The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is an organization dedicated to building
character into young men through leadership development, community
service and outdoor skills training. Troop 276 is a BSA chartered
ministry of First Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee. The Troop’s
Christ-centered focus is reinforced by the time-honored principles of
Scouting. Troop 276 has been a part of the Memphis area scouting
community since 1991. While the troop functions as a single unit, each
boy is also part of a smaller element called a patrol. Troop 276
emphasizes the BSA’s patrol method to strengthen the leadership skills
of all participants.
Troop activities include weekly Troop or Patrol meetings, Court of
Honor, campouts, including our January trip to the Gulf Coast, Eastern
District Camporee, fund raising activities, and service projects. The
Troop minimizes activities during the summer, winter break, or spring
break to honor traditional family activities. Optional summer activities
include Summer Camp and our bi-yearly Philmont Trek.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
The
Boy Scouts of America requirements to join a troop are to be 10 1/2
years old and have completed the fifth grade or be between the ages of
11 and 18. Webelos Scouts that have completed the Webelos program and
earned the Arrow of Light Award are also eligible. Webelos scouts
entering the troop should contact the Scoutmaster to arrange a bridging
ceremony.
LEADERSHIP
The troop led by the boys themselves. The boys are selected for
leadership positions such as patrol leader and quartermaster. Adult
leaders serve by providing guidance and supervision. Uniformed adult
leaders support the troop by serving as Scoutmaster, assistant
Scoutmaster or on the troop committee. Parents, especially fathers, are
encouraged to become involved.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
Every
September ALL Scouts pay a $60.00 annual membership fee. This fee goes
towards re-registration, a one year’s subscription to Boy’s Life
magazine, awards, and Troop operations. The Troop charges a one-time
application fee for new members of $85.00 which includes registration,
Boy's Life subscription, awards, tents, cooking equipment, Troop
neckerchief and other Troop operations. The one-time application fee
includes the annual dues for the first year.
Additional financial requirements are based on activities. Depending on
the distance, each Scout typically pays $5 to $40 for his share of fuel
for each trip. Food generally costs between $5 and $10 per day
depending on the activity and length of stay. Occasionally a camp fee
of $1 to $40 is required depending on the location. The Scout usually
also needs around $5-10 per day for spending money, snacks, souvenirs
and lunch on the way home. The total cost of a typical weekend trip
ranges from $10 to $30. Longer trips and high adventure trips may be up
to $100 depending on location, activities planned and length of stay.
Other
optional fees include but are not limited to, Summer Camp (around $350),
special trips and activities, and the Philmont Trek. Many of the fees
can be earned by participating in troop fundraising activities. If a
Scout attends Summer Camp, the annual cost of Scouting runs $600 to $800
per Scout including uniforms and supplies. It can be more or less
depending on individual situations.
FUND RAISING
Because most families have limitations on their ability to fund some or
all of the costs of Scouting, and because we want to teach the Scouts
about taking responsibility for helping to run the Scouting program, we
offer two fund raising programs each year in which all Scouts are asked
to participate. Most of the money for Troop operations and equipment
comes from our troop’s annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser held each
February. Scouts in the Troop sell tickets individually and in organized
troop events. Fifty percent of each scout’s sales are credited toward
troop activities such as summer camp or campouts. The troop and its
members also earn money through the Chickasaw Council’s annual Popcorn
sales.
TROOP AND PATROL MEETINGS
Regular Troop meetings are normally held on Tuesday nights from 6:45
p.m. to 8:15 p.m. during school months. However some meetings may start
at earlier times depending on the activity planned for that evening.
During Troop meetings the Scouts learn Scout skills, play games, have
guest speakers, and go on field trips.
Patrols will meet for 20 minutes at every Troop meeting. In addition,
the Patrol will meet at an offsite location to be determined by the
Patrol usually at least once in the Fall and once in the Spring. These
meetings are designed mainly for fun and to build Patrol spirit.
ADVANCEMENT & COURT OF HONOR
The
Troop has four Court of Honor events a year. Each court honors the scout
and his family by recognizing his achievements during the previous
quarter. Each court also features a showcase of patrol skits,
accomplishments and photos of recent troop activities.
CAMPOUTS
Once a
month during the school year, the troop goes on an overnight campout.
Some of the campouts are backpacking trips where the Scouts hike and
carry all their belongings and food in a backpack. Other trips are known
as base camping. Base camping may include day-hikes, outdoor skills
development and troop or patrol cooking. The Troop usually leaves for
campouts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and returns on Sunday in the afternoon.
CAMPOREE
The
Easter District of the Chickasaw Council BSA holds it's annual Camporee
every April. The Camporee gives all the troops in the district the
opportunity to demonstrate its mastery of scout skills by competing with
patrols from other troops across the district. We expect all our scouts
to participate in competitive, patrol events.
SCOUT ACCOUNTS
Each
scout has an individual account set up for them within the troop. Scouts
can use funds in the account to pay for most troop activities. The
account can be funded through a deposit by parents or scout
participation in troop fundraising. For example, a scout that
participates in selling $100.00 of Pancake Breakfast tickets earns
$50.00 toward troop activities. Many of our scouts sell enough tickets
and/or popcorn to fund summer camp and Philmont. An added benefit of
learning salesmanship and financial responsibility results from scout
fundraising.
The
money in a scout’s account can be used to pay for any Scouting function,
fee, or to purchase equipment needed for Scouts. If you wish to use
money from your Scout’s account, please inform the troop Treasurer.
· It
is recommended that Scout’s use money in their account for High
Adventure Trips and other costly trips only.
