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Introduction
What is Scouting All About?
Joining Troop 1777
Troop Parents
Uniform
How Our Troop Works
Troop Organization
Meeting Times
Dues
Troop Calendar
Advancement
Outdoor Program
Youth Protection
Behavior
Fund Raisers
Scout Fund Raiser Accounts
Troop Communications
Appendix A: Merit Badge Procedures
Appendix B: Importance of Attending an Eagle Court of
Honor
Welcome to the Boy Scouts of America! By joining Troop 1777, you are setting out on the grand adventure of Scouting. This is a tremendously important and rewarding endeavor that will turn into a life transforming experience.
The following pages are designed to help you understand the basics of the Scouting program here at Troop 1777. Reading this will acquaint new Scouts and parents with information and rules on how our troop operates. Please contact one of the following for more information:
Scoutmaster Mel Gray 786-3139
Committee Chairman: Luke McCormack 891-1867
Charter Organization Rep: Robin Gray 786-3139
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. are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and
understand America's role in the world.
6. have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people.
7. Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in
and giving leadership to American society.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
MISSION STATEMENT
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 Law
A 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
To become a member of Troop 1777, you need to turn in the following items
to the Scoutmaster:
1. Completed membership form with parent/guardian
signature
2. $25.00 registration fee
3. Completed Personal Health and Medical Record with parent/guardian signature
4. Completed Troop Resource Survey sheet (please fill out both sides)
5. A Troop 1777 Needs Your Help sheet with a task indicated. Our troop requires
the help of all parents so that it may provide a quality program. One
of the things that make our troop great is the quantity and quality of our
adult volunteers!
A boy may visit our troop meetings as many times as he wishes, but may attend only one troop outing without joining.
The role of parents within Troop 1777 is to be supportive of the troop's efforts and to provide the atmosphere Scouts need to learn and excel. Furthermore, parents who choose to take an active part in their son's Scouting endeavors will find that he stays in longer and gets more out of the program. Parents should at a minimum try to:
1. Read their Scout's handbook and understand the purpose and methods of
Scouting. Parents can also borrow the Boy Scout Fast Start videotape
from the troop library to familiarize themselves with the basics of Scouting.
2. Actively follow their Scout's progress (or lack thereof) and offer
encouragement and a push when needed.
3. Show support to both the individual Scout and the troop by attending all
Courts of Honor.
4. Assist, as requested, in all Troop fund-raisers and other such activities.
All such assistance lowers the cost of the program we offer to the Scouts
and, therefore, lowers each family's cash outlay for their Scout(s).
5. Be aware of the Troop program and semi-annual calendar.
Whenever a Scout sees another person in a Scout uniform he knows he is like
that person because both have committed themselves to the principles of the
Scout Oath and Law. The Scout Oath and Law bind all Scouts of the world
together in a common purpose.
By wearing the uniform, Scouts give each other strength and support. It helps them to feel like part of the team.
Beyond accenting the common bond between Scouts, by wearing the uniform Scouts are declaring their faith and commitment to some important beliefs that bind them to all people. It is a way of making visible their belief in God, their loyalty to our country and their commitment to helping other people who need them.
How the uniform can help the troop:
1. When smartly worn, the uniform can help build good troop spirit.
2. By investing in a uniform, a Scout and his parents are really making a
kind of a commitment to take Scouting seriously.
3. The uniform makes the troop visible as a force for good in the community.
4. Scouts in uniform create a strong, positive, youth image in the neighborhood,
thus helping to counteract the negative feeling some adults have about youth.
The troop uniform:
Our troop believes that a Scout should have a full uniform. He should buy
the shirt after he joins the troop and acquire the rest of the uniform as
soon as possible. The Scout
Shop carries all necessary items. He can also check with our Advancement
Chair.
The Scout uniform must be worn on all troop activities and events unless otherwise specified.
We have a bank of "experienced" uniform items in our uniform storage box. Parents can get free uniforms from this bank, However, we ask that you donate your "experienced" uniform items to the uniform bank whenever possible. Let's help save one another some money!
The following is the official uniform of Troop 1777:
Provided by the Scout: |
Provided by the troop: |
Hat ( special order ball cap style) |
Neckerchief* |
Neckerchief slide |
|
Shirt (official tan w/red shoulder tabs*) |
Registration (part of dues) |
Council and Troop 1777 patches |
Rank badge and badges of office |
Belt (official khaki web belt) |
|
Pants/Shorts (official khaki) |
|
Socks (official khaki) |
|
Handbook, Field Book |
|
Official placement of insignia may be found on the inside front and back cover of the Scout Handbook.
