Uniform
Standard
The purpose of this standard is to
give guidance to Scouts and Scouters in Troop 361 so they know what is
expected and what is proper in certain situations.
CLASS A- Full Green
Official
BSA uniform shorts/pants or Forest Green camouflage pants
Appropriate
socks (BSA socks required with shorts)
Merit
Badge Sash
Leather or athletic
shoes
Full Class A uniform is required
for all Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review. Class A
uniforms should be worn at all troop meetings, at all Flag ceremonies,
while traveling to/from any Scout outing -- including Summer Camp, and
at all district or council functions.
Merit badge sashes are worn over
the shoulder (never on the belt) and normally only at Troop Courts of
Honor. We recommend that you keep your merit badge sash stored
away carefully so that it does not become lost or worn.
CLASS B
Issued Troop or BSA T-shirt or
sweatshirt; Troop cap or any other BSA cap; Scout belt; Scout uniform
shorts or pants.
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Troop
361 or BSA T-shirt/Sweatshirt.
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Troop 361
or BSA cap
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Official
BSA Scout belt
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Official
BSA uniform shorts/pants or Forest Green camouflage pants
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Appropriate
socks (BSA socks required with shorts)
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Leather or athletic
shoes
Class B uniforms should be worn
whenever a Class A uniform is not required. In general, Class B
uniforms are worn while not traveling on Troop outings, at Summer
Camp, and during service projects.
PLACEMENT OF EMBLEMS OR PATCHES ON UNIFORMS
PATCHES ON UNIFORMS The
Boy Scout/Varsity Scout Uniform Inspection Sheet provides instructions
for all patches and their proper placement on the uniform shirt. You
can get a copy original at any Scout Shop.
Equipment
You Will Need
It is often a bit of a
shock when new Scouts come home saying they need a lot of expensive
clothing and gear. They may not understand that the nice gear owned by
some of the older Scouts was collected over a period of time.
For purchasing all of the BSA uniform
supplies, we recommend:
Please be aware that there is a Scout outlet
in Edgewood that has BSA equipment. This particular store, while
located within Pacific Harbors Council, is actually associated with
Chief Seattle Council and caters primarily to LDS Scouts and Scouters in
Puyallup and Enumclaw who live within Pacific Harbors borders but are chartered to
Chief Seattle. When you shop at this store, your purchases support
Chief Seattle and detract from Pacific Harbors.
We recommend that you please use the Pacific Harbors Council store
located in Tacoma to help keep funds in our area instead of in
Seattle.
Although the camping gear
sold at the BSA shops is of high quality, it may be more expensive than
gear sold at sporting goods stores or in the camping departments of
discount stores like REI, GI-Joe's, Wal-Mart, Target, or K-Mart. In addition, many good deals have been found at
garage sales or from older Scouts. The Patrol Leaders or any of the
adults in the Troop are good sources of advice.
Basic Equipment List
*1. BSA Class A - Green Uniform per
Uniforming Standard
*2. The Boy Scout Handbook
*3. Back pack or duffel bag (boy
must be able to carry all of his own equipment)
*4. Sleeping bag or a blanket and sheet
*5. Canteen or water bottle '
*6. Poncho or rain suit
*7. Utensil kit (knife, spoon, fork)
*8. Drinking cup and plate or mess kit
*9. Personal first aid kit (Talk with
Patrol Leader first. Malting a personal first aid kit is part of early
rank requirements.)
10. Flashlight, plus extra batteries and
light bulb
11. Bug repellent (no aerosol cans)
*12. Pocket knife (may carry only after
earning Totin' Chip)
* Essential
Advancement
In The Unit
The following information
is taken from the Advancement Policies and Procedures Committee
Guide published by the Boy Scouts of America. Additional comments that
relate to Troop 361 guidelines or comments are provided in italics. The
Troop 361 Advancement Committee strives to follow these guidelines to
the best of our ability.
