TROOP 167
CHERRY
HILL, NEW JERSEY
WHITE
HORSE DISTRICT, GARDEN STATE COUNCIL
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
October 2017
Rules and Guidelines
Troop 167 operates under the rules set forth by
Boy Scouts of America. In addition,
specific rules and guidelines
have been developed for the Troop to operate efficiently and to ensure that
the Scouts receive the maximum benefit
from the program.
General
Structure
and Leadership
Boy
Scouts of America, and our troop program, stress youth leadership. As much responsibility as possible is given
to the youth leadership in the Troop, under the guidance of the adult
leaders. The youth leader with overall
responsibility for the Troop is the Senior Patrol Leader. The Troop is segmented into patrols of six to
10 boys. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader
who is responsible for the members of his patrol, and reports to the Senior
Patrol Leader (SPL). The Senior Patrol
is made up of older Scouts referred to as Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders,
usually retired Patrol Leaders. One of
the members of the Senior Patrol will act as the SPL in his absence. The Scouts elect the Senior Patrol Leader for
a term of one year. The Scouts elect Patrol Leaders for a term of six
months. Details of the Troop structure
and of leadership positions can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook.
The
Troop leadership (Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders and
Patrol Leaders) plans the Troop program,
including meetings and outings, with guidance from the adult leaders.
Meetings
The
Troop meets at Sharp Elementary School, 400 Old Orchard Road, Cherry Hill, New
Jersey, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on each Thursday evening that Cherry Hill
schools are in session. Parents are
expected to pick up their Scouts at 8:30 PM.
If the meeting is cancelled for any reason other than the school being
closed, such as inclement weather, Patrol Leaders will notify their Scouts.
Attendance
and Uniform Policy
Scouts
are expected to make a recognizable commitment to Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
and Troop 167 through consistent participation and wearing the Scout
uniform. Class A (Full Uniform) dress
except neckerchief or Class B (Troop 167 T-Shirt) is required for all
meetings. Scouts will be excused from
the meeting if not properly dressed.
Complete Class A uniforms, including neckerchiefs, are required at
Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, Awards Banquets, and other formal
functions. Troop 167 T-Shirts ($15.00) are
available from the Scoutmaster.
Annual
Registration Fee
The annual fee is $50.00 per Scout.
This fee covers BSA registration, Boy’s Life subscription and Troop
operating expenses. There are no meeting dues.
Camping and
Special Activities
Scouting is an outdoor
oriented organization. Troop 167
generally camps 11 months a year.
Weekend trips are scheduled each month, September through May. Weeklong Summer Camp is in June, and the High
Adventure trip, for more experienced Scouts, is in July. Additional camping opportunities are
available through district and council functions, and the Order of the
Arrow. Members of Troop 167 should plan
to camp regularly, as it is the core of our program. The schedule of events is provided to all
Scouts at the beginning of the Scouting Year (September - August). A trip fact sheet will be provided prior to
each event identifying the location of the event and any special fees, releases
or requirements.
Equipment and Clothing
Troop 167 camps throughout the
year. Scouts are expected to dress
accordingly and have basic personal camping gear. Personal equipment lists can be found in the
Boy Scout Handbook. New Scouts should
discuss equipment needs with their Patrol Leaders, the Senior Patrol Leader,
and/or Adult Leaders. Extensive meeting
time is devoted to ensuring Scouts are properly outfitted. As a general guideline, sneakers are
inappropriate for winter camping, and boots are required.
The troop supplies all
Group/Patrol equipment, including stoves, tents, etc. It is Troop 167's objective to include all
Scouts in events. Scouts in need of
equipment for specialized events, such as a backpack for backpacking, should
discuss with their patrol leader. In
most cases, arrangements can be made to borrow equipment from other Scouts.
