Troop 525
Boy Scouts of
Youth Community, GA
Guide for
the Families of our Troop
2004
Purpose of the Boy
Scouts of
It
is the purpose of the Boy Scouts Of America to provide an effective program
designed to instill within the youth desirable qualities of character, to train
them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to help develop
their personal fitness, providing this country with citizens who:
1. Are
physically, mentally and emotionally fit.
2. Have
a high degree of self-reliance as evidence in such qualities as initiative,
courage and resourcefulness.
3. Have
personal and stable values firmly based on religious concepts.
4. Have
the desire and skills to help others.
5. Understand
the principles of the American social, economic, and government systems.
6. Are
knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand
7 Have
a keen respect for the basic rights of all people.
8. Are
prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving
leadership to American society and in other forums of the world.
Boy Scouts
of America
It
is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to
instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make
ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The
values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law.
The Scout Oath
or Promise
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.
The
Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent
Scout Motto
Be Prepared
Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily
Aims and Methods of the
Boy Scout Program
Aims
Boy
Scouting works toward three aims:
Ø
One
is growth in moral
strength and character. We may define this as what the boy is himself: his personal
qualities, his values, his outlook.
Ø
A
second aim is participating
citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy’s relationship
to others. He comes to learn of his obligations to other people, to the society
he lives, to the government that presides over that society.
Ø
A
third aim of Boy Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and
solve problems), and emotions (self control, courage and self-respect).
The
methods are designed to accomplish these aims.
Methods
Advancement- Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and
steps to over come them through the advancement process. The Scout plans his
advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. More is discussed about Advancement later in
this guide.
Adult Association- Boys learn from the examples set by their
adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female and association with
adults of high character is encouraged at this stage in a young man’s
development.
Personal Growth- As Scouts plan their activity, and progress toward their
goals, they experience personal growth. The good turn concept is a major part
of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in
community service projects and do good turns for others.
Ideals- The Ideals of
Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto and Slogan. The Scout measures himself against
these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he
reaches for them, he has some control over what he becomes.
Patrols- The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in-group
living and participating in citizenship. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young
shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. Through the patrol the
leaders learn first hand how to make a plan, then work the plan. The patrol
method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they can easily relate to
each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected
leaders.
Outdoors-
Boy Scouting is designed to take place in the outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share
responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here where the skills
and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive. More is discussed about
the outdoor program later in this guide.
Leadership Development- Boy Scouting encourages boys to learn
and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate
in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of
leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him
toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.
Uniform- The uniform makes the Scout troop
visible as a force of good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Scouting is an action program,
and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout’s commitment to the
aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a
world brotherhood youth who believe in the same ideals. More is discussed about
the uniform later in this guide.
Troop Organization
Troop
525 of the Boy Scout of America is sponsored by Corinth Christian Church. As
the sponsor the Church is the owner of the Charter and all troop equipment. The
Charter Organization is responsible for our meeting place. The Troop has been
charted for 32 years.
Empowering boys to be leaders is at the
core of Scouting. Scouts
learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and the Troop. Troop 525
is a small democracy. The Scouts are formed into patrols, the basic unit
consisting of 6-8 scouts. Troop 525 relies upon Scouts serving in positions of
responsibility to plan and manage the Troop's activities. The Scouts themselves
develop a troop's program, and then take responsibility for figuring out how
they will achieve their goals.
An
important part of the leadership experience is to deal with adversity with
resolve and persistence. For that reason, it is important that the Troop
provide the Scout the "opportunity to fail" with the protection of a
safety net. This is one of the most challenging aspects of serving as an adult
leader to a troop. There is nothing more difficult than watching a group of
scouts argue over the right direction to go, the proper way to start a fire, or
the correct way to prepare dinner, knowing that the outcome of the discussion
will be less than an optimal result. Within the boundaries of safety, however,
it is absolutely essential that the leaders permit the adverse results to occur
and assist the scouts in learning the lessons that come from such experiences.
