PROHIBITED
-
SCOUTS MAY NEVER
BRING THESE ITEMS
... 6
Boy
Scout Troop #157 is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Round
Rock and provides a program for young men ages 10½ to 18. The troop has been providing this program
for over twenty years in the Round Rock area.
Our aims in Scouting are to foster citizenship, to build character, and to help Scouts to
develop physically, mentally, and morally. We strive to
accomplish these goals through the outdoor
program that operates according to the patrol
method. The patrol is a
fundamental unit in which each Scouts vote counts in making decisions
necessary to function in a living and working environment. The Troop and each patrol are led by senior
Scouts who are elected by their peers and are responsible for leading and
training the troop and their patrol members.
There are over 90 registered boys in Troop 157
and over 40 adults support them. We
are a family oriented troop and need the help of one or more adult members of
each family to provide this program.
If you have any questions about the Boy Scout
program, Troop #157 or any of these forms, please feel free to contact any of
the following:
Committee
Chairman
Carl Edwards (H) 255-3451
2412
West Messick Loop (W) 479-1000
Round
Rock, TX 78681 (C) 791-3389
Scoutmaster
Greg Smith (H) 255-9097
1820 Chincoteague Way (W)
255-2789
Round Rock, TX 78681
Greg@GregoryLSmith.com
Joining
our Troop 157 vs other troops in the Round Rock Area. There are about seven (7) different Boy Scout Troops in our
area. We support you evaluating a
number of them before you decide which one to join. Troop 157 has historically been the largest, which has its
advantages and disadvantages.
We think some of its unique strengths are:
·
The number of adult leaders, to spread the
work load and offers a wider variety of skills so you dont have to be an
expert in everything.
·
A number of adult leaders have offered more
variety in monthly campouts, plus alternatives for summer camps. (We went to 2 camps in 2001 and are going to
3 in 2002).
·
Our Troop has its own equipment.
·
We have a Venture Crew to keep interest of
high school age scouts.
To become a registered Boy Scout or Adult
Leader with Troop #157, please complete and return the following items:
1. Completion
of a BSA Application form, which is transmitted to the Capital Area Council
BSA office.
2. Completion
of a Troop 157 Scout Information and/or Troop 157 Adult Information form
which is used for our Troopmaster computer program, and the Troop Resource
Survey.
3. Completion
of an Authorization to Consent to Treatment of Minor form, and
4. Payment
of a registration fee to Troop #157 for BSA Registration, BSA Accident
Insurance, Boys Life magazine, and a troop registration fee.
The
amount of the registration fee is $30.00 per year for boys and $8.00 per year
for adults. Please make checks payable
to Boy Scout Troop #157.
We also request that at least one parent/
guardian of each boy consider participation as a Patrol Advisor or Troop
Committee member. The Patrol Advisors
help the boys, teaching skills, attending campouts, etc. The Troop Committee handles the business of
the Troop through fundraising efforts, maintaining advancement and financial
records, managing troop camping equipment, acting as secretary or treasurer,
quartermaster, etc.
Boy
Scout Troop #157 meets at the First United Methodist Church on Monday Evenings
from 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM. The Class A
uniform is required at all troop meetings unless prior notice has been provided
that a Class B uniform is appropriate.
Any Scout showing up without his Class A uniform may be sent home to put
it on in order to return to the meeting.
Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) meetings are
usually held the first Wednesday of each month at the church at 7:00PM until
approximately 8:00PM. Either Class A
uniforms are appropriate for this meeting.
Those boys holding positions of responsibility in the troop (i.e. Senior
Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Scribe, Patrol Leader,
Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe) should attend the PLCs. Scouts should always bring their Scout
Handbook, spiral notebook and a pencil to all meeting and outings.
Troop Committee meetings are usually held the
fourth Thursday of each month at the church or at another designated place at
7:30 PM until approximately 9:30 PM. At
this time the parents of the scouts conduct any planning and/or business that
may be required.
Scouts
should wear their Class A uniform to every Troop #157 event unless otherwise
instructed. Class A uniforms consist of
the following:
·
Scout Shirt (long or short sleeve)
·
Appropriate Insignia
·
Capital Area Council shoulder insignia
·
American Flag (generally on shirts)
·
Troop Numerals (157)
·
Patrol Emblem (after being assigned)
·
Red Shoulder Loops
·
Troop neckerchief and slide and merit badge
sash should be worn for Scout Sunday and at Courts of Honor.
