Scout - As the new scouting year starts, I would like to remind you of our troop expectations. These expectations have been in our troop for many years, before all of you have even crossed over. Please review the summary, and if you have any questions, look for the details on the website, and if you need further explanations, please see a leader. - Mr. D.
Summary of Expectations
Many of our scouts are active in multiple outside activities, which is a good thing - It helps to create a well-rounded person. We understand the pull of these other activities the scout may be interested in, and sometimes, those outside activities may be a priority for the scout. With this in mind, we have come up with our procedures for requesting Scoutmaster Conferences in our troop.
Notably, the scout is in charge of his advancement - he can advance as fast or slow as he likes. He may choose to refrain from moving up and to only participate in scouting events. His lack of advancement is fine as long as he does not interfere with other Scouts' priorities, is respectful, and pulls his weight. A scout must advocate for himself and follow the proper channel of command. It is his responsibility to understand where he is in the advancement process - it is not a requirement of the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, or Committee. Parents should not contact the Scoutmaster/Leaders unless the Scoutmaster/ASM/Committee has reached out first.
For advancement, a scout needs to complete the requirements within his rank. Troop 160 considers Participation as 66% attendance of Troop Meetings, 66% attendance of Troop Camping Trips, 66% of Troop Day Trips, and 66% of Troop Service Projects. The participation requirement is in addition to any requirements stated in the rank.
For Ranks that require jobs, the scout must actually do it. If a scout does not do his job, he will not be able to advance until he does. Jobs that require reporting, for example, will allow for the report to be submitted up to 168 hours after the event has ended (1 week). Each day the report is late, the time on the job will be reduced. For maintenance or jobs involving equipment, the equipment must be appropriately cleaned, inventoried, and suitably packed for storage or events/trips. Suppose a scout cannot do his job due to sickness, absence, or other reasons. In that case, he is responsible for finding a way to complete the requirements during this time. (He can ask another scout to step in, though if that scout does not perform the duty, it still falls on the scout whose job it is). There is no excuse for the job not being performed.
For those scouts working towards their Eagle Rank, Troop 160 has certain requirements that need to be followed. The scout must have all merit badges required for Eagle (currently 21). The scout must have attended the EAGLE Proposals and Applications for Scouts at Pouch. During the scout's first Eagle meeting with the Eagle Mentor, he must present his notes and handouts from the meeting at Pouch and a list of all the MBs he has completed that he will be using towards the Eagle Rank.
All requirements for the above can be found on our website.
Please note: The Leaders and Committee are volunteers. As such, they are giving up their time from their families to support scouting. In case it needs to be clarified, outside of Scouting Events (i.e., meetings, trips, projects, etc.), the leaders may not respond, nor should they be EXPECTED to. During breaks, especially long breaks like summer, the Scouts should not expect to be in contact with the Leaders - Does a scout expect a School Teacher to be available during this time? Therefore, they should not expect a Leader to be available.