Thus, it is not unlikely that your scout may come home from an outdoor activity
cold, wet or hungry on occasion. It is the Troop's task to be sure that your
Scout is safe and learns a positive lesson from the experience rather
abandoning the whole program. It is the sopping wet campout and the black pancakes
of which Boy Scout legends are made. Hopefully, the scouts will also learn
something about preparation, responsibility and accountability along the way.
PATROL
STRUCTURE
Patrols
are the building blocks of a Boy Scout Troop. A patrol is a small group of boys
who work together as a team to make the patrol a success. Each patrol has a
name for itself and may develop a patrol cheer, a patrol flag and other things
that give that patrol its own identity. In Troop 525 the patrols sit together
during meetings and are assigned responsibilities for various parts of the
meeting such as the opening and closing and pre-meeting set up. The Scouts also
plan their participation in Troop campouts as patrols. Similarly they cook,
tent, and eat as patrols. In addition, troop equipment such as tents and stoves
are assigned to each patrol at the beginning of each school year. The patrol is
responsible for making sure that this equipment is available for its use at the
campout. Failure to meet these responsibilities may well result in a weekend
out under the stars with out the benefit of a tent or cold meals without the
benefit of a stove. As Lord Baden Powell, the founder of the Scouting Movement
once observed, the object of the patrol method is not as much saving the Scoutmaster
trouble as to give responsibility to the boy". The Scout motto is "Be
Prepared". If the Scouts do not learn to take care of their equipment they
may find themselves prepared to do without.
Other
Patrol functions (on a rotating basis) include: responsibility for setup and
takedown of chairs for the Troop meetings; performing opening and closing
ceremonies of Troop meetings; responsibility for loading and unloading of the
vehicles used for the transport of the
Troop equipment to a campout.
The members
of each patrol elect one of their own to serve as their Patrol Leader.
Troop 525 conducts elections twice a year for the purpose of electing
Patrol Leaders and other junior leaders for the Troop such as Senior Patrol
Leader. Becoming a Patrol Leader is often a Scout’s first opportunity to
develop practical leadership skills. His responsibilities include taking a
leading role in planning and conducting the patrol’s participation in Troop
activities, encouraging other patrol members to complete advancement
requirements; representing the patrol as a member of the Patrol Leaders’
Council, and being sure that the Patrol arrives at Troop Campouts with the
appropriate equipment and groceries. The patrol may also elect other
leaders such as an Assistant Patrol Leader and Patrol Quartermaster.
One way
in which Troop 525 implements the “boy run Troop” concept is through the Patrol Leaders’ Council.
The Patrol Leaders’ Council consists of the Patrol Leaders, The Senior
Patrol Leader and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders. The Patrol
Leaders’ Council plans and runs the Troop’s Program and activities and gives
long-range direction with an annual program planning meeting that lays out the
Troop’s calendar for the coming year. In Troop 525 the PLC meets the FIRST
Tuesday of each month. Patrol Leaders and/or the Assistant Patrol Leader, a
Scribe, the Senior Patrol Leader, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, and
Junior Assistant Scout Masters must attend. During these meetings the
Patrol Leaders’ Council reviews and evaluates the Troop’s most recent activity,
plans the next month’s activity and plans the Troop meetings for the next
month.
Troop 525 is
a boy-led troop.
Leadership is one of the methods of Scouting. Every boy will have an
opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership. The meetings
are planned and carried out by the patrol leaders' council. All duties for patrol activities
are assigned by the Patrol Leader. Understanding the concepts of
leadership helps the boy accept the leadership of others and helps him to grow
into a more responsible adult. The troop organization chart on the following
page outlines the complete organization of the troop.
Check the Yahoo mail service and the web site.
Troop meetings are typically held every Monday night. Exceptions include
holidays when Walton County Schools are not in session. This includes inclement
weather. During the summer this rule is sometimes relaxed because of a majority
of the Troop leadership would be absent or otherwise detained.
A
calendar is developed at the beginning of the Scouting year that identifies
Troop meetings, campouts, and other important dates and events. Changes or
additions are announced at the Troop meetings, the Troop Web Site or mailings.
