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Troop 74 Parents' Manual
This Troop 74 Parents' manual was written to provide you,
the parents, with some knowledge of the history and goals
of the program in which your son is involved. It is also
an attempt to inform you of what you can expect from the
Troop and what is expected of your son (and of you) as you
both grow with Troop 74.
All parents are strongly encouraged to read
this manual with your son and keep it handy for reference
when questions arise. You may print this manual, or you may
view it online anytime you would like. If you ever have a
question, criticism or concern regarding the way the troop
is run, please contact the scoutmaster or the Troop
Committee Chairman.
Click here to download a printer friendly version of
this manual.
THE HISTORY OF BOY SCOUTING
Boy Scouting had its origins in England and
grew out of the military experiences of a British Army
officer, Robert S.S. Baden-Powell. In India in 1897,
Baden-Powell was given his first command and, with it, the
opportunity to use his own training ideas. He had his men
train in small groups, made their training hard but
enjoyable, and gave them increasing responsibilities.
Baden-Powell wrote these ideas down in a small manual
entitled "Aids to Scouting," which he intended for
military use only.
Much to his astonishment, his Aids to Scouting was
immensely popular with English boys - but it had been
written to prepare men for war! What he wanted was a
manual to prepare boys for peace. In the summer of 1907,
Robert Baden- Powell took twenty-two boys from farm and
city to Brownsea Island, off the southern coast of
England, and Boy Scouting, as we know it, was born. The
heart of Baden-Powell’s idea was the Patrol Method, and
one of the first things that he did was to divide the boys
at Brownsea into four Patrols.
Brownsea was a rousing success in both boys’ and
Baden-Powell’s eyes. The secret of that success was the
Patrol Method, of which Baden-Powell said, "Each patrol
leader was given full responsibility for the behavior of
his patrol at all times, in camp and in the field.
Responsibility, discipline and competitive rivalry were
thus at once established, and a good standard of
development was ensured throughout the camp." The Patrol
Method is still the heart and soul of Boy Scouting and is
the core around which all the activities of the Troop
revolve.
In 1908, Baden-Powell wrote his first handbook: "Scouting
for Boys." The following year William D. Boyce, a Chicago
publisher, while passing through London, encountered the
"Unknown Scout," a Boy Scout who refused a tip for doing
Boyce a good turn. Upon returning to the United States,
Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February
8, 1910. Boy Scouting is founded on very lofty goals, and
its major mission is to train boy leaders.
PURPOSE OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
It is the purpose of the Boy Scouts of
America to provide for boys an effective program designed
to build desirable qualities of character, to train in the
responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to
develop in them personal fitness, thus to help in the
development of American citizens who:
Are physically, mentally and
emotionally fit.
Have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in
such qualities as initiative, courage and
resourcefulness.
Have personal and stable values firmly based on
religious concepts.
Have the desires and the skills to help others.
Understand the principles of the American social,
economic and governmental system.
Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their
American heritage and understand America’s role in the
world.
Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all
people.
Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of
participating in and giving leadership to American
society and in the forums of the world.
The Boy Scouts of America accomplishes this
purpose by making its program available in partnership
with existing groups having compatible goals including
religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor
and governmental bodies.
THE AIMS AND METHODS OF SCOUTING
The Boy Scout program works toward three
aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. We
may define this as what the boy is himself: his personal
qualities, his values, his outlook. A second aim is
participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship
means the boy’s relationship to others. He comes to learn
of his obligations to other people, to the society he
lives in, to the government that presides over that
society. A third aim of the Boy Scout program is
development of physical, mental and emotional fitness.
Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the
mind (able to think and solve problems) and the emotions
(self-control, courage and self- respect).
BOY SCOUTING METHODS
Ideals: The
ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath,
the Scout Law, motto and slogan. The Scout measures
himself against these ideals and continually tries to
improve. The goals are high and, as he reaches for them,
he has some control over what he becomes.
Patrols: The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an
experience in group living and participating citizenship.
It places a certain amount of responsibility on young
shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol
method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they can
easily relate to each other. These small groups help
determine Troop activities through their elected
representatives.
Outdoor program: Boy Scouting is designed to take
place in the outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts
share responsibilities and learn to live with each other.
It is here that the skills and activities practiced at
Troop meetings can be put to practical use. Being close
to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for God’s
handiwork and mankind’s place in it. The outdoors is the
laboratory for Boy Scouts to learn ecology and practice
conservation of nature’s resources.
