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Boy Scout Troop 60
(Papillion, Nebraska)
 
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Troop 60 (Quick Reference) FAQs



1) How old is the Troop?  109 years old (as of January 2022)

2) How many Scouts are in the Troop?  39+

3) How many Scouts are active in the Troop?  30+

4) How many Scouters (adults) are there active in the Troop?  23+

5) How many months does the Troop camp?  12 months/year

6) How many summer or other long-term camps does the Troop attend?  2-3/year

7) What camps does the Troop attend?

- Boundary Waters, MN

- Camp Cedars, NE

- Camp Geiger, MO

- Medicine Mountain, SD

- Philmont Scout Ranch, NM (approximately once every 3 years)

8) Does the Troop participate in High Adventure camping?  Yes (see previous answer)

9) What is the Troop's time related goal for new Scouts to earn First Class rank?  12-18 months

10) What is the Patrol makeup (i.e., is a Patrol a mix of older & younger Scouts or is it mostly same age Scouts)?  We blend Scouts so new ones are mixed in with existing patrols. More specifically, first year Scouts are initially a part of the 'Scout Patrol'. Once they earn Scout rank, they are moved into a permanent patrol. Troop 60 currently has eight (8) patrols.

11) Does the Troop put an emphasis on making Eagle Scout rank?  While Troop 60 has a very high percentage of Scouts earning the rank of Eagle, we focus on the fundamentals of Scouting...the Patrol Method and Scout Spirit—which ultimately motivates and drives our Scouts to earn the prestigious rank of Eagle.

12) What uniform requirements does the Troop have?  Official Scouts BSA uniform (Beige shirt with appropriate badges, neckerchief, weather appropriate cargo shorts/pants) and Troop T-Shirt (Class B).

13) What fundraisers does the Troop participate in? The Ralston Fourth of July Firework Stand and the Papillion Days Concession Stand are our main fundraisers for the calendar year, though additional fundraisers may pop up as needed.  Scout families are required to help run the booth, donate supplies, and/or assist in other areas as needed during both fundraisers.

14) Besides National dues and Boys’ Life fee, what other fees should a Scout’s family expect?  Initial Troop specific costs upon joining our Troop include a one-time $100.00 equipment fee.  Annual Scout dues are $240.00 (adjusted accordingly for Scouts with siblings in the troop).

15) What equipment, if any, does Troop 60 maintain?  Troop 60 is equipped with multi-person tents, chuck boxes, two small and three large trailers to haul our gear when traveling.

16) Does the Troop participate in service and/or conservation projects?  Yes—some are accomplished during camp outs or as part of another Scout’s Eagle project.  Within our community specific examples include picking-up trash after the Papillion Days parade in July and Schwer Park clean-up in September.

17) When and where does the troop meet?  The Troop meets on Monday evenings at 7:00pm. Patrol Leader Council (PLC) and Committee meetings are generally the last Monday of the month.

18) What should Arrow of Light Scouts know about your Troop that has not been mentioned previously? In November, we cabin camp with electronics (a favorite among the Scouts) where the Scouts set up gaming systems inside the cabins with NO specific curfew. On Saturday, we prepare and consume the most awesome Thanksgiving meal followed by our Fall Court of Honor and Flag Retirement Ceremony. In December, we challenge our Scouts with a backpacking camp—regardless of the weather (i.e., sub-zero and/or snow-covered climates).

 

 

Bottom line…Troop 60 is focused on developing the leaders of tomorrow, while also teaching and learning outdoorsmanship, having fun, and building long lasting friendships!  If you have additional questions or concerns, please be sure to contact us.

What do you mean by "Youth Led"?



A Scouts BSA troop leads itself. Adults are present to guide and ensure safety and compliance exists, but it is the YOUTH who make key decisions. The primary role of the Scoutmaster is to teach the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) how to run/lead his troop.

The Scout program uses the Patrol Method which means the troop members ELECT their own leaders; individual Patrol Leaders and a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who take on "ownership" and hold the actual leadership positions within the troop. The SPL appoints an assistant scout (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - ASPL) and various other leadership positions, all of whom serve at the Scoutmaster's discretion.