Scout long slacks or Scout shorts with Scout
socks are optional uniform items, along with the Scout belt, Troop Scout
neckerchief and Scout slide, Scout visor cap, and Scout merit badge sash for
boys who have earned merit badges. It
is suggested that each Scout wear Scout pants, but solid blue jeans are also
considered appropriate attire at Scout function. Jams and other colorful shorts are not appropriate for Troop functions.
Upon earning the rank of Tenderfoot or
transferring into the troop with a rank of Tenderfoot or higher, Troop #157
will present each Scout with a troop neckerchief at its next Court of
Honor. Adults also will be presented
one after they have completed Scoutmaster Fundamentals.
Although the initial investment in a Scout
uniform can seem expensive, the uniform is very rugged and will usually last
until the Scout outgrows it. Please
keep growth in mine when buying shirts and pants.
All Scout uniform parts should be Official Boy
Scouts of America equipment, which may be purchased from the Boy Scout Office
at 7540 Ed Bluestein Blvd. in Austin.
Troop #157 maintains a uniform closet. As your son outgrows uniform parts, please
consider donating them to the uniform closed so other Scouts may use them. Likewise as your son grows, he may be able
to find uniform parts in the closet that he can use at a reduced cost. For further information regarding the
uniform closet, please contact the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman.
Class B uniforms consist of Scout slacks or
shorts, any solid blue jean shorts of long pants and a Scout tee shirt. Class B uniforms are appropriate for Scout
meeting during the months of June through August, on campouts (but not while
traveling) and for fund raising activities.
Class A uniforms may not be worn for Troop fundraisers.
Each Scout should have his own Boy Scout
Handbook and bring it to all meetings and campouts. Troop #157 always travels in Class A uniform to and from
campouts, hikes and other activities.
During its outings and during fundraising events, Scouts may wear a
troop tee shirt or other Scout tee shirt.
Consult the Boy Scout Handbook for complete
information on appropriate equipment for most types of hiking and camping. Here are some guidelines developed by Troop
#157 based on our experience:
1. Always
bring a complete change of clothes (two in wet weather)
2. Always
bring several pairs of dry socks
3. Hiking
boots are preferred footwear
4. We
recommend bringing an extra pair of shoes
5. Cameras
are allowed, but at the Scouts own risk
6. Always
bring a poncho or raincoat and work gloves
7. Always
bring you Scout Handbook, spiral notebook and pencil
8. Be
prepared for weather changes
9. Clothing
made of synthetic materials such as nylon typically are better than cotton.
Suggested Camping Gear:
Backpack - padded
frame-type pack with hip belt, and
Added,
shoulder pads
Sleeping - sleeping bag or blankets, Foam pad,
air
mattress, or Therm-O-Rest, Ground cloth
or
sheet of plastic, Sheet for summer (optional)
Eating - knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup,
and bowl
Toilet
Kit - soap
in box or zip lock bag, toothbrush and
Toothpaste,
Comb, brush, towel, washcloth
Clothing - one change of outer clothing per
day, one
Change
of underwear per day, Sleeping clothes
(including
a stocking cap during cold weather),
hat,
belt, and work gloves. extra socks and
shoes,
jacket or sweatshirt, poncho or raincoat
Other - Scout Handbook, notebook and
pencil,
flashlight,
& spare batteries, personal first aid
kit,
compass
Optional - Scout pocketknife, sunglasses,
50-foot length of
Cord,
mosquito repellent, sunscreen, canteen
testament
Radios, TVs or
electronic games
Aerosol products
Lighters or tobacco products
Alcohol or illegal substances
Firearms or bows and arrows
Sling shots
Fixed blade or sheath knives
Soda
Medical releases must be completed and on file before any
Scout can attend any event away from the church. The Authorization allows us to authorize emergency medical
treatment for your son in the event that you are not present and cannot be
reached by phone. All Scouts traveling
away from the church are required to wear seat belts. Also, required during traveling are Class A uniforms. Any Scout showing up without his Class A
uniform will be sent home to get it and return before the scheduled departure
time.
Most months the troop plans a weekend
campout. Everyone, including adults,
camps by the patrol method. There is to
be a duty roster and a menu posted at all times. The menu and roster will follow troop requirements. The menu is to followed without exception. As a general rule you can count on your boys
spending about $2.00 per meal on food for each campout plus a $2.00 campout fee
to replace expendable troop equipment provided, such as Coleman fuel, mantles,
etc. from all boys and adults attending.
