chairman and/or Scoutmaster. We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule if possible.
The following is the fee structure for Troop 26. The fees include Registration (national fee), Insurance (council wide policy), weekly dues, and additional costs as outlined below. The fee structure is based on a January to December calendar year and is applicable to returning Scouts, Scouts transferring from other units, or graduating Webelos from the Cub Scout program. Costs for Scouts is scaleable and joining fees incrementally decrease throughout the year when beginning in January. On the other hand when a boy joins for the first time between September and December the fees are slightly higher as they cover the balance of the current calendar year and the next full year. This fee information is available from the Troop Committee upon request. It is the policy of Troop 26 and Notre Dame De Lourdes Church that no boy will not participate in the Scouting program because of financial constraints. Special circumstances warrant special handling and we will work with any parent to accommodate full participation of their boys in the scouting program through a managed cost structure. Strict confidentiality is adhered to by the Troop Committee at all times and the point of contact for special handling is the Scoutmaster and the Troop Committee Chairman.
Annual cost for membership in the Boy Scouts of America is $7.00. This registration fee is a national fee and covers the period between January and December. This fee is forwarded directly to the National Council with none of the money remaining with the Unit or Local Council.
The Boy Scouts of America provide for accident and sickness insurance coverage for each and every registered boy and adult leader. This insurance is designed to be supplemental to your existing insurance plan and is valid only when Scouts are on sanctioned scouting events. The cost of this coverage is $1.00 payable at time of registration.
This is a weekly fee payable by the Scouts. Scouts are expected to keep their dues payments up to date. Dues are collected to offset program costs and is used as a method to teach Scouts to have good money practices and help them learn to meet their obligations. Scouts should be required to earn their dues and parents should provide them the opportunity to do this. Whether a Scout earns their dues or not, they are payable each and every week. Parents will be notified when dues payments fall behind. Dues for Troop 26 are $1.00 payable each week whether the Scout attends the meeting or not.
Boy’s Life Magazine, BSA’s official Scouting magazine for youth, is available at an annual fee of $7.80. It is strongly encouraged that each scouting household subscribe to this monthly magazine. This is one way that we, as parents, can combat illiteracy.
Other Costs may be applicable during the year. These cost include items such as special fees for camporee participation, cost of food for monthly campouts, and other un-anticipated cost for special events. These costs are monitored by the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee to ensure that they are maintained at the lowest possible cost per Scout.
Troop 26 will operate using the Patrol Method.
Program planning is done by the Troop Leader Council, that meets once a month, under the direction of the Scoutmaster. As a result of this method of operation Scouts learn more about responsibility and realize a greater reward from the program. This also ensures that they will be participating in the types of activities that they choose.
Each Patrol and Scout is assigned specific duties to put the program plan into action. The duties are split between assignments to prepare for the weekly meetings and campouts, as well as assignments at the weekly meetings and campouts. Their performance on these assignments is the true measure of success of the program.
Again, the program is Boy Run and Adult Supervised.
The Troop meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. in the church hall at Notre Dame De Lourdes Church.
The meetings are planned out by the Troop Leader Council (refer to organization chart). Meetings include formal opening and closing ceremonies, skill work, games, and inter-patrol activities. Meetings are scheduled to be fun while educational. The boy leaders conduct the meetings under the supervision of the Scoutmaster and his staff.
Troop 26 goes camping approximately once a month. We provide tents, cooking utensils, stoves, lanterns, etc. The Scout must provide his own mess kit, sleeping bag, and backpack. Tent/sleeping arrangements are scheduled at the troop meeting prior to a campout. A small fee covers the cost of food. All Scouts must have a signed permission slip.
Occasionally, you may be asked to help provide transportation or be available as the emergency contact for a campout or other Troop activity. You may transport only the number of Scouts for which you have seat belts.
This is an annual event. Troop 26 normally attends a week of summer camp during July. Cost of camp is the responsibility of the parents of the Scout. To offset this cost Troop 26 holds fundraising events with a portion of the funds raised being reserved for camp costs, and will be providing a monthly savings plan maintained by the troop Treasurer. Activities include crafts, swimming, rank advancement, merit badges, and optional boating or high adventure (usually for older Scouts). The location is determined each year.
Each Scout must have a physical examination form completed and on file with the Troop. The examination should be reviewed annually for any changes/corrections. The Troop maintains these forms for use during the year as well as at summer camp.