· Any
refunds from trips will be credited to your Scout’s account unless you
request a check from the troop treasurer.
· The
money in a Scout’s account belongs to the troop. If a Scout leaves the
troop, the money in the Scout’s account is retained by the Troop to
offset general program and equipment costs.
UNIFORM POLICY
The Boy Scouts of
America is a uniformed organization. The Official Boy Scout uniform
instills a sense of belonging and pride in the Scouting movement. The
Troop Committee encourages all Scouts of the Troop 276 to secure and
properly wear the approved complete Boy Scout uniform and insignia at
all approved Troop and BSA meetings, events and activities, except work
details and as otherwise excluded. Adult leaders should set an example
by wearing the proper adult uniform.
1.)
The approved uniform shall consist of:
Ø
A regulation Boy Scout shirt
(either long or short sleeved) as described in the uniform regulations.
Insignia and awards shall be displayed in accordance with the
regulations set forth in the Boy Scout
Handbook.
Ø
The official Troop 276 Boy Scout
neckerchief and embroidery. The neckerchiefs to be worn under the shirt
collar, with an approved neckerchief slide.
Ø
Official Boy Scout pants or shorts
with official scout socks.
Ø
A merit badge sash is worn by
Scouts that have earned at least six merit badges and should only be
worn at ceremonial functions of Troop 276. You should never wear you MBS
under your belt.
Ø
Class B - During informal
gatherings, Scouts are encouraged to wear official BSA T-shirts, Troop
T-shirts, jackets or other clothing designating their position in the
Scouting movement.
2.)
The Scout is responsible for
obtaining the following:
Ø
One (1) Chickasaw Council patch.
Ø
One(l) set of red shoulder loops.
Ø
The World Crest Insignia.
3.)
All insignias earned or awarded to
a Scout become the property and responsibility of said Scout to have and
to hold.
4.)
All Scouts shall be in the
approved uniform when appearing before a Board of Review or receiving an
advancement or award at a Court of honor. Failure to be in full uniform
at a Board of Review or Court of Honor is considered to indicate a lack
of ability to live by the Scout Oath and Law. Advance permission to
appear out of uniform can be granted by the Scoutmaster.
5.)
All Scouts are expected to be in
full uniform at the weekly Troop meetings and inspection. The inspection
will be conducted in accordance with the guide and instruction bulletins
issued by the National Council.
6.)
All Scouts are expected to wear
only the badges and insignia they are entitled to wear and then in
strict accordance to instructions by the National Council.
7.)
Scouts are expected to promptly
remove all badges of office following their removal from office,
election or appointment of a successor.
ACTIVE STATUS
We have a standard is
for determining active status for Scout Spirit and other advancement
purposes. Boys will be considered active if they have attended at least
70% of all regular troop meetings (including offsite patrol meetings)
and 50% of the campouts, troop service projects and other monthly
outings and activities.
There may be exceptions made to this
policy from time to time due to a Scout’s outside activities, such as
school sports and other seasonal commitments. Boys need to make
arrangements for such exceptions in advance with the
Scoutmaster in order to be excused. Also, boys who have been excused
temporarily from attendance requirements still need to stay in
touch with their Patrol Leader and/or the Scoutmaster in order to stay
informed about Troop activities.
Boys who have been inactive will not
have Scout Spirit signed off and will not be allowed to advance in
rank. If a boy is inactive for a year or more, he will be removed from
the Troop roster. Boys who are inactive for a year or more without
having made prior arrangements with the Scoutmaster will have to have a
Board of Review to be considered for reinstatement. Before rank
advancement will be awarded, any boy who has been inactive for a year or
more and requesting reinstatement will have to maintain active status
for a minimum of four months for Scouts wanting to advance to Star and
lower ranks and six months for Scouts wanting to advance to the ranks of
Life and Eagle.
DISCIPLINE
– We have a great Troop at First Evan, and rarely have serious behavior
issues. From time to time, however, problems will come up. To provide
clear direction to boys, parents and leaders, the Troop Committee has
adopted a discipline policy. The standard against which all members of
Troop 276 (boys and adults) will be measured is the Scout Oath and Law
and the Troop Commitment everyone signs every year. Any violation will
be handled as follows:
First Occurrence
– verbal warning and noted in the troop files.
Second Occurrence
– Scoutmaster Conference, a formal note in TroopMaster and the boy’s
parents will be informed.
Third Occurrence
– A Board of Review will be convened by the Troop Committee Chairman
during which the Scout will be asked to explain his actions, his plan to
correct his behavior and why he feels he should be allowed to remain in
the Troop. If more than one Scout is involved, then all Scouts who were
involved will be required to attend the BOR. Parents of the boys
involved will be invited, but will not participate directly in the BOR.
The Board of Review has the option to (1) allow the boy to continue in
the Troop on a probationary basis and/or (2) to determine appropriate
restitution, or (3) the BOR may decide to dismiss the boy(s) or adult(s)
involved from the Troop.
Forth Occurrence
– If there is a forth occurrence of the same violation within a year, or
if a boy (or adult) shows a repeated pattern of disregard for the Scout
Oath, the Scout Law or the Troop Commitment, he will be asked to leave
and will be removed from the roster.
For serious
violations involving the safety of others, or issues involving illegal
activities such as drugs, alcohol or otherwise, the above measures may
be bypassed and a Board of Review will determine the appropriate action
up to and including immediate dismissal from the Troop.
MORE
INFORMATION
Contact our
Scoutmaster:
Richard Marsh,
richardmmarsh@yahoo.com or by phone at 901-299-4479
Or visit our website
at
www.276scouts.org |
