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Scouting is unlike anything your son has ever experienced before.
Unlike school,organized sports, or perhaps even in the home setting, in a Boy Scout troop the youth are the ones who are in charge. THEIR desires become our agenda. THEIR ideas for adventure, fun, and excitement are what the adults guide them to bring into reality. In Scouting, THEY speak and the adults listen.
By practicing representative democracy, they pick their own leaders who form the "Patrol Leader Council" that creates the yearly agenda. Scouts work together one very issue, from what to eat at camp, deciding who will wash dishes and shop for food, they learn and PUT INTO PRACTICE communication, public speaking,teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership.
By taking advantage of any of the 130 possible merit badges, they gain exposure to areas of interest ranging from Rifle Shooting to Chemistry, from Small Boat Sailing to Aviation,and from Reading to Nuclear Science. Statistically, the Merit Badge program often leads to life-long hobbies and even career choices. At a minimum, Merit Badges help a young man try things he may never have had a chance to do if not for the Scouting experience, such as rifle shooting, archery, sailing, or camping.
While boys are busy "being Scouts" and having fun, they startto embody the virtues of Scouting defined in the Scout Oath and Law.
Whatis Scouting? It's "fun with a purpose".
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The Boy Scout Of AmericaProgram is a 103 year old, professionally crafted, program of education andcharacter development. By using the "Outdoor Method" (camping, fishing, pioneering, etc) boys work together to "do the things boys like to do". In theprocess, they learn the value of teamwork, honesty, communication, mutualrespect, and more as they work towards their goal and overcome any obstaclesthey encounter.
By employing the METHODS of Scouting, we reinforce theAIMS of Scouting, which are reflected in our Oath and Law. The goal is to seethat they become permanent fixtures in the character of each Boy Scout as weteach them to be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind,Obedient, Cheerful, Thrift, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
Most boys get todo things and go places they would have never had the opportunity to do if notfor being involved in Scouting.
Ever spend 2 days hiking a Trail near Mount Rainier and two days building a rope bridge by the Ocean?
Everrappel down a climbing tower?
Ever try shooting rifles, shotguns, and herd cattle? Ever take a trip across 5 western states visiting every scout camp?
Ever try fishing? How about fly-fishing?
Ever cook over anopen fire?
Ever spend the night in a tent? How about an "emergency shelter"you created in the woods?
Ever see the stars from your camp site after learning to due orienteering during the day?
Ever see the Ape Caves near Mount Saint Helen's?
WE HAVE!
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A Boy Scout troop leads itself. Adults are present to guide and ensure safety & compliance exists, but it is the YOUTH who make key decisions. The primary role of the Scoutmaster is to teach the Senior Patrol Leader how to run/lead his troop.
The Scouting program using The Patrol Method means the Troop members ELECT their own leaders; individual Patrol Leaders and a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who takes on "ownership" and hold the actual leadership position within the Troop. The SPL appoints an assistant scout (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - ASPL) and various other leadership positions, all of whom serve at the Scoutmaster's discretion.
While serving as Senior Leaders, the SPL and ASPL cease to be members of their respective patrols and function as peers with the adult leadership. The SPL and ASP execute Program decisions, lead the meetings, plan agendas, pick camping destinations, and LEAD BY EXAMPLE when executing the agenda that the boys themselves created and agreed to follow.
Patrol Leaders are responsible for the well being and actions of their individual patrol and will REPRESENT their patrol in the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).
At the PLC meeting (chaired by the SPL and monitored by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster), Patrol Leaders plan future trips and troop meetings. Through a model of Representative Government, they CHOOSE the trips and activities THEY want to do, and appoint other scouts to serve as skill instructors, or lead games or other activities. Adult leadership keeps them on track with suggestions and advice, but the decisions are ultimately left to THE BOYS.
Once the future meetings/camping trips are planned, the SPL and Scoutmaster present the PLC's plans to the Troop Committee for review. The agenda is checked for issues such as necessary fund raising,unique equipment/skills, camp ground reservations, and is given an over-all inspection to confirm that trips are aligned with the purpose of the Scouting Program. If the plans are approved, the SPL goes forward with leading the weekly meetings or delegating others who will lead all/part of the meeting.The model is "boys leading boys" unless the skill instruction needed is currently beyond the skill set of the Scouts or relates to merit badge requirements, then adults will render assistance.
ADULTS are a RESOURCE for guidance and ensuring that things are done the "BSA way"for safety, youth development and general direction setting.
