Previous page: Summary (Introduction)
Getting Started
There are a variety of ways to find a Boy Scout troop to join. You may belong to a church or civic organization that sponsors a troop or you may have friends or relatives who are in a troop. Boys who are in the Cub Scout program may be invited to visit Boy Scout troops once they have reached the Webelos rank. (Often cubs think they can only go to the unit they always have gone to, but a closer or better fit may be found elsewhere.)
Word of mouth and boy-to-boy recruiting is another good way to find a troop. For families with no connection to the Boy Scout program, the Boy Scout Council that serves the area can provide a list of local troops. Another resource for finding a troop is the Boys Scouts of America national website, which has a search facility that provides contact information for all of the troops in a given area: http://www.beAscout.org/
Choosing which Boy Scout troop to join is a personal decision that should be based on the needs and preferences of an individual boy and his family. Each troop has a unique focus and personality. Finding a troop that's a good fit is one of the best ways to ensure that a boy will stay involved and enthusiastic about Boy Scouts. Troops may offer an open house event or provide a recruiting packet or brochure to help sell their troop.
Before deciding on a troop, it's a good idea for a boy and a parent or guardian to visit a few different troop meetings. At the meeting, the boy should be invited to participate in the scout activities while the adult meets with an adult leader to learn more about the troop program. These are some of the things to look for when visiting a Boy Scout troop:
- Are boys or adult leaders running the troop meeting? BSA is designed to be a boy-run program and this should be evident during troop meetings.
- Does the boy have any friends or acquaintances in the troop? Many boys will feel more comfortable if they already know some of the troop members.
- Is the time and location of the weekly troop meeting convenient?
- Does the meeting seem well-planned and are the scouts busy? Is there a feeling of enthusiasm among the scouts?
- Is the patrol method used? Scouts should be working in patrols during the meeting and adult leaders should be ready to talk about the importance of the patrol method in the troop.
- Are the scouts dressed in uniforms? The uniform reminds scouts that they are part of a team. By wearing a complete uniform, they show their commitment to the BSA program.
- Are there several leaders in uniform present during the meeting? Have the leaders completed BSA training?
- Does the troop have a calendar of scheduled activities that includes at least one camping trip or hike per month? Was the calendar planned by the youth leaders of the troop?
- Does the troop attend summer camp as a group? Attending a long-term Boy Scout camp is an experience that a boy will never forget. It will help him gain independence and build friendships with other boys in the troop.
- Is there a New Scout patrol? Is there a youth Troop Guide and an adult Assistant Scoutmaster to help new scouts get started?
- Is there a good mix of ages and ranks among the troop membership? A troop with older boys has a better chance at being boy-run, but there should also be enough younger scouts to make a new scout feel comfortable and to guarantee the future of the troop.
- Does the troop have a program for older scouts? A High Adventure program that includes challenging hikes and other outdoor adventures will keep older boys engaged in Scouting.
Finally, both boy and adult should be made to feel welcome in the troop.
Parents may want to consider why they want their son to join Boy Scouts. Kids are smarter than we give them credit for. If the parents want free babysitting, they get some of that, but the kids won't really enjoy the program. If they want their boy to become the ``Youngest Eagle Scout'' ever, that's also not a great reason for their son to join. If they want their son to learn to be a well-rounded, nice young man with leadership skills, that is a good reason to join.
All boys should be treated and regarded the same, including opportunities for participation and advancement. The BSA offers alternative requirements and merit badges for boys with disabilities or other special needs. Each council should have a special needs coordinator or committee that units can consult for details.
Previous page: Summary (Introduction)
Next page: Registration
|
Order the parents and new leaders guide to Boy Scouting Inside this quick reference you'll learn: how to get started (for the boy, parent, and leader), about significant requirements, how to earn merit badges, to prepare for overnighters and summer camps, what to wear on the uniform, about the boy-led patrols, how to volunteer, steps to complete the Eagle, and lots more! Order the Book Now |
