Keys to Success at Troop 511

This page includes valuable information. Here you will find answers to many of your questions, rules that will keep you out of trouble, and tips for getting the most out of scouting.

Meetings

• Every Tuesday Night from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church
• All scouts must be escorted into the meeting room by a parent or guardian - parents must not leave a scout until seen by an adult leader (and two leaders are present)
• Never leave your son with just one leader - there must be at least two adults present at all times with the scouts
• Scouts should wear their class A uniform to the meeting
• The meeting has an agenda planned by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC)
• The Scoutmaster (or his designee) is there to assist the SPL in running the meeting - please do not bother the SM during the meeting. The Scoutmaster can be reached at Scoutmaster@511scouts.org
• Parents who wish to stay, but do not have an active role in the meeting should wait in the hall outside the meeting room. They may sit silently in the meeting room (if there is space), but will be asked to leave if the leaders consider your presence disruptive to the meeting. While in the meeting room, all rules of decorum apply to the parents as well as the scouts. (The raised Scout Sign means be silent!)
• Parents must come into the meeting room to collect their scouts after the meeting. Scouts will not be allowed to meet you in the parking lot.

Outings

• Scouts should wear Class A uniforms when traveling to and from an outing unless otherwise instructed
• Scouts will not be permitted to participate in an outing if he has missed the meetings prior to the outing - exceptions made at the Scoutmaster's discretion
• Scouts will not be permitted to arrive at the campsite late or leave the campsite early, except for emergencies. If another extracurricular activity interferes with a camp activity, the scout should choose which activity he wishes to participate in rather than try to do both.
• Scouts violating the behavior policy of the troop will be asked to leave the camp at the Scoutmaster's discretion. The Scoutmaster's decision in this matter is final.
• Adult leaders planning to go on outings should complete Quick Start training, BSA Youth Protection training, and the Safe Child training offered by the church

Behavior

• Always follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law (Scouts AND Adults!)
• Always adhere to the troop's no touch policy, which includes physical and verbal abuse
• If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything
• Respect everyone

Youth Leadership

• Boy Scouts is run by the boys and lead by the boys
• The Senior Patrol Leader is the highest authority among the scouts
• The Patrol Leaders Council meets monthly to tell the SPL what the members of their patrols need and want from scouting
• Elections are held every six months

Adult Positions

• Adults may choose to participate as leaders in the troop - most positions require training to be effective
• Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Merit Badge Counselors, and Committee Members should take the training required for their position
• Anyone working directly with scouts is required to take Safe Child training through the Catholic church
• Other opportunities exist: Drivers, Planners, Organizers, etc. are always needed - complete a resource survey so we know what your talents and interests are

Parents' Role in Boy Scout Advancement

• Unlike Cub Scouts, in Boy Scouts Parents are NOT permitted to sign their son's book for advancement
• Parents are encouraged to help their sons study and prepare, but scouts must demonstrate knowledge or skill to a registered adult leader or designated senior scout to receive credit towards advancements

Troop Organization

• Boy Scout Troops have two organizational structures, connected by the Scoutmaster - the Committee handles the business side of the unit, and the Youth leaders and Scoutmasters handle the functional side of the unit
• Scouts who have concerns should address them with his Patrol Leader or the Senior Patrol Leader
• Adults with questions concerning the functional side of the troop (meetings, outings, advancement, etc) should email the Scoutmaster to learn either the answer to your question or instructions for who to contact for an answer - Scoutmaster@511scouts.org NOTE: Please do not burden the Scoutmaster with issues at a scout meeting unless it is of a critical nature
• Adults with questions concerning the business side of the troop (adult leaders, finances, troop policies, etc) should email the Committee Chair or attend the next committee meeting - Committeechair@511scouts.org