Where and what time do we meet for our Troop meetings? Meetings are held most Monday nights @ 7pm in the Family Life Center @ FUMC in Grapevine.
What are the requirements for the boy's uniforms? The expectation is that the full Class A uniform is to be worn for Scouting activities, just as band directors, baseball, soccer, basketball and football coaches expect a full uniform to be worn for their activities. However, a Scout will never be prevented from participating in an activity just because they are not in full uniform.
What does the Troop provide the boys upon bridging? Neckerchief and slide, support of the entire Troop, and unlimited resources through the National BSA organization.
What are some highlights from the past year and "stand out features" your Troop offers? I have to say our best features are our Eagle Scouts who, after earning the highest rank in Scouting, continue to stay involved in our troop. I think that is a testament to the quality of the program. We also have wonderful Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Members who are dedicated to provide the support needed to run a good program for the boys. A few highlights from this past year: the huge bonfire we got to make at our winter campout and feeding the bison and longhorn by hand, canoeing down the Brazos River, getting to sit in a powered AH-64 attack helicopter and use the M-16 machine gun simultors at Ft. Hood, our 85 mile Philmont bakpacking trek, and our Wilderness Survival Campout where the boys got to build and sleep in shelters made from natural materials. We have a good selection of cedar pioneering poles we bring on most campouts and currently have half a dozen throwing tomahawks on order. This past year we replaced our older tents with new Alps backpacking tents. I am very proud to say we currently have enough adults registered as merit badge counselors to be able offer 65 merit badges!
What is the cost to join Troop 700? Is it due the end of the year at re-charter time? If a scout has already paid for the yearly dues, there is only a charge to transfer the scout into the desired Troop. Charge is $1.00
What service projects does the Troop participate in? Every May Troop 700 performs trail maintenance for the City of Grapevine. The trail was originally created as part of a Troop 700 Eagle Scout project, and we feel this helps foster a sense of good citizenship as well as respect for nature by keeping the nature trail in good condition for the community. We also do various Eagle Scout projects throughout the year. Just over the last few months, we planted grasses at Southlake Nature Preserve, cleaned and repaired horse stables for a Children’s home in Keller, built rabbit cages for Rocky Top Therapy Center and created a nature center for a local elementary school.
What district/council events does the Troop attend or plan to attend?
It really depends on what events the boys select in their annual August planning session. Being a boy-led troop, it is truly up to them to decide, but the adult leaders always encourage participation in District events. In 2008 they chose to go to Score-O, but in 2009 we visited Ft. Hood during that weekend. In 2010 we attended the District Camporee, just like we did last year. We also participate in the Webelos-Ree every year.
How will the new boys learn what to do? Depending on what the skill is, they usually will be instructed by one of the Assistant Scoutmasters, or one of the more experienced Scouts called Troop Guides. Occasionally we may have a parent or Committee Member teach a skill. We follow the EDGE model; Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable. At all times BSA Safe Scouting guidelines are followed.
How often are Roundtables attended and by who? Troop 700 attends every Roundtable and is represented by the Scoutmaster or Asistant Scoutmaster(s). We all feel it is critical to be involved in District and Council activities. Roundtables provide an excellent way to meet other leaders, and network for ideas and resources.
What is the age distribution among your active Scouts? How many Scouts are active?
We currently have 44 Scouts registered and all 44 are active. Eight 11 year olds, 13 12 year olds, three 13 year olds, six 14 year olds, four 15 year olds, four 16 year olds, and six 17 year olds. Naturally, some of the older Scouts who have jobs or participate in sports, band, drama or other school cubs are not able to make as many activities as the younger Scouts. We do have attendance requirements for those Scouts in leadership roles to be able to get credit for rank advancement.
How are the patrols organized?
Every six months the Troop holds elections for the leadership positions. Each patrol has a patrol leader and an assistant patrol leader. When a new patrol is formed, the boys decide on a name, elect a patrol leader, make a patrol flag and develop a patrol cheer. The first year Scouts have an opportunity to serve as a patrol leader for a month at time to learn that duty. We like to keep the first year Scouts together, as they are learning the same skills during that first year.
How is rank advancement managed? Troop 700 uses a software program called Troopmaster. As requirements are completed they are signed off and the Scout will present the Boy Scout Handbook to the Advancement Committee Chairperson who logs in the advancements in the Troop laptop. We also monitor how long a Scout has remained at the same rank and provide encouragement as needed. We are not an Eagle Scout factory and do not put pressure on a Scout to advance in rank if it is not in his heart.
Do the boys lead the troop each week and do they have regular planning meetings? Troop 700 is a boy-led troop. Our Senior Patrol Leader or one of his assistants will plan and lead the troop meeting. Remember, we have elections every six months, so they boys are in a constant state of learning. To the casual observer, a typical troop meeting may look a bit chaotic at times, but this is how the boy leaders learn the value of planning ahead, clearly communicating expectations, etc. We have troop meetings most every Monday except for school holidays and immediately following a weekend campout.
What high adventure activities does the troop do? Any other than Philmont, Seabase, etc.? In the last few years our troop has gone on high adventure trips to Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier Canoe Base and Horseback cavalcades in West Texas. These activities are reserved for Scouts age 14 and up. We are currently looking into a whitewater rafting trip as well as Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier and Philmont for future trips.
What participation and training is expected of parents?
No training is required of parents unless they register for an adult leadership position (i.e., Committee Member, or Merit Badge Counselor). As far as expectations go, parents need to provide Troop communications to their Scouts, ensure they are on time to all events, have the full Class A uniform, and make sure their Scout participates in Troop fundraising activities. Picking up their Scout on time after a weekend campout is much appreciated as well. Parents are encouraged to get involved in whatever capacity they wish. The Scouts (and the Scoutmaster!) are always very happy to have Mom or Dad help out with Troop activities and responsibilities. Parents help should not interfere with the long-term, individiual, independent, development of the scout. Troop 700 strives to provide an environment where the scout can learn through trial and error as well as adult and older scout mentoring.
|