One of the major avenues of
achievement in Scouting is advancing from rank to rank. The Boy Scout
advancement program is subtle. It places a series of challenges in front
of a Scout in a manner that is fun and educational to a boy. As Scouts
meet these challenges, they achieve the aims of Boy Scouting.
A boy advances and grows in
the Boy Scout phase of the program in the same way a plant grows by
receiving nourishment in the right environment. The job of the adults
concerned with advancement is to provide the right environment.
One of the greatest needs
of boys is confidence. There are three kinds of confidences that boys
need: in themselves, in peers, and in leaders.
Educators and counselors
agree that the best way to build confidence is through measurement.
Serf-confidence is developed by measuring up to a challenge or standard.
Peer confidence develops when the same measuring system is used for
everyone--when all must meet the same challenge to receive equal
recognition Confidence in leaders comes about when there is consistency in
measuring--when leaders use a single standard of fairness.
Standards for joining a Boy
Scout troop and for advancement are listed in the latest printing of the
Boy Scout Handbook and in the current Boy Scouts Requirement book. No
council, district unit, or individual has the authority to add to or
subtract from any advancement requirement. A Boy Scout badge recognized
what a boy is able to do; it is not a reward for what he has done.
Advancement accommodates
the three aims of Scouting: citizenship, growth in moral strength and
character, and mental and physical development-
The advancement program is
designed to provide the Boy Scout with a chance to achieve the aims of
Scouting. As a Scout advances he is measured and grows in confidence and
self-reliance.
When a badge and
certificate are awarded to a Boy Scout to recognize that he has achieved a
rank, they represent that a boy has:
In the advanced ranks (Star, Life, and
Eagle), the badge represents that the boy has also:
Four Steps of Advancement
A Boy Scout advances from
Tenderfoot to Eagle by doing things with his patrol and his troop, with
his leaders, and on his own. It's easy for him to advance, if the
following four opportunities are provided for him.
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The Boy Scout
learns. A Scout learns by doing. As he learns, he grows in ability
to do his part as a member of the patrol and the troop. As he develops
knowledge and skill, he is asked to teach others; and in this way he
begins to develop leadership.
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The Boy Scout is
tested. A Scout may be tested on rank requirements by his patrol
leader, Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member,
or a member of his troop. The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those
qualified to give tests and to pass candidates. The Scout's merit
badge counselor teaches and tests on the requirements for merit
badges.
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The Boy Scout is
reviewed. After a Scout has completed all requirements for a rank,
he has a board of review. For Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class,
Star, Life, and Eagle Palms, there view is conducted by members of the
troop committee. The Eagle Scout board of review is conducted in
accordance with local council procedures.
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The Boy Scout is
recognized. When the board of review has certified a boy's
advancement, he deserves to receive recognition as soon as possible.
This should be done at a ceremony at the next troop meeting. The
certificate for his new rank may be presented later at a formal court
of honor.
Troop
Advancement Goals
It is important to set an
advancement goal for the year. A basic goal should be for each boy to
advance a rank during the year. New Scouts should earn the First Class
Rank during their first year in the troop. By doing so, these new Scouts
become new contributors to the troop and are able to care for themselves
and others.
Early Rank Requirements
(Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class)
The early ranks, are
designed to be a foundation for each Scout to build upon--each
requirement helps to develop skills the Scout will need for the next
rank. For example, asking for help from their peers, leaders, and
other adults begins with entry into the troop and continues throughout
all rank advancement as follows:
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A Scout will need to
get the help of experienced Scouts to teach him the skills he
must accomplish.
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When he can
demonstrate his accomplishment a Scout will need to get a sign off
in his
Handbook
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He then asks for
adult help in updating his records to receive credit for those
requirements
he has worked so hard to accomplish.
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He asks for adult
help again when he schedules his Scoutmaster Conference and his
Board of Review.