*Bridging Webelos from Pack 1777 receive tabs and
neckerchief. Otherwise, new Scouts purchase them from our
troop.
Our troop is operated by an institution or group called the chartered organization. Redeemer Lutheran Church, our sponsors, provides a fellowship hall for the troop to conduct weekly meetings.
The leaders are the Scoutmaster, his assistants and the troop committee. All are unpaid volunteers; most are the parents of boys in the troop.
Within the troop, a Scout will be assigned to a patrol - a group of six to 10 boys. His patrol will be his team for games and contests, his closest buddies in camp, and his teachers as he works on advancement. A new Scout will be placed in our new boy patrol. Once he masters skills, he will move up to an advanced patrol. Upon turning 13 and a half and completing the requirements for his First Class badge, he can move into the exciting world of the Venture patrol.
Troop meetings are planned and conducted by boy leaders under the coaching and guidance of the Scoutmaster. This is part of the plan to help the Scout grow; to make decisions and take an active part in making the troop program successful.
A typical troop meeting includes a game or two;
work on outdoor skills, first aid, fitness, citizenship, or some other aspect
of Scouting; a brief patrol meeting for advancement progress or planning
a future event; opening and closing flag ceremonies, and a Scoutmaster's
Minute.
At troop meetings, and working on his own, the Scout will have a chance to earn many badges and awards. He will get his Boy Scout badge as soon as he has his first talk with the Scoutmaster. After that he will work on various progress awards and any of more than 100 merit badges. As he earns these awards and badges, he will progress from Tenderfoot through Second and First Class ranks into the more difficult requirements for the Star and Life Scout badges. Finally, he may earn the most distinctive of all - the Eagle Scout Award.
At least once a month, our troop will conduct a special event. It may be a weekend campout, a visit to some location of special interest, or a troop service project. Scouts are encouraged to participate in these events and to prepare for them on his own as much as possible.
The sections that follow explain some of the guidelines and rules as they pertain to "how our troop works."
Troop 1777 is a boy-run 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. The patrol leader assigns all duties for patrol activities.
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 outlines the complete organization of the troop.
The following is an outline of the duties of the key leaders within the troop:
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. Completing Basic Leadership Training-Fast Start, Youth Protection, and Scoutmaster Fundamentals Training Course-is required. The SMF course fee is paid by the troop. Taking additional training and leadership courses is encouraged.
The general responsibilities of the Scoutmaster include:
· Train and guide boy leaders.
· 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). Completing Basic Leader Training-Fast Start, Youth Protection, SA Scoutmaster Fundamentals Training Course-is required. The SMF course fee is paid by the troop. Taking additional leadership and training courses is encouraged.
Troop Committee: These are registered adults, usually parents/guardians of boys in the troop who support the Scoutmaster and the troop. Their responsibilities include to select quality leaders for the troop, develop community service projects, arrange transportation for outings, plan and assist in fund-raising, provide for special needs and assistance for individual Scouts, serve on boards of review and at courts of honor, maintain records of troop finances and advancement, assist in the charter renewal process, help with the annual Friends of Scouting campaign, and mentor scouts in the troop that have leadership positions that relate to their committee responsibilities.
The positions include charter organization representative, committee chair, secretary, treasurer, advancement chair, outdoor program chair, troop chaplain, equipment coordinator.
In troop 1777, adults who work with the boys on a regular basis must be registered members of BSA and complete basic leader training-Fast Start Training, Youth Protection Training, and Scoutmaster Fundamentals Training Course. The troop pays for the SMF course fee. Trained leaders are familiar with the Boy Scout program and more effective in delivering the promise of Scouting to the boys.
Committee members who do not work closely with the boys are required to take the Fast Start Training, Youth Protection Training and the classroom portion of the Scoutmaster Fundamentals Training Course. They are encouraged to take the outdoor portions of that training. Taking additional leadership and training courses are encouraged.
Youth
Leadership:
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (JASM): He must be between 16 and 18 years of age. He functions as an Assistant Scoutmaster and accomplishes duties assigned to him by the Scoutmaster. In our troop, boys can become JASMs after they achieve the Eagle rank, but are not yet 18 years old.
