Welcome
to Troop 54!
As your son and you make the move from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, we want to make sure that the transition is a smooth and easy one. Remember that your son, a little Tiger Scout just a few years ago, is becoming a young man. Boy Scouts is designed to work with you in helping him develop self-confidence, responsibility, leadership, the desire to challenge himself and achieve new goals, and to build new skills working together with others.
Troop 54 was founded in 1940. Since then we have produced almost 100 Eagle Scouts.
Return to Top
Troop Structure
A Boy Scout troop is made up of patrols of approximately six to eight boys overseen by the older scout leadership. A new scout will join a patrol with boys at various ages and ranks so he can learn from his older Troopmates.
Teaching leadership skills is fundamental to the scouting program; the scouts, not the adults, are the troop leaders. Adults have the role of promoting and guiding boy leadership and teaching Scouts to guide the direction of their own program. As a scout progresses in scouting, his first leadership opportunities will be at the patrol level. With leadership experience at the patrol level, he may move on to a troop level position.
The troop is led by a senior Scout who is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), aided by one or more Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL), and other senior boys making up the Junior Staff. The Scoutmaster, and Assistant Scoutmasters help oversee the troop meetings, but the boys lead the meeting.
The SPL is elected by the senior Scouts in the troop. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader.
Return to Top
How to Join
Boys who wish to join should fill in the BSA application form. The Scoutmaster will have a short conference with him and at least one parent before the boy officially joins. Annual dues covers registration, insurance, advancement awards, activity badges and basic operating supplies for the troop. Fees for individual events are not included in the annual dues. Each individual event will have some additional cost to cover food, camp fees etc. Typically, a weekend campout will cost each boy about $20. Some events may be more, some less. Summer camp (a week long event), will probably cost between $300-$500 for all meals, activities, and transportation.
Fundraising activities will be available to help Scouts earn their way in the program. Resources and camperships are available. No Scout will be denied the opportunity to participate in an activity soley for financial reasons.
Return to Top
Uniforms
Boys should wear complete Class A uniforms at meetings and outings. The formal "Class A" uniform consists of the official tan Scout shirt (with red or green epaulets), Scout pants or Scout shorts with Scout belt, green or white neckerchief (depending on rank) with slide, and cap (BSA official or Troop54 $10). As your boy progresses in scouting, he may acquire merit badges that will be worn on a shoulder sash. "Class A" uniforms are appropriate at meetings and formal events. Either shorts or long pants are okay (consider getting both), but in any case the official green socks should be worn also.
The "Class B" uniform consists of our official troop t-shirt ($10) with scout pants. You should consider purchasing this as soon as possible prior to his first campout or Summer Camp. An official Boy Scout Summercamp T-Shirt may also be worn. We wear these on hikes, at summer camp, during the day on campouts and at other “active” events. We wear the "Class A" uniform going to and coming from campouts.
Your son’s Webelos shirt will probably not fit him much longer and you may want to preserve his patches. It is recommended that he get a new shirt for a fresh start when he comes to Boy Scouts. Patches your son should have on his uniform to start: Council Patch World Scouting Emblem Quality Unit Religious Knot (if earned) (left shoulder) (2” above left pocket) (under patrol Patch) under Scouting Emblem The Troop will provide Custom troop numeral. He may also wear his Webelos “Arrow of Light” patch underneath his left pocket. REMIND YOUR SON TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS UNIFORM. It is his responsibility to make sure his uniform is clean, complete and up-to-date. Encourage him to keep it in a place he can find it and to wear the complete uniform to meetings. Remember if you son perceives the uniform in not important to you, it will not be important to him.
Uniforms and other Scouting items can be purchased at Scout headquarters: Western Los Angeles County Council, 16525 Sherman Way, C-8, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Tel: (818) 785-8700.
Return to Top
Troop Meetings
All the boys attend the weekly troop meetings on time and in uniform. These are held every Monday starting at 7:00 pm until 8:15 pm at Harter Hall. Please gather between 6:45pm – 7:00pm and arrive on time. The troop meeting generally consists of an opening ceremony, a period of time when the boys work on scout skills for advancements or merit badges, inter-patrol games, business and announcements about upcoming events. During this time there may also be individual conferences with Scouts on advancement or making up missed requirements. We close with a traditional scout prayer.
