TROOP 2 MISSION STATEMENT. (written by the Scouts - Golden Bell Camp, 11/7/93)
Since its founding in 1917, Troop 2 has strived to provide opportunities for its boys to experience the challenge, beauty and enjoyment of the outdoors. Each boy is given an understanding of the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan and Motto the tools he will need to choose his path through the wilderness. The leadership within the troop serves a prime example to this. It rests almost entirely in the hands of boys. As each one progresses through the ranks and knowledge of scouting, he assumes more responsibility for the functioning of the troop and its activities. The bottom line in accomplishing these goals is simply to HAVE FUN!
ADULT LEADERSHIP.
Troop 2 adult leadership is comprised of Christian men and women with a love of the outdoors, a commitment to the aims of Boy Scouts and a desire to share these ideals with young men. The Scoutmaster runs the troop program. His function (among other things) is to train and guide the elected scouts to run their troop, guide the scouts in planning the troop program and help the scouts grow by encouraging them to take responsibility for their lives. He is assisted in this by assistant scoutmasters, parent volunteers and the Troop Committee. The Committee's two primary responsibilities are supporting the troop program (e.g. fund raising, advancement, boards of review, recruiting adult volunteers) and troop administration (e.g. financial records, advancement records). The adult leadership is listed on the Troop Roster. Troop 2's charter with the Boy Scouts of America is held by the Ambassador's Bible Class of the First Presbyterian Church. The Ambassador's Class representative is a member of the Troop Committee.
SCOUT RESPONSIBILITIES.
Scouts are expected to live by the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan and Motto not just during scouting activities, but in every day life. Scouts are expected to actively participate and, to the best of their ability, advance in rank and in leadership responsibilities. Troop 2 is proud of the fact that it has produced over 100 Eagle Scouts. Scout uniforms, consisting of the official scout shirt with appropriate patches, neckerchief (supplied by the troop) and scout pants or blue jeans, are required at troop meetings. Scouts must bring to each meeting, a troop notebook (consisting of a roster, troop calendar, their "Plan of Attack" and extra paper), a pen or pencil and their Handbook (Handbooks excepted for 1st class or above). All handouts, advancement materials and notes should be kept in the notebook.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS & CONTRACTS
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES.
Take an active interest in your son's advancement. How? Review his Plan of Attack look at the calendar to see what would be appropriate to work on considering the activities planned. Encourage him. Let him know what your expectations are. Praise his accomplishments.
Participate in troop activities. Parents are needed to: drive scouts to campouts, sit on boards of review, supervise a troop project or outing, teach a merit badge, attend a few days at summer camp and attend campouts. Our experience shows that Scouts whose parents take an active part in the scouting process advance further and are less likely to drop out. Please make your desired level of participation known by returning the Parent Participation and Talent Form.
Help your son prepare: for campouts by reviewing his clothing and equipment; for advancement by quizzing him before Scoutmaster conferences; for leadership by encouraging him to run for office in troop elections.
TROOP FINANCES.
The troop's finances are met through troop fundraisers, contributions from the Ambassador Class members, and annual dues. Dues, strictly speaking, are $80 annually (this works out to $6.67/month), this covers $24 National BSA dues. However, additional costs are required to cover the cost of Scout Summer Camp (estimated $325), Boy's Life Magazine ($12 but is optional) and campouts in which the Scout participates(usually approx $10-15 per weekend plus food). In Troop 2, summer camp is highly encouraged. Annual dues are paid at the beginning of the year (January) and covers rechartering scouts and adults, advancement badges, Training costs and other troop expenses.. The troop provides two ways to help defray these costs:
1.) Sell popcorn each fall in the BSA popcorn fund drive and winter in the Council BSA Camp Card drive. The more a scout sells, the more credits he earns and
2.) Participate in troop fundraisers.
Maximum participation in successful fundraisers and in popcorn sales and camp card sales could pay for all of a scouts annual fees. We never want a boy to be deprived of the opportunity to participate in Scouts because of costs. If this is a concern, please talk to the Scoutmaster.
Should a scout leave the troop before attending summer camp, that portion of the cash paid in for camp that has not been used for his expenses can be refunded if a replacement for his spot at camp is found. Troop 2 has to commit to a number of scouts at camp and pays for all whether they attend or not. Credits earned are never refunded in cash or otherwise. Should a Scout desire to transfer to another troop, the credits earned from popcorn sales can be transferred. (The Committee has a written dues policy should you have further questions.)
TROOP 2 DISCIPLINE PROGRAM.
To handle infrequent discipline problems, the Scout leadership has adopted a formal fourstep discipline program. If a scout is disruptive, he will first be counseled by two senior scouts. If this does not remedy the problem, an adult leader will have an "informal talk" with the scout. If the problem persists, the adult leaders will have a more formal oneonone counseling session with the scout. Parents will be advised if a oneonone counseling session has occurred. If these measures do not eliminate the problem, the last step in the discipline program is a formal scout/parent conference with the adult leadership, the purpose of which is to determine what actions must be taken to prevent the problem from reoccurring.
TROOP 2 POLICIES & PROCEDURES.
Because we are serious about our fun, Troop 2 takes the policies and procedures of the Boy Scouts of America very seriously. Publication links are indicated below. Readers are strongly cautioned to consult with these publications to determine the accuracy of the material included here.
OUTDOOR PROGRAM.
Troop 2 is a high adventure troop emphasizing challenging outings to a greater extent than other troops. We go on camping trips every month, even in the winter. Outings have included backpacking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snow caving, mountain biking technical rock climbing, canoeing, etc. Troop 2 may not be right for all boys. You and your son should decide after attending a troop meeting and visiting with our scouts, parents and Scoutmaster. However, please know that although we like to challenge the boys, we don't like for scouts, particularly new scouts, to get in over their heads. We keep a close watch on how they are handling the situation.
DIRECTIONS TO MEETINGS
Troop 2 meets at the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs. Meetings are usually on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:00pm, and in the Weber Street Center. Please check our calendar for meeting dates. For directions, please click here.