Senior Patrol Leader: The senior patrol leader (SPL) is the top boy leader in the troop. He leads the patrol leaders' council and, with the help of the Scoutmaster, appoints the other junior leaders and assigns specific responsibilities as needed. Troop-wide elections for this position are held every six months.
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, bugler, chaplain's aid, librarian, and instructors. The Senior Patrol leader appoints this position.
Patrol Leaders: The patrol leaders (PL) are responsible for giving leadership to the members of their patrols. They are their representation on the patrol leaders' council. The PL is also responsible for holding monthly patrol meetings outside of the regular troop meetings. He is elected by his patrol. The elections take place every six months.
Assistant Patrol Leaders: Assistant patrol leaders help the PL run the patrol and fill in for him in his absence. The Patrol Leader appoints this position.
Troop Guide: He assists an ASM and new boy patrol leader to help the new boys achieve the ranks of Tenderfoot through First Class.
Scout meetings: We meet every Monday evening (year round) in the basement of the Redeemer Lutheran Church located on Harrison Road. The meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. If a Scout meeting is canceled due to weather or other reasons, each Scout will receive a phone call from his patrol leader. Also, if Spotsylvania schools are closed for a holiday then the troop will not hold a meeting.
Committee meetings: We meet at 4:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month at the Committee Chairman's house. Parents are always welcome to attend these meetings, but they should confirm the meeting by phone before coming. The committee also holds several social gatherings throughout the year.
Dues are $25 each quarter of the year or $8.34
per month. If you miss a meeting, you must still pay dues for that
meeting. We ask that dues be paid up before you attend any outdoor
activity and you may pay your dues in advance at any time. The troop
committee recommends that each Scout earn his own money for dues. A
"current standings" sheet is available with our troop treasurer at most of
the troop meetings.
This translates to dues= $100 per year, $25 per
quarter, $8.34 per month, $2.09 per
week.
This calendar is created and executed by our Scouts. Each month has a program feature (i.e. water skiing, firemanship, backpacking, citizenship, canoeing, etc.) and a campout or one day event. Calendars are issued to the Scout twice a year.
The calendar also includes the dates for summer camp as well as high adventure. Summer camp is a week long camp that has an incredible variety of activities as well as work on advancement. The high adventure trip is intended for older Scouts and has special requirements that must be completed to attend.
Advancement is the process by which youth member's 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 Senior Patrol Leader, Instructor, Troop Guide, Scoutmaster, Assistant
Scoutmaster or a troop committee member 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. A member of the District
Advancement Committee and at least two troop committee members 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.
From the time the Scout enters the troop through the time he advances to First Class rank, he is learning basic scouting skills to enable him to camp, hike, swim, cook, tie knots, administer first aid, and perform other tasks in the outdoors and to work as a member of a team. With those first steps the scout begins to build themselves physically, mentally, and morally. He will start to live with the Scout Oath and Law.
Later ranks such as Star, Life, and Eagle are earned by actively serving in a leadership capacity, performing community service work, and earning merit badges (see Appendix A for complete information on how to earn a merit badge). These ranks are harder to obtain, but are also more interesting for the older Scout.
The goal of the merit badge program is to provide an avenue for lifelong hobbies and possible job interests. Although some of the merit badges are required, there are others that are electives. Each Scout can earn merit badges in subjects that are of interest to him. This should be the start of a very exciting trail of fun, achievement, adventure, and knowledge.
Advancement is the responsibility of the Scout. Parents and other adults are encouraged to help, but it is not the troop's or the parents' obligation to ensure progress. For those new Scouts who are bridging Webelos, this will be quite a change for you. For more information on Scout advancement, refer to the Boy Scout Handbook.
Our troop conducts a Court of Honor once a quarter. The Court of Honor recognizes all Scout awards, and advancements since the last Court of Honor. The Court of Honor is a public ceremony, and is a chance for the Scouts to be publicly recognized for their achievements. Parents and all other interested individuals are encouraged to attend.
A special Court of Honor takes place whenever a Scout earns the rank of Eagle. We expect all Scouts and their parents to attend this very important ceremony. Please see appendix B for more information.
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:
Troop 1777 and the outdoor program: Troop 1777 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), annual high adventure trip (for Scouts thirteen and a half years of age and older), day hikes and other outdoor activities. Boy Scouting is not a male only organization. Both fathers and mothers are always welcome to attend any and all events including camping trips. Please sign up in advance so you will be included in the meal and supply plans.
