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Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 330
Scout Requirements for Participation in Troop
Activities
 Webelos-to-Scout
Transition Video
 What Is Boy Scouting? Your son is
registered in the world's largest youth organization - Boy Scouting,
as a Division of Boy Scouts of America. Here are some facts you will
want to know:
Our Troop is part of the Patriot's Path Council.
It is actually a corporation made up of representatives of Unit
sponsors, plus members-at-large. It is run by elected officers and
an Executive Board. It employs a small professional and clerical
staff who run the Council Service Center and who train Council and
District officers, help organize new Units, and help them succeed.
Our Council is one of over 500 Councils in America.
Our Troop is part of the Munsee District. The Council is
divided into districts and there are many district and council
officers who work with the Troop. These people are "behind the
Scenes" as far as your son is concerned, but without their work and
effort, our Troop probably would not exist. The Patriot's Path
Council is chartered by
the National Council. Local Councils are coordinated by the National
Council of the Boy Scouts of America. All badges, books, uniforms
and training materials, etc., are prepared by the National Council.
Staff members of the National Council make regular visits to our
Council and help our local leaders. Aims and Methods of the
Scouting Program
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly
referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character
development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.
The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in
random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.
Ideals. The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the
Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan.
The Boy 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 and who he becomes.
Patrols. The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience
in group living and participating citizenship. It places
responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it.
The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where
members can easily relate to each other. These small groups
determine troop activities through elected representatives.
Outdoor Programs. Boy Scouting is designed to take place
outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share
responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors
the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive
with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an
appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is
the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice
conservation of nature's resources.
Advancement. Boy Scouting provides a series of
surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the
advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and
progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout
is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain
self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy
Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Associations With Adults. Boys learn a great deal by
watching how adults conduct themselves.
Scout leaders can be
positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a
Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and
take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in
their lives.
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 method of
Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service
projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as
successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily
Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the
personal growth method. 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 role of others and guides him toward the
citizenship aim of Scouting.
Uniform. The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as
a force for 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 a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same
ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and
provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they
have accomplished.
The Troop
The Troop is a group made up of several Boy Scout
patrols. Each Patrol usually consists of a Patrol Leader and four to
eight Scouts. The boys in a patrol elect their Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.
The Patrol Leaders, with the Senior Patrol Leader as their head,
form the Green Bar Council, which plans the activities and runs the
Troop meetings.
Troop Committee
The Troop Committee functions as an administration and support
organization for the Troop. The Troop Committee takes care of
non-program issues surrounding the Troop. For example: newsletters,
Troop funds, fund raising activities, membership drives and Troop
coordination, activity permits and coordination, advancement
records, procurement and maintenance of Troop equipment. Troop 330's
Committee Chairman is
Mike Pacyna.
The Committee meets monthly, usually on the second Wednesday. Meetings are open and attendance by
all parents is encouraged.
Troop Parents
The role of parents within Troop 330 is to be supportive of the
Troop's efforts and to provide the atmosphere Scouts need to learn
and excel. Parents should try to:
1. Read their Scout's handbook and understand the purpose and
methods of Scouting.
2. Actively follow their Scout's progress and offer encouragement
and a push when needed.
3. Show support to both the individual Scout and the Troop by
attending all Troop Courts of Honor.
4. Assist in Troop fund-raisers and other such activities.
5. Be aware of the Troop Events Calendar.
6. Consider serving as Merit Badge Counselor in areas in which they
have specialized knowledge and skills. A Merit Badge Counselor
must be Registered, must submit an additional Merit Badge Counselor
application and finally must be approved by the Munsee District
Merit Badge Dean and have completed the Boy Scouts of America Youth
Protection training.
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Chartered
Organization (Sponsor)
Every BSA
Troop belongs to an organization. The Chartered Organization for
Troop 330 is the St. John the Apostle Church. The Chartered
Organization shares our objectives for the boys and insures that
there is adequate, trained leadership. A Chartered Organization
Representative acts a liaison between Troop 330 and St. John's
Church. Troop 330's Chartered Organization Representative is
Jim Moran.