Advancement: Boy Scouting’s advancement program
provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to
overcome. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and
progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each
challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each
achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. He
also gains knowledge in a variety of areas through his
work on certain skills and merit badges. The steps in the
advancement method help a boy grow in self-reliance and
the ability to help others.
Association With Respected Adults: Boys learn from
the example of their adult leaders. In his quest for
manhood, every boy needs contact with men he can copy.
The Scoutmaster and his assistants provide a masculine
image of the vitality and virility of Boy Scouting.
Providing good examples of manhood is one of the methods
of Scouting. Boy Scouts of America has also realized
that, in our rapidly changing society, boys can also learn
good character and skills from adult female leaders.
Therefore, females are now invited to participate in any
of the adult leadership positions in the Troop.
Personal Growth: As Boy Scouts plan their
activities and progress toward their goals, they
experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a
major part of the personal growth methods of Boy
Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community
service projects and do Good Turns for others. There is
probably no device so successful in developing a basis for
personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious
awards program also plays a large part in the personal
growth methods. In addition, frequent personal
conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to
determine his growth toward Scouting’s aims.
Leadership Development: The Boy Scout program
encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills.
Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both
shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the
concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership
roles of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim
of Scouting.
Uniform: The uniform makes the Boy Scout Troop
visible as a force of good and creates a positive youth
image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action
program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows
each Boy Scout’s commitment to the aims and purposes of
Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in
world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same
ideals. The uniform also provides a way for Boy Scouts to
wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.
HOW TROOP 74 OPERATES
CHARTERING ORGANIZATION
- Troop 74 is chartered to the Central
Congregational Church in Chelmsford which provides us with
a place to meet and a place in which to store most of our
equipment. The church is represented by our Chartered
Organization Representative who is both a member of the
church and a registered Scouter in Troop 74.
TROOP COMMITTEE - The Troop Committee is charged
with making sure that a good, solid Scouting program is
taking place within the Troop. It is generally made up of
parents of boys in the Troop and/or other interested
adults. One of Troop 74’s greatest assets is our
exceptional Troop Committee. Many of our committee
members are parents of previous Scouts who have received
from the Scouting movement the ideals and leadership
development tools to face today’s demanding society.
These moms and dads think so much of our Troop and
Scouting that they devote a large portion of their time
and effort to help the current Scouts advance and
develop. They know first-hand the many benefits that
their sons have received from Scouting and from Troop 74's
exceptional program. Unlike a lot of other Troops, Troop
74 has many active females on the Troop committee and many
attend campouts and Troop trips on a regular basis.
Troop Committee members are registered as members of the
Boy Scouts of America. The Scoutmaster and the Troop
Committee Chairman work together to ensure a good Scouting
experience for the boys. The Troop Committee concerns
itself with Boards of Review for all ranks of Scouting,
Courts of Honor, advancement, the Troop Family Night,
fund-raising, Troop projects, and special Troop trips that
require additional adult supervision. The Troop Committee
generally meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the
month. It is an excellent opportunity for parents to get
involved in the managing of the Troop. If you are
interested in serving on the Troop Committee, please see
either the Troop Committee Chairman or one of the adult
leaders of the Troop. All meetings are open to all
interested parents, whether or not they are members of the
Troop Committee.
ADULT TROOP LEADERS - The adult leadership of Troop
74 consists of the Scoutmaster and one or more Assistant
Scoutmasters. While the emphasis is on boy planning, the
adult leaders do play a very important role in Boy
Scouting. They provide the opportunity, the advice and
the guidance. Probably the most difficult job of the
disciplined leader is to accept the responsibility of
allowing the boys to make mistakes in a controlled
environment. In preparation for this task, a vast
majority of our adult leaders have completed Troop Leader
Basic Training and some have taken further advanced
training. This has involved a considerable time
commitment on their part, but we believe that your boys
deserve a quality program with qualified leaders.
PATROL LEADERS' COUNCIL (PLC)
All positions on the Patrol Leaders’
Council are elected by Troop members with prerequisites
set by the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters of
the Troop. The Patrol Leaders’ Council will participate
in a planning conference to make recommendations for the
year’s calendar of events which the Scoutmaster will
present to the Troop Committee for support and approval.
The Patrol Leaders’ Council will meet regularly as the
scheduling permits to plan weekly meetings and special
events.
TROOP CALENDAR
The Troop leadership tries to plan the
Troop Calendar as far in advance as possible so that you
may be notified of upcoming events as far in advance as
possible. Dates of upcoming events will be published on
our website and e-mailed to parents throughout the year.