On camping trips, parents should plan on providing their own tents, because the scouts sleep separately from their parents. They sleep with a buddy or with their patrols.
What to bring on a campout: (pps.224-225 of BSA Handbook)
Sleeping bag |
Mess Kit |
Sewing Kit |
Do Not Bring |
Foam Pad |
Cup |
Flashlight |
Snack Food |
Sweater |
Soap |
Scout knife |
Radios |
Rain gear |
Toothbrush |
Watch |
Electronic Games |
Clothes |
Toothpaste |
Personal ID |
Firearms** |
Canteen |
Comb |
Notebook |
Sling Shots |
Eating Utensils |
Washcloth |
Pen / Pencil |
Lighters |
Plate |
BSA Handbook, Field Book |
Towel |
Laser Pointers |
**During shooting merit badge weekend or shooting activities, youth may bring their own guns and ammunition. The scoutmaster will secure these for the duration of the event.
The twelfth point of the Scout Law is a Scout is reverent. Therefore, our troop holds a non-denominational service on every Sunday that we are camping. Each Scout is expected to help out with the service in some way. Our troop's Chaplain Aide is responsible for overseeing this process.
The troop usually returns to the Scoutmaster's home to help put away troop equipment. Parents will receive a call if the troop is returning earlier or later than expected.
Camping fees are to be paid two Monday nights before
the trip. This gives the troop adequate time to make proper
arrangements. Fees are based on food costs, site fees, program costs,
and other miscellaneous costs.
The troop also carries a cellular phone on its
trips. The number will be noted on each trip information paper. This
enables adult leaders to get help quickly in the event of an emergency.
It also gives parents an opportunity to contact the troop in event of an
emergency at home.
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 "unacceptables" 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 1777 and the Youth Protection
Program
Troop 1777 is committed to following all guidelines of the Youth Protection
program. Any suspected offenses of the Youth protection program must be reported
to the COR, Committee Chairman, the Scoutmaster and the Council District
Executive. All incidents reported to the Committee Chairman or the Scoutmaster
will be reported to the Council District Executive. All reports are taken
seriously and appropriate action is taken to ensure the safety of the youth.
The troop promotes a program that is based on appropriate behavior. Therefore, the following items/actions are prohibited from all BSA activities for Scouts and adults:
· Pornographic material
· Open blade sheath knives (Scouts)
· Any knife without possession of the "Totin Chip" or open blade sheath knives (Scouts)
· Lighters or similar devices
· Striking or pushing another individual
· Lying
· Name calling, profanity, or other unfriendly behavior
· Stealing (which includes "hiding" something)
· Damaging another person's belongings
· Other areas which are not Scout-like
Scouts who are repeatedly involved in inappropriate behavior will undergo the following action:
Incident #1: Verbal warning
Incident #2: Conference with the Scoutmaster
Incident #3: Scoutmaster conference with the Scout's parents
Incident #4: Membership termination with the troop
If a Scout is on the receiving end of inappropriate behavior, he should report it to an adult leader at once. A Scout who retaliates will not be exempt from disciplinary action.
The following items at troop functions will result in immediate termination from the troop for Scouts and adults:
· Alcoholic beverages
· Tobacco products (Scouts only; adults may use with proper discretion away from Scouts)
· Illegal drugs
Also, if profanity is heard from a Scout or leader in the troop, this person will buy a soda for troop members who heard the profanity. The type of soda purchased will be commensurate with their preference.
The adult leaders will make every effort to deal with special
behavioral-discipline problems. The absolute last resort will be to terminate
a boy’s membership to the troop.
Our troop holds various fund-raisers throughout the year. These are held in an effort to help our Scouts to be thrifty and earn their own way to high adventure outings, summer camp, and various camping trips. Scouts do not have to participate in these fund-raisers, but sometimes criteria for going on a high adventure outing is based on money earned during troop fund-raisers. We do encourage parents to help out on these events. Each Scout is encouraged to work with an adult and run a fund-raiser, giving him the experience of what is involved in this type of endeavor.
The profit from the fund-raisers will be divided
according to the needs of the troop and its members. The troop committee
will make the decision for each fund-raiser.
Our troop holds several fund- raisers throughout
the year to help our Scouts earn money for summer camp, high adventure, and/or
camping trips. It also teaches Scouts how to handle money and be thrifty
(the ninth point of the Scout Law).
Money that Scouts earn through troop fund-raisers belongs to Troop 1777 and
must be spent on Scout functions or equipment. If a Scout quits or transfers
to another troop, "his" money is returned to the operating budget of the
troop.