Meetings
 | Troop Meetings will normally be held at 7:30 PM each
Monday at St. John's School or at the gazebo in
Rahway River
Park in Winfield Park (weather permitting). They will be
generally last about 1 hour
and 30 minutes. |
| Scouts work on rank advancement and merit badge
activities. |
| Parent's meetings will normally be held monthly at 7:30 PM on the
second (2nd) Wednesday of the month at St. John's Rectory. The time and place of the meetings may be altered
to the convenience of the Committee. |
Monthly Campouts
Troop 330 loves to camp. September through June, each month
features a weekend campout or other activity.
Service Projects
In addition to weekly meetings and monthly camp activities, Troop
330 scouts develop a sense of citizenship and strengthen their
community by participating in special Service Projects throughout
the year.
Summer Activities
Weekly meetings are not held during
summer break.
Each summer, scouts can attend a week-long camping trip at a Boy
Scout summer camp. In the summers of 2005 and 2006 we attended the
Ockanickon Scout Reservation in
Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In the Summer of 2007 we attended our own Patriot's Path Council's
Sabattis Adventure Camp in the
Adirondack mountains in Upstate New York. In July of 2008 our
Troop will be heading to the Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation's
Camp Somers.
Fundraising
Additional funds are raised by the boys through various
fundraising activities. The Troop plans to do two to three major
fundraising projects a year. Our main troop fundraisers are the
Entertainment Book Sale and the Christmas wreath and
grave cover sale.
A note about adult
supervision
Two registered adult leaders, or one adult leader and a Scout
parent, both of whom must be at least 21 years of age, are present
at all troop meetings, trips or outings. This is a BSA requirement.
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Attendance
Troop Meetings
| Troop meetings will be an integral part of Scouting, and
Scouts should attend all meetings. |
General
| Scout functions will be scheduled to begin and end at specific
times. Scouts and their parents are expected to be present when an
activity begins and leave promptly upon completion. |
| Scouts should wear uniforms at all times unless otherwise
specified. For certain outdoor activities, a Troop/Scout T-shirt
and Boy scout hat will be deemed acceptable. |
Fees
How much does Boy Scouting cost?
The annual registration fee is a nominal fee paid each fall to
officially enroll the Scout in the local Troop and the national Boy
Scouts of America (BSA) organization. Other costs through the course
of scouting include fees for special activities and uniform
purchases.
Annual Registration Fee - $115 (as broken-down below)
The annual membership fee for each Scout in Troop 330 is applied
by the troop toward:
| National BSA membership ($10) |
| Patriots' Path Council Scout Fee ($10) |
| Insurance ($5.00) |
| Troop membership costs, including badges, awards,
troop-supplied materials, equipment, adult leadership training and
other operating expenses incurred by the Troop. ($90 Annually or
$10 per month September through and including May) |
The
Parent's
Registration Guide Letter will help you understand the
registration process and provide the troop with necessary information
about your child and you for the Troop's official records.
Youth Protection and Scouting
A booklet, included in the printed handbooks,
How to Protect Your Children From Child
Abuse: A Parent's Guide, provides tips to
help parents talk with their sons about child abuse. This pamphlet
must be reviewed with your son upon joining the Troop. Below is a link
to the downloadable
version of the pamphlet.
How to
Protect Your Children
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Boys Life magazine subscription - $12.00 -
optional (but encouraged)
Boys' Life is a monthly magazine popular with Scouts, and filled
with ideas for activities and outings. Subscriptions are optional
and are processed with the annual registration. This is half the
cost of the cover price.
Fees for Outings / Activities - varies
Campouts and other activities may have fees associated with them.
