TROOP 213

12) under advancement along with counselor names and contactinformation. In the event the Troop does not have a counselor for aspecific merit badge, contact the Troop advancement coordinator.These counselors have special knowledge in their merit badge subjectsand are interested in helping you. Get in touch with the merit badgecounselor and tell him or her that you want to earn the merit badge. Thecounselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected of you and tostart helping you meet the requirements. ONLY REGISTERED MERITBADGE COUNSELORS MAY APPROVE REQUIREMENTS. Exceptions tothis may be made in the case of the completion of partial merit badgeswith one or two requirements remaining. See the Scoutmaster or troopmerit badge coordinator. When you know what is expected, start to learn and do the thingsrequired. Ask your counselor to help you learn the things you need toknow or do. You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject.Merit badge books can be borrowed from the Troop Library orpurchased at the Occoneechee Scout Shop. Requirements for all meritbadges can be found MeritBadges.aspx Show Your Stuff. When you are ready, call the counselor again to makean appointment to meet the requirements. When you go take along thethings you have made to meet the requirements. If they are too big tomove, take pictures or have an adult tell in writing what you have done.The counselor will ask you to do each requirement to make sure thatyou know your stuff and have done or can do the things required. Get the Badge. When the counselor is satisfied that you have met eachrequirement, he or she will sign your application. Give the signedapplication to your troop merit badge coordinator so that your meritbadge emblem can be secured for you at the next Court of Honor.Merit badges earned will be presented to the Scout during a Troop meeting orthe next Court of Honor. The Scout MUST keep his portion of ALL blue cards.7

This is the documentation that is needed as he advances through the ranks ofStar, Life and Eagle.The Troop is always looking for new merit badge counselors; however, whileparents are encouraged to be counselors, they cannot counsel their own sonone-on-one. If interested in being a merit badge counselor contact the TroopAdvancement Coordinator.Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review: A Scoutmaster Conference andBoard of Review are required for all rank advancement, except the rank ofScout, which requires only a Scoutmaster conference. The Scout must contactthe Scoutmaster to schedule the Scout master conference. The Scout needs tobe in full Scout uniform to include handbook . The conference should beconducted at least one week prior to any scheduled Board of Review. Oncethe Scoutmaster conference is complete the Scout then needs to complete aBoard of Review.The purpose of the conference and review is to determine the Scout’s attitudeand acceptance of Scouting ideals; to ensure that the requirements have beenmet for advancement; to discuss the Scout’s experiences in the Troop and theTroop’s program; and to encourage him to keep working towardsadvancement. A Board of Review may also be held to counsel a boy about hislack of progress toward advancement.Troop GuidelinesLeadership:It must be noted that at least 2 registered adult leaders, or one adult leaderand an individual age 21 or older are required for all Troop 213 meetings,trips, and outings. This is official BSA policy and no activities will commencewithout appropriate adult leadership.Attendance:Regular attendance at Troop meetings and outings will allow Scouts to takefull advantage of the Scouting program offered by the Troop. For the purposeof meeting the “Be active in your Troop or Patrol” requirement that is part of8

each rank, a Scout should participate in at least 75% of the Troop meetingsand activities. If there are special circumstances that will make thisunobtainable, a call should be made to one of the Scoutmasters to inform themof the reason of absence and how long the Scout may be inactive.In order to provide an example for the rest of the Troop and to ensure aquality program is provided to the Troop, it is critical that Scout leadersattend Troop meetings. A Scout who holds a Troop leadership position and isunable to fulfill the requirements may be suspended from their leadershipposition (i.e. tenure in “Position of Responsibility” will be suspended). This isat the discretion of the Scoutmaster. Once removed from office, a Scout maybe reinstated into their leadership position upon reengaging in Troopactivities if another Scout has not been subsequently assigned to that position.Inclement Weather:The Troop will not meet on days when Wake County Schools are closed due toinclement weather, unless specifically notified by the Scoutmaster otherwise.First Aid & Injury:Accident prevention is the Troop’s first goal. The Troop will try to make allScouting activities as safe as possible by minimizing exposure to unnecessaryrisk, danger, and hazards. The Troop will always have a medical insurancepolicy in force before participating in any outing.In the event of injury or illness, a Scout, if able, must seek assistance at oncefrom the Scoutmaster or designee. Other Scouts may render first aid, but allinjuries and illness must be reported to the Scoutmaster for three reasons:1. To assess the need for further medical treatment,2. To correct a hazardous situation so that it does not remain a danger toother Scouts, and3. To enable the Scoutmaster to determine whether the Scout may resumenormal activities.Scouts must not “hide” injuries or illnesses in order to continue participatingbecause untreated or poorly-treated injuries and illnesses may have severedelayed consequences.9

