WELCOME NEW FAMILY!

This newsletter is designed to answer many of the questions that new or prospective members might ask. We hope that Scouts and parents will read this together and retain it for future reference.  Our troop website is our best means of communication and is designed to keep our troop families informed of upcoming events.   If you have a question at any time, please send an email, give us a call, or stop in at any troop meeting.

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UNIFORM AND HANDBOOK

These are probably the first things a Scout is going to need when he joins the troop.  The Scout Shop at the Greater Western Reserve Council at 4930 Enterprise Rd in Warren, or Outdoor Recreational Equipment in Youngstown are currently the best places to purchase both items.  The front of the Scout application and the BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK both contain information about the uniform.  Scouting publishes a catalog each year to let families know what is available.  Also check out www.scoutstuff.org

We recommend a short sleeve shirt.  Our troop has its own neckerchief, although other neckerchiefs may be worn except to Courts of Honor and formal /dress functions.

UNIFORM CHECKLIST:

The Scout Uniform is expected at troop meetings and must be worn while traveling to and from campouts.  Basic supplies and patches are available for sale at troop meetings.  The troop also carries its own monogrammed line of clothing.  Ask at the troop meeting.

UNIFORM BANK

To help fight the growing cost of uniforms, the troop has established a uniform bank.  Run by one of the parents, we collect and exchange outgrown uniform parts.  If you need something, check and see if we have it.  If you outgrow something, please consider donating it for others.

PATCHES AND INSIGNIA

Scouts should consult their BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK for insignia requirements and placement on the uniform. Each new Scout who joins is given a '101' patch and patrol medallion. The troop has other insignia available for sale should the stores or Scout Office be out of stock. We also have Troop 101 neckerchiefs for sale and, although not required, Scouts may purchase troop T shirts or other items at the meetings, if they desire. Many times patches are awarded for participating in various Scouting events or may be purchased. Acquiring and trading patches and other Scouting items have always been extremely popular among the boys.

DUES

Dues are 25 cents per week. This money is used to pay for annual re registration and Boys' Life magazine. Scouts are responsible for keeping their dues current and may pay weekly or monthly to the patrol scribe. If a Scout's dues fall too far behind, he may not go camping.

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

The BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK contains an excellent checklist for going camping, and we have included another in this letter.  We recommend a pack with a frame so a boy can carry it comfortably and a good quality sleeping bag.  A plastic ground sheet and personal mess kit are necessary.  Appropriate footwear for the time of year is a must.  Scouts may bring pocketknives, but may not use them until they have earned a Totin' Chip Card that involves the safe handling of woods tools.  Some equipment is available for loan until you get everything you need.  Just stop down to a meeting and ask.

CAMPOUTS

Troop 101 goes camping every month.  We feel the outdoor program in Scouting is the most important part of our troop.  Besides monthly campouts and periodic special activities, we spend one week at Summer Camp in July and try to have another big trip somewhere each summer.  For regular weekenders we usually meet at the Elks on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and return before noon on Sunday to the Scoutmaster's house where Scouts can call their parents.

Weekend fees are usually due at the Monday meeting prior to the trip. Changes after that deadline pose a tremendous inconvenience on the adult volunteers who arrange transportation, food, equipment, facilities and program for this many boys.  The troop always travels in uniform and we recommend the boys eat supper before leaving home.  Scouts with questions regarding clothing, equipment or a particular trip are encouraged to contact their Patrol Leader.

Parents are welcome on troop outings.   Please refer to the "Parent's Guide to Troop Campouts" then give us a call or stop in and chat with an Assistant Scoutmaster.

NEW SCOUT PATROL

Scouts who first join need a little extra help to get familiar with the troop. Under the guidance of an older Scout and an Assistant Scoutmaster, these boys are helped through the first steps of their advancement and prepared for their first couple campouts. This provides a place for boys to feel comfortable and ask questions as well as allowing parents to gather information as well.

PATROL SYSTEM

The troop is made up of patrols of 6 to 8 Scouts that are the working units within any troop. Elected patrol leaders guide the troop and conduct patrol meetings outside the troop meeting structure. Through these leaders, the boys decide and carry out the troop program while learning to work together. Scouts should consult with their patrol leader regularly and refer questions through him.

The patrol leader, usually an older boy, is learning also and probably will make many mistakes. We try not to step in too often, but rather let the PL and his members learn from their mistakes. These can be Scouting's most valuable lessons. Encourage this system whenever possible because it will give the boys the best that Scouting has to offer.

ADVANCEMENT

The various awards and merit badges all the way up to Eagle Scout are outlined in the BOY SCOUT HANDBOOK. We stress the advancement program very strongly and encourage parental support at home. We also need qualified merit badge counselors in over 130 different subjects. Any parent with a hobby or experience in any of these fields who could help by counseling one or more badges is asked to contact us for details.

COURTS OF HONOR

Scouts are recognized officially for their advancement at a Court of Honor held 4 times each year. This is a formal evening ceremony where family and friends are invited to witness the recognizing of the Scouts. These are special moments for the boys, made even more special by family and friends.