Please be there to pick up your son by 8:00 PM. Sometimes there are last minute changes. We will try to communicate these through e-mail or through the Patrol Leaders. However, it is your responsibility to check the calendar for possible schedule adjustments.
Boy Scout troop meeting are for the boys; meetings are open to parents, but it isn't usually necessary for adults to hang around unless they are leaders or are helping with an activity. If you do stay, please keep conversations to a minimum or take it outside to lessen the distraction – Harter Hall is small and can get noisy. Parent meetings for other organization (i.e., school) should not be held during Troop meetings.
Boys in scouting "practice" leadership skills by running the program themselves. The trained adult leaders "coach" the boys and make sure things stay on track and are safe.
Boys should always bring their Boy Scout handbook to meetings. Please have him write his name in his book.
Return to Top
Boy Leadership
In a good Boy Scout troop, boys themselves provide the planning and leadership (with adult guidance). This takes some getting used to, especially when we adults think we can run things more efficiently than the boys can, so it may look disorganized at times. Remember, it takes practice to learn anything, including leadership.
Your son will learn from his patrol and troop officers, and later, he will hold some of these offices himself. Leadership is a requirement for advancement beyond First Class.
Return to Top
Outings -- Camping / Outing Policies
It is our goal at Troop 54 to go camping and/or hiking at least once a month. Your son is not required to go on every event, but frequent participation is encouraged. Important progress toward rank can be easily accomplished on these trips. We have a strong emphasis on safety and fun in all our events.
All participants at troop events are expected to behave in a way which is in keeping with ideals of Scouting. This is not complicated, our rules for behavior are simple - safety first, respect others, respect the outdoors, teamwork, use common sense, and act in accordance with the Scout Oath & Law.
It is essential that your son take an active participation role in the outdoor program. This is where he learns and complete many of the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class requirements, and provides leadership to teach younger scouts when he is Star, Life and Eagle rank. A boy will find it impossible to advance in rank if he does not participate in the outdoor program during the year. Merely coming to Camporee and Summer Camp is not enough.
What is safe and appropriate varies depending on the nature of the outing, circumstances of the moment, maturity or experience level of the scouts, and many other factors. It is up to the adult leaders on any particular event to decide what is OK and what is not. Electronic games, iPods, skateboards, scooters, fireworks, paintball, BBs or water guns are not welcome at Scout meetings or outings. Phones need not be brought as most places we go don’t get cell service. Leaders have contact information for all Scouts so cellphone are for the most part unnecessary and pose a potential distraction. Boys playing cell phone games will be instructed to put them away or will have their phone confiscated. Please leave expensive and or cherished things at home.
In compliance with National BSA policy, there is to be no alcohol, smoking of tobacco or other materials, or use of illegal drugs or other substances allowed at any Scouting meeting, outing or other Scouting sanctioned event.
The adult leaders at an outing decide whether a boy has the maturity and training to be permitted to use matches, axes, knives or any other dangerous item. As part of his rank advancement, a Scout is taught the proper use of knives and axes and earns his "Tote 'N Chip" certification. We also make sure boys know proper fire safety methods and how to protect their food from animals while in the woods.
Boy Scout camping is for the boys; although parents are encouraged, it is not really an opportunity for family vacation camping for smaller siblings. We want the boys to be self-reliant and responsible, so it's the boys who put up and strike the tents, plan and cook their meals, clean up the site, lead much of the instruction, and do most of the work of the outing. The boys don't learn how to do it if we do it for them. If you come, please let your boy stay with his peers and cook and eat and sleep with his patrol.
At least two adult leaders will be present at all outings. The local council requires that at least one of the adult leaders has received the official Youth Protection Training and certificate. All parents should undergo Youth Protection Training.
Troop 54 follows all the rules and policies of the Boy Scouts of America and of the local Western Los Angeles County Council. The Troop will always obtain a Tour Permit from the local council for every outing, insuring legal protection and coverage by official BSA insurance.
Return to Top
Permission Slips
We will issue a permission slip prior to every outing. A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP IS REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE AT ALL TROOP OUTINGS. The permission slip must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to the trip. Permission slips are sent home with the scout at a meeting prior to the outing, and the scout turns it in by the last meeting before the weekend of departure for the outing.