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One of the
requirements under the First Class rank, has the Scout visit
and discuss his constitutional rights and obligations with a
selected individual approved by his Scoutmaster. To fulfill this
requirement the Scout must approach the individual (phone or in
person) and
make a request. Most Scouts are shy about asking for
help. When they have a specific
goal in mind it is easier for them
to overcome their shyness. With completion of the
requirement their
confidence level has been raised.
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Now, they move on to
asking for help with merit badges and eventually to developing and
seeking help for their Eagle service project. Each contact moves
them further along in
rank and builds their confidence.
The early ranks are
divided into four basic skill areas: Citizenship, First Aid, Outdoor
Skills, and Physical Fitness/Personal Development. Activities are
planned throughout the year that touch on all these skill areas. Each
area has multiple skills that build upon each other.
Advanced
Rank Requirements (Star, Life, Eagle)
The advanced ranks are
designed to build on top of the foundation of the early ranks. Each
Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges to achieve Eagle Scout.
Twelve of those merit badges are defined and like the early ranks are
divided into four basic skill areas: Citizenship, First Aid, Outdoor
Skills, and Physical Fitness/Personal Development. The remaining ten
merit badges can come from any of these areas or others.
With advanced rank comes
advanced responsibility. Each Scout must serve in a position of
responsibility at each rank. Generally these positions become more
advanced as the Scout advances and develops his leadership capabilities.
The advanced Scout is the backbone of the Scouting program-he is the one
participating in planning conferences and teaching skills to younger
Scouts. The advancement of the Troop depends upon the participation and
involvement of its advanced rank Scouts.
Service to others is also
required at the advanced level. By actively helping others the Scouts
learn to make service part of their daily lives. They learn to
appreciate what they have and the needs of others. As an Eagle candidate
they learn what it takes to organize a project to help others.
Who May Approve/Sign
Requirements
Each Scout is
responsible for obtaining sign-offs in his Scout Handbook from
authorized leaders when he completes a requirement. Signing authority is
given to the more advanced Scouts who are providing leadership to the
troop. Based on the requirement some items have been designated for
specific authorities only:
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If the requirement
states "with your patrol"; only the Patrol Leader for
the Scout's patrol may sign-off on completion--that Patrol Leader
is the one who knows if the Scout finished the requirement
satisfactorily or if he still needs to work on it a little more.
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Requirements that
are based on information maintained in the database, such as
attendance, time in troop or responsibility, or merit badges
earned are only signed-off
by Advancement Committee adults who can
verify the information in the database.
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Swimming
requirements that relate to the safety of the Scout and our
knowledge of his
abilities are limited to qualified authorities
such as Summer Camp Waterfront personnel
or troop personnel with
the appropriate credentials.
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Scout Spirit,
Scoutmaster Conferences, and Boards of Review are designated for
Adult
Leadership signatures only.
If there's a question
about who can sign-off, the Scout's Patrol Leader will help him resolve
it with the help of the Scoutmaster or Adults from the Advancement
Committee.
Attendance
Standards
In order to establish a
consistent manner of determining whether certain advancement requirements
have been met; the following standard is established for Troop 361,
Federal Way, Washington. This standard applies to the active participation
requirements for Star Scout, Life Scout, and Eagle Scout.
Active
Participation is defined as
meeting or exceeding the standards regarding both meetings and outings
listed below.
Meetings.
Attendance at 60% or more in each consecutive month for which
participation is sought. Meeting attendance means being present the entire
time period when the meeting is scheduled to occur.
Outings.
Attendance at 60% or more of all the troop/patrol outings scheduled during
the months for which participation is sought. Attendance at an outing
means that the Scout is present for the entire time period, if the event
is a day-only event, or that the Scout spends at least one night camping
on an overnight event.
Responsibility.
Each Scout is responsible for his attendance and behavior. The troop
scribe is responsible for accurately recording attendance, or for assuring
that recording is done in his absence.
