Everything you need about BSAÂ Troop 451 Pace/Milton, Florida
Meetings & Activities
Troop 451 meets at Christian Life Church most Tuesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to about 8:00 p.m.
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Troop 451 strives to keep busy with a variety of exciting events. Each month our youth leaders (Patrol Leader’s Council, or PLC as it is more commonly referred to) meet with our adult leaders to plan interesting and fun activities.
These may include:
*A week of Summer Camp (Usually in June or July)
*Troop Campouts (every month including summer time)
*A week of Winter Camp (The week before or after Christmas)
*District Camporee (Usually in April)
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The troop and committee leaders will also coordinate:
*Service Projects – which scouts are required to attend
*Fundraising – Some are for scouts and some of for the troop
While Scouts usually hear details of our events at meetings, this important information is sometimes not passed along to parents. We communicate troop events on our private Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Troop451Pace and in the member section of this website (future enhancement).
Parent Involvement
Without help of all kinds from our parents, Troop 451 would not exist. We hope you will take an active part in encouraging your child. Your role as “cheerleader” is a big reason for your child’s interest and success. Meaningful scouting means parental involvement. You attending a meeting means you get to know us better and we can become better acquainted with you. It also shows your child(ren) that you care enough to stay and be part of something in which he/she is interested in.
Parents also have a big impact on the Troop Committee. Becoming a Committee Member is extremely important and your assistance is invaluable. The committee oversees the troop, helps plan activities, and forms the Board of Review for each Scout’s rank advancement. Our troop also needs parents to help counsel merit badges, assist with special events and drive to activities. Your help makes the difference. National BSA rules require at least two adults at every meeting and activity. EVENTS MUST BE CANCELED if sufficient leaders are not available.
Youth Leadership & Patrol Method
A major goal of Scouting is to develop leadership skills in our youth. Youth Leaders are elected by their peers twice each year to help run the troop. The highest youth leader is the Senior Patrol Leader, or SPL. The Senior Patrol Leader runs the troop activities, with the Scoutmaster Corps help, following a plan decided at monthly PLC meetings. Our troop is organized into patrols around eight scouts, each with an elected Patrol Leader and their assigned Assistant Patrol Leader. The Patrol Leaders and Assistants have a key role in helping the Senior Patrol Leader and adult leaders accomplish the goals of the troop.
New Scouts will work together with other Scouts in a Patrol. This allows them to teach and learn from each other. This is very important in the Scouts advancement. This working together is called the “Patrol Method” and is THE cornerstone of successful scouting.
Advancement
Advancement is the way you learn and are recognized as you proceed in
Scouting. You start as a “Scout” and progress through the ranks to “Eagle” in the following order: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle. Advancement is how you become eligible for troop leadership positions, high adventure camping trips, and honors such as election to the “Order of the Arrow”, Scouting’s honor camping society. Advancement must be signed off in the scout’s book by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster or Patrol Leader.
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Merit Badges
Once you reach First Class, merit badges become the main advancement tool. Scouts can work on badges earlier if they choose. There are over 120 merit badges to choose from. Scouts must meet with a registered merit badge counselor before starting work on a merit badge. Many, like Pets, Athletics, Theater and Citizenship, may be worked on in school or at home, but all work must be signed off by a Merit Badge Counselor. Scouts may work with a counselor independently on merit badges that interest them. Leaders help by allowing time to work on some badges during troop meetings. Camping offers many opportunities as well. You must meet with the Scoutmaster or the Advancement Chair and a counselor BEFORE starting work on a badge. This allows counselors/leaders to follow up, while you work with a specific, approved counselor who has experience in the subject.
There are Merit Badge Universities and Merit Badge Workshops during the year. In addition, Summer Camp and Winter Camp offer Great opportunities to work on merit badges.
Uniforms
There are a few things that Scouts need right away to begin the Scouting trail. An official Scouts BSA Uniform shirt, a Scout Handbook, a cover for their Scout Handbook and a few pens. The uniform is the place to wear all the awards you will soon be earning. Troop 451’s uniform consists of a Scouts BSA field uniform (“Class A”) shirt with proper insignia, black neckerchief (provided by the troop), olive green cargo pants/shorts and Scout belt. If a scout has earned more than 3 merit badges they are required to have a Merit Badge Sash. A shirt should be purchased as soon as possible, because it must be worn to every troop activity and when traveling. This is part of the BSA policy for insurance coverage. If finances prevent the purchase of a uniform within the first month, contact the Scoutmaster or a member of the committee. We may be able to help get one for your child at a reduced cost through the District or Council. Our Troop also offers an activity uniform (“Class B”) printed T-Shirt for wearing around camp and other times that leaders specifically announce. Orders are placed through the troop fundraising chair twice a year.
Scout Handbook
This is where all the information about what a scout has accomplished is recorded. A Scout should have their Scout Handbook with them at all times, when attending Scout Meetings, as well as on outings. Take care of the Scout Handbook, as it is a record of what they have accomplished. A book cover will help in two ways. First of all, it provides a place to put all the information that your scouts are given. Second, it’s a place where notes can be taken. Many times, scouts will be told about an event and are expected to remember it. Writing things down will show that they are an organized Scout, capable of leadership. Leadership is required to advance in Scouting.
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Dues and Fees
There will also be a one-time BSA joining fee for new members of $25. If a Scout has been registered in the last five years, BSA will not charge the new member fee. In addition, the BSA membership fee is $120 per year. All of the funds collected for registration go directly to the National BSA organization. You can also choose at this time to pay for the Scout’s Life Magazine for $12 a year. Scouts joining in mid-year pay on a pro-rated basis.
Scouts must pay for food for camping. Each patrol will plan its own menu most of the time and will assign one scout to be the “Grubmaster.” The Grubmaster is responsible for buying the food for the patrol. Typically, food costs approximately $10 per scout for the campout. Costs may vary depending on the menu as well as the number of meals to be consumed. Fees for activities that entail additional costs, such as camp ground fees and transportation costs, will be divided and charged per person. If you commit to attending a campout (but cannot attend), your money for food or for the event WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
If the costs of Scouting present a problem, please discuss it with the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair in private. We also offer many different fundraising opportunities for Scouts to earn money for their own scouting costs. A Scout is Thrifty.
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Transportation
The parents of Troop 451 work together to provide transportation to different activities. In most cases events will require scouts to be dropped and picked up from the church as specified times. Some events we ask for volunteers to help with transporting scouts to event locations.
Social Media
The troop has a closed Facebook account to share information, events and photographs with the families in Troop 451. Parents and scouts are welcome to join. We ask that photographs of scouts posted on the site be of scouts in a group setting with no individual scout names tagged in the post. A parent may post their own scout’s photograph (individual).
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New Scout Study Guide
To become a Boy Scout, this is what you need to memorize:
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Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Motto
Do a Good Turn Daily
Scout Slogan
Be Prepared
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Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to Be clean in my outdoor manners, Be careful with fire, Be considerate in the outdoors, and Be conservation-minded.