A Boy Scout troop is made up of patrols of six to eight boys led by a senior Scout who is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). He is aided by the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster(s) help oversee the troop meetings. The SPL is elected by the Scout’s in the troop. He chooses the ASPL. Each patrol also elects a Patrol Leader (PL). Other leadership positions your son may hold are: Troop Scribe, Historian, Quartermaster, Librarian, Chaplain's Aide, and Bugler. He may also be selected to work with a Cub Scout Pack as a Den Chief. The SPL, ASPL, Scribe, and Patrol leaders meet once a month to plan the troop meetings and campouts.
The Troop Committee is comprised of parents and church members that work together in support of the troop program. The committee is appointed and approved by the Chartered Organization. The Troop Committee meets once a month to review progress of the program and discuss future plans. The Troop Committee performs the following functions:
Troop Committee members are assigned to specific tasks such as Treasurer, Advancement Chairperson, and Secretary to name a few. Every parent is welcome to join the committee and/or sit in on its monthly meetings. Parents views and opinions are very important to us and we encourage open communication with the members of the Troop Committee. We only ask that all discussions are open , positive, and with the best interest of the program in mind. (Only registered committee members have authorization to vote on issues brought before the Troop Committee).
Troop 26 encourages a complete uniform. The Scout will receive a neckerchief and patrol emblem from the Troop. The BSA khaki shirt is a must and is to be worn to all meetings and activities unless otherwise instructed. Official BSA pants should be purchased new or used as soon as possible. We often times come across uniform parts and will make them available to the Scouts at no charge. We ask that all Scouts and parents consider turning in uniforms that no longer fit for use by other Scouts. Please refer to your son's Boy Scout Handbook for more information on uniform items and placement of insignia.
Uniforms and other Scouting items can be purchased at various locations. Current information available from the unit when needed. Contact one of the unit leaders or committee members for more information.
Leadership training for the Scouts is provided by the Troop. Training courses are scheduled at least once a year and often times twice to accommodate leadership changes during the year. Other training courses deemed necessary are arranged for by the Scoutmaster and presented to the Troop Committee for approval. There are costs associated with some of the training events available, and the Troop Committee will make every effort to absorb the cost based on the Scoutmasters recommendation.
Adult training consists of: Fast Start (video tape), Basic training, Woodbadge, Youth Protection Training, and Merit Badge Counselor training. Course information will be made available to all unit leaders and Scouts to ensure an adequate training program exists in Troop 26.
It is the intention of Troop 26 to provide Youth Protection Training to all members of our scouting family. This training is for both youth and adult members. The training will be offered by the Troop on two occasions this year. All unit leaders in Troop 26 are required to participate in the training, and it is strongly encouraged that all parents actively participate as well.
The safety and well being of our Scouts is very important to us and we again strongly encourage full participation in one of these training sessions. Special viewing and training can be arranged to accommodate personal schedules as necessary, but it must be done with a facilitator. Details on this training will be forwarded to each parent and leader during the year.
These are adults who work with Scouts individually or in groups to learn skills and obtain knowledge in a specific area. After completing the requirements for a particular Merit Badge, the Scout receives a badge which is worn on his Merit Badge Sash, and a card which should be retained as proof of completion of the requirements. There is no registration fee to register as a Merit Badge Counselor and parents with special skills should consider providing this service to scouting and particularly the Troop.
All requirements for advancement are tracked using the Boy Scout Handbook. The information is then maintained though use of computer software by the Advancement Chairperson. The Scout MUST bring his handbook and a notebook to all meetings to have requirements initialed and dated ("Be Prepared"). Advancement cards, received upon completion of requirements for rank and for merit badges, should be kept in a binder or other safe place. These can be used to recreate a record of advancement and may be requested at periodic Boards of Review.
Scouts start by earning the Scout Rank. The requirements can be found on page 4 of the Boy Scout Handbook. These skills must be demonstrated to the appropriate level of leadership as determined by the Scoutmaster who will then initial and date the Scout's handbook. The initials or signature and date are required for the badge to be awarded. Many new Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light as a Webelos Scout, can complete these requirements within the first few meetings.
The ranks of Tenderfoot Scout, Second Class Scout, and First Class Scout require skills learned at campouts, hikes, and troop meetings, and service hours (given to the community or religious institution). Please ensure all service hours are clearly documented if not done as a troop activity. The requirements will then be initialed and dated in the scout handbook as they are completed. A Scout may work on the requirements for all three ranks in any order, but will receive the ranks in order (i.e., Tenderfoot before Second Class, Second Class before First Class). Up to First Class rank is considered directed advancement with programs designed to assist the Scouts. The ranks of Star, Life, and Eagle are considered self directed because the requirements exceed the basic skills of the lower ranks, with the Scout taking on full responsibility for his advancement with full support from the Troop.