The permission slip serves 3 functions:
Return to Top
Behavior
It is understandable that teenage boys have a lot of energy and tend to be very physical in all they do. Similarly, after spending all day in school, sometimes a boy's attention span in not what adults would like it to be. Scouting encourages active thinking and active doing.
However, boys must show respect to their adult leaders, other adults, their youth leadership and to each other in all their activity. This means listening while others are talking, respecting the Scout sign, paying attention at circle up and during prayers, conducting themselves appropriately when in public representing the Boy Scouts or whenever in uniform, respecting the property of others, and following directions.
Excessive roughhousing, rudeness, not paying attention to youth and adult leaders, disregard for authority or for the rules of the Troop and of Scouting have no place in the Troop and distract your son and his friends from the activities at hand. Similarly, hazing (regardless of intention), physical violence, vandalism, destruction of property, disregard for knife safety rule, shunning, threats and any derogatory language or action of a racial, ethnic, religious, or sexual nature will not be tolerated whatsoever, and will subject the offending scout to reprimand by the leadership, consultation with his parents, disciplinary action and potential suspension or expulsion from the Troop.
Similary, for the safety of all, it is essential that Scouts listen to and respect the requests of their leaders especially on outings and camping trips. Remember, "A Scout is . . . helpful . . . courteous . . . . obedient . . . "
Parents, please reinforce with your son what appropriate behavior is and how he should conduct himself.
Return to Top
How Scouts Advance
Boy Scouts advance through a series of ranks as they accumulate more skills and experience in scouting.
After completing all requirements for a rank, a Scout meets with Scoutmaster for a "Scoutmaster Conference." Finally, he participates in a Board of Review made up of at least three adults, at least one of which is a registered leader. This is a time to talk about the Scouts progress, what he has learned and done since his last board and to discuss his plans for the coming year.
Unlike Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts may work on the requirements for any rank in any order. In fact, they will be working on some of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class at the same time. However, they will earn the ranks in order (i.e., Tenderfoot before Second Class, Second Class before First Class). All requirements for advancement are tracked using the Boy Scout Handbook and in our Troop Advancement Binder. The Scout is expected to bring his handbook and a notebook and pencil/pen to all meetings and activities in order for requirements to be initialed and dated ("Be Prepared").
Up to and including First Class, individual requirements for rank advancement may be signed off by the Scoutmaster or any registered leader and may be . Requirements for ranks higher than First Class (Star, Life, Eagle) are signed off by the Scoutmaster.
Return to Top
Merit Badges
Once the rank of Scout has been earned, the scout may begin working on Merit Badges. A list of all available merit badges is near the back of the Boy Scout Handbook or here. The troop maintains a small library of merit badge pamphlets that members of the troop may borrow while working on a merit badge. The books are also available to purchase at the Scout Shop.
Work on a merit badge may be done at troop meetings, in a group outside meetings, on an individual basis, or at summer camp. All badges require a Merit Badge Counselor. We maintain a list of merit badge counselors that the scout may look through. Normally, a parent should not act as a Merit Badge Counselor for their own son.
When working as an individual (at your home, the counselors home, or anywhere outside of a troop meeting) with a Merit Badge Counselor, another person must be present with the Scout and the Counselor. This can be another scout, a parent, friend, or sibling. This requirement is for the youth’s protection and should be treated seriously.
When your son wants to start working on a Merit Badge, he should see his Advancement Coordinator and get an Application for Merit Badge (Blue Card). The Blue Card is presented to the Merit Badge Counselor at the first meeting. Upon completion of the requirements, the counselor initials and dates each one. When all requirements have been satisfied, the counselor will sign and date the card and return it to the Scout. The card is then given to the Scoutmaster at the next meeting. He should list it in the Scout's handbook (used for senior ranks: Star, Life, and Eagle), and initial and date that requirement. The scout then takes the fully signed/completed blue card to the Advancement Coordinator who will then process the blue card and obtain the merit badge. The scout's portion of the blue card is returned to him and the badge will be presented at the next Court of Honor.
IMPORTANT - the scout should put his part of the blue card, as well as the Merit Badge Recognition card in his "achievement binder" at home. This will become important as the scout progresses toward the rank of Eagle.