Here are some approximate costs of special events in a typical year.
| Monthly weekend campout - for food and supplies, cost
determined on a trip-by-trip basis. |
Uniform and Handbook - Each scout is required
to have the Boy Scout Handbook, and these Boy Scout "Class A"
uniform items:
| Tan scout shirt with insignia and patches (Here is
the Official BSA Insignia Guide
) |
| Other uniform items such as hat, belt neckerchief and scout
pants are available at Scout shops. |
| Neckerchief slide (can be purchased or made by the Scout). |
| Troop 330 provides each new Scout with a red Troop 330
T-shirt. |
Optional - "Class B" Uniform - for less formal troop activities
is a "class B" uniform -- a red T-shirt with the Troop 330 emblem,
available only from Troop 330.
Advancement
The Boy Scout advancement program provides a
ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. As he
acquires these skills he moves up through a series of ranks, for
which he is awarded badges. Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class,
Star, Life, and Eagle. The higher he climbs the more challenging
his tasks — and the more rewarding.
Details for advancement are contained in the Boy Scout Handbook,
which every Scout should obtain as soon as possible after joining
the Troop. Take a look at Chapter 1. This short chapter has an
advancement summary through First Class.
Merit Badges
The goal of the merit badge program is to expand a
Scout's areas of interest and to encourage the Scout to meet and
work with adults in a chosen subject. Merit badges are earned by a
Scout working with a registered merit badge counselor.
Qualified parents of scouts are encouraged to
become
a Merit Badge
Counselor if they are registered and verified by the Munsee
District Merit Badge Dean. If you are interested please complete a
Troop Resource Survey
Form and return it to a Troop Leader.
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Boards of Review
When a Scout has completed all the requirements
for a rank, he appears before a board of review composed of
members of the Troop committee. The purpose of the review is not
an examination. Rather it is to determine the Scout's attitude and
acceptance of Scouting's ideals; to ensure that the requirements
have been met for advancement, to discuss the Scout's experiences
in the Troop and the Troop's program, and to encourage him to keep
working towards advancement. A Board of Review may also be held to
counsel a boy about his lack of progress toward advancement.
Courts of Honor
Troop 330 conducts a Court of Honor usually three
times a year to recognize Scout advancements and awards. The Court of
Honor is a public ceremony, and is a chance for the Scouts to be
recognized for their achievements. Families and all other
interested individuals are encouraged to attend.
Committees
Certain events during the year require efforts above and
beyond the normal effort put forth by the adult leaders of your
Troop. In order to make sure these activities are a success for the
Boy Scouts, committees will be formed to spread the work involved.
Each family will be expected to help on one of these committees
during the year. Our Troop can not function successfully without this
parent participation.
Closing
Statement
Boy
Scouting is a year-round, home-centered program involving boys and
their parents, adult leaders and friends. The Troop can only function
successfully with parent participation. Parents are expected to
contribute time, energy and talent as needs arise within the Troop.
(Boy Scouting Training Programs are available to benefit adult
members.)
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Parent/Troop Agreement
Boys
can expect:
| help from parents with advancement |
| leadership from the Troop |
| fun at all Scout functions |
| membership in the Boy Scouts of America. |
Parents can expect
| help with character building for your son |
| specific tools to help with discipline and growth |
| warm associations with your son |
| programmed good times with your son |
| a chance to see your son perform in public |
| an opportunity to help your son receive public recognition |
| pride in your son's accomplishments. |
The Troop can expect
| participation by boys in weekly Troop Meetings |
| help from parents in specific ways during year |
| payment of fees |
| information sent to parents to be read |
| parents to help boys with advancement. |
Youth Member Behavior Guidelines:
Click here for a
downloadable file
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Core Values
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SCOUT OATH |
SCOUT LAW |
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight. |
A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent |
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare
young people to make ethical and moral choices over
their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the
Scout Oath and Law.
The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth
program of character development and values-based
leadership training.
In the future Scouting will continue to:
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Offer young people responsible fun and adventure;
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Instill in young people lifetime values and develop
in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout
Oath and Law;
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Train young people in citizenship, service, and
leadership;
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Serve America’s communities and families with its
quality, values-based program.
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