Fires will be allowed in designated areas
only. They will be attended until they
are cold out. Cutting of live trees is
not allowed at any time. A food and
grease pit and latrine will be dug where public facilities are not
available. All latrines and pits are to
be dug outside the camping triangle.
No liquid gas, propane, candles or flammable
substances of any kind are allowed in
the tents. This means no lanterns are
allowed in the tents.
The troop provides tents, chuck boxes, cook
kits, stoves, lanterns, and dining flies.
All equipment in need of repair will be reported to the Troop
Quartermaster prior to storage of the equipment at the conclusion of the
campout.
It is recommended that candy and other sweets
be left at home as these draw insects and wild animals into the campsite or
tents.
OTHER
ACTIVITIES
Each month the troop plans a weekend campout to achieve
those goals, which can best be accomplished in an outdoor environment. In addition, our Scouts plan other
activities that include service to Scouting, the community and others. Our long term outdoor opportunities include
a week long summer camp and a 10-14 day high adventure outing for more advanced
Scouts to locations such as Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Summers Canoe
Base in Canada and Sea Base in Florida.
BSA policy for high adventure outings generally requires the Scout
attending to be 14 years of age for the Philmont treks and 13 years of age for
Sea Base by January 1st of the year in which the outing is planned
and that the Scout obtain the rank of First Class prior to the high adventure.
The Patrol Leaders Council determines where
the upcoming years campouts will be held and plans other activities for the
year. It also plans troop meetings and all other troop activities
Other activities sometimes include a weekend
at Lost Pines or Tahuaya for Soil and Water Conservation & Environmental
Science workshops and Junior Leader Training (JLT) workshops.
Troop #157 has typically had two primary fundraisers a
year, in which the Scouts have the opportunity to participate to earn funds for
both the troop and their own camping needs.
These have been brisket sales, and fertilizer sales.
The fertilizer sales have been used to provide
funds for both the troop and the Scouts camping needs. For every bag of fertilizer sold the Scout
earns a percentage, which goes into a camping fund for that boy. The money in this fund can be used to pay
for summer camp, to pay his share of food costs for campouts, or even to
purchase camping equipment such as a sleeping bag for himself. Troop proceeds from fertilizer sales are set
aside to purchase additional equipment, repair existing equipment or help fund
the general troop expenses.
All proceeds from the brisket sales have
traditionally been used to help fund general troop expenses.
For the purpose of advancement, showing scout spirit is
defined as attending at least 50% of the meetings and 50% of the outings during
the advancement period prior to the Scouts Board of Review date for a given
rank. Also, signatures in the Scout
Handbook will be the final point of control.
Records kept by the Troop Committee are for administrative purposes only. It is the responsibility of each boy to
verify the correctness of the troop records as they pertain to him.
Three times per year, the Troop holds a Court
of Honor to recognize Scouts for their advancements in rank, for merit badges
earned and for any other special recognition.
These are generally family events with all members of the family invited
to attend.
Troop 157 believes in that recognizing the
Scouts for their advancement as they earn it rather than making them wait until
Courts of Honor. Therefore, a Scout
will receive any rank advancement as he earns it. However, the Scout is again recognized at the Court of Honor.
With encouragement and participation, all
Scouts can attain the rank of First Class within a year of joining the
Troop. All Scouts will also have the
opportunity to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
Over 80 Scouts have earned this prestigious recognition from Troop 157!
Scouts should strive to live by the Scout Oath and to obey
the Scout Law. However our boys are not
perfect, nor are they expected to be.
In the event that the Scoutmaster, Assistant
Scoutmaster, or other registered adult finds the actions of a Scout to endanger
anyone, including himself, or to be so disruptive of others that an objective
cannot be achieved, or to be disrespectful, or disobedient; then disciplinary
actions will be necessary.
Normally the first step of a disciplinary
action is a verbal warning. Occasionally other punishment such as additional KP
or similar assignments may be implemented. If the situation continues or is of
a more serious nature there will be a Scoutmaster conference with the Scout.
If the situation still continues of is of a
serious nature, the parents will be called and asked to come pick up their son
and take him home form the meeting, campout, or summer camp. If this action becomes necessary, the boy
may be asked to stay home from one or more Troop meetings or campouts if the
Scoutmaster deems it necessary.