Boy Scout Troop 119 Joining Information

Troop Organization

Patrols are the building blocks of Scouting. As a member of a patrol, you plan together, learn together, and all of you pitch in to turn exciting plans into action. Patrols, generally made up of 6-8 boys, are such an important part of Scouting that a part of each troop meeting is usually set aside for each patrol to meet by itself, called Patrol Corners. Every patrol has a name and every Scout in the patrol wears a patch on their right sleeve with their patrol's emblem. Each patrol has a flag they make that they carry at troop meetings and at campouts. Every patrol has a yell, too. You give the yell when your patrol wins a contest or performs well at any other event.

Your patrol will elect one of its members to serve a patrol leader. The patrol leader is in charge of the patrol at troop meetings and during outdoor adventures, and he represents the patrol on the patrol leaders' council. While there is only one patrol leader, every member of a patrol shares the duties of leadership. You could be the one who finds the way on a hike, who is the chief cook in camp, or who teaches other Scouts how to tie a knot.

The New Scout Patrol is a group of boys who have just become Scouts. They are helped by a troop guide -- an older, experienced Scout who can show the way. Members of a New Scout Patrol choose their patrol leader, plan what they want to do, and take part in outings and troop meetings just like any patrol. They also learn the basic skills they need in order to enjoy hiking, camping, and other Scout adventures. Before long, members of a New Scout Patrol will discover that they are passing many of the requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.

Senior Patrol Leader. This is the top boy leader of a troop and is elected by all of the Scouts. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, he is in charge of troop meetings and the patrol leaders' council, and does all he can to see that the patrols succeed.

Patrol Leaders Council. The activities of your troop are planned by a patrol leaders council (PLC) made up of your patrol leaders, senior patrol leader, Scoutmaster, and other troop leaders. The PLC discusses future meetings and outings for the whole troop. Your patrol leader's responsibility is to share the ideas that have come from you and other Scouts in your patrol to the PLC and to report back decisions made by the PLC back to you and the patrol.

Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is the main adult leader of your troop. He is in charge of training the Senior Patrol Leader, advising the Patrol Leaders' Council, meeting with each boy as they are ready for advancement (Scoutmaster Conference), and directing the activities of the various Assistant Scoutmasters.

Troop Meetings. Unlike Cub Scout packs, most troops meet every week of the school year. Troop 119 meets every Thursday (whenever school is in session) from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at Hancock Church. In addition, there may be separate patrol meetings to prepare for an activity, such as building a Klondike Derby sled, a monthly outdoor activity such as a campout, and a number of service projects.

Boy Scout Advancement

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If you were in Cub Scouts, each year you set your sights on earning a different badge. In Boy Scouts, all the boys, regardless of their age or grade, work on the same set of badges.

Scout Badge. All Scouts when joining a troop must pass the joining requirements listed on page 4 of the Scout Handbook for the Scout Badge. Scouts who have just crossed over from Cub Scouts will recognize these requirements – they are very similar to the requirements for the Arrow of Light.

Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class. The first set of ranks - Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class - is designed to teach the camping, first aid, and safety skills needed to go camping to new Scouts. Some Scouts can do all of the requirements in less than a year, some will take longer.

You may pass any of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class at any time. For example, if you fulfill a First Class requirement before you are a Second Class Scout, you may get the First Class requirement signed off. You may not receive a rank, however, until you have earned the one before it.

Rank requirements are signed off by your fellow Scouts. A Scout who is two ranks above the rank you are working on is allowed to sign off. For example, a First Class Scout (or above) can sign off on all Tenderfoot requirements. For an online primer to rank advancement, check out the National Council video primers at www.scouting.org. Click on any of the rank badges and then choose a requirement to see a short clip about the requirement.

Scoutmaster Conference. One requirement that Boy Scouts have for rank advancement is that whenever you complete the requirements for a rank you need to have a Scoutmaster Conference. At this meeting the Scoutmaster will review the requirements with you to make sure that they have been learned correctly, he will help you to set up the goals for the next advancement, and he will have you share your ideas about the troop (how its going from your viewpoint, what you would like the troop to do more of, problems you see occurring...)

Board of Review. All rank advancements, except for the Scout badge, require a Board of Review. The members of a Board of Review are adult leaders in the troop except for the Scoutmaster or any of his Assistant Scoutmasters. The main purpose of the Board of Review is not to retest the skills a Scout has learned, but to see what the Scout's spirit is and how the troop is doing is helping the Scout along and meeting Boy Scout objectives.

Court of Honor. When you complete a rank advancement you will usually be given the badge at the next troop meeting. About three or four times a year, the troop will hold a special meeting called a Court of Honor. This is a formal ceremony to recognize you and your fellow Scouts for rank advancement and other Scouting achievements. This event is held with an audience of family, friends, chartered organization officials, and troop leaders.