Return to Top
Court of Honor
Ranks and badges earned are presented ceremoniously at a special Troop event called a "COURT OF HONOR". We hold a COURT of HONOR at two to three times a year. The Court of Honor is formal recognition of the achievements our scouts have made since the last Court of Honor. Troop 54 strongly encourages full family support at the Court of Honor. These boys have worked hard for what they have earned. They deserve acknowledgment and congratulations. All family members and friends are invited to attend Courts of Honor: dad, mom, brothers, sisters, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, and friends.
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Boys' Personal Record Keeping
The boys will receive certificate cards along with any advancement or badge. All rank advancement, merit badge, and award (mile swim, BSA lifeguard, Tot’N-chip...) cards, should be kept in a binder or other safe place. These can be used to recreate a record of advancement. This binder is also required once the Scout achieves the rank of Eagle. Clear plastic sheets with pockets designed to hold baseball cards make an excellent way to preserve rank and merit badge cards. These are available at hobby / baseball card shops all over town. After a scout has completed all requirements for a given rank, it's a good idea to photocopy that page in his scout handbook. Place this photocopy in the binder, that way if the scout loses his handbook, he not only has a record of completed requirements, he also has a record of when they were signed and by whom.
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What Can Your Son Expect from Boy Scouts?
How Can Parents Get the Most Out of Scouting?
While the role of parents in Boy Scouting is quite different from their role in Cub Scouts, it is no less important or needed. Although the program is boy-run, we still welcome and need adult participation in order to handle the many various tasks that boys can't do and that make an excellent scouting program. Also, the first year can be a confusing transition for both boys and parents as the two programs are rather different. Here is how you can help your son make the transition successfully.
How Else Can You Help the Troop:
How Boy Scouting Differs from Cub Scouting
The Cub Scout program is family-oriented.
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What’s with that hippo anyways?
The Troop 54 mascot is the “Dancing Hippo” – a hippopotamus keeping his balance on one foot perched on a lily pad, symbolizing the message that with patience and hard work, nothing is impossible.
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As your son and you make the move from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, we want to make sure that the transition is a smooth and easy one. Remember that your son, a little Tiger Scout just a few years ago, is becoming a young man. Boy Scouts is designed to work with you in helping him develop self-confidence, responsibility, leadership, the desire to challenge himself and achieve new goals, and to build new skills working together with others.
Troop 54 was founded in 1940. Since then we have produced almost 100 Eagle Scouts.
Return to Top
Troop Structure
A Boy Scout troop is made up of patrols of approximately six to eight boys overseen by the older scout leadership. A new scout will join a patrol with boys at various ages and ranks so he can learn from his older Troopmates.
Teaching leadership skills is fundamental to the scouting program; the scouts, not the adults, are the troop leaders. Adults have the role of promoting and guiding boy leadership and teaching Scouts to guide the direction of their own program. As a scout progresses in scouting, his first leadership opportunities will be at the patrol level. With leadership experience at the patrol level, he may move on to a troop level position.
The troop is led by a senior Scout who is the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), aided by one or more Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL), and other senior boys making up the Junior Staff. The Scoutmaster, and Assistant Scoutmasters help oversee the troop meetings, but the boys lead the meeting.
The SPL is elected by the senior Scouts in the troop. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader.
Return to Top
How to Join
Boys who wish to join should fill in the BSA application form. The Scoutmaster will have a short conference with him and at least one parent before the boy officially joins. Annual dues covers registration, insurance, advancement awards, activity badges and basic operating supplies for the troop. Fees for individual events are not included in the annual dues. Each individual event will have some additional cost to cover food, camp fees etc. Typically, a weekend campout will cost each boy about $20. Some events may be more, some less. Summer camp (a week long event), will probably cost between $300-$500 for all meals, activities, and transportation.
Fundraising activities will be available to help Scouts earn their way in the program. Resources and camperships are available. No Scout will be denied the opportunity to participate in an activity soley for financial reasons.
Return to Top
Uniforms
Boys should wear complete Class A uniforms at meetings and outings. The formal "Class A" uniform consists of the official tan Scout shirt (with red or green epaulets), Scout pants or Scout shorts with Scout belt, green or white neckerchief (depending on rank) with slide, and cap (BSA official or Troop54 $10). As your boy progresses in scouting, he may acquire merit badges that will be worn on a shoulder sash. "Class A" uniforms are appropriate at meetings and formal events. Either shorts or long pants are okay (consider getting both), but in any case the official green socks should be worn also.
