New Scouts

General Organization

Each Boy Scout Troop is governed by a set of rules established by the troop, troop leaders, Adult Troop Committee and Boy Scout Council (Dan Beard Council – Tri-State Area). The troop is run by a Sr. Patrol Leader elected by the scouts, and Patrol Leaders elected by the members of the patrols. Patrols are typically made up of 7-10 scouts of roughly the same age.

In addition, there are other elected positions in the troop, such as Assistant Sr. Patrol Leader, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Bugler, Chaplain Aide, Instructor, and Troop Guide. For a more complete list and the requirements to be able to hold those positions check with the Senior Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster. Elections are held every 6 months and scouts may not hold the same position for two terms in a row. They are encouraged to hold different positions for the betterment of both the troop and the scout.

Activities

The scout leaders and Adult Troop Committee make a plan of events and campouts for the year. Usually there is one camping trip or extra activity/outing a month, in addition to the weekly troop meetings. For the campouts, the scouts plan the food menu, purchase the food, pack the gear, cook the food, and set up all shelters on campouts. Examples of the extra activities are caving, canoeing and lock-ins. The troop also attends a weeklong summer Boy Scout Camp, typically in June and July. A group of the older scouts will attend a High Adventure Camp (Philmont, Sea Base and Northern Tier).

The campouts and other activities provide growth opportunities for the scouts. Participation in as many of the events as possible is encouraged. Many of these activities are also important for earning scout rank advancement or merit badges.

Fees for the scouting activities are typically very low. For example, a weekend of camping may have a $10-15 charge for food. Special outings, such as caving would have fees as charged by the facility defined on the sign-up sheet.

Troop Meetings

Troop 947 holds scout meetings every Wednesday evening, with the exception of holidays. The meetings are held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church on Tylersville Road, about a block east of West Chester-Lesourdesville Road. The meetings start promptly at 7:00 p.m. and end promptly at 8:30 p.m.

For safety reasons, parents are required to come into the meeting place in order to pick up the scout at the end of the meeting. Scouts are not allowed to wait in the parking lot.

Expectations of Scouts in Troop 947

  1. Demonstrate effort toward achievement of rank and/or merit badges. Support is available from the troop to help you in achieving your scouting goals.
  2. Participate regularly in troop/patrol meetings and other activities, such as campouts or special events/outings.
  3. Conduct yourself so as to be a credit to yourself, your patrol, your troop and your family.
  4. Keep dues and other financial obligations current.

Expectations of Parents of Scouts in Troop 947

  1. Parents are welcome to attend all Boy Scout meetings.
  2. Parents are encouraged to attend all Adult Troop Committee meetings held once a month.
  3. One parent of each scout is expected to volunteer for a job with the Adult Troop Committee. See the Troop Committee Chairperson for ideas. Some jobs are large and some are small. One can be found that suits your time availability.

Parents are a vital part of scouting. Please take an active role in your son’s life!

Membership Fees

For transferring Webelos, the fee is $50.00 and will be applied to monthly dues. A Boy Scout Registration Form is also needed when initially joining the Troop. After that, Boy Scout membership is on an annual basis, beginning with the re-charter date in October each year. The re-chartering fee is set by National and for 2023 is $80.00 for scouts (which includes insurance), payable in the Fall when notified by the Troop. The Boy Scout Magazine, “Boy’s Life”, is optional and there is an additional fee.

Adult re-chartering fee is $60.00 (which includes insurance), An Adult Registration Form is needed when initially joining. Adults who want to participate in Troop Committee elections or hold a position on the Troop Committee must be registered.

New Boy Scouts and adults joining the troop at other times of the year will receive a pro-rated charge for the membership fee.

Dues

Dues are used to help support troop activities. Funds will be made available with the approval of the Adult Troop Committee. Dues are $10.00 per month or $120 a calendar year. Pre-payment for longer periods of time is acceptable. Payment by a check, made out to Troop 947, is preferred. Dues are given to the Troop Treasurer for deposit. They are not refundable.

Scouts that are behind in payment (on a quarterly basis) will be notified in writing and any balance in their account will be used to bring it up-to-date. Scouts must be current with payments prior to each Court of Honor. Awards will not be given if a scout is not current on all dues and fees.

Note: Scouting should not be a financial burden. If there is any financial issue, please talk to the Committee Chairman or Scoutmaster. All discussions are kept confidential.

Common Scouting Acronyms

SPL – Senior Patrol Leader
ASPL – Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
PLC – Patrol Leader Council
ASM – Assistant Scoutmaster
OA – Order of the Arrow
NYLT – National Youth Leadership Training