Your son SHOULD be contacted every week by either his Patrol Leader (PL) or the
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), for any changes or updates. If he isn't, he should contact the appropriate person. This is a must.
The
Troop meetings are an opportunity for the Troop to assemble as a group to
reinforce the aims of Scouting, to plan the Troop’s outdoor activities, and to
implement the Troop’s Program. At the meetings, matters of importance
will be announced, the Scouts can have their Scoutmaster’s conference or their
board of review for advancement, scout skills will be taught and reinforced,
and Patrols will have time to perform planning for activities as needed.
In addition, various activities such as merit badge classes and skill
training could occur.
All
Scouts are expected to attend Troop meetings on a regular basis.
Attendance will be taken by the Patrol Leader and will be referred to
when a Scout applies for rank advancement or is considered for Scout honorary
programs such as Order of the Arrow. In order to be considered for an
honor Scouting program, a Scout must attend at least 60% of the Troop meetings. This requirement is a
threshold standard for consideration against other, more subjective criteria
relating to the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts may be marked, present but not in
uniform, if not in their FULL Field Uniform.
Troop meetings are open to all parents and their attendance is encouraged.
Meetings begin promptly at
No Scoutmaster’s conference or
boards of review will be given if a Scout is not in uniform or does not have
his handbook with him. See the
Troop Uniform policy for more information.
Scouts who
cause disruptions during the meetings will be separated from their peers.
If the problem persists, their parents will be called and they will be
asked to leave.
Senior Patrol Leader:
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the top boy leader in
the troop. The
members of the Troop elect him. He leads the patrol leaders' council
and, in consultation with the Scoutmaster, appoints other junior leaders and
assigns specific responsibilities as needed.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader:
The Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
(ASPL) fills in for the SPL in his absence. He is also responsible for training
and giving direction to the quartermaster, scribe, historian, librarian and
instructors. He is
appointed by the SPL.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster:
Serves in the capacity of an assistant
Scoutmaster. He must be at least 16 years old and not yet 18. He must be at
least the rank of Life. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster because of his
leadership skills.
Patrol Leaders:
The
Patrol Leaders (PL) are responsible for giving leadership to the members of
their patrols. Members of
his Patrol elect him. They are their patrol's representation on the
patrol leaders' council. The PL is also responsible for holding monthly patrol
meetings outside of the regular troop meetings.
Assistant Patrol Leaders:
Assistant
patrol leaders help the PL run the patrol and fill in for him in his absence. The Patrol Leader appoints him.
Instructor: Teaches one or more Scouting skills to
the Troop members.
Scribe: Serves as the Troop secretary and maintains the attendance
records for the troop.
Librarian: Maintains a library of all troop owned
publications. He checks out merit badge books to Scouts on request and assures
their return or replacement.
Historian: Keeps a historical record or scrapbook
of Troop activities. He collects and maintains Troop memorabilia and
information on former troop members.
Troop Guide: Advisor and guide to the new Scouts and
parents. He helps the new Scouts with rank advancements and keeps track of
their advancement.
Den Chief: Works with Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts,
and den leaders in the various Cub Scout packs.
Chaplains Aide:
Works with the troop chaplain to meet the religious needs of Scouts in
the Troop. He also works to promote the religious emblem's program.
Order of the Arrow Representative: Serves as a communication link between
the Lodge or chapter and the Troop. Encourages Arrowmen in the Troop to be
active participants in the Lodge/Chapter activities and to seal their
membership in the Order by becoming Brotherhood members. Helps coordinate Troop
OA elections.
Quartermaster: Responsible for the troop/patrol
equipment and sees that it is in good working order. He maintains the patrol
box and tents on campouts, and inspects them on their return. He is also
responsible for the unloading and the unloading of the Troop trailers and any
private trucks used to transport equipment.
Order of the Arrow: Several references have been made of and
about Order of the Arrow (OA). OA is the National Honor Camping Society. Entrance to the order is by a vote of the
Scouts peers. Described below is a very brief description of OA and what is
required.