The "Class B" uniform consists of our official troop t-shirt ($10) with scout pants. You should consider purchasing this as soon as possible prior to his first campout or Summer Camp. An official Boy Scout Summercamp T-Shirt may also be worn. We wear these on hikes, at summer camp, during the day on campouts and at other “active” events. We wear the "Class A" uniform going to and coming from campouts.
Your son’s Webelos shirt will probably not fit him much longer and you may want to preserve his patches. It is recommended that he get a new shirt for a fresh start when he comes to Boy Scouts. Patches your son should have on his uniform to start: Council Patch World Scouting Emblem Quality Unit Religious Knot (if earned) (left shoulder) (2” above left pocket) (under patrol Patch) under Scouting Emblem The Troop will provide Custom troop numeral. He may also wear his Webelos “Arrow of Light” patch underneath his left pocket. REMIND YOUR SON TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS UNIFORM. It is his responsibility to make sure his uniform is clean, complete and up-to-date. Encourage him to keep it in a place he can find it and to wear the complete uniform to meetings. Remember if you son perceives the uniform in not important to you, it will not be important to him.
Uniforms and other Scouting items can be purchased at Scout headquarters: Western Los Angeles County Council, 16525 Sherman Way, C-8, Van Nuys, CA 91406 Tel: (818) 785-8700.
Return to Top
Troop Meetings
All the boys attend the weekly troop meetings on time and in uniform. These are held every Monday starting at 7:00 pm until 8:15 pm at Harter Hall. Please gather between 6:45pm – 7:00pm and arrive on time. The troop meeting generally consists of an opening ceremony, a period of time when the boys work on scout skills for advancements or merit badges, inter-patrol games, business and announcements about upcoming events. During this time there may also be individual conferences with Scouts on advancement or making up missed requirements. We close with a traditional scout prayer.
Please be there to pick up your son by 8:00 PM. Sometimes there are last minute changes. We will try to communicate these through e-mail or through the Patrol Leaders. However, it is your responsibility to check the calendar for possible schedule adjustments.
Boy Scout troop meeting are for the boys; meetings are open to parents, but it isn't usually necessary for adults to hang around unless they are leaders or are helping with an activity. If you do stay, please keep conversations to a minimum or take it outside to lessen the distraction – Harter Hall is small and can get noisy. Parent meetings for other organization (i.e., school) should not be held during Troop meetings.
Boys in scouting "practice" leadership skills by running the program themselves. The trained adult leaders "coach" the boys and make sure things stay on track and are safe.
Boys should always bring their Boy Scout handbook to meetings. Please have him write his name in his book.
Return to Top
Boy Leadership
In a good Boy Scout troop, boys themselves provide the planning and leadership (with adult guidance). This takes some getting used to, especially when we adults think we can run things more efficiently than the boys can, so it may look disorganized at times. Remember, it takes practice to learn anything, including leadership.
Your son will learn from his patrol and troop officers, and later, he will hold some of these offices himself. Leadership is a requirement for advancement beyond First Class.
Return to Top
Outings -- Camping / Outing Policies
It is our goal at Troop 54 to go camping and/or hiking at least once a month. Your son is not required to go on every event, but frequent participation is encouraged. Important progress toward rank can be easily accomplished on these trips. We have a strong emphasis on safety and fun in all our events.
All participants at troop events are expected to behave in a way which is in keeping with ideals of Scouting. This is not complicated, our rules for behavior are simple - safety first, respect others, respect the outdoors, teamwork, use common sense, and act in accordance with the Scout Oath & Law.
It is essential that your son take an active participation role in the outdoor program. This is where he learns and complete many of the Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class requirements, and provides leadership to teach younger scouts when he is Star, Life and Eagle rank. A boy will find it impossible to advance in rank if he does not participate in the outdoor program during the year. Merely coming to Camporee and Summer Camp is not enough.