Scouts will also be receive announcements at Troop
meetings.
Part of the learning process in Scouts is to make the boys
themselves responsible for keeping track of events. It is
your Scout’s responsibility to notify you of deadlines for
money due, campouts, food shopping, menu planning, meeting
dates, Patrol Leaders’ Council meetings, Courts of Honor,
etc.
TROOP MEETINGS
Troop 74 meets at the Central
Congregational Church every Monday night during the school
season. The basic schedule is as follows:
- 6:00 P.M. - Scoutmaster Conferences,
Merit Badge Counseling, special meetings
- 6:45 P.M. - Set-up
- 7:00 P.M. - Opening
- 8:30 P.M. - Closing
- 8:35 P.M. - Leadership Recap/Planning
Meeting
Attendance at Troop meetings is very
important, as it is here that many Scout skills are taught
and plans are made for the monthly field events. If a boy
attends only the campouts and not the weekly Troop
meetings, he will be ill- prepared, as he will not have
been part of the planning. He also will not have been of
much help to his patrol in preparing for the campout.
Similarly, if a boy attends only the Troop meetings and
not the field events, he may find the meetings boring
because he doesn’t see the final event that the Troop
meetings are leading up to. He will also miss the
opportunity to put into practice the skills that he is
learning at the meetings. Besides, campouts are fun!!
We are aware that the younger boys are much more
interested in the adventure and excitement of Scouting
events and may need some counsel concerning the duller
aspects of Troop meetings.
With certain exceptions, there are no regularly scheduled
meetings during school vacations or on holidays. During
the winter months, if school has been cancelled,
typically, there will be no Scout meeting. However, if a
storm occurs early in the day and the roads are cleared by
evening, we will hold meetings as usual. Scouts will be
notified if it is necessary to cancel a meeting when
school has been in session but adverse weather conditions
are expected or when conditions have changed for the
better and meetings will be held.
TROOP PROGRAM
Boy Scouting is about training Junior
Leaders, and this is done through the Troop program:
planning an event, carrying through on those plans and
experiencing the event. This is in addition to the skill,
merit badges and rank advancement aspects of Boy
Scouting. As parents, it is important that you understand
the Boy Scout program and that your boy be exposed to all
aspects of it (see section on "Methods of Scouting"). It
is equally important that the Scouting program be allowed
to work. Because boys have greater or lesser leadership
talents, some of our programs will be more successful than
others. What is most important is that all of our events
be good learning experiences for the boys. If, on the
most dismal trip, we here a boy say, "We should have done
it this way, not that way’" or, "We should have thought
about that possibility before we left," then it was a very
successful event.
UNIFORMS
The wearing of the Boy Scout Uniform is an
important part of Scouting in Troop 74. It encourages a
sense of identity, fosters a feeling of belonging, and
promotes the ideal of equality in the brotherhood of
Scouting. Troop 74 requires a Class A uniform of Scout
shirt, Scout pants, bolo tie, and belt. We realize that
the expense of a uniform can be a burden to some
families. We therefore encourage Scouts who have outgrown
their uniforms or who have left the troop to donate the
uniforms to the troop. Any Scout who needs a uniform
should contact the Scoutmaster to see if we have one in
his size. Scouts are expected to be in uniform for all
Troop meetings, Council events, training events and field
trips (unless specifically told otherwise).
The Class B uniform consists of a Scout T-shirt (such as a
Camp Wah-Tut-Ca T-shirt) worn with Scout pants or shorts.
The Class B uniform is optional and may be worn at
campouts, at summer camp and on certain designated Troop
events, but not to Troop meetings or when traveling to
any Scouting event.
INSURANCE
Troop 74 strives for the safest and most
accident-free possible events in all of our program areas
but, sometimes accidents do happen. Therefore, the Troop
purchases accident insurance for all registered Scouts and
Scouters to cover them while attending any approved and
supervised activities of the Boy Scouts of America.
NEW MEMBERS
Boys who are interested in joining the
Troop are welcome at any Scout meeting for a visit. A
new boy will be given a Scout application which must be
filled out by the parents and the boy. A new Scout is
encouraged to get a Boy Scout Handbook and a uniform as
soon as possible (see section on uniforms). We encourage
all parents of new Scouts to come and meet the leaders of
the Troop. All Troop meetings and Troop Committee
meetings welcome parents. For any parent interested,
there is a video available on the Boy Scout program. You
are welcome to borrow it for a more in-depth view of
Scouting.