The Scoutmaster or designee will have first aid training at least the equivalentto the first aid merit badge. The Scoutmaster must notify parents of anytreatable illnesses injuries sustained by their child as soon as the outing ends.If the Scoutmaster is uncertain of the required treatment, he is directed to erron the side of caution. Parents have the obligation of informing theScoutmaster of existing health problems or current medications prior to anouting.If a Scout is showing signs of sickness, including fever, or has received medicaltreatment 24 hours before leaving on an outing, he should remain at home.Upon learning of any existing health problems, current medications, or injury,the Scoutmaster shall be able to request that the Scout remain at home.In the event that outside medical treatment should be necessary, theScoutmaster shall contact the parent immediately. Any cost incurred relatingto the treatment shall be reimbursed to the Troop by the Scout’s parents.Scout Uniform: The Scout uniform helps to achieve the objectives of oy-Scout-uniform.asp). EachScout is required to have and wear the following uniform items:“Official” Scout UniformScouts are required to wear the “official” uniform for all meetings, Scoutmaster conferences and board of reviews, and travel to/from activities unlessotherwise notified by the Scoutmaster or adult leaders. The official uniformis often referred to as the “Class A” uniform and consists of the following. Boy Scout shirt with appropriate insignia and patches (Council strip,shoulder epaulets, patrol emblem, current rank and leadership position,Troop numerals, and universal Scouting emblem. Boy Scout Handbook (One will be provided to the Scout when they jointhe Troop.) Boy Scout neckerchief and slide (One neckerchief and slide is providedto the Scout when they join the Troop.) Boy Scout pants or shorts Boy Scout socks10

Boy Scout hat (optional) Boy Scout belt and buckle Closed toe shoes appropriate for the conditions of the activityUniforms and insignia are worn a specific way. Instructions on wearing of theuniform and placement of emblems is on the inside cover of Boy ScoutHandbook and on the web iaGuide/06.aspx.“Class B” UniformSame as “Class A” uniform except Boy Scout shirt is replaced by a red T-shirtwith Troop 213 logo on front and Troop design on back. These shirts areavailable for purchase from the Troop at cost. “Class B” shirts are worn asinstructed by Troop leadership for activities that may cause damage to “ClassA” uniform.Outdoor Program:Troop 213 maintains an active outdoor ?Menu Item ID 90312). ATroop activity (normally an overnight camping trip) is held each month.Information about outings, to include cost, deadlines, departure and returntimes, etc. will be communicated to Scouts at Troop meetings and throughemail, parent meetings and the ?Menu Item ID 90312). Itis the Scout’s and parent’s responsibilities to keep informed with what isoccurring in the Troop.Scouts must register for outings online through the Troop website. Uponregistering the Scout should download a permission slip. The permission slipneeds to be completed and turned in to the leader in charge of the outing priorto departure. No Scout will be allowed to participate in an outing or activitywith out a permission slip.It is imperative that Scouts be at the stated departure point (usually at theKirk of Kildaire activity building) prior to the stated departure time to assist11

in loading Troop equipment. Likewise, parents, be sure that you are at thereturn point at the return time.Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend any camping trips. By doingthis, you will aid in transportation and provide additional adult supportduring the outing. You will also get a first hand opportunity to see the Troopfunction. In the event it becomes necessary for you to contact your Scoutduring a Troop outing, a contact person will be identified before each event.Each Scout will be responsible for their food during activities. Usually, thePatrol will plan their meals and assign a Grub Master. The Grub Master isresponsible for purchasing the food items. Following the campout, he presentsreceipts for the food to the Troop Treasurer for reimbursement. Scouts areencouraged to do the shopping with minimal help from the parent.Remember, they are learning life skills, i.e., economics.The Troop has patrol camping equipment for cooking and tenting. Individualcamping equipment can be obtained from the following sources:(Great Outdoor Provision Company, REI (gives 10% Scout discount), -Dick’sSporting Goods, -Occoneechee Council Scout Shop, -BSA Catalog, -K-Mart, Wal-Mart, -Target, and online at www.campmor.com and www.cabelas.comto name a few.Transportation:Transportation for Troop outings is normally provided by parents and isexpected on a rotating basis. It is the responsibility of the TransportationCoordinator to arrange the transportation for each outing.Summer Camp:The Troop attends summer camp at Seven Ranges Scout Reservation nearCanton, Ohio during the week that crosses July 4 (the one week when all tracks ofthe Wake County year-round school calendar have some time off, althoughmaybe not the entire week). The camp has a complete aquatics program as wellas numerous merit badge programs and the coveted Pipestone Honors award.Two or more adult leaders spend the week in camp with the Troop. The boys willbe given a chance to sign up for summer camp in January for the Early Bird rate12