Exceptional
Circumstances. A Scout who believes
that he has an exceptional circumstance that justifies the waiving of part
or all of this standard may request that waiver from the registered troop
committee. He must present the entire circumstances, including the affect
this waiver might have on other Scouts' attendance. A Scout
requesting a waiver must make the presentation personally after being
scheduled by the troop committee chairman.
Scout
Behavior
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All guidelines
explicit and implicit are designed to adhere to the Spirit of
Scouting and must be interpreted in that light.
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Scouts are expected
to obey all directions/requests from Adult Scout Leaders and their
Patrol Leaders..
- Gambling is not permitted at any troop
or related BSA function.
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Scouts are
expected to use proper speech at all times. Explicitly, this
excludes coarse jokes, cursing, and any manner of speaking that
degrades boys, women, ethnic minorities, individuals from any
particular group or nationality, or any challenged individual.
- Scouts must refrain from the use of
Tobacco, Alcohol, and non-prescription drugs at all times.
This rule is in forced regardless whether the Scout is present at a
Scout outing.
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Scouts are expected
to assist in the enforcement of "two-deep" leadership at
all times, including merit badge counseling, patrol outings, and
advance crews. Boys attending a session with a merit badge counselor
must bring a buddy or parent. Transportation to and from
outings must not have a single boy in a car with one adult. At least
two boys or a second adult must be in the car.
Straight-bladed knives
are not permitted at any troop or related BSA function.
Firearms are not
permitted at any troop function or related BSA function, including
vehicles used to transport boys to and from outings.
This list of guidelines
is not assumed to be comprehensive. Any principle not adequately
covered herein is covered by Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts
of America and related BSA publications. We hereby recognize this book
and the staff of BSA as final arbiters of the rules to follow and
their interpretation.
When a Scout declines
to follow these guidelines, the offending party will be contacted
discreetly at the request of the committee or Scoutmaster, by chair's
or Scoutmaster's designees (preferably three but at least two
individuals) regarding any pertinent breech of the guidelines.
Generally, the committee will inform the party of the problem and
insist that there be no further inattention to the guidelines. It is
expected that these discrete meetings will rectify virtually all
difficulties. Should they fail to do so, the chair, in collaboration
with the chair's designees and the representative of the charter
organization, reserves the obligation to prevent further participation
of the offending party in troop or related BSA functions.
Merit
Badges
The merit badge program is
one of Boy Scouting's basic measurement tools. Earning merit badges gives
a boy the .rind of self-confidence that comes from overcoming obstacles to
achieve a goal. Through the merit badge program, a boy also learns career
skills, develops socially, and may develop physical skills and hobbies
that give a lifetime of healthful recreation.
The steps to follow in the
merit badge program are outlined in the current Boy Scout Requirements
Book. This book lists the requirements a Scout needs to earn each of the
note than 100 merit badges that are available. Scouts must be tested
individually, and they must meet all the requirements.
Scout
Buddy System. A Scout must have a
buddy with him at each meeting with a merit badge counselor. A Scout's
buddy can be another Scout, a parent or guardian, a brother or sister, or
a relative or friend. From his scoutmaster, the Scout obtains a signed
merit badge application (blue card) and the name of the appropriate merit
badge counselor. The Scout sets up his first appointment with the
counselor. The counselor should explain the requirements to the Scout. The
Scout and his buddy then meet as appropriate with the counselor until the
Scout completes the badge requirements.
Group
Instruction of Merit Badges. The
question arises as to whether it is permissible to have boys earn merit
badges in groups. Many subjects may be presented to groups of Scouts
without defeating one of the purposes of the merit badge plan--working
closely with a qualified adult.
The National Executive Board has approved
this policy statement on merit badge counseling:
"To the fullest
extent possible, the merit badge counseling relationship is a
counselor-Scout arrangement m which the boy is not only judged on his
performance of the requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the
knowledge, skill, character, and personal interest of his counselor.
