Policies
TROOP 196 POLICIES
09/06/2009
PREPARED BY THE TROOP COMMITTEE
BYLAWS
Troop 196 will abide by all the National and Central Florida Council policies and procedures, in addition to those below. In the event of a conflict between the Troop Bylaws and National or Council policy, the National or Council policy will take precedence over the Troop Bylaws.
REGISTRATION
Before a boy will be permitted to go camping, he must have completed the joining requirements (attained rank of Scout). This is to ensure that he has completed the registration form, has paid the registration fee and has gone over basic child abuse information with the parent or guardian. (He is not covered by Troop insurance until he has completed the registration and it has been sent to the council office).
UNIFORMS
All scouts are required to have, and wear, a full scout summer uniform (as described in the picture at the top of page 12 of the scout 11th edition of the BSA Handbook) by the time they are ready to apply for tenderfoot rank.
The neckerchief will be the red cloth with gold embroidery. It is to be worn for formal functions such as boards of review and courts of honor, but shall not be limited to these events.
Scouts are to be in appropriate uniform for each meeting. A scout who does not wear his uniform will not be considered as showing “Scout spirit” when it is time for his board of review”.
DUES
Troop dues are as follows:
$ 2.00 weekly
$ 24.00 3-months
$ 47.00 6-months
$ 90.00 yearly
INACTIVE SCOUTS
A scout may be declared inactive by the members of his patrol or SPL if he meets either of the below conditions:
A. Said scout misses three meetings in a row, without prior approval of the Scoutmaster.
B. Said Scout dues lapse behind for four meetings.
In order to be reactivated the Scout must either:
A. Attend at least three meetings consecutively. Service projects may count as meetings, at the discretion of the Patrol Leader or SPL.
B. Pay back dues. A decision regarding payment of past dues will be made by the Troop Key Three (Chartered Organizational Representative, Committee Chair and Scoutmaster). If funds are available in the Scout’s scout account these funds will be debited first.
TROOP EQUIPMENT FEE
All Scouts that join the troop will be required to pay a $ 20.00 Troop equipment fee. This is a onetime fee that is non refundable. All funds collected will be used to purchase Troop equipment (tents, stoves, lanterns, dining flies and other equipment) at the discretion of the scoutmaster and with the approval of the Troop Committee. This fee should be paid in full at the time the Scout joins the Troop. If a Scout is unable to pay, the Scoutmaster has the discretion to accept a payment plan. No scout will be excluded from the Troop due to the inability to pay the assessed equipment fee.
PROGRAMS
It is the duty and responsibility of the Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) to plan and run the program of the Troop
Troop campouts, hikes and service projects, which are not planned by the PLC, will not be supported by the Troop Committee and will not be accepted to meet the activity requirements for the rank of Second and First Class.
Patrol Campouts, hikes and service projects will only be supported when the patrol members plan them and are approved by the Scoutmaster and the PLC in advance.
MEDICAL PERMISSION SLIPS
Before a Scout can go camping, the Troop shall have (in the Troop records) a statement from the parents, of the boy’s physical condition and a medical release, allowing the Troop Leadership permission to take an injured scout to get required medical attention. These statement forms are provided on the back of the last sheet of the registration form. The Troop Leadership should request updates of these statements periodically.
Parent Contact
During a Troop outing, a parent of a participating boy will be designated as a contact person. This person will be responsible for notifying other parents if the Troop has a change of plans such as returning late or early. In the event that the parent cannot be contacted, the Troop Committee Chair or a Committee Member will serve in this capacity.
In order to assist this parent in their duties, an accurate list of participating boys should be given to them prior to the troop leaving.
MEDICATION
Any medication required by a Scout or Adult will be turned into the Medicine Officer (adult leader responsible for safely storing and dispersing medication) prior to leaving for any outing or campout. All medication will be in its’ original container and in the case of prescribed medication the persons’ name and the medical professionals’ information will be on the container.
When medication is to be dispensed as per instructions the Medical Officer along with a witness will give the container to the scout or adult. The scout or adult will take the medication as per instruction in the presence of the Medical Officer and Witness. The container will then be returned to the Medical officer for storage.
If the parents/guardians are present they will dispense the medication. If the parents/guardians are not present they must have signed the Medication Waver and returned it to the Medical Officer prior to leaving for the outing or campout.
If the policy is not followed, the parent /guardian will be called to pick up the scout from the camping location immediately.