and a free gift. A deposit will be due with registration with the balance due inMarch. If early registration is missed, registrations can still be made at the fullrate up until Mid-May. Cancellations can also be made by Mid-May for fullrefunds. The Troop calendar will list the dates for monies due. In some rareinstances, Scouts can be added to our summer camp roster later than May, so ifyou have unique circumstances please approach the adult leadership.Most years the Troop arranges for an alternate week of summer camp toaccommodate those who are unable to camp with us the first week ofJuly. Details for that summer camp alternative are usually available by March31.Discipline Policy:It is the policy of Troop 213 to encourage physical, mental, and moral growthof Scout members at all times. Personal growth can be best accomplished inan atmosphere of good group discipline. Discipline among members requiresself-discipline by emphasizing the Scout Oath and Scout Law, through bothword and deed.Hazing, smoking, possession of alcoholic beverages, “energy” drinks/shots, ornon-prescribed drugs and other behavior counter to Scouting values areprohibited. It is the discretion of the Activity leader, Scoutmaster orCommittee Chair to determine if something is in question as related toScouting values is prohibited.Scout functions, almost by definition, will have a degree of commotion,random activity, and noise. A certain amount is necessary and desirable toaccomplish group tasks, build friendships, heighten esprit de corps, andsimply have fun. Judgment is necessary to determine when behavior isacceptable and when it is detrimental to individuals or the group. Theguidelines for the Troop are the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.Should infraction occur, immediate action should be taken by Scout and/orAdult Leaders as follows:1. Scouts can and do effectively discipline each other.2. The Scoutmaster will have a conversation with the Scout(s) aboutdiscipline in a positive but firm tone. Parental notification is optional.13

3. Next, there will be a conference of the Patrol Leaders, Senior PatrolLeader, and the Scoutmaster to decide on course of action. The actionmay take the form of writing an exposition on a topic related todiscipline in a group, a service project, missing an activity, or otherappropriate measure. It is mandatory that parents and the TroopCommittee are notified during this step.4. The Scoutmaster, parents, and two Troop Committee representativesshall meet and discuss mutually acceptable action. An effort will bemade to determine the reasons for the unacceptable behavior.5. Dismissal is a last resort. The Scoutmaster and Troop Committee maydetermine dismissal is necessary for the good of the Troop.Troop FinancesThe funds to operate the Troop are obtained through Scout fees and fundraising activities. The yearly fees, subject to change, are: Rechartering: 37/yr for returning Scouts, 77/yr for new Scouts unlessthey have chartered with another troop and are transferring in. The feewould then be reduced to 40. Chartering fees includes a subscriptionto Boys’ Life Magazine. Families with multiple boys in the Troop willonly be charged for one subscription unless they request otherwise. Operating Fee: 200 – Established and assessed in February, due by 2ndTuesday of April for all boys in the troop unless otherwise noted by theexceptions below. For a Scout aging out of BSA the operating fee will be assessedbased on the months remaining in their final year before they turn18. For example a Scout who turns 18 on March 22 would pay 3months of operating fees (3x 16.67 50). For scouts who are 16 years or older and achieve the rank ofEagle will have their operating fee waived. Scouts who bridge over from Cub Scouts. They are accessed theoperating fee in February, the year after they bridge. For example14

the Cub Scout bridges over to the Troop in February 2014. He w

Merit Badges: There are more than 100 merit badges. The ranks of Star, Life and Eagle are the only ranks having merit badge requirements; however, any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. Steps to earning the merit badge. Pick a Subject. Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you. Pick one to earn.