TROOP FINANCES
The Troop needs money for various expenses
throughout the Scouting year. These include charter
renewal and re-registration, renewal of "Boys’ Life"
subscriptions, accident insurance, replacement and
replenishing of the Troop's camping equipment, purchase of
various literature and training aids for adult leaders and
purchase of awards (merit badges and badges of rank) for
Courts of Honor. This expense money is gleaned from three
sources: Dues, fundraising events and donations.
Dues - The Troop charges dues at the rate of $33.00
per year, which covers insurance, a subscription to "Boys’
Life" and registration with the Boy Scouts of America, and
is payable in September. Each Scout is encouraged to earn
his own money for dues.
Fundraising - Troop 74 has tried various methods of
fundraising - a necessary task that few enjoy. What is
important is that the boys equally participate in the
fundraising and that each boy do his part. Fundraising
activities are decided upon by the Troop Committee but
always involve parental support. One of the more
difficult aspects of leader development is getting the
boys to follow through on their commitments. When a boy
says he will be at a certain place to help with a
fundraising activity, it is important that he be there.
Otherwise, someone else has to take up the slack and, all
too often, the lion’s share of the fundraising is done by
too few boys. It is important that all - parents and
boys alike - realize that all money raised is spent on
equipment or training for the Troop.
Troop 74 schedules two major fundraising events during the
year. In the spring we have a giant yard sale at the
church. We accept donations of items from the Scouting
families and neighbors. We sell these items along with
food, drinks, and refreshments and the Scouts are heavily
involved in the entire event. This is our primary
fund-raiser for Troop expenses. In addition, we schedule
another fundraiser, such as cookie dough or candy bar
sales in place of the Yankee Clipper Council's popcorn
sale. It should be stressed that the commissions and
funds raised by the Troop are used exclusively for Troop
operations.
Donations - We occasionally receive a small
donation from various organizations in the area that are
committed to helping programs that serve the youth of the
area. These are infrequent and are not received on a
regular basis so, while we are grateful for them, we
cannot plan on them in our annual financial planning.
RANK ADVANCEMENT
There are six ranks of Boy Scouting:
Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and
Eagle. In addition, there is an introductory level of Boy
Scout - this is not an official rank, but it gets the boy
off to a good and easy start.
Merit Badges: Merit badges signify the
mastery of certain Scoutcraft skills as well as serving to
increase skill in various areas of personal interest. Of
the more than 220 merit badges available, 21 must be
earned to qualify for Eagle. There are twelve which are
specifically required. When a boy chooses a merit badge
to work on, whether it is a required one or one in his
particular area of interest, he must obtain the Merit
Badge Book for that badge and then see the Scoutmaster for
a "blue card" authorizing him to work on that badge. It
is the National Boy Scouts of America policy that a boy
work only with an approved Merit Badge Counselor. This,
by the way, is an excellent opportunity for parents of
Troop 74 Scouts to become involved in the program. If you
have expertise or interest in a particular area and would
like to become a Merit Badge Counselor, please see the
Scoutmaster .
Participation: Beginning with the First Class
rank, and continuing through Life and Eagle, a Scout must
demonstrate participation in increasingly more responsible
service projects. At these levels, he must also
demonstrate leadership skills by holding one or more
specific youth leadership positions in his patrol and/or
troop.
Advancement: Advancing in rank involves a
combination of skills and merit badges and, most
importantly, personal commitment on the part of the
individual boy. How far a boy advances, if at all, is
largely a matter of personal goal setting and motivation.
The requirements for the various ranks can be found in the
Boy Scout Handbook under the title "My Trail to Eagle."
We are, of course, always ready to assist a boy in any way
possible along his Trail to Eagle.
Steps in Advancement: Advancement, only one of the
eight methods by which the aims of Scouting are achieved,
has five steps through each award level.
First, the Scout learns. Much of his learning comes
from other boys in his patrol or troop. The Troop
program also helps. His patrol activities are directed
toward the skills he needs. Every Troop hike, camping
trip or other activity offers potential learning
experiences. A Scout learns to pitch a tent by pitching
one, to use a compass by finding directions and to cook
a meal by having to prepare and eat it with his patrol
members.
Second, the Scout is tested. The specific requirements
determine the kind of testing. Verbal testing is
sufficient in some instances. In other instances, a
Scout must demonstrate his skills by doing.
Third, the Scout takes part in a Scoutmaster
Conference. These conferences take place at every level
of advancement and are designed to help the Scout set
goals for himself in line with his individual talents
and abilities. At each conference, the Scoutmaster
helps him evaluate how close he came to accomplishing
his present goal and then helps him to set a new goal.