Group instruction and orientation are encouraged where special
facilities and expert personnel make this most practical, or when Scouts
are dependent on lonely a few counselors for assistance. However, this
group experience should be followed by attention to each individual
candidate's projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements."
Merit
Badge Partials from Summer Camp.
The troop database will be used to track partial merit badges earned while
attending summer camp with the troop. To complete the badges the Scout
will need to make arrangements with either one of the adults who attended
summer camp with him or a merit badge counselor for the badge. When he has
completed his outstanding requirements the adult will notify database
personnel to show as complete. Partials will be retained in the database
for one year.
Standard
Campout And Outing Arrangements
Unless informed
otherwise, you should assume the following arrangements apply to all
troop outings and campouts.
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An activity
information sheet will be provided with details and a
permission/information slip which is to be returned.
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The lower portion of
the permission slip needs to be returned to the Scout's Patrol
Leader or Troop Guide by the deadline stated, if the Scout wishes
for plans to be made for his transportation.
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Any necessary fees
must be returned by the given deadline. The patrols are responsible
for setting and collecting food fees. The Troop Scribe will not
collect individual fees.
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A sack lunch,
including drink, may be needed for the first meal on the outing or
Scout may eat before coming to outing. Be sure and check the plan
beforehand.
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Patrols need to
plan for any coolers and ice necessary for their food.
Joint use of large coolers is encouraged.
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Each patrol should
include at least one roll of paper towels and one full roll of
toilet tissue in their supplies for each campout.
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The troop will
assemble at 6:00PM in the Sunrise United Methodist Church parking lot to depart.
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Class "A"
uniform will be worn correctly by all registered members while
traveling to and from an activity or campout. This is a BSA
National requirement which is related to insurance coverage.
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Walkman radios,
gameboys, and other portable electronic amusements may be used
while traveling, provided they do not disturb others. Any and
all such devices will be locked in the vehicles upon arrival at
the campsite or activity area until time to travel again.
Service
Projects
Service project durations
for rank are defined in the Boy Scout Handbook. In general, service
projects are intended to benefit interests outside of Scouting but the
Scoutmaster has the ultimate say.
The Scoutmaster must
approve each project before it is started.
Training
Once a Scout has obtained
his First Class Rank opportunities for advanced leadership training are
available to him. They include but are not limited to the following:
Internal
Troop training. This training
opportunity involves the Scouts chosen to staff the troop for a period
of six months. The Scouts meet with the Scoutmaster to learn additional
leadership skills, to learn specifics about how the troop operates, and
to build team skills among leadership.
Den
Chief training. This training
opportunity is offered by the District to provide leadership skills to
Scouts who would like to work with the younger Cub Scouts and Webelos.
Many of these Scouts had Den Chiefs that mentored to them when they were
in the Cub Program. This training is generally offered in the Fall when
Packs are forming. Scouts must be of First Class rank and approved by
their Scoutmaster to attend.
Adult
Training. Adults are
expected to complete required training for their positions. Please
see Pacific Harbors Council
Homepage for more information about scheduling adult training.
Other
Council Programs. Additional
opportunities are available through programs provided by other Councils
or the National Boy Scouts.
Troop
Elections
Qualifications for Senior
Patrol Leader:
1. Registered Scout with rank of Star or
above.
2. Active in this troop for at least 6
months.
3. At least thirteen years of age.
4. Willing to serve for a six month term.
5. Willing to be trained
and work with the other troop leaders.
6. Has not served more
than six months as Senior Patrol Leader in this troop.
Qualifications for Patrol
Leader:
- Registered Scout with rank of First
Class or above.
- Experience in a troop or patrol
office.
- Active in this troop for at least
three months.
- At least 12 years of age.
- Willing to serve for a six month term.
- Willing to be trained and work with
the other troop leaders.
- Has not served as Patrol Leader for more than one year in this troop during the past two
years.