"Boy Leadership" really means the Troop is doing the things the BOYS THEMSELVES want to do, and in doing so, will develop the leadership, communication, problem resolution, and organizational skills that underscore why Scouts excel in all other areas of their lives.
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 Boys are Scouts. Adults are Scouters.
As a Scouter, you can serve in 3 capacities in a local Scout unit. Other positions exist at the District level, but we're focused on the Troop on this FAQ.
Scoutmaster (SM) / Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM)- these Scouters work closest with the Scouts and ensure the program is running as it should. Their primary focus is to support the Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader by guiding them in leadership of the Troop while delivering the "Program".
Merit Badge Councilor (MBC) - a MBC works with Scouts on an individual basis to work on the specific badges (from 1 to 140) that the MBC is registered to teach. A MBC works with the Scouts "on demand" when he is contacted by the Scouts requesting time to complete badge work.
Committee Member - the role of the committee is to provide the Scoutmaster with the support needed to deliver the program that the Patrol Leader Council chooses as the "Program". The Committee provides the logistical support (funds/fund raisers, camping equipment, Treasury, camp site reservations, recording advancement, Boards of Review, registration/recharter, etc) needed to support the Troop. The Committee also has the responsibility to ensure that the Scoutmaster and the PLC are delivering a program that is aligned with the BSA Charter. If not, the Committee can recommend replacements. The Committee Chair would report to the Charter Organization which has the authority to hire/fire adult leaders.
The Committee is headed by a Committee Chairman who functions as the "great organizer" to make sure that sub-committees are on-task in their roles within the troop, such as ensuring a Treasurer delivers a Treasurer's report... Outdoor Chair is making campsite reservations.... Quartermaster is maintaining the camping equipment.... webmaster(s) are updating the website... etc. To avoid "power plays" the Committee Chair is more of an "organizer" than a "position of authority". Committee decisions are made via parliamentary procedure and voting. The Committee Chair does not get to cast a vote unless votes are tied. By design, the Scoutmaster and assistants are NOT members of the Committee, and therefore cannot vote on committee decisions.
There are a myriad of positions needed to staff a strong committee, so most adults in a troop are registered as Committee Members. |
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All are welcome to contribute as much as they would like as a uniformed leader,Committee Member, or a Merit Badge Councilor (MBC). As a CommitteeMember, you should be willing to attend the monthly Committee Meeting (4th or5th Tuesday of each month, 7PM) and get involved in as much/little upcomingactivities as you wish. As a Merit Badge Councilor, you choose toprovide counseling from 1 to many of the available 130+ Merit Badges. YOU DONOT need to be an "expert" to be a councilor, as the $4.59 handbooks will coverALL that you need to know to learn/teach each particular badge. As aMerit Badge Councilor, your time is ONLY used "upon request" when a Scoutdecides he would like to work on a particular badge for which you've agreed tobe a councilor. Merit Badges are earned OUTSIDE of the weekly meeting, soScouts meet with you ON YOUR SCHEDULE of availability. NOTE.. all leaders MUST complete a BSA Adult Application,which requires you to provide your Social Security Number. Abackground check will be done by the Pacific Harbors Council. WE (Troop) willNOT know of the particular details of anyone's record, but will simply be told"yes/no" regarding your eligibility. If you do not provide your SSN,you will not be accepted as a leader. This is National BSA policy,not an ad hoc policy of Troop 274.
NOTE.. all leaders MUST complete Youth Protection Training, which is required at the time of registration. This can be accomplished at http://www.scouting.org/.
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 Becoming an Eagle Scout is no small achievement. In fact, among adults who havegone on to become astronauts, doctors, politicians, or business leaders, most ofthem will say that earning their Eagle is clearly among the most importantachievements in their lives. Back to the question... WHY?Look at it from this angle.... ADVANCEMENT is completely up to the individual Scout. If he has no desire or sense of commitment to advance in rank, that is his choice. IT IS POSSIBLE fora boy to attend EVERY meeting and EVERY camping trip, and never make it through 1/2 of the available ranks if he isn't motivated enough to take the extra step of demonstrating skills or earning merit badges. Statistically speaking, only 2 out of 100 boys in Scouting will push themselves to become Eagle Scouts. The "Trail to Eagle" is one of persistence, dedication,well-rounded learning experiences by earning 21+ merit badges, strong attendance at meetings and camping trips, and hundreds of hours of community service....all culminating with the planning and complete execution of his "Eagle Project"before his 18th birthday. The "Eagle Project" is SO MUCH MORE than"giving something back to the community" (which it is, and let's not minimize the importance of community and charity). It is actually his "final exam" in Scouting.