The Path to Eagle. Once a Scout has reached First Class and learned the basic skills of Scouting, he is ready for the challenge of becoming an Eagle Scout. The Path to Eagle has three ranks, Star Scout, Life Scout, and Eagle Scout. Here the requirements for advancement consist of earning merit badges, doing service projects to help the community, showing that you can lead other Scouts as a patrol leader or some other leadership position, and demonstrating to others that you have Scout spirit.

Merit Badges. A merit badge is an invitation to explore an exciting subject. With more than a hundred to choose from, some merit badges encourage you to increase your skill in subjects you already like, while others challenge you to learn about new areas of knowledge. Many of the merit badges are designed to help you increase your ability to be of service to others, to take part in outdoor adventures, to better understand the environment, and to play a valuable role in your family and community. Earning a merit badge can even lead you toward a lifelong hobby or set you on the way to a rewarding career. Look for more information about merit badges on our Advancement page, or visit the National Council website and check out their merit badge primer at www.scouting.org.

Other Awards. There are two other Scout awards that are usually of interest to new Scouts: the Totin' Chip and the Fireman's Chit.

When a Scout demonstrates that he knows how to handle wood tools (knife, axe, saw) he may be granted totin' rights. Until a Scout has earned his Totin' Chit he is not allowed to carry a pocketknife. If a scout is found handling wood tools incorrectly, a corner of the Totin' Chip card is often cut off. When all four corners are gone, so are the Scout's totin' rights.

The owner of a Firemen Chit has demonstrated knowledge of safety rules in building, maintaining, and putting out camp and cooking fires. Until a Scout has earned his Fireman Chit, he is not allowed to carry matches.

Camping and Equipment

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Summer Camp – Troop 119 goes to camp for two weeks in the summer. The first week is at Camp Bell in N.H., where scouts will participate in patrol-based activities during the day. The patrols cook for themselves as well. The second week is at Camp Hidden Valley, where scouts focus on earning merit badges. We recommend the First Year Program for new Scouts at Hidden Valley, which teaches basic camping skills, and helps new Scouts on their way to Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class ranks. Camping forms are due in March, so be sure to check out the forms section on this website for more information!

Equipment – There is a lot of equipment you need to go camping, but that does not mean that you have to go out and immediately buy a lot of expensive gear. When looking for camping equipment keep in mind two things: (1) new Scouts start off small and grow rapidly (a sleeping bag that fits today will be too small tomorrow) and (2) new Scouts will not be doing major hiking or extreme weather camping their first year. More information about equipment is available on our Forms&Info web page. You will find a Personal Equipment List there and Winter Camping Information.

Troop and Patrol Gear – Troop 119 owns tents and cooking gear that are supplied to the patrols. Patrols generally have to supply their own food. The patrol plans meals during regular troop meetings and appoint a Grubmaster to purchase the food and pack it into a cooler. The Troop also issues a lantern to each patrol to use when cooking.

Backpacks – DON'T BUY A BACKPACK RIGHT AWAY!!! Since the distance most first year Scouts have to travel is from the back of the car to the tent, a duffle bag or a daypack (like a backpack used for school) is usually sufficient and packs well in car.

Sleeping bags – A 25° (F) sleeping bag is more than adequate for most of the trips a new Scout will do in the first year. Even when the temperature goes down to zero the Scouts will be sleeping inside tents with other Scouts, dressed, and with a bag liner or blanket inside the bag. Sleeping bags filled with down are to be avoided. Although they are the “warmest and lightest” they lose almost all of their insulating ability when they get wet (a common occurrence for new Scouts) and cannot be dried out on a camping trip. The new synthetics are almost as good as down, retain most of their insulating capability when wet, and can be dried on a camping trip. Mummy bags are good because they heat up faster, are lighter and easier, and usually come with a hood to keep the head warm. They can sometimes be uncomfortably for new Scouts, however, because they feel constrictive. If you would like to try out gear before purchasing, visit REI in Reading – they rent out equipment.

Boots - Boots are an essential for camping. Sneakers do not provide any ankle support and quickly get wet with a little rain. Boots should go above the ankle and should have a gusseted tongue (the tongue has extra material to the sides that attach to the boot) so that water and dirt are kept out. Look for a minimum number of sewn seams (because they all have to be waterproofed) and a cemented or sewn sole. Get a good foot liner to help wick moisture out of the boot. See pages 200-201 of the Scout Handbook for more information about boots and socks.

Socks – Always pack extra socks. Socks should be made of polyester or wool. Once cotton socks become wet (sweating), they stay wet, but polyester and wool socks wick the moisture away from the skin. Even in mild camping weather, feet can become extremely cold with cotton socks! Scouts should have a fresh pair of socks to change into at night, and another pair for the morning.

