Handbook

TROOP 88 Troop Handbook

 WELCOME to the Troop 88 Scouting family.

 The purpose of this handbook is to help a boy get started in the Boy Scout program.

GETTING STARTED IN THE TROOP

A. To register a boy for Boy Scouts, please complete the following:

1)   A Boy Scout application form

2)   Class 1 Medical Form (attached)

3)   Annual dues ($35.00)

B. A boy needs a recent copy of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) handbook. These are available at our Council’s Scout Shop (information can be found on the Link page), or may be purchased from the troop. Start at the beginning, with Scout Badge. This will give you a jump-start into the Scouting program. Parents, go over the pamphlet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” (located within the front cover of the handbook). This must be completed before a boy can finish Scout Badge.

Please bring your Scout handbook to all meetings and outings.

C. Begin attending troop meetings regularly. Troop 88 meets most Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. From these meetings, a boy will be assigned to a patrol and will begin learning scouting skills and advancements.

D. Complete a “Class A” uniform. By time a boy reaches Tenderfoot Rank, he is expected to have a complete uniform. A complete “Class A” uniform consists of an official BSA shirt, Scout pants/shorts, BSA socks, and Scout belt. Appropriate insignias should be attached in their proper position (information can be found under BSA or scouts.org in the Links page).

Official BSA uniform pants may be purchased at the Scout Shop, in Jackson, next to the Andrew Jackson Council office (map may be found in the Links page). Or, orders may be submitted by fax or by e-mail.

A “Class B” uniform consists of Troop 88’s printed t-shirt, Scout pants/shorts, Scout socks, closed toed shoes, Scout belt and Scout hat (optional for outdoor activities).

For safety, only closed-toe shoes are allowed (no flip-flops or slip-ons). Only BSA themed hats may be worn (outdoors only). And, non-scout related shirts, etc. are subject to Troop leadership discretion (no obscene or inappropriate themes).

Scouts are expected to attend all Troop meetings, Community events, and traveling to any Scout function in a full “Class A” uniform unless otherwise specified in advance by the Troop leadership or PLC (Patrol Leaders Council).

ABOUT TROOP 88

 Troop 88 is a member of the Western District, Andrew Jackson Council, Boy Scouts of America.  The basic unit of a scout troop is a patrol made up of six to eight boys of similar age and interest.  The patrol has a patrol leader, elected by his peers for his leadership skills, that directs the patrol in their activities and serves on the Patrol Leaders’ Council to plan and direct the Troop’s events.

 CHARTER ORGANIZATION

Each Boy Scout Troop is chartered by a civic or religious organization in the community.  Troop 88 is chartered to the Methodist Men’s Club of First United Methodist Church of Clinton, Mississippi.

 ADULT LEADERSHIP

Two-deep leadership is a bedrock principle of Scouting, meaning that there must be at least two leaders present at all times.  Additionally, Troop 88 requires that all adult leaders hold a valid training certificate in Youth Protection Training. The adult leaders that lead the program of the troop are the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.

 TROOP COMMITTEE

The Troop Committee supervises non-program-issues of the troop: fundraising, activity permits, budget, advancement, records, procurement and maintenance of Troop equipment, and any other functions of the Troop.  It is led by a Troop Committee Chairman, and aided by a Treasurer, advancement coordinator, records-keeper, and others.  In Troop 88, the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters also participate in the Troop Committee.

 PATROL LEADERS’ COUNCIL

The Patrol Leaders’ Council, or PLC, is made up of the boys who have been elected by their peers as Patrol Leaders of the troop.  It is their responsibility to determine the program the troop shall run, and to see to its’ effective implementation.  The PLC is given specific leadership training to do their jobs, and meets weekly to plan meetings and assess their effectiveness.