FAMILY CAMP

Once a year, during the warmer months, the troop conducts a Family Campout. This gives parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins, whoever a chance to see first hand what happens on a weekend campout. They are a lot of fun and a good opportunity to get to know other troop members. Look for details on the troop website and then sign up to join us!

VOLUNTEERS

A Boy Scout Troop is run entirely by volunteer adults who care enough to make the program happen.  No one gets paid in a Scout Troop; rather it usually costs the leaders money.  We cannot offer such an extensive program without the assistance and cooperation of every parent.  Rather than have a few parents do everything for the troop, we want to see every parent do a little something.  Here are 5 ways to get involved:

1.  Assistant Scoutmaster - Do you want to work directly with the boys?  Go camping? Attend Campouts?  There’s some training involved, and a time commitment.  But it sure is fun and rewarding.
2. Troop Committee - In addition to the troop leaders, there is a committee made up of Scout parents who oversee the finances, transportation, equipment, and all the support services necessary for a troop.  They meet about 9 times a year.  For more information, contact the troop Committee Chairman whose name appears in the heading of this newsletter.
3.  Eagle’s Wings - This is a support group for parents or any interested adult that was started by the mothers of the troop.  They meet monthly to help new families with questions, coordinate several events for the troop including the Christmas Party, annual basket raffle at our Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, and provide refreshments for Courts of Honor.  They have become a vital resource for equipment funding with many and varied projects.
4. Merit Badge Counselor – Scouts can choose from over 120 subjects to earn the badges that get them through their advanced ranks.  If you have a hobby or special skill and are willing to share that, stop down and talk with our Advancement folks.

PHYSICAL EXAMS AND PERMISSION SLIPS

Should an accident occur on a campout, we must have the parents' permission even to obtain emergency treatment for a boy.  Be certain that we have a completed form for your son.  A physical examination is required yearly for Summer Camp and special 'High Adventure' activities.  Through the generosity of some of our Scouting families we have always been able to have these done free of charge.

IMPORTANT - if your son has any sort of a problem -- physical or otherwise -- inform the Scoutmaster.  Our camping activities are varied and sometimes strenuous.  Lack of knowledge about a boy's problem has endangered Scouts in the past.  We cannot handle what we are not aware of.  This information is always handled with discretion.

HIGH ADVENTURE

For the benefit of the older Scouts, we attempt to run 'High Adventure' trips each year. These special trips of canoeing, backpacking, etc. have age and ability restrictions designed to challenge the older Scout. These trips often become goals set by younger Scouts to advance until they qualify to participate. For Scouts who have mastered the basics of outdoor skills, this program provides a chance to put those skills to use in fun and adventure.

PERSONAL FINANCES

Our troop wants to do everything it can to make Scouting available to any boy who wants it. We strive to keep the cost of our trips as low as possible. If your family cannot fully participate for financial reasons, please contact the Scoutmaster. We are fortunate to have the William E. Brown Memorial Campership Fund and other programs. We will work to see that no boy is denied Scouting because of the cost.

WEBSITE

The troop has its own website at www.troop101.net. It has become our primary source for information. We encourage you to register so that you will be able to access all the features of the site. Registration keeps personal information safe from the general internet world. There is also an alert feature you can set to text your cell phone about last minute changes or cancellations.

WHAT DID WE MISS?

We still have a couple pages to go, but if we didn’t answer all your basic questions, please let us know. We want this letter to be as helpful as we can make it. Our troop has been around for a long while, but we are always finding better ways to do things and more effective ways to communicate. Let us know your experience so we can keep making things better!

FUND RAISING

Our troop currently conducts two annual fund raising projects: a Nut Sale in the fall and a Spaghetti Dinner in the spring. The monies raised from these goes to purchasing troop equipment and to offset the other costs of campouts and activities. Weekend fees paid by the boys cover only the cost of food. All other expenses are paid from these funds.

As in many organizations, a small percent of the members were doing most of the work, about half were helping out somewhat, and the rest were not doing their share. The troop committee has tried to develop a policy that is equally fair to all members.

TROOP 101 - FINANCIAL POLICY

Troop 101 has every intention of maintaining its highly successful Scouting Program. Our Scouting families need to assume the finical responsibilities for the quality of our program. A budget is established prior to each fiscal year. Each scouting family is made aware of its role in supporting our troop programs. Our two established fundraisers provide the opportunity to support the troop and meet these obligations so as to lessen any major personal financial burden (Except for established activity fees and dues).

Any Scout not contributing his appropriate share for the fundraisers is required to make up the difference. This difference is determined each year after the Annual Nut Sale and communicated to the Scouting Family.

That difference is due by January 1 of the following year. If a scout has not met his finical obligation, he is placed on an inactive status and runs the risk of not being re-registered on March 1 (the new charter year).