Flashlights – Many scouts use headlamps, which allow you to use the lamp and still have both your hands free. The headlamp is particularly convenient when Scouts are finishing cleaning up after dinner at dusk.

Mess kits – Don’t go out and buy those army style mess kits where everything fits inside everything else. They are made of metal which lets the food get cold quickly and easily get bent out of shape. What you want is a good study plastic plate and bowl that will not break when dropped or stuffed into a pack on the way home. Utensils can be any old mismatched set of knife, fork, and spoon that you won’t worry about if it doesn’t come home. For drinks use a good plastic mug. Don’t get a collapsible cup. Many of our Scouts have plates and bowls made of Lexan polycarbonate.

Raingear – Almost everyone goes through what we call an “evolution” in raingear. First year Scouts usually wear a poncho. It’s easy to pack, quick to put on, and works for about five minutes in a downpour, unless you’re hiking. By the second year they’ve switched to a plastic or rubber coated rainsuit. While this offers more protection Scouts eventually realize that they are sweating inside as much as its raining outside. Finally they end up in a nylon or Gore-tex rainsuit that lets the body breath and also serves as a jacket when it is cooler. By this time, the Scout has grown significantly, and hopefully will be able to use this rainsuit well into young adulthood.

Water Bottle – A water bottle is essential for camping. Most of our scouts carry Nalgene bottles or something similar and clip them to their belt loops with carabiners.

Who packs?? – Never let someone else pack for you, not even your parents!!! You are the one going camping and in the middle of the night when your flashlight dies and you need your spare batteries, you are the one who needs to know in what pocket of the backpack they are in. Your troop guide or one of the other older scouts should be inspecting your pack for the first campout or two to show you how and to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything. Also, if it has a battery in it and it is not your flashlight, leave it home. Game boys, i-pods, etc. are not allowed at camp. Never bring anything camping that you’re not afraid of losing or breaking.

Scout Glossary

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100 Degrees of Frost – An award given to scouts and adults who have accumulated 100 degrees F camping in below freezing temperatures.

APL – Assistant Patrol Leader. Scout appointed by the Patrol Leader, who stands in for the Patrol Leader when needed.

ASM – Assistant Scoutmaster. An adult leader, appointed by the Scoutmaster to assist at meetings and on camping trips.

ASPL – Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Scout appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader. In our Troop, the Senior Patrol Leader usually appoints two Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders – one in charge of programs, and one in charge of trips.

Bear Bag – Tarp rigged to hold food items overnight, generally tied to a tree and elevated where bears and minibears can’t get at it.

Blue Card – Card on which your merit badge counselor records progress on a merit badge. There are three portions – when you are finished, the counselor gets one, the scout gets one and the Advancement Chair gets one. See the information about merit badges on the Advancement page.

BOR – Board of Review. All rank advancements, except for the Scout badge, require a Board of Review. The members of a Board of Review are adult leaders in the troop except for the Scoutmaster or any of his Assistant Scoutmasters. The main purpose of the Board of Review is not to retest the skills a Scout has learned, but to see what the Scout’s spirit is and how the troop is doing is helping the Scout along and meeting Boy Scout objectives.

Breakout – To dissolve into smaller groups for a meeting, i.e. patrols.

Buddy System – To have another Scout with you at all times.

Camporee – A District campout with many troops. Generally patrols compete in various events, testing Scouting skills and knowledge.

Class A’s – Tan BSA uniform shirt, troop neckerchief and slide. At some events, we don’t wear the neckerchief.

Class B’s – Gray or green Troop 119 t-shirt. Worn on service projects and other events that could lead to mud or other forms of dirt.

COH – Court of Honor. A formal ceremony, held three or four times a year, to recognize you and your fellow Scouts for rank advancement and other Scouting achievements. This event is held with an audience of family, friends, chartered organization officials, and troop leaders.

Cracker Barrel – An informal meeting for leaders with snacks held during a campout.

Den Chief – A scout approved by the Scoutmaster and the Cubmaster to assist in a Cub Scout den. The Scout is generally a First Class Scout or above. The Den Chief Training given by the council is recommended for scouts interested in being a Den Chief.

Fall In – A call by the Senior Patrol Leader or one of his Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders to gather. Scouts usually stand in patrols.

Firem’n Chit – A card showing that the Scout has earned the right to use matches and build cooking fires and campfires. Usually, a Scout will earn this on his first camping trip.

FOS – Friends of Scouting. An organization that supports Scouting at the council level. The Boston Minuteman Council does not collect membership fees and is supported by the efforts of Friends of Scouting fundraising and individual contributions. Friends of Scouting also runs many council events. Annually, Friends of Scouting is invited to conduct a fundraising appeal at one of the Troop’s Courts of Honor.