What is safe and appropriate varies depending on the nature of the outing, circumstances of the moment, maturity or experience level of the scouts, and many other factors. It is up to the adult leaders on any particular event to decide what is OK and what is not. Electronic games, iPods, skateboards, scooters, fireworks, paintball, BBs or water guns are not welcome at Scout meetings or outings. Phones need not be brought as most places we go don’t get cell service. Leaders have contact information for all Scouts so cellphone are for the most part unnecessary and pose a potential distraction. Boys playing cell phone games will be instructed to put them away or will have their phone confiscated. Please leave expensive and or cherished things at home.
In compliance with National BSA policy, there is to be no alcohol, smoking of tobacco or other materials, or use of illegal drugs or other substances allowed at any Scouting meeting, outing or other Scouting sanctioned event.
The adult leaders at an outing decide whether a boy has the maturity and training to be permitted to use matches, axes, knives or any other dangerous item. As part of his rank advancement, a Scout is taught the proper use of knives and axes and earns his "Tote 'N Chip" certification. We also make sure boys know proper fire safety methods and how to protect their food from animals while in the woods.
Boy Scout camping is for the boys; although parents are encouraged, it is not really an opportunity for family vacation camping for smaller siblings. We want the boys to be self-reliant and responsible, so it's the boys who put up and strike the tents, plan and cook their meals, clean up the site, lead much of the instruction, and do most of the work of the outing. The boys don't learn how to do it if we do it for them. If you come, please let your boy stay with his peers and cook and eat and sleep with his patrol.
At least two adult leaders will be present at all outings. The local council requires that at least one of the adult leaders has received the official Youth Protection Training and certificate. All parents should undergo Youth Protection Training.
Troop 54 follows all the rules and policies of the Boy Scouts of America and of the local Western Los Angeles County Council. The Troop will always obtain a Tour Permit from the local council for every outing, insuring legal protection and coverage by official BSA insurance.
Return to Top
Permission Slips
We will issue a permission slip prior to every outing. A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP IS REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE AT ALL TROOP OUTINGS. The permission slip must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to the trip. Permission slips are sent home with the scout at a meeting prior to the outing, and the scout turns it in by the last meeting before the weekend of departure for the outing.
The permission slip serves 3 functions:
- Permission slips tell us that you have given permission for your son to attend the outing.
- Permission slips provide us with emergency information (phone numbers, allergies)
- Permission slips provide you and your son with important information about the outing such as when we are leaving, returning, event cost, where we are leaving from. The slip may also includes a list of additional items that the scout should bring along.
Return to Top
Behavior
It is understandable that teenage boys have a lot of energy and tend to be very physical in all they do. Similarly, after spending all day in school, sometimes a boy's attention span in not what adults would like it to be. Scouting encourages active thinking and active doing.
However, boys must show respect to their adult leaders, other adults, their youth leadership and to each other in all their activity. This means listening while others are talking, respecting the Scout sign, paying attention at circle up and during prayers, conducting themselves appropriately when in public representing the Boy Scouts or whenever in uniform, respecting the property of others, and following directions.
Excessive roughhousing, rudeness, not paying attention to youth and adult leaders, disregard for authority or for the rules of the Troop and of Scouting have no place in the Troop and distract your son and his friends from the activities at hand. Similarly, hazing (regardless of intention), physical violence, vandalism, destruction of property, disregard for knife safety rule, shunning, threats and any derogatory language or action of a racial, ethnic, religious, or sexual nature will not be tolerated whatsoever, and will subject the offending scout to reprimand by the leadership, consultation with his parents, disciplinary action and potential suspension or expulsion from the Troop.
Similary, for the safety of all, it is essential that Scouts listen to and respect the requests of their leaders especially on outings and camping trips. Remember, "A Scout is . . . helpful . . . courteous . . . . obedient . . . "
Parents, please reinforce with your son what appropriate behavior is and how he should conduct himself.
Return to Top
How Scouts Advance
Boy Scouts advance through a series of ranks as they accumulate more skills and experience in scouting.
- It all starts with the basic rank of SCOUT in which the boy demonstrates basic Scout knowledge, learns a square knot and is assigned to a patrol,
- then to TENDERFOOT in which the boy learns basic first aid, several useful knots and beginning camping skills,
- then to SECOND CLASS in which the boy participates in more challenging outings.