Entrance in the OA is by
election by the youth of the Troop. Troop 525 normally has this election on the
Monday of Scout Week. The requirements are:
1. The Scout has
at least 15 nights camping, 6 of which can be the summer camp experience.
2. Hold the rank
of First Class
3. Have the
approval of his Scoutmaster.
Election into the OA is not
automatic. In years past I have found that the Scouts in the Troop can be very
discerning in their selection of fellow Troop member in this honor society.
OA is a unique
group in that the new members are chosen by Scout not in the order. Adults are
required to have the nights camping and can contribute to the growth of the
order. Troops are limited to one (1) adult per fifty (50) Scouts in the Troop.
Once inducted into OA always in OA. Contact the SM for further information.
Troop
Committee
The
Troop Committee supports the Troop program as developed by the Scoutmaster and
the Scouts. It is the governing body of the Troop and is responsible for making
policy and providing the resources necessary for the Troop program to happen.
The Committee carries out the policies and regulations of the Boy Scouts of
America, provides adequate meeting facilities, is responsible for the Troop
finances, is responsible for Troop property, supports the outdoor program, and
supports the Scoutmaster with whatever assistance is needed for the Troop to
function. The Troop Committee should include, but not limited to, the following
positions:
- Chartered Organization
Representative:
Serves as a
liaison between the Troop and the chartered organization. Secures a Troop
Committee Chairperson and encourages training. Maintains a close liaison with
the Troop Committee Chair.
- Committee Chairperson:
Organize the
committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed. Call, preside over, and
promote attendance at monthly Troop Committee meetings. Secure parents and other adults to serve
in leadership positions.
- Scoutmaster:
The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program
of the troop. The Scoutmaster
and his or her assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts. The
duties of the Scoutmaster include:
- Work with other adult leaders to
bring Scouting to boys.
- Use the methods of scouting to
achieve the aims of Scouting.
- Assistant
Scoutmasters: Assistant
Scoutmasters are recruited by the Scoutmaster and approved by the troop
committee to assist the Scoutmaster in the operation of the troop.
Assistant Scoutmasters are assigned program tasks by the Scoutmaster and
provide guidance to the boy leadership. He or she also provides the
required two deep
leadership (two adult leaders present at every Boy Scout activity).
- Secretary:
Works with the
Troop Scribe to maintain the Troop attendance records of the Scouts. Keeps
minutes of committee meetings and any important records.
- Treasure: Handles all Troop funds. Pays all bills and maintains
the Troop checking and savings accounts.
- Advancement Chair: Maintains
all Troop records. Monitors individual advancement and encourages Scouts to advance in rank.
Maintains an in-house merit badge counselor list. Works with Troop
maintain attendance
records. Prepares for Courts of Honor.
- Membership Chair: Maintains all Troop membership
records. Is responsible for registering new Scouts and adults and for the
re-charter process in February. The Membership Chair interacts with boys
and their parents who are
interested in joining the Troop.
- Leadership Chair: Tracks and maintains all Scout Leadership
Positions. They are responsible for developing the minimum requirements for
each leadership position, and works with the Scouts to monitor their
achievements of those requirements.
- Camping Coordinator: Plans and coordinates Troop camping
activities. Secures camping facilities, arranges for any coordination
between Patrols, and is responsible for seeing that the Grub Master has arranged
for meals for adults during Troop activities.
- Quartermaster Scout: Is responsible for the
physical equipment that the Troop owns. Purchases new equipment and
arranges for repair of old equipment as needed. They are responsible for
the Quartermasters.
- Grub Master: They are responsible for the
cooking supplies and equipment needed for the "Olde Goat Patrol".
The Grubmaster is also responsible for the "Olde Goat" meal
arrangements for campouts (and all Scouts when the Troop feeds them).
("Olde Goats' refer to the adults).
- Facilities Chair: Arranges for facilities for Troop
meeting, merit badge classes and Courts of Honor.