HE manages his Eagle Project. He will put to use all of the lessons he learned as a Boy Scout; communicating, organizing,recruiting, conceiving an idea, selling the idea, planning the work, assigning work details to those helping him, being the "accountant" that tracks the hours worked and the money spent, etc. In every conceivable way, HE is the "project leader".
THESE are the highly desirable skills and traits that makes"Eagle Scout" stand out on a job resume or college application, and the fact that such skills and moral foundations are learned/mastered before "society" recognizes him as an "adult"... simply amazing!
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 An "Eagle Project" is project that is ORGANIZED and MANAGED by a Life Scout who is working towards the Eagle rank. There are guidelines for Eagle Projects that will be described below,but in its most simple definition, it is a community service project where the Eagle Candidate shows of his LEADERSHIP ABILITY. It is not for the candidate to "do" the work, but to provide the organization and leadership so the work canget done. Does an Eagle Project need a certain number of "minimum hours"?No. There is no set minimum for a project,although most average more than 100 hours of combined service. However, the length of work must be long enough that there is AMPLE OPPORTUNITY for a scout to show/demonstrate actual "leadership". Does an Eagle Project have to be unique?Yes & No. An Eagle Project does NOT need to be "unique", but it should be unique FOR HIM. A scout who simply repeats a project he worked on with another scout is NOT "leading".... he's "repeating" some one else. Remember, PLANNING and THOUGHT are big parts of the project/process. Does an Eagle Project require "building" something?No. An Eagle Project can be a SERVICE, but it cannot be"routine service"... such as raking leaves at his church, spreading mulch, or cutting the lawn. An example of a non-routine service may be the planning/organizing/executing of a clothing drive or canned food drive. By PERSONAL PREFERENCE, many scouts like "building" something that they can comeback to years later and say " That was my Eagle project!". Does an Eagle Project require all the Scouts of the troop to work on it?No. There must be some involvement of the Troop (leaders) so that those who will be sitting on a candidate's Board of Review can say they saw leadership qualities demonstrated, but that does not mean all the labor has to come from Scouts. If the Candidate wants to call upon friends, family, or contract labor, that's up to him as the "foreman" to hire the right people to get the job done. However, it is "healthy" for all the scouts when workers include the troop members as it gives all the Scouts a feeling of participation and the motivation for their own Eagle endeavors. Does an Eagle Project have to cost a certain amount of money?No. If money is needed, it is up to the Candidate to raise it through donations, fund raiser, or it can be self-funded. The stipulation is that there can be NO donated money left over. Any leftover money must be returned to those who donated it. Does an Eagle Project have to benefit Scouting?It CAN'T. Once again, the BSA shows its value tothe surrounding community. Eagle Projects are done for organizations OUTSIDE of The Boy Scouts of America. Can an Eagle Project be done on Government property?Yes. Please note that the nature of"government" is slow and full of many "approval processes". Doing any work on government land or for government agencies will require permits, approvals,board meetings, etc....that can take quite some time. Scouts should ask these questions in the early stages of his project. Government land projects are NOT a good idea for a boy who is facing the "timeout" of his 18th birthday as government delays may cause him to MISS his Eagle opportunity. Can an Eagle Project be done after his 18th birthday?No. There is a 60 day time gap after a boy's 18th birthday to file his application for Eagle and have his Board of Review, but ALL WORK (Project, Leadership, Merit Badges, Rank) has to be done prior to his 18th birthday unless he has ALREADY been granted a waiver for medical/developmental purposes. He's a really good kid, an A student, involved insports, etc... Is there ANY way to get an extension on time?No. All work for the Eagle Rank must be completed before a boy's 18th birthday. There are no exceptions unless his has been previously classified as a "Special Needs" scout. Do adults help in the EagleProject?Absolutely! Just because it's "his" project doesn't mean he's expected to magically have the knowledge of a structural engineer, electrician, or master carpenter. An Eagle Candidate may reach out and solicit assistance from the RIGHT RESOURCES in order to plan/execute his Project. Remember, his job is not to be the guy swinging the hammer or drawing the plans... but HIRING the right people and making sure work is done according to his plan. Is there a special way for Eagle Projects to be done?Yes. Please reference the BSA Eagle Project Workbook for a step-by-step guide ( and approvals!) needed to complete an Eagle Project. WHAT IF a Scout didn't do exactly what he was supposed to? Maybe he allowed his dad to take over the Project, or he never invited the adult leaders to see him "inaction"... you wouldn't "punish" the Scout by denying him Eagle, would you?Yes, and so would District, and so would Council, and so would National... but we would not view it as a "punishment", but simply a situation where a Scout didn't do the REQUIRED work. If there was a mistake or some type of misunderstanding, that's something to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, but if a scout makes the conscious decision to not complete all of the requirements, then the troop leaders are left with no choice but to not award ANY rank advancements, including Eagle. |
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A significant part of the Scouting experience is to get plenty of HANDS ON activity. From knot tying, to cooking on a fire and stove, to learning how to use a pocket knife or axe... Scouts "DO". In order to make sure everyone gets a chance to DO, boys are divided into smaller groups within the Troop so that everyone gets ample opportunity to participate. This is part of what the BSA calls, "The Patrol Method". Within a patrol-sized group,boys do not get "lost among the crowd" or feel as though their opinions (and votes) don't matter. Each plays a critical and important role in the Patrol's success. The definition of the "Patrol Method" from the National Council's website... Patrols are the buildingblocks of a Boy Scout troop. A patrol is a small group of boys who are similarin age, development, and interests. Working together as a team, patrol membersshare the responsibility for the patrol's success. They gain confidence byserving in positions of patrol leadership. All patrol members enjoy thefriendship, sense of belonging, and achievements of the patrol and of each ofits members.