- Achieving FIRST CLASS, the next rank, assures that the boy knows the skills needed to camp and hike safely and can be self-sufficient in emergencies. We try to make sure each boy reaches FIRST CLASS by the time he finishes seventh grade. This is easily accomplished if the Scout participates in weekly meetings and monthly outings. After FIRST CLASS, the boys advance through service to the troop and others and by earning merit badges.
- For STAR, the boys must earn at least 7 merit badges, four being required for EAGLE.
- For LIFE the boys need to earn a total of 11 merit badges, with seven EAGLE required.
- Becoming an EAGLE SCOUT is the crowning achievement in scouting, requiring a major service project, 21 merit badges and leadership in the troop. An extraordinary number of astronauts, public leaders, and prominent citizens have been Eagle scouts as boys.
After completing all requirements for a rank, a Scout meets with Scoutmaster for a "Scoutmaster Conference." Finally, he participates in a Board of Review made up of at least three adults, at least one of which is a registered leader. This is a time to talk about the Scouts progress, what he has learned and done since his last board and to discuss his plans for the coming year.
Unlike Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts may work on the requirements for any rank in any order. In fact, they will be working on some of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class at the same time. However, they will earn the ranks in order (i.e., Tenderfoot before Second Class, Second Class before First Class). All requirements for advancement are tracked using the Boy Scout Handbook and in our Troop Advancement Binder. The Scout is expected to bring his handbook and a notebook and pencil/pen to all meetings and activities in order for requirements to be initialed and dated ("Be Prepared").
Up to and including First Class, individual requirements for rank advancement may be signed off by the Scoutmaster or any registered leader and may be . Requirements for ranks higher than First Class (Star, Life, Eagle) are signed off by the Scoutmaster.
Return to Top
Merit Badges
Once the rank of Scout has been earned, the scout may begin working on Merit Badges. A list of all available merit badges is near the back of the Boy Scout Handbook or here. The troop maintains a small library of merit badge pamphlets that members of the troop may borrow while working on a merit badge. The books are also available to purchase at the Scout Shop.
Work on a merit badge may be done at troop meetings, in a group outside meetings, on an individual basis, or at summer camp. All badges require a Merit Badge Counselor. We maintain a list of merit badge counselors that the scout may look through. Normally, a parent should not act as a Merit Badge Counselor for their own son.
When working as an individual (at your home, the counselors home, or anywhere outside of a troop meeting) with a Merit Badge Counselor, another person must be present with the Scout and the Counselor. This can be another scout, a parent, friend, or sibling. This requirement is for the youth’s protection and should be treated seriously.
When your son wants to start working on a Merit Badge, he should see his Advancement Coordinator and get an Application for Merit Badge (Blue Card). The Blue Card is presented to the Merit Badge Counselor at the first meeting. Upon completion of the requirements, the counselor initials and dates each one. When all requirements have been satisfied, the counselor will sign and date the card and return it to the Scout. The card is then given to the Scoutmaster at the next meeting. He should list it in the Scout's handbook (used for senior ranks: Star, Life, and Eagle), and initial and date that requirement. The scout then takes the fully signed/completed blue card to the Advancement Coordinator who will then process the blue card and obtain the merit badge. The scout's portion of the blue card is returned to him and the badge will be presented at the next Court of Honor.
IMPORTANT - the scout should put his part of the blue card, as well as the Merit Badge Recognition card in his "achievement binder" at home. This will become important as the scout progresses toward the rank of Eagle.
Return to Top
Court of Honor
Ranks and badges earned are presented ceremoniously at a special Troop event called a "COURT OF HONOR". We hold a COURT of HONOR at two to three times a year. The Court of Honor is formal recognition of the achievements our scouts have made since the last Court of Honor. Troop 54 strongly encourages full family support at the Court of Honor. These boys have worked hard for what they have earned. They deserve acknowledgment and congratulations. All family members and friends are invited to attend Courts of Honor: dad, mom, brothers, sisters, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, and friends.
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Boys' Personal Record Keeping
The boys will receive certificate cards along with any advancement or badge. All rank advancement, merit badge, and award (mile swim, BSA lifeguard, Tot’N-chip...) cards, should be kept in a binder or other safe place. These can be used to recreate a record of advancement. This binder is also required once the Scout achieves the rank of Eagle. Clear plastic sheets with pockets designed to hold baseball cards make an excellent way to preserve rank and merit badge cards. These are available at hobby / baseball card shops all over town. After a scout has completed all requirements for a given rank, it's a good idea to photocopy that page in his scout handbook. Place this photocopy in the binder, that way if the scout loses his handbook, he not only has a record of completed requirements, he also has a record of when they were signed and by whom.