CAMPING FEES
Camping is done by patrols. Scouts camp and eat as a group. Each member of the patrol is expected to pay his share of the food costs. The meeting before the outing, the scout must pay for the estimated food cost and camping fees. The patrol or Troop leadership may prohibit a scout from participating in a campout if fees have not been paid.
When a campground requires a fee, each Scout is expected to pay his share of that fee to the Troop Leadership before the campout.
If a Scout has been permitted by the Scoutmaster to attend a campout without paying all of the associated fees, he shall be prohibited from attending any future campouts until the debt is cancelled
TRANSPORTATION
Unless announced in advance, or arrangements are made directly with a leader, all transportation of Scouts will be the responsibility of the parent.
Disciplinary Procedures
1st warning- the individual will be given a verbal warning by the patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, senior patrol leader or any other scout position of leadership.
2nd Warning- The individual will be given a verbal warning by the scout master or another adult leader.
3rd warning- The individual will be given a scoutmaster conference and will be asked to call his parents to pick him up (if the meeting has ended, the parent will be notified upon arrival) due to the scout’s disruptive behavior.
At the next meeting, an observation night will be assigned. This will consist of the scout observing the troop meeting to gather ideas to present to a board of review. These ideas can consist of ways to improve troop conduct. How the individual scout’s conduct can improve troop meetings, the relative importance of troop behavior and any other observations or recommendations that the scout cares to add. Every effort will be made to schedule a board of review immediately following the observation night. Upon completion of the board of review, the scout will be placed on a “probationary status” for four meetings (1 month)
If a scout gets three warnings while on probation, he is asked to leave two additional meetings within six months, or at the discretion of the adult leaders, he will be automatically suspended from all troop activities until such time the troop committee, the scout parents, and the scout can meet to decide if he will continue in Troop 196.
ADULT LEADERSHIP
All adult leadership must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters shall take the appropriate Council and District training courses as soon as they are available. Formal training is not required for Committee members although it is recommended for a better understanding of the program.
Two registered adult leaders, or one registered leader and a parent of a participating Scout , one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips or outings. The same applies for any troop trip or outing to continue to operate.
TROOP COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
Committee Chair
Secretary
Outdoor/ Activities Coordinator
Treasurer
Advancement Coordinator
Chaplain
Training Coordinator
Equipment Coordinator
The elections will be held at the October meeting. The term for these positions will be for one year. In the event that a member resigns from a position, an election will be held for that position the next scheduled Committee meeting. The term will be for the portion of the year that remains until the October elections. Members may be re-elected. All registered adults in the Troop will be eligible to vote with the exception of the Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee Chair and the COR. In the event of a tie, the Troop COR will cast the deciding vote. All voting outcomes will be decided by, majority rules. Voting during committee meetings and elections will be by voice.
VEHICLE POLICY
Scouts are not to be loitering in or near cars at any time. Scouts who drive cars to meetings and events are required to park at least one row away from an activity and must leave their cars to join an activity. After meetings and events, Scouts are to enter cars only to ride home. Adult leaders should also practice parking a row away from buildings and events. Please note: Other National policies apply to the transporting of Scouts and will be observed.
MONEY EARNING PROJECTS
All Troop money earning projects must have the approval of the Troop Committee.
HURRICANE WARNINGS & TROOP ACTIVITIES
If the troop is camping within one hour of Winter Springs and a hurricane warning is issued by the national weather service, the Troop 196 leader in charge of the campout shall arrange to return troop members to Winter Springs as soon as possible. If the warning is lifted, the Troop can return to their troop activity if feasible. Returning to Winter Springs for any other type of foul weather, including a hurricane watch, is at the adult leader’s discretion.
If the troop is camping further than one hour from Winter Springs during a hurricane warning, the Troop 196 Adult Leaders need to take adequate precautions to protect the Troop members in their care. Additionally a parent in Winter Springs serving as a Troop contact should be informed of the Troop’s status, if possible.
The adult leader in charge of the campout may waive this policy if he determines Troop members can be transported to Winter Springs safely. Every attempt should be made to consult the Troop Committee Chair or another Committee member (If Committee Chair is unavailable) before exercising this option.
CAMPING RULES
The Troop (adults and youths) will abide by the camping regulations as provided below
No fighting, hazing, harassment or excessive roughhousing: There will be no hazing or harassing (physical or verbal) of any kind. Fighting; hitting; wrestling, or rough horseplay is not permitted. A Scout will not put himself or another Scout in physical danger.