Greenlee – A bear-proof metal locker that is used at camp for storing food.

Grubmaster – The person responsible for buying food for a campout. The grubmaster should know how many scouts he is buying food for, and the menu for the trip. He should remember “A Scout is Thrifty” when he makes his choices at the supermarket.

Instructors – Scouts appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader who are responsible for teaching Scouting skills and knowledge to the other Scouts.

Klondike Derby – A district sponsored event during the winter. Patrols compete in various Scouting activities, with the ultimate activity being a race to haul a patrol-built sled around a designated course.

Librarian – A Scout appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader to keep track of the Troop’s collection of merit badge pamphlets.

MBU – Merit Badge University. A Council sponsored event at Harvard University, held on two Saturday mornings, one in March and one in April. Merit badge counselors from the council volunteer to run classes for various merit badges. Homework is generally assigned in between.

Merit Badge Counselor – An adult who helps a Scout earn a merit badge. Interested adults should consult the information about merit badges on the Advancement page.

Minibears – Critters of the woodlands and plains who like to eat your meals and snack on your candy. (NO FOOD IN TENTS!)

OA – Order of the Arrow. A national honor society for Scouts.

PL – Patrol Leader. A Scout elected by his patrol to lead them at troop meetings and on camping trips, and to represent them on the Patrol Leader’s Council.

PLC – Patrol Leader Council is made up of the Senior Patrol Leader, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, the Patrol Leaders, and other youth leaders. The PLC meets at least once a month to plan meetings and outings.

QM – Quartermaster. The person in charge of equipment – packing it for each camping trip and at the end of each trip, issuing equipment to scouts to be cleaned or dried at home.

SC – Scoutmaster Conference. A meeting with the Scoutmaster. At this meeting, the Scoutmaster will review the requirements for rank with the Scout to make sure that they have been learned correctly, help the scout set up the goals for the next advancement, and ask the scout to share ideas about the troop (how it’s going from your viewpoint, what you would like the troop to do more of, problems you see occurring…) A Scoutmaster may request a conference with Scouts at any time, but for the most part the conference is part of a rank advancement.

Scribe – the Scout who takes notes for meetings, appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader.

Service Hours – Hours of community service. Most rank advancements include a required number of service hours. For service projects not sponsored by the Troop, Scouts should get a letter from the sponsor, specifying the organization, the date of the service and the number of hours. Service projects sponsored by the Troop may also qualify for hours of community service at the High School.

Signoffs – Signatures on advancement requirements. To sign off on a requirement, a Scout must be two ranks above that requirement. For example, a Second Class Scout may sign off on Scout rank requirements, a First Class Scout may sign off on Tenderfoot requirements, etc.

SM – Scoutmaster. The main adult leader of your troop. He is responsible for training the Senior Patrol Leader, advising the Patrol Leaders' Council, meeting with each boy as they are ready for advancement (Scoutmaster Conference), and directing the activities of the various Assistant Scoutmasters.

SPL – Senior Patrol Leader. The top Scout leader of the troop, elected by all of the Scouts. With guidance from the Scoutmaster, the Senior Patrol Leader is in charge of Troop Meetings and the patrol leaders' council, and does all he can to see that the patrols succeed.

The Game – A variant of dodge ball, played at Troop Meetings. Ask one of the Scouts to explain the rules.

Totin’ Chip – a card showing that the Scout has earned the right to use a knife, ax, and saw. Usually a Scout earns this on his first camping trip. If a scout is found handling wood tools incorrectly, a corner of the Totin’ Chip card is often cut off. When all four corners are gone, so are the Scout’s totin’ rights.

Troop Guide – A Scout designated by the Senior Patrol Leader to help new Scouts with their advancement.

UOS – University of Scouting. A council sponsored event held in November, where various training sessions are offered for adults. Usually, Den Chief Training for Scouts is also offered.<

Week of Rain – An Troop 119 award given to Scouts and Adults to recognize their achievement of camping for a cumulative week in the rain.

YLT – Youth Leader Training. Training conducted by the Troop for the Scouts who hold a position of leadership. Sometimes called the JLT, Junior Leader Training, this training is held twice a year, after SPL elections and the patrol reshuffle, to train Scouts in their new positions and to plan meetings and events for the term. YLT is usually held overnight on a Friday at Hancock Church.

YP – Youth Protection. Also known as “A Time to Tell”. Refers both to the guidelines given by BSA to insure youth protection (always have a buddy with you…), and Youth Protection night, where the Scouts view the BSA video, “A Time to Tell” and talk about how to deal with situations of abuse. Parents are invited to attend Youth Protection night, and should be aware that their Scouts may or may not want to talk about it later. It is held during an April Troop Meeting.