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What Can Your Son Expect from Boy Scouts?
- Experience age appropriate challenges and personal growth
- Participate in a structured program in which he determines his rate of advancement
- Learn skills he will use for a lifetime
- Develop leadership and learn cooperation
- Make new friends
- HAVE FUN
- Cooperation with fellow scouts and leaders
- Active participation in Troop activities
- Self-control and respect for others
- Personal responsibility for his own advancement
- HAVE FUN
How Can Parents Get the Most Out of Scouting?
While the role of parents in Boy Scouting is quite different from their role in Cub Scouts, it is no less important or needed. Although the program is boy-run, we still welcome and need adult participation in order to handle the many various tasks that boys can't do and that make an excellent scouting program. Also, the first year can be a confusing transition for both boys and parents as the two programs are rather different. Here is how you can help your son make the transition successfully.
- Actively support his participation in Scouting: to go to meetings, campouts, summer camp, and other outings. These are the places where the boys learn the skills. A boy can't advance unless he participates. Encourage him to show initiative to learn and get his skills "signed-off". Remember in the first years you can be a significant influence on his enthusiasm for Scouting.
- Get him to Troop meetings every week: most of the boys can’t drive
- Have him arrive on-time: 6:45
- Make sure he comes in complete Class A uniform with handbook: Help him be responsible for these things. Even if he is coming from a sports event, practice or other activity, it only takes five minutes to change in the car and it shows respect for his uniform, his Troopmates and leaders and for what the uniform represents. If your son perceives the uniform is not important to you, it will not be important to him.
- Read the book: learn about the program and help him prioritize his participation with homework, sports, other activities and home/family responsibilities.
- Ask questions and encourage your son to do the same. His Scoutmaster and other leaders are always available to answer your questions. If there is something you don’t understand, are concerned about or just want to discuss, ask us.
How Else Can You Help the Troop:
- Help us by going on some outings with us. As stated above, Boy Scout camping is not the same as family recreational camping, but helping hands are often needed to run activities.
- Help with some events: We always need help with things like refreshments, our spaghetti dinner and other service projects, as well as longer range planning, new scout orientation, Camporee and summer camp.
- Serve on a Board of Review. In the weeks before a Court of Honor, we need a small committee of parents to meet individually with boys to certify their advancement. This is a formal opportunity for the boy to voice his goals and reflect on his scouting experience.
- Become a Merit Badge counselor. If you have a special skill or hobby and feel qualified to help teach small groups of boys about that skill, you may sign up to be a Merit Badge counselor which would make you qualified to teach and grant some merit badges to our boys. You may also ask to only work with Troop 54 boys if you wish or you may work with boys from other troops as well.
- Consider getting trained and helping us as a leader. The most successful troops have many Assistant Scoutmasters each of whom take on special areas of responsibility. It's fun and a great way to get to know your kid in a different context. Many hands make light work.
How Boy Scouting Differs from Cub Scouting
The Cub Scout program is family-oriented.
- Adults plan all activities, and most activities lend themselves to full family participation.
- Adults (usually the boy's parents) supervise and lead all Cub Scout advancement.
- Cub Scout camping is usually limited, even for Webelos.
- Webelos advancement may be done mostly in groups with the Webelos leaders, but in either case, adults determine the timing and course of the boy's advancement with little input from the boy.
- Boys plan all activities (with adult guidance).
- Boy Scouts camp and function as patrol groups under their own elected boy leadership.
- Camping is the very heart of the Boy Scout program.
- Boy Scout advancement is very different from Cub Scout advancement. Boy Scout advancement is largely self-motivated. A Boy Scout guides and has almost total control over his own advancement, which he will do mostly on an individual basis with senior Scouts and with a number of different adults
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What’s with that hippo anyways?
The Troop 54 mascot is the “Dancing Hippo” – a hippopotamus keeping his balance on one foot perched on a lily pad, symbolizing the message that with patience and hard work, nothing is impossible.
Our Troop motto is
“We Try Harder”
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