The Senior Patrol Leader holds a Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) once a month at a troop meeting for upcoming troop meetings and outings.
A longer one is held every six months to plan the troop’s semi-annual calendar.
Each Scout should have a current
troop phone/e-mail list. If he misses a meeting, he should contact his patrol
leader.
The troop also maintains a site on the World Wide
Web. This site is maintained by troop webmaster Brian Dickerson. Brian
encourages Scouts to provide him with trip reports, pictures and other activity
information to post on the site. The troop newsletter and part of the
troop calendar are included on this site. The address is
http://troop1777.freeservers.com/
Our troop has an annual parent's meeting in January to distribute important information for the year. It is extremely important that a parent attends this meeting.
The Scout should bring a small note pad and pen to each troop meeting to take notes during patrol and "end of meeting" announcements.
APPENDIX A
Merit Badge Procedures
1. Scouts, review the list of badges, keeping in mind those required for Eagle. Become familiar with the listed requirements. If you have any questions ask other Scouts who have completed the badge, your parents, committee members or Scoutmaster.
2. Once you and a buddy have selected a badge, let the Scoutmaster know. Remember, you must visit the Merit Badge Counselor with a buddy.
3. Your Scoutmaster will give you the name of a Merit Badge Counselor to contact. You will also receive a blue card authorizing you to proceed. Next, contact the Counselor and review the badge requirements. Your Counselor must approve your plan.
4. It is the your responsibility to pursue the badge not the Counselor's. The Merit Badge Counselor will provide instruction, support materials, where possible, and advice regarding completion of the requirements.
5. Keep your finished merit badge cards in a binder (baseball card sleeves work well). When you apply for your Eagle badge, you may be asked for records of your badges if there are any problems with the Council's records. Be Prepared.
6. A large part of the troop may work toward an Eagle badge during the year. In some cases, meeting time will be devoted to these badges. Typically however, troop meetings are not for the specific purpose of earning merit badges.
7. Some badge requirements coincide with everyday school, scout or sporting activities. You should take advantage of this.
8. The Scout Shop has books for each of the badges. Books associated with the Eagle badges and many others are worthwhile reference books, which you might find useful to own. Other badge books are less useful. Your Counselor may have an opinion regarding the books. Also, make sure to check the troop library to see if it has a book you need.
9. Remember, some badges take time to finish the requirements. Family Life and Personal Management merit badges take a minimum of three months to completed.
10. Some merit badges are listed in groups such as "personal fitness or swimming or sports". This means only one of these badges can be used as a required merit badge towards the Eagle rank. For example, if you earn swimming and cycling then one counts as a required merit badge while the other counts as an optional merit badge.
APPENDIX
B
Importance of Attending an Eagle Court
of Honor
As Scoutmaster of Troop 1777 I would like to take a moment of your time and share with you what an Eagle Scout Court of Honor is all about.
First, let me point out that the Eagle rank is the highest award Boy Scouting has to offer. A young man spends three to seven years working on the requirements for this rank. He must earn at least 21 merit badges on topics such as Swimming, Lifesaving, Environmental Science and Citizenship in the Community. He has to serve in various leadership capacities within the Troop; an example would be Senior Patrol Leader. He must also participate in several service projects for the community. Finally he must plan, organize, and complete a service project for the community that has been approved by BSA as an Eagle service project. After completing all this the young man presents himself before a review board whose sole purpose is to ensure that he has completed all the requirements and is of good character as well as being a good citizen.
The Eagle rank is a prestigious award. Only about one percent of all Boy Scouts worldwide ever completes all the requirements necessary to attain this high award.
It is usually the most important event he has experienced to this point in his life. Once an Eagle Scout the young man will be considered an Eagle Scout for life. The significance of attaining Eagle Scout is recognized by job interviewers and college scholarship boards as well as by military organizations, business communities, and political groups.
As you can see, an Eagle Court of Honor is a very important event. I am soliciting your support and ask that your entire family attend, if possible. Why? The most important reason is it shows our support and recognition for this young man who has put forth such a great effort. It also serves to strengthen the Troop through parent involvement. Moreover, it emphasizes to your son how important you feel the Boy Scouting program is. Through your involvement, your son may catch the enthusiasm and one day he too may become an Eagle Scout.
Make it a priority to attend and support this Eagle Scout, our Troop, and your son.