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| Orientation Guide |
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Induction into Troop
Registration Troop Meeting Where Can I Buy Scout Related Items? Scout Uniform Scout Leadership Patrols Adult Leadership Troop Committee Troop 139 Newsletter & Website Scout Handbook Behavior Fundraising Supermarket Script Rank Advancement Be active in your Troop Scoutmaster’s Conference and Board of Review Merit Badges Merit Badge Counselors Court of Honor Eagle Court of Honor Scout Leadership Training Order of the Arrow Summer Camp Monthly Trips High Adventure Crew Skills and Advancement Weekend District Events Induction into Troop Boys new to scouting must learn the requirements listed in the front of their Scout Handbook before being inducted into the Troop. Webelos will have done this for their Arrow of Light Rank (this is the only Cub Scout Badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform). Induction ceremonies are regularly scheduled as part of a Troop Court of Honor. All new boys to the troop will receive their red Troop 139 number patch, their Scout patch and their Troop neckerchief. Back to Top Registration For Webelos crossing over into the Troop, a fee of $10.00 is required. Normal registration is $50.00, which includes: registration at Council, Insurance, Boy’s Life Magazine and Troop Fees. Back to Top Troop Meeting