Welcome to Troop 675

Dear Scouting Parent:

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Scouts BSA Troop 675. We are looking forward to a fun, exciting time with a heaping cup of adventure and with a dash of character building. To help you prepare your scouts journey we have put together some of the most important items to know. Afterward please review our Troop policies and camp fees.

In Scouts BSA, the scouts are all in patrols of 5-10 other scouts, varying in age from 10.5 to 17. With years of experience to very little and even some working on their Eagle Rank. There is very little formal instruction at the meetings for the purposes of completing requirements, and instead, they’ll focus on practicing scouting skills, planning their next outings, etc. More experienced scouts will teach skills to newer scouts more often than adult leaders. At Troop meetings and events, the scouts will be expected to ask their Patrol leader (one of their own who they select to represent them in the troop) for help first, who will ask their Senior Patrol leader (an older scout, usually in high school) if they don’t know the answer, who only then will approach one of the adult leaders for assistance. Please help us break the habit of having them come to us or you first. “Have you asked your patrol (Senior Patrol) leader yet?” is a great phrase to learn and use. It’s hard, especially for those of us there in uniform as adult leaders. We just spent 4 or 5 years teaching them to come to us for help. We try extra hard not to interact directly with our own kids and direct them to their youth leaders and if necessary another adult leader. During meetings please feel free to enjoy our church’s lobby and the quiet. Being in the room is not only frowned upon it creates distractions and youth protection issues for the scout and leaders.

CAMPING:
Camping at the Troop level is not a family event. The scouts are expected to be dropped off or find transportation with another leader. This ensures the scouts are able to use The Patrol Method to complete their tasks and goals. The scouts will be given instruction by their Senior Patrol leader what they need to bring specifically to each campout, but must always be responsible for the scout’s ten essentials. It is also essential to have a health form on file for your scout, these must be updated yearly and include a copy of the front & back of their insurance card. Form C is primarily for Summer camp (they will not be permitted to go camping without a form on file)

HANDBOOK:
A scout handbook will be essential for the scouts to fulfill and record completed rank requirements.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Troop email address: info@bsa675.org
Online Advancement Tracking Site: scoutbook.com
Troop policies and camp fees: Link

We are looking forward to working with your scout. If you or your scout have any questions, concerns or feedback for our Troop, please feel free to email or contact us at your convenience.