Procedures
for Election:
Senior Patrol
Leader:
Nominations in writing will be made and seconded by an active, registered member of the troop for senior patrol leader. Votes will be
cast by secret ballot at the beginning of the next meeting to elect the
senior patrol leader from those nominated
Troop Guide: The troop guide(s) will be selected by the Assistant
Scoutmaster.
Patrol Leader: After the election of an SPL and subsequent
appointments of ASPL and Troop Guides, each patrol will then elect a
Patrol Leader by secret ballot.
Others: The senior patrol leader
will appoint the scribe(s), quartermaster(s), librarian, and historian
at the next meeting; with the approval of the Scoutmaster. The patrol
leader will appoint his patrol members to their positions at the next
troop meeting, with the approval of the senior patrol leader.
Parental
/ Guardian Support
Cooperation and
support from each Scout's family are absolute necessities for the BSA and Troop programs to be successful. When a Scout registers with
Troop 361, his parent or guardian is assumed to have obligated himself /
themselves to provide some form of support based upon parental skills.
Parents/guardians should advise the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman of
their particular interests and the way in which they can contribute to
the Troop's Scouting program which is there to benefit their son and his
peers.
Troop functions will
require help at certain times. Requests for assistance will be
rotated as much as possible. For example, parental support may be needed
in the transportation of Scouts to and from campouts, camporees, and
other Scouting activities.
Parental/guardian
support is also solicited to provide assistance in the various areas
of expertise for an active merit badge program. A wide range of interest
areas is available to each Scout, but each merit badge requires adult
supervision and assistance. We ask all parents/guardians to complete the
merit badge survey and notify the Troop Committee member responsible for
advancement to advise how they can supper an active and comprehensive
merit badge program.
Parents/guardians are
expected to attend Courts of Honor. This is the opportunity for each
Scout's progress to be duly recognized by the Troop and the Scout's
family. It is an important occasion which also recognizes the
achievements of a successful troop program designed by and for the boys.
Adult
Behavior
All adults in Troop 361 are
expected to observe the following Adult Behavior Guidelines:
-
All guidelines
explicit and implicit are designed to adhere to the Spirit of
Scouting and must be interpreted in that light.
-
Adults involved in
transport of Scouts and Scouters must obey traffic laws including
speed limits.
- Gambling is not permitted at any troop
or related BSA function.
-
Adults are expected
to model polite speech for the Scouts at all times. Explicitly, this
excludes coarse jokes, cursing, and any manner of speaking that
degrades boys, women, ethnic minorities, individuals from any
particular group or nationality, or any challenged individual.
- Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
products are not permitted at any troop or related BSA function.
Adults must also be free of alcoholic or tobacco odors and/or impairment.
-
The principle of
"two-deep" leadership must be followed at all times,
including merit badge counseling, patrol outings, and advance crews.
Merit badge counselors cannot counsel boys one-on-one. There must be
at least two boys or at least two adults. Transportation to and from
outings must not have a single boy in a car with one adult. At least
two boys or a second adult must be in the car. All other activities
require two adults.
This list of guidelines
is not assumed to be comprehensive. Any principle not adequately
covered herein is covered by Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts
of America and related BSA publications. We hereby recognize this book
and the staff of BSA as final arbiters of the rules to follow and
their interpretation.
When an adult declines
to follow these guidelines, the offending party will be contacted
discreetly at the request of the committee or Scoutmaster, by chair's
or Scoutmaster's designees (preferably three but at least two
individuals) regarding any pertinent breech of the guidelines.
Generally, the committee will inform the party of the problem and
insist that there be no further inattention to the guidelines. It is
expected that these discrete meetings will rectify virtually all
difficulties. Should they fail to do so, the chair, in collaboration
with the chair's designees and the representative of the charter
organization, reserves the obligation to prevent further participation
of the offending party in troop or related BSA functions.
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