The last two requirements for each of these ranks are a Scoutmaster's Conference and Board of Review. At the Scoutmaster's Conference, the Scout and Scoutmaster review the requirements for that rank and any previous ranks. If the Scoutmaster feels confident that the Scout demonstrates the knowledge and skills required, he will initial and date the handbook and arrange for a Board of Review for the following meeting.
The Board of Review consists of a minimum of three adults. The Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and the Scout's parents CANNOT be on the Board. The Scout must present himself in a neat, clean uniform (as complete as possible) and have his handbook (failure to do this may result in the review being rescheduled). The Board will ask him questions about Scouting, the Troop, activities he has attended, and advancement requirements pertaining to the rank he is completing. Particular attention is paid to Scout Spirit and how the Scout has demonstrated this since his last rank advancement. Failure to demonstrate the proper scout spirit will restrict a Scouts advancement opportunities. The Board will announce the results to the Scout and Scoutmaster after conferring. All awards, including rank and merit badges, are presented at the meeting following completion of the requirements to ensure instant recognition, and again recognized at the next Court of Honor for the scouting family of Notre Dame De Lourdes to acknowledge.
Once the rank of Scout has been earned, the boy may begin working on Merit Badges with the Scoutmaster’s approval. A list of all available merit badges is near the back of the Boy Scout Handbook. The requirements for Eagle required badges follow the list. The troop maintains a library of merit badge pamphlets that members of the troop may borrow through the Troop Librarian while working on a merit badge. Scouts are encouraged to check the library prior to buying pamphlets.
Work on a merit badge may be done at troop meetings, in a group outside meetings, on an individual basis, or at summer camp. All badges require a Merit Badge Counselor. Merit Badge Counselor’s will be secured with the assistance of the Scoutmaster and Advancement Chairperson. Scouts are encouraged to use a variety of Merit Badge Counselor’s to ensure a well rounded advancement history.
When working as an individual with a Merit Badge Counselor, another person MUST be present to ensure the two deep leadership requirement of scouting. The additional person present can be another Scout, a parent, friend, or sibling.
An Application for Merit Badge (Blue Card) must be obtained, personal information completed, and a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster signature included prior to working on the Merit Badge. The Blue Card is presented to the Merit Badge Counselor at the first meeting. Upon completion of the requirements, the counselor initials and dates each one. When all requirements have been finished, the counselor will sign and date the card and return it to the Scout. The card is then given to the Scoutmaster at the next meeting. He will list it in the Scout’s handbook (used for senior ranks: Star, Life, and Eagle), and initial and date that requirement. The Advancement Chairman will then process the blue card and obtain the merit badge. The Scout’s’s portion of the blue card and the badge will be presented at the next troop meeting.Requirements for the ranks of Star Scout, Life Scout, and Eagle Scout are listed near the back of the Boy Scout Handbook, just before the Merit Badge Listing. A Life to Eagle Packet is given to the Scout prior to working on the Eagle requirements.
These are held occasionally. You will be notified ahead of time and asked to participate with your son. Funds raised are used to offset the cost of scouting to the Scouts and their families. Over the last year funds raised have been used for equipment (tents, cooking gear, etc.), camping fees (site fees, registration fees, etc.) Summer Camp Costs (camp fees, merit badge books, supplies, etc.) and special activities. All Scouts will be required to participate in fundraising activities and all parents are encouraged to assist when requested. All activity cost not covered by fundraising activities end up being passed on to the Scouts and their families.
To help foster a sense of personal responsibility and citizenship, Scouts are required to participate in a service project approved by their Scoutmaster for the ranks of Second Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.
The time of service must be a minimum of 1 hour for Second Class and 6 hours each for Star and Life ranks. This may be done as an individual project or as a member of a patrol or troop project.
For an Eagle Scout project, a Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project for any religious institution, school, or his community while he is a Life Scout. The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Scout candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting. He does the project outside the sphere of Scouting. Before any Eagle service project is begun, it must be approved by the District or Council Advancement Chairman.
Often times the troop takes on a service project for the Chartered Organization or some other community organization. All Scouts must participate in these projects as they demonstrate the troop’s commitment to their community as well as the program. Troop 26 typically provides this service, as a unit, two to three times a year. Information will be forwarded to the Scouts and parents prior to the scheduled service dates. Parents are encouraged and welcome to participate whenever possible.
Last Updated on October 11, 1997 by Shawn J Ashe