Public A Scouts First Year - Boy Scout Troop 380 (Mesa, Arizona)

(For New Scouts AND his Parents)

The purpose of the following is to provide an outline of expectations for Scouts and parents after a boy signs up for Troop 380 membership:

Parent Involvement: All successful Scouts have a parent(s) or guardian(s) who participate in his goals and helps to keep him on track. The parents make an effort to learn about Scouting so that they can aid in their son's growth. The parent does not do the work for their Scout and expects the utmost from them as the learn and grow in the troop. The parent volunteers and helps the Troop. Either or both parents should sign up to help the Committee, or pursue Scoutmaster Leadership position. Although Troop 380 does not require, at least one parent should remain in an active volunteer role in support of their son and the troop. The Troop 380 Committee is an excellent place to start and has needs for many varying functions that suit almost anyone's interests. Please contact the Committee Chair.

A successful Scouts goals for his first year:

Sets the goal of achieving Eagle Scout and begins to learn how to attain Scouting's highest achievement.
Regularly attends and participates in Troop Meetings and Outings.
Does his best to show up to meetings and outings proudly and correctly wearing his Boy Scout uniform.
Brings his Boy Scout Handbook to meetings and outings.
Meets Joining Requirements and achieves Scout Badge within about 30-days of joining the Troop.
Completes Rank Requirements (pg. 432 - 443 of Scout Handbook) for Tenderfoot (3 months), Second Class (8 months) and First Class (12 months) Ranks while concentrating on completing the next logical rank.
Demonstrates Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in his everyday life. Memorize the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, Leave No Trace Principals and the Outdoor Code.
Completes a few Merit Badges.
Attends Summer Camp
Carefully keeps and maintains all awards and ranks as a matter of record. Your son may well need these at a later time if he intends on achieving Eagle Rank.
Asks for help from the senior Scouts (Life and Eagle), Scoutmasters and Committee Members when you need it.

Explanations:

A new boy must meet the Joining Requirements (Boy Scout Handbook page 17) to earn the Boy Scout Badge. Once he earns the badge, he should begin working on passing requirements to earn other ranks. While ranks are earned and concentrated on in a logical order, a Scout may work on all requirements through First Class at the same time. These are listed in the Rank Requirements section of the Boy Scout Handbook starting on page 432. Note that the last two requirements of every rank are a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review; these need to be requested and scheduled.

A Boy Scout should work to achieve First Class Rank within his first year, but certainly within 18 months of his first Troop Meeting. Achieving rank is primary in establishing a Scout in his Troop, his Patrol, and in Boy Scouts. It is a reward for his hard work in learning basic Scouting skills and enables him to become a net contributor to his Patrol and Troop.

Troop Meetings and Outings are arranged to facilitate training and completion of Rank and Badge requirements. For example, troop camping outings help each Scout to work toward the 20 nights camping required for the Camping Badge. Completion allows the Scout an opportunity to be reviewed by a Scoutmaster or Merit Badge Counselor to ensure his understanding of each concept and potentially be signed off in his handbook (or Blue Card) on them. Each Scout is responsible for arranging a visit with a Scoutmaster to pursue these signoffs.

Parent participation will enhance and increase the enjoyment of your son’s experience. It will build his interest and will increase his success. The more a parent can work with their child in achieving rank requirement and Merit Badge completions, the higher the chance the boy will make Eagle Scout. A Scout’s parents should be very aware of what he has achieved (Ranks & Badges) and what he is working on. Independence as Scouts achieve ranks should and will evolve.

Merit Badges are essential to a Scout’s learning experience and are necessary to make all ranks beginning with Star. It is best to begin working on and completing a few Merit Badges within the first year. Twenty-one are required to make Eagle Scout (13 Required + 8 Electives). There are many helpful internet resources that explain in detail. A Scout may complete a Merit Badge by signing up for and attending classes on the Grand Canyon Calendar website. Scouts also have the opportunity to earn Merit Badges at Summer Camp. Scouts do regularly complete Merit Badges independantly. A brief outline for the methodology to complete Merit Badges is: Get a Merit Badge Blue Card from a Scoutmaster, buy the Merit Badge Book, print and complete the Merit Badge Workbook, compete the requirements, see a Merit Badge Counselor to complete the Blue Card. When you need a Merit Badge Counselor, please see a Scoutmaster or the Committee Chair.