While serving as senior leaders, the SPL and ASPL cease to be members of their respective patrols and function as peers with the adult leadership. The SPL and ASPL execute program decisions, lead the meetings, plan agendas, pick camping destinations, and LEAD BY EXAMPLE when executing the agenda the youth themselves have created and agreed to follow.

Patrol Leaders are responsible for the well-being and actions of their individual patrol and will REPRESENT their patrol in the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).

At the PLC meeting (chaired by the SPL and monitored by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster), Patrol Leaders plan future trips and troop meetings. Through a model of Representative Government, THEY choose the trips and activities THEY want to do, and appoint other scouts to serve as skill instructors, or lead games and other activities. Adult leadership keeps them on track with suggestions and advice, but the decisions are ultimately left to THE YOUTH.

Once the future meetings/camping trips are planned, the SPL and Scoutmaster present the PLC's plans to the Troop Committee for review. The agenda is checked for issues such as necessary fundraising, unique equipment/skills, campground reservations, and is given an over-all inspection to confirm trips are aligned with the purpose of the scouting program. If the plans are approved, the SPL goes forward with leading the weekly meetings or delegating to others who will lead all/part of the meeting. The model is "youth leading youth" unless the skill instruction needed is currently beyond the skill set of the Scouts or relates to merit badge requirements, then adults will render assistance.

ADULTS are a RESOURCE for guidance and ensure things are done the "BSA way" for safety, youth development, and general direction setting.

"Youth Leadership" really means the troop is doing the things the YOUTH want to do, and in doing so, they will develop the leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills that underscore why scouts excel in all other areas of their lives.


If Scouting is "youth led", why have adult leaders



A Scouts BSA troop is "youth led" and the functioning leader is known as the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). He/she is elected to the position by the troop and typically serves for a six-month term (they are allowed to run for re-election).

However, just because a patch is sewn on your sleeve designating you as the "leader", it does not mean you actually know HOW to lead. That is where the adults come in.

The Scoutmaster's job is to teach the youth how to lead their own unit. That seems to be more of a "journey" than a "destination" because in six-months, a new election is held. The next Scout to be elected as the SPL may have strong leadership skills or may be starting to develop them for the first time. So, getting to a "100% youth run" status proves to be difficult.

Sometimes we're able to be more "out of the way" than others, but our goal is to let the youth leaders "lead" and only step in when necessary, even if that means letting them make a few mistakes along the way.

Where would I fit in as an adult volunteer?




First…while youth are known as Scouts, adult leaders are known as Scouters.

As a Scouter, you can serve in three "formal" capacities in a local scout unit. While there are other positions at the District/Council/National level, we'll focus on troop specific positions.

Scoutmaster (SM) / Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) - these Scouters work closest with the Scouts and ensure the program is running as it should. Their primary focus is to support the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASL) by guiding them in leadership of the troop while delivering the "Program".

Merit Badge Counselor (MBC) - a MBC works with Scouts on an individual basis to work on the specific badge(s) the MBC is registered to teach. An MBC works with a Scout "on demand" when he/she is contacted by the Scout requesting time to complete badge work.

Committee Member - the role of the committee is to provide the Scoutmaster with the support needed to deliver the program the PLC chooses as the "Program". The Committee provides the logistical support (funds/fundraisers, camping equipment, treasury, camp site reservations, recording advancement, Boards of Review, registration/recharter, etc.) needed to support the troop. The Committee also has the responsibility to ensure the Scoutmaster and the PLC are delivering a program that is aligned with the BSA Charter. If not, the Committee can recommend replacements. The Committee Chair reports to the Charter Organization Representative (COR), who has the authority to approve/remove adult leaders.

The Committee is led by a Committee Chairman who functions as the "great organizer" to ensure the sub-committees stay on-task in their roles within the troop. To avoid "power plays", the Committee Chair is more of an "organizer" than a "position of authority". Committee decisions are made via parliamentary procedure and voting. The Committee Chair does not get to cast a vote unless votes are tied. By design, the Scoutmaster and assistants are NOT members of the Committee, and therefore cannot vote on committee decisions.



If you are interested in becoming a Scouter, you must complete/submit the following items/training:


- Adult Application

- Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A and Part B, at a minimum)

- Merit Badge Counselor Application (only if applying to be an MBC)

- Youth Protection Training (available online)