1. The Scout Oath and Scout Law govern everyone in camp: including Scouts and Adults, at all times.
2. Uniform requirements: Scout and Adult leaders will wear their uniform shirt to and from the campout and at chapel on Sunday. The uniform pants, belt & scout socks are optional.
3. Camping is by patrols: At campouts, patrol members camp together in the location designated for their patrol. Sharing of tents by Scouts within a patrol is encouraged. Adults do not share tents with Scouts, including their own sons. Adults will camp in their own designated campsite.
4. Stay out of other patrols' areas: Scouts should request permission before entering another patrol's campsite. Adults should request permission before entering any Scout patrol site. Adults should discourage Scouts from being in the Adult area unless they have a specific need to be there.
5. Hands off: Don't touch someone else's equipment, tent, or belongings, unless you have the owner's prior permission.
6. Everyone works: Each patrol leader designates individual Scouts to be in charge of planning patrol menus, preparing equipment, buying food ("grub-master"), cooking and clean up. Every patrol, including the Old Goats, should have a duty roster. All Scouts and Adults are expected to do their share of patrol duties in accordance with the duty roster.
7. Keep the campsite squared away: All Scouts and Adults are to maintain their tents and gear (both personal gear patrol- and troop gear) in a clean and neat condition on an ongoing basis. The entire troop assembles for a "clean sweep" of the camping area at the end of each campout.
8. Fire safety: Scouts may build and light ground fires (cooking and campfires) only when and where authorized by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster. No unauthorized fires are permitted. Fire safety rules will be strictly enforced. A fire must never be left unattended.
9. No flames in or near tents: No fires or open flames (including stoves, lanterns, propane bottles, or candles) are allowed in or near tents.
10. No liquid fuels: The use of liquid fuels by Scouts or Adults for starting any type of fire is prohibited. Exception: If the Scoutmaster has previously authorized the use of backpacking stoves at a campout, liquid fuel will be dispensed and re-collected by the quartermaster (or his/her designee) at the campout. No Scout or Adult (except the quartermaster or his designee) shall travel to or from a campout with liquid fuel in a backpacking stove tank.
11. The buddy system: The buddy system is very simple. Never leave your buddy nor let him leave you. The buddy system is in force (a) for all water activities; (b) when outside immediate camp area; or (c) if separating from the main group when traveling. If you get caught without your buddy at a "buddy check," there will be consequences (for example, if you are swimming, both of you will have to get out of the water for awhile).
12. Water-safety rules: Scouts and Adults will follow Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense procedures and policies at all times for all water activities.
13. Lights out: All Scouts will be inside their tents at 11 pm (or otherwise at the Scoutmaster's discretion). Lights will be out and talking will stop by 11:30 pm. No Scout should leave his tent (except for brief trips to• the latrine or to report illness or other emergency) until reveille the next morning.
14. No early departures unless excused: Scouts are to attend the entire camp out. Scouts may not leave the immediate camp area without the express permission of the Scoutmaster. Unless a Scout has an urgent need to leave early, and has been excused by the SPL and Scoutmaster. All Scouts are expected to remain in camp until dismissed by their Patrol Leader after the troop's “clean sweep" of the campsite just prior to departure.
15. No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs : Use of alcohol or illegal drugs is not permitted. It is BSA policy regarding alcohol and regarding drugs it is also illegal.
16. Tobacco: use by Adults on campouts is strongly discouraged (it's BSA policy). Tobacco use by Scouts is prohibited (it's the law).
17. No non-Scout siblings: Non-Scout siblings are not welcome on campouts. Their presence tends to detract from the program focus and undermine enforcement of campout rules.
18. Footwear: Flip- flops or open toed sandals are not permitted (except directly to and from shower). The use of water shoes and other foot wear will be left to the discretion of the Scoutmaster
19. Consequences: The consequences of failing to abide by the camp and troop rules may include quiet time isolation, extra work detail, calls home, being sent home, or in severe cases being suspended or even expelled from the troop. Parents may be required to travel to camp at their expense and take a Scout home who fails to abide by the troop and camp rules. A warning system will be in effect for minor inappropriate behavior problems. Consequences will be assigned as warranted. The most severe consequences may be assigned directly without assignment of less-severe consequences first.
CONCLUSION
The Leaders and Troop Committee are dedicated to serving our Scouts to the best of their ability. Their safety and well being are first and foremost when decisions are made. We hope that all of our scouts will participate fully to get the most out of their scouting experience. Please contact any Leader within our Troop if any concern should arise.