A scout may also be placed on an inactive status if his dues are in arrears in excess of $3.00, or he does not have a signed medical / consent form on file with the troop.

Inactive status means no participation in troop activities or advancement.

A grace period for new scouts joining after March 1 is in affect for the balance of that first fiscal year, but we hope that all Scouts help out with projects, so we can keep our fees as low as possible.

All registered scouts must be in compliance with the troops Finical Policy before they will be allowed to participate in scout functions or advancement.

A PARENT’S GUIDE TO TROOP CAMPOUTS

If you are an interested parent who wishes to go along on campouts, we offer the following guidelines.  We always welcome help with transportation and camping tasks.

No Experience Necessary - For most camping trips you need not have any special knowledge, qualifications or experience; just a willingness to help and the initiative to ask questions and pitch in if you see a job that needs doing.  Exceptions to this are High Adventure trips. Requirements are a little more demanding, so stop in for details if these types of activities interest you.

Equipment needed - Clothing and footwear are mostly common sense items.  When in doubt, come over‑prepared.  Consult your son's handbook or the list in this newsletter.  Pay particular attention to eating utensils & sleeping bag.  If you don't have a sleeping bag or some other item, check with us.  We have loaners.

What can I do? - Several things.  Transportation is our most obvious need.  Not only to and from the camp, but little side trips and our ability to do some hiking and canoeing requires people willing to move vehicles from point A to point B.  Supervision of various activities and overseeing some of the outdoor skills ‑ if you have that knowledge or are would like to learn.  Equipment needs are present on every trip for someone with a few handyman skills and some initiative.  If you counsel a Merit Badge, this is a good place to get some time with a Scout or tell others about the badges you do.  There is always the potential of an emergency where a Scout would have to go to the hospital.  We hope this never happens.  We want to always have enough adult help to be safe.

Discipline - Please remember that your son is like every other Scout on a weekend campout.  He has obligations to a patrol and duties to perform.  Special treatment or favors are likely to bring resentment from the other Scouts.  If there is a discipline problem, one of the Scout leaders in charge should handle it, not the boy's parent.

Food, Fees and Notification - On most weekends boys cook as patrols and adults are in a separate patrol.  At Summer Camp meals are served in the dining hall.  Fees for adults are generally the same as for the boys.  On long trips, such as Canada, gasoline expenses are reimbursed at the request of the driver. Notification is important.  Weekend deadlines are usually the preceding meeting.  The sooner we know the better, because so much planning goes into even a two‑day trip.  With transportation, equipment and food requirements, last minute changes are tremendous inconvenience for the volunteers trying to coordinate these things.

Don't - be afraid to ask questions.  We just love to know that you're interested and hope to see you soon!

SUGGESTED CAMPOUT CHECKLIST

EXTRA CLOTHING - Jeans, T-shirts, whatever.  Scouts wear this for the balance of the campout.  Bring enough in case it gets wet or muddy.
CHANGES OF UNDERWEAR AND SOCKS - Always bring plenty of socks!
FOOTWEAR -  Insulated boots for winter; hiking boots for normal wear, tennis shoes to run around in if the weather is good.
COATS, HATS, SWEATSHIRTS, GLOVES - Depending on the weather.
LONG UNDERWEAR - A must for winter and early spring camps.
BACKPACK -   On a frame, preferably with a hip belt.  See the Eagle's Wings group for the best suggestions.
SLEEPING BAG -This is a critical item.  Boys need to sleep warm.  If bag is not warm enough, don't hesitate to send an extra blanket or two.  Even if your bag comes in its own nylon stuff sack, put it in a plastic garbage bag before you fasten it to the pack.  Wet sleeping bags are no fun.
PLASTIC GROUND SHEET - Min. 4' x 7’ Even though our tents have floors this extra protection helps.
FLASHLIGHT - with fresh batteries
POCKETKNIFE -    The BSA pocketknife is best.  A lock blade standard knife is also good.  The BSA does not permit sheath knives, spring blades, or blades over 5 inches.
MESS KIT - containing plate, bowl, cup, spoon, knife, fork
TOILET KIT - containing soap, comb, washcloth, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant
INSECT REPELLANT - Summer item.  Mosquitoes love Boy Scouts!
MATCHES - wooden in a waterproof container.  A must-have item.
WATER BOTTLE - a must for hiking trips
COMPASS - not essential for all camps, but a good thing for hikes!
SCOUT HANDBOOK - 'Don't leave home without it!’  Except maybe a backpacking trip where weight is a consideration and there is a special equipment checklist issued.
PENCIL AND PAPER - Be Prepared!
SWIM SUIT AND TOWEL - For summer fun
1 or 2 GARBAGE BAGS - always come in handy to cover a pack, sleeping bag or to keep something wet from getting something else wet.
PONCHO OR RAIN GEAR - Scouts don't melt, but they can be an awful mess.
* Mark everything with your name!
* Learn to pack items in individual plastic bags - it stays dry!
* Radios, food, especially food, water pistols, etc. should stay at home