Fourth, the Scout is reviewed. The purpose of the
review is to ensure that all requirements for
advancement have been met. This includes a check of the
Scout’s attitude and practice of the ideals of Scouting
in addition to his Scoutcraft skills. Some of his early
testing is done by his youth leaders. Later testing is
done by adults, including those serving as Merit Badge
Counselors. The decision regarding whether a Scout has
met the required standards of performance to qualify for
advancement to the next rank begins with the Troop and,
in the case of Eagle Scout, is approved by the District,
local Council and, finally, the National Council.
Fifth, the Scout is recognized. The final step in
advancement involves presentation of the badge of rank,
usually at a ceremony before the entire Troop.
Courts of Honor: Courts
of Honor are scheduled periodically during the year, and
parents are not only cordially invited, but they are urged
to attend. Public recognition with their parents
attending is a very important part of the goal-setting and
personal growth process for the boys. This public
recognition takes place at a Troop Court of Honor.
During a Court of Honor, the normal Troop meeting is
suspended, appropriate ceremonies are conducted,
refreshments are served and you, our parents, are given a
chance to see how healthy and vibrant a unit Troop 74 is.
CAMPOUTS
The Troop generally goes on a camping event
once a month. These activities are set up by the Patrol
Leaders’ Council under the direction of the Scoutmaster
during the Troop Planning Conference. The Troop’s
Outdoors Chairman, along with other interested committee
members, make the reservations, transportation, and other
logistical arrangements. These duties are usually beyond
the capabilities and resources of the Youth leadership.
Troop 74 generally uses cabins or our own tenting
equipment for these field events. Any money due for
these events is used to cover the cost of the boys’ food
for the weekend. With very few exceptions, the Troop
pays all camping fees and, in the case of Council events,
the Council registration fee. Money due is generally
collected at the Troop meeting prior to the campout. It is
the boys’ responsibility to make sure that deadlines are
met so that Patrol Leaders and Grubmasters can schedule
their shopping.
Common Sense and "Be Prepared" should be the guiding
principles used when the boys are packing for campouts.
They don’t need a great deal of equipment, especially when
first starting out. Plastic cutlery and dishes or items
found around the house may be used until the Scout has had
time to earn his own equipment. We do recommend, however,
that each Scout obtain, as soon as possible, a good
quality sleeping bag (until this is possible, please
contact the Scoutmaster if you need to borrow one,
especially for cold-weather camping). Also, since the
Troop hikes in to many of its campsites, a backpack is
recommended for the Scout to carry his belongings. The
adult Troop leadership is always available to assist with
the selection of equipment within the Scout’s budget.
The boys should do their own packing, and it is suggested
that they pack at least one day prior to leaving on the
campout. This serves a double purpose: it avoids the last
minute rush (which is usually when you get roped into
doing the packing for them), and it also allows time to
purchase any last minute items.
Rain gear, flashlight, mess kit, personal hygiene items,
Boy Scout Handbook, pen, notebook and an extra set of
footwear are always required items. It is suggested that
the boys establish a checklist of items generally needed.
There is one such checklist in their Boy Scout Handbook.
If a boy is unsure of whether or not to bring something,
he should call his Patrol Leader. The field events are an
integral part of the Boy Scout program, and we would like
to see all boys go on all events. If financial
considerations pose a problem, please see one of the adult
leaders of the Troop. NOTE: Radios, cassette- players,
or CD players are not allowed on camping trips or at
summer camp. Scouts are permitted to bring
walkman-type players with personal ear/headphones on Troop
camping trips to be used only at night during free time.
BEHAVIOR
All Scouts are expected to conduct
themselves in a manner consistent with the Scout Oath and
Law. Scouting is not the place for the use of foul
language, bullying, fighting, disrespect or disregard for
the instructions of the Troop leaders or any other
behavior inconsistent with the Scout Oath and Law. The
Troop leadership needs to think of the safety and
well-being of the entire Troop. Therefore, it is at their
sole discretion that any Scout may be asked to leave a
Troop meeting or campout. If this decision is made, it
is the responsibility of the parents to provide
transportation.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
In the event that any Scout is consistently
not conducting himself in a Scout-like manner, the Troop
leadership may make the decision to ask him to leave the
Troop permanently. Before this decision would be made
final, a review would be set up with the Troop Committee,
the boy and the parents.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
There are many opportunities for parents to
become involved in Troop 74’s program. These include
leadership positions, Troop Committee positions, Merit
Badge Counselors, or just helping out on the occasional
basis on Troop fundraisers or on field events, either as a
chaperone or a provider of transportation. If you want to
know how you can help, please see the Scoutmaster or the
Troop Committee Chairman. If you cannot actively
participate, please help out by supporting your son in his
efforts to meet his Scouting goals. He needs your
support. All parents are asked to share in the
transportation of Scouts to and from events and campouts.
