Welcome to the Troop 162 family! Our Troop Committee, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Boy Scouts, and Scout parents hope that you and your son will find the Scouting experience rewarding and exciting.
Troop meetings: Troop meetings are held Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. The first meeting of the month is a planning meeting for youth leaders (called the “PLC”) - there is no general troop meeting.
Outdoor Activities: The troop normally plans one outdoor activity, usually a campout, per month.
Other Events: There is a description of other events you might see on the calendar here.
Boy-Led: Troop 162 is committed to a boy-led program. Elected boy leaders plan, organize and run the troop’s activities. The Troop’s adults provide necessary guidance and support. Expect things to be more chaotic and less well-run than if adults were in charge. This is a feature, not a bug.
Patrol Method: Your son will be placed in a patrol with other scouts his age. For entering 5th graders, this will be a patrol of exclusively new scouts. The new scout patrol will be advised by an experienced adult leader and assisted by experienced youth Troop Guides. This facilitates the sharing of knowledge and skills from older boys to younger boys. Friends are placed together in a patrol to the greatest extent possible because friendships are key to longevity in Scouting. If there is a personality conflict or another problem regarding a patrol, please bring it to the Scoutmaster’s attention.
Uniforms: Our troop wears the Field Uniform (“Class A”) to meetings and outings from September to June. We do not have a troop neckerchief. During July and August the Activity Uniform (“Class B”) is worn. Closed-toe shoes are required. Scout pants/shorts are preferred but optional. The Troop T-shirt is provided to registered scouts and adults.
Rank Advancement: The requirements for each rank are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook. Each requirement for the junior ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class is thoroughly explained in the Handbook. Time is allotted at Troop meetings and campouts to guide junior scouts and sign-off on completions, so consistent attendance is helpful. Scouts should approach Troop Guides for rank sign-offs. Advancement is at your son’s own pace. We hold regular “Trailhead Tuesday” meetings about once per month for scouts to work with Troop Guides on advancement topics.
Youth Protection: All BSA organizations work to safeguard youth. Please read the Youth Protection pamphlet “How to protect your Children from Child Abuse” found in the front of your BSA Handbook then help your son meet Scout rank requirement #6 by completing the exercises. We expect all adults that spend time with the troop to take Youth Protection Training (YPT) available at my.scouting.org. Adults that camp overnight must be registered in a fee position with BSA.
Costs and Fundraising: Our troop has a joining fee which covers a troop numbers patch, T-shirt, scout handbook and other costs. We also have annual dues each November. Please pay using Cheddarup via the link provided by our adult volunteers. Campouts have a fee to cover expenses and food.
Fundraising: Our big fundraiser is our Christmas Tree sale in December. Families are expected to participate during the tree lot set-up, tree arrival, and sales shifts.
Buying Equipment: We have a new scout’s/parent’s guide to equipment.
Parental involvement: “Many hands make light work!” Every family is expected to be involved in helping the troop function. Getting involved in the troop is a wonderful way to spend time with your son and his friends as they mature. As youth get older and leave the troop, we need to keep teaching new parents how to run the troop.
Yours in Scouting,