- Chaplain: Provides opportunities for Scouts
to grow in their duty to God and their fellow Scouts. Provides a spiritual tone for Troop
meetings and activities. Gives guidance to the Chaplain's Aides.
The job descriptions for these positions
can be found in the
Troop Committee Job
Descriptions.
At the
discretion of the Committee Chair, an ad-hoc committee can be formed to
investigate or address a specific issue. The ad-hoc committee is to report to
the full committee with any report or recommendation for the committee's
consideration.
The Troop
Committee, with the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and other Scouters
generally meet the last Thursday of each month in the Scout room, to discuss
and plan the upcoming events. The meetings are open to any parent of a Scout in
Troop 525 and parents are encouraged to attend Committee meetings, to voice
options and offer suggestions. Parents are also welcome and encouraged to
become uniformed adult leaders in the Troop.
All
registered adult leaders of the Troop are encouraged to complete the Boy Scout
Leaders Training offered by the BSA. In addition, some leadership positions
require further training over and above the Fundamental Training. Those
positions include Committee Chair and Scoutmaster. All training is available
through the Sweetwater District and Northeast Georgia Council.
The
Troop's success is a direct function of the level of involvement of interested
adults and parents. A growing Troop as we are cannot succeed without the
assistance and participation of a large number of adults. Our "safety net" for both success
and failures of our Scouts has many "handles" that must be held. For
that reason, Troop 525 asks that every parent contribute in whatever way they
can to support the Troop and its program. More over the Troop always needs the
time, energy and skills of adults who are willing to serve in a formal way on
the Troop Committee or as Assistant Scoutmasters. Please contact either the
Scoutmaster or the Committee Chair for more information on how you can help
out.
Parents
Responsibilities
Parents
are an integral part of the boy's Scouting experience and the Troop's Program.
In order for the Troop to function in an efficient manner, all parents are
expected to participate in one way or another.
1.
Parents are expected to participate in at least one of the following Troop
functions:
Ø
Serve
on the Troop committee or as an Assistant Scoutmaster
Ø
Serve
on a committee, such as fund raising or Scouting for Food.
Ø
Serve
as a Patrol Advisor
Ø
Serve
as a Merit Badge Counselor
2.
In addition to the Troop responsibilities, each parent should take an active
role in assisting their son in achieving the necessary rank advancements as he
progresses through Scouts to ultimately attain the rank of Eagle.
Full, approved Field Uniform, as
earlier described in the uniform policy, is worn by Scouts and Scouter to the
meetings. It is incumbent on parents to make sure their Scouts are properly
uniformed when leaving for a Scout function.
Advancement
Advancement
is the process by which youth members' progress through the ranks in the
Scouting program by the gradual mastery of Scouting skills. Ranks are simply a
means to an end, not an end in themselves. Everything boys do to advance and
earn these ranks, from the day they join until the day they leave the program,
should be designed to help boys have an exciting and meaningful experience.
Boy Scout advancement, a
four-step process:
1. 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. In this way, he begins to develop
leadership.
2. The Boy Scout is tested.
His patrol leader, Scoutmaster,
assistant Scoutmaster, a troop committee member or a member of his troop, may
test a Scout on requirements.
The Scoutmaster maintains a list of those qualified to test and pass
candidates.
3. 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, members of the troop committee conduct the
review. Members of the district advancement committee conduct the Eagle board
of review.
4. 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 next rank will be presented to him
at the next troop court of honor.
TROOP 525
Advancement Policies
Court
of Honor
As stated before, when a Scout advances,
he should be recognized as soon as possible - preferably at the next unit
meeting. He is recognized a second time at a public ceremony called a Court of Honor.
The
main purposes of the court of honor are to finish formal recognition for
achievement and to provide incentive for other Scouts to advance.
Troop
525 has formal courts of honor at least twice a year. All families are asked to
attend and guests are certainly welcome. Every boy who advances in that half of
year deserves to be recognized in front of his family and friends. The court of
honor is the boy's special night.
