NEW SCOUT AND PARENT INFORMATION

WELCOME

We sincerely welcome you and your son to our Troop. We hope that you and your scout will enjoy the activities planned throughout the year.  This information will help you become familiar with our Troop.  Basic information regarding scouting and requirements for merit badges and advancements can be found in The Boy Scout Handbook or the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) website: http://www.scouting.org/.

PURPOSE OF SCOUTING  

The Boy Scouts of America provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. Troop 361 strives to fulfill this objective in the spirit of good fellowship and fun.

TROOP FACTS

The Troop’s chartering organization is Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles (EBCLA), which provides the facility for the Troop to meet and supports the Troop in a variety of ways. The Troop belongs to the Mission Amigos District in the Greater Los Angeles Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. 

MEETINGS

The Troop generally meets every Friday (year round) in the Ministry Center Fellowship Hall (MCFH) at Evergreen Baptist Church of Los Angeles (EBCLA) from 6:00-7:30pm. Scouts are expected to arrive promptly to all meetings in full uniform and with their backpack containing the ten essentials.Meetings are designed to help scouts learn a variety of scouting and leadership skills, meet other scouts, and have fun.

DUES AND REGISTRATION

Annual dues per scout are collected, typically in November (for the following calendar year). The dues are used for the following: registration of the scout and one parent with BSA, insurance fees, Boy’s Life magazine, and general expenses for the running of the troop. Dues are discounted to 50% (for new scouts) if joining after June 1. 

UNIFORM

Scouts are expected to wear BSA (Class A) uniform and other essential items to Troop meetings, and while in transit to and from outings. Additional Class B uniform for summer camp and outings are also required. BSA uniforms, literature and supplies can be purchased at the following scout shop:

Smiser Scout Center | 3450 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. | Pasadena| (626) 351-8815

FUNDRAISING

The Troop participates in a variety of fundraising activities (Popcorn/Magazine, Friends of Scouting, etc.) throughout the year and all scouts/families are expected to participate.

TROOP ORGANIZATION

The Troop is divided into patrols (groups of 6-8 scouts of various ranks), which are led by patrol and assistant patrol leaders. The patrol and the assistant patrol leaders are selected based on the input of the adult leaders and the senior patrol leader (SPL). The role of the patrol leaders is to help individual scouts in his patrol to learn scouting skills necessary to advance in rank. Patrol leaders may call patrol meetings, which take place outside of regular Troop meetings. Scouts are assigned to new patrol groups every year in Dec/Jan.

The senior patrol leader and his staff are the scouts who organize and run the Troop meetings, under adult leadership from the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters.

SCOUT RESPONSIBILITIES 

•  Punctual and regular attendance (at least 70%per quarter) is required as part of the attendance requirement needed for advancement 

•  Scout uniforms are to be worn at all Scout functions and outings.

•  Current medical and parent consent forms are required for all outings.

•  Support district and council events such as sustaining membership enrollment, special dinners, Scout Expo, camporees, etc.is encouraged.

•  Any questions shall be directed through the established chain of command, e.g. Patrol Leader to Senior Patrol Leader to Scoutmaster.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES  

The success of Troop 361 depends upon the leadership of the Troop and the support of parents. Parents are required to help and be active participants in Troop sponsored activities.Activities and responsibilities include the following:

•      Attendance at monthly parents meeting—typically the first Friday of each month at 6:15 p.m.

•      Food and refreshments for Eagle Courts and Court of Awards               

•      Transportation for Troop events

•      Serve on committees

•      Serve on Board of Review for Scout advancement

•      Various fundraising and service projects

ADVANCEMENT

Scouts fulfill the necessary requirement and advance through the ranks (Scout à Tenderfoot à Second Class à First Class à Star à Life à Eagle) at differing rates, depending on each scout. The requirements for advancement are provided in the scout handbook. 

CAMPING

The Troop has a monthly campout (typically the third weekend of the month). These campouts are usually held in nearby regional parks and recreation areas such as El Dorado, Firestone, and Camp Trask. During the summer, the Troop attends a week-long summer resident camp such as Holcomb Valley, Fiesta Island, and Forest Lawn Scout Reservation. In addition, during certain years, a select number of scouts are invited to attend the World Jamboree in Japan. 

OUTING

In addition to the monthly campout, additional optional outings are planned throughout the year, including hiking, biking, and backpacking. Scouts and their families are encouraged to attend these outings. 

SERVICE PROJECTS

The Troop provides a recycling service project to EBCLA on the last Sunday of each month. Additional service projects to the church or other organizations may occur throughout the year.

COURT OF AWARDS

The Troop holds Court of Awards (December and June) to celebrate scout achievement and advancement. These have been held both at EBCLA and at various outdoor facilities such as Camp Trask and El Dorado Regional Park. Eagle Court of Award is held at various times during the year at EBCLA when scouts earn the rank of Eagle.

COMPETITIONS

The Troop normally participates in two competition events with other troops: International Field Day (IFD) in September and Camporee in April. Scouts demonstrate their scouting skills and earn awards by competing against other scouts/troops in these friendly competitions.

TROOP WEBSITE

The Troop maintains a secure website which posts various Troop documents, Troop calendar, a roster of current scouts, leaders, and parents. Parents/scouts need to contact the webmaster in order to obtain a login and password in order to access the website.

REQUIREMENTS TO JOINING

•      Boys must have completed fifth grade and is at least 10 years old OR is age 11 OR has earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but has not reached age 18. (At least one parent/guardian must also join)

•      Complete the BSA Youth and Adult applications (adults must also complete the on-line Youth Protection Training and Troop Committee Challenge)

•      Pay the Troop dues

•      Additional paperwork needs to be completed at a later time

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

            Additional information on scouting can be found at the following websites:

                       Troop Websites (invitation sent upon joining):           http://scoutlander.com  

                                Greater Los Angeles Area Council:                            http://www.glaacbsa.org/

                       Boy Scouts of America:                                            http://www.scouting.org/

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