Food
As part- of the "Patrol
Method" of Scouting, menu planning, shopping, and cooking is done by
patrol. Each patrol member attending the
event is responsible for his share of the cost of food. A typical weekend menu costs approximately $10.00
per Scout. The Patrol Leader will assign
patrol members food shopping, preparation, and cooking duties. It should be noted that completion of these
tasks is required for advancement in several areas (refer to Boy Scout Handbook
for details). If a Scout, who had signed
up for a trip, cancels later than the last meeting prior to the event, he must
still pay his share of the food costs.
Fees
All Troop camping trips will
have a $5.00 registration fee. Special
events (rock climbing, skiing, etc.) may have a user or rental fee. All fees and food charges are due two
meetings prior to the event.
Permission
Slips
Master permission slips are
maintained in the Troop records for the Scouting year. These provide authorization for your son to
participate in Troop events and authorize medical personnel selected by specified
adult leaders to make emergency medical care decisions on behalf of Scouts
during trips, should it be necessary.
Signed permission slips must be on file before a Scout can participate
in any events.
Advancement
Details concerning rank
advancement can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook. Boy Scout Handbooks are
provided to all Scouts upon joining Troop 167.
Scout to First Class
Scouts at the rank of Second
Class and below should bring their to all meetings and activities (except
backpacking trips). Patrol Leaders,
Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader, and Adult Leaders may
sign off advancement requirements up to and including First Class. Parents do
not sign off Boy Scout handbooks as they did for their Cub Scouts.
Merit Badges
Merit Badge counselor lists
are available on-line via the Troop website. The Scout should obtain a blue
merit badge card from the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chairperson for the
specific merit badge he is going for. It
is the Scout's responsibility to contact the merit badge counselor. When all requirements are completed, and the
counselor signs the blue card, the Scout returns the portion entitled
"Application for Merit Badge" to the Scoutmaster, who will record the
achievement and order the badge.
Scoutmaster Conference
A Scoutmaster Conference is
conducted with a Scout prior to the advancement Board of Review once all other
requirements are met. The purpose of the
conference is to provide the Scout an opportunity to reflect on what he has
learned, gauge his understanding of Scouting, and solicit feedback from the Scout
regarding Boy Scouts and the Troop.
Boards of Review
Boards of Review are conducted
on the Thursday of the month, or more frequently if needed. See uniform policy. The boards consist of a minimum of three
adults, usually committee members and parents, but not the Scoutmaster or Assistant
Scoutmasters. The purpose of the board
is to verify that a Scout has met the requirements for advancement, and
possesses the skills and knowledge commensurate with that rank. If a Scout does not pass his board of review,
he may take another at the next regularly scheduled board of review. Scouts can return as many times as necessary.
Discipline
Scouts are expected to conduct
themselves according to the Scout Oath and Law.
Behavior problems are the direct responsibility of the Patrol Leaders and
Senior Patrol Leader.
Offenses by Scouts at Troop
meetings or activities will be dealt with.
The Patrol Leader will decide the seriousness of the offense. If it is a minor issue, the Patrol Leader will
handle it. Corporal punishment and/or hazing are PROHIBITED
by Boy Scouts of America and Troop 167. In the case of a more serious
offense, the Scout will be brought before the Scoutmaster.
Financial Support
Troop 167 strives to provide
the Scouting experience to as many boys as possible. Financial assistance for activity fees,
uniforms and equipment is available from the Troop Committee on a confidential
basis. Any such needs can be discussed
with the Scoutmaster, Committee Chairperson or Charter Representative.
Adult Responsibility
The effective operation
depends on parental involvement and support.
Although Troop 167 strives to have Scouts be as self-sufficient as
possible, adult support is needed in many different areas. All parents are expected to participate in
the fund-raisers and volunteer for at least one of the following: serve as
member of Troop Committee, as an Assistant Scoutmaster, or as a Merit Badge
counselor. Parents are invited and
encouraged to participate on the camping trips, especially Summer Camp.
Adult Scouters
In recognition of the
contribution of adult leaders, without whom the Troop could not function,
annual registration, camping fees, and food charges for adult participants are
funded by the Troop Committee.