Outdoor Program
Scouting
is effective whenever we take advantage of its truth: The place where Scouting
works best is also the place that boys want the most, the outdoors. There are a
number of good reasons why the outdoor program is so special; here are the four
that are especially good:
1. The outdoors is the best place
for learning outdoor skills. How could it be otherwise? A Scout who tried to boil a potato on the
gymnasium floor would be in hot water for sure - not to mention the boy who
tried learning to swim by reading a book.
2. The outdoors is a great place
for learning something about living with others. When Scouts walk on the
same trail, cook and eat together, and share triumphs and troubles together,
they are going to find out some important things about, say, patience, respect
for other points of view, doing their full share, making a friend more easily,
and saying no without losing one. Skills like these are among the
"personal growth" skills we want from every Scout. The outdoors is
where they grow up best.
3. On the trail or in camp, the
boy's leaders will be challenged by the real thing - getting their patrols fed
and sheltered, keeping them warm and safe, solving the problems they can solve,
and knowing how to get help for those they can’t. It's a time when
leadership skills can deepen, patrols grow closer, and the troop grows
stronger.
4. The outdoors is also a place
where a Scout can get closer to the natural world around him - the land, the
forests and their wildlife, the lakes and rivers, the mountains and the seas.
Here, in the outdoors, he will learn of the "land ethic" - the
understanding and respect for the environment we all share, and he will develop
an active concern for its health and a willingness to work to keep it healthy.
Troop 525 and
the outdoor program:
Troop 525 has
a very active outdoor program and all boys are encouraged to participate. Our
program includes monthly weekend campouts, annual long-term summer camp (1
week), day hikes and other outdoor activities. Troop 525 also sponsors an
annual family campout where all families are encouraged to participate.
Families are welcome on monthly campouts, if space allows. However, the troop will still function as
a unit.
What to bring on a campout:
Sleeping
bag Mess Kit Sewing Kit Do Not Bring
Foam
Pad Cup Flashlight Radios
Sweater Soap Scout Knife Snack Food
Rain
gear Toothbrush Watch Electronic Games
Clothes Toothpaste Personal ID Firearms
Canteen Comb Notebook Sling Shots
Silverware Washcloth Pen / Pencil
Towel Boy Scout
Handbook
Youth
Protection
Program Summary
Child
abuse is a major problem affecting our society. Each year more than 2 million
cases of suspected child abuse are reported. This means that 1 percent of
American children are experiencing physical abuse, 1 percent are experiencing
sexual abuse, and 2 to 5 percent are experiencing emotional maltreatment or
some form of neglect. Because of the significance of this social problem, The
Boy Scouts of America has declared child abuse as one of the
"unacceptable" to receive special attention by those involved in the
Scouting program.
The
BSA has developed a five-point plan to combat child abuse and to improve the
environment in which young people live. The key elements of this strategy
include the following points:
• Educating
Scouting volunteers, parents and Scouts themselves to aid in the detection and
prevention of child abuse.
• Establishing
leader-selection procedures to prevent individuals with a history of child
abuse from entering the BSA leadership ranks.
• Establishing
policies that minimize the opportunities for child abuse to occur in the
program of the Boy Scouts of America.
• Encouraging
Scouts to report improper behavior in order to identify offenders quickly.
• Swiftly
removing and reporting alleged offenders.
Parents guide
The
Boy Scouts of America has developed materials for use in the Scouting program
that provide essential information to members and their families. A detachable
booklet in the front of The Boy Scout Handbook, "How to Protect Your Child
from Child Abuse and Drug Abuse: A Parents Guide," provides information to
help families to increase self-protection skills.
Troop 525 and the Youth
Protection Program
Troop
525 is committed to following all guidelines of the Youth Protection program.
Any suspected offenses of the Youth protection program must be reported to the
Committee Chairman, the Scoutmaster or the Council Executive. All incidents
reported to the Committee Chairman or the Scoutmaster will be reported to the
Council Executive. All reports are taken seriously and appropriate action is
taken to ensure the safety of the youth.
The
Youth Protection Program is now offered on line, so all registered leaders will
have this important training.
Medical Forms