YOUTH PROTECTION
The Boy Scouts of America, as one of the
largest youth organizations in the world, has taken a
leading position on the protection of children. Scouting
has established a number of guidelines and training
programs in order to take appropriate precautions for the
protection of youth. Troop 74 fully endorses this program
and lives by all rules and regulations by the Boy Scouts
of America, some of which are: (1) Training of adult
leaders in the recognition of signs of potential child
abuse. (2) The mandatory requirement of reporting any
suspected child abuse. (3) Requirement of two-deep
leadership on all Scouting activities. (4) An extensive
adult leader application process with approval by Troop
Committee, sponsoring institution and local Council. All
committee members, Troop leaders, and parents are required
to participate in the Youth Protection Training seminars
held regularly during the year.
YANKEE CLIPPER COUNCIL
All Scouting organizations are part of an
area Council. This Council provides support to individual
units in the areas of registration, training and
activities and acts as the liaison between the Scouting
units and the national office of the Boy Scouts of
America. Yankee Clipper Council serves over 10,000 youth
in 52 communities in Northeastern Massachusetts and
Southern New Hampshire.
Council Events
The Yankee Clipper Council sponsors several
activities during the course of the year. Troop 74
participates in as many of these as possible. Each
spring and fall there is a Council Camporee which gives
the Scouts of Troop 74 the chance to camp out with the
Scouts from many of the other Troops of the Council.
During the winter, in January or February, there is the
Klondike Derby - an awesome day during which our Scouts
compete with Scouts from other Troops. The Troop has three
Klondike sleds which the boys must pack and "drive" around
to various activities during the day. In the spring,
there is the Scout Show. During the summer, the Council
operates the Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation. A separate
section of this manual deals with Wah-Tut-Ca.
Council Training Events
The Yankee Clipper Council also conducts
several worthwhile training events for both adults and
youth. Among these include:
- Polaris -- the adult basic
training course
- Troop Committee Workshop
- Junior Leader Training Workshop
- Den Chiefs’ Training Workshop
- Junior Leader Training Conference
- Roundtable Meetings -- for
Scoutmaster and other adult leaders
- Youth Protection Training --
required of all adults associated with the Troop 74
Scouting program
- Merit Badge Counselors’ Training
-- 1.5 hour orientation for any adult who would like
to become a Merit Badge Counselor.
ORDER OF THE ARROW
Nanepashemet Lodge
The Order of the Arrow represents a group
of honor Scouts. Boys cannot "join" the Order of the
Arrow - they must be chosen and duly elected by their
fellow Scouts. Boys elected into the O.A. are judged by
their peers to be those representing the highest ideals of
Boy Scouting. Troop 74 has had several boys inducted into
the O.A. An election is scheduled each year. The Order
of the Arrow represents a whole new avenue of Scouting
entirely independent of the Troop.
A mystical, magical place
located in Northwood Narrows, NH, approximately 55 miles
from Lowell. Troop 74 goes to Wah-Tut-Ca as a Troop for
two weeks in July. Exact dates are announced each year
as soon as they are known. At least two adults from the
Troop accompany the boys, with other Scout leaders coming
up when they can. This is adequate supervision. The
program for the boys is conducted by the Wah-Tut-Ca camp
staff who are all Scouts or Scouters themselves. Troop
74’s participation at Wah-Tut-Ca is always full of
advancement, Scoutcraft, and of course, FUN. Our time at
camp is always outstanding, which the boys will remember
well into adulthood.
The boys sleep on cots with mattresses on tent platforms,
that is a wooden floor with canvas side walls and roof.
Each Scout must supply his own bedding - usually a
sleeping bag - and pillows. Wah-Tut-Ca has many sites,
each one accommodating one Troop at a time. Meals are
held at Robinson Lodge and are nutritiously prepared by
the Dining Hall staff. Mornings at Wah-Tut-Ca are usually
devoted to working on swimming skills, advancement, and
merit badges, while afternoons afford the opportunity for
swimming, using the archery or rifle ranges or visiting
any of the many other activity areas of camp.
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