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Many troops mix boys of different ages in their patrols. Usually, the justification is "so older boys can teach the younger boys". If that model is working for them, great, but that RARELY works and puts them in the very small minority. Even in the Cub Scouting Program, the BSA recognizes the developmental differences in boys of different ages and clarifies the NEED to keep young boys separate from older boys. That model continues in Boy Scouting and Venture Scouting. Most units who use a "mixed age" model experience a lot of bullying and/orintimidation; usually manifesting itself in low-key intimidation; older boysmaking all the decisions and younger kids quietly following along or being "outvoted" or "shouted down" on the decisions. By sheer size/age difference,younger/newer boys end up being intimidated and just "go with the flow", notreally getting benefit of the "self-guided" model the BSA has laid out. However, the overt mission of this Troop's leadership is to run this unit "by the book". The "book" we refer to is the National BSA Program, and it clearly states that "Patrols are made of boys of SIMILAR AGE, ABILITY, and INTERESTS." It is also HIGHLY DESIRED that Patrols be "permanent groups" so that they can become close friends and EVOLVE (through trials and tribulations) into well functioning units (mastering the skills of communication, teamwork, respect, problem resolution, etc). Sometimes we have to do a "reshuffle" based on development or changing attendance, but these changes are only done WHEN NEEDED. To further justify separating Scouts by ages, keep in mind that Patrols are strongly encouraged to do "patrol activities" (activities away from the rest of the Troop). This is literally impossible to do when a group of 16/17 year old Scouts want to go on a canoe trip or rock climbing and other members in their patrol are FORCED to be left behind because they are 11-13 years old and not skilled, mature, or strong enough to join in on the activity. Some activities also have age restrictions from the BSA, showing again, why a "mixed age" model goes against the Methods of Scouting. And the model of age separation continues in Venturing... The Venturing model (once again) REINFORCES the BSA's "group by age and ability" concept by grouping the older boys who seek (and are physically able) to do High Adventure Scouting from those incapable physically or intellectually. There are MANY NUANCES interwoven into this 100 year old program, and none of them exist by accident. When Troops try to "modify" their Program and change/eliminate/ignore certain aspects of how a unit is supposed to operate, they [knowingly or not] deprive their Scouts of the FULL EXPERIENCE designed into being a Boy Scout. |
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The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the Honor Society of Scouting. PurposeAs Scouting’s National Honor Society, our purpose is to: - Recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and through that recognition cause others to conduct themselves in a way that warrants similar recognition.
- Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp.
- Develop leaders with the willingness, character, spirit and ability to advance the activities of their units, our Brotherhood, Scouting, and ultimately our nation.
- Crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others.
EligibilityThe Order of the Arrow membership requirements are: - Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America.
- After registration with a troop or team, have experienced 15 days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The 15 days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps.
- Youth must be under the age of 21, hold the BSA First Class rank or higher, and following approval by the Scoutmaster or Varsity team Coach, be elected by the youth members of their troop or team.
- Adults (age 21 or older) who are registered in the BSA and meet the camping requirements may be selected following nomination to the lodge adult selection committee. Adult selection is based on their ability to perform the necessary functions to help the Order fulfill its purpose, and is not for recognition of service, including current or prior positions. Selected adults must be an asset to the Order because of demonstrated abilities, and must provide a positive example for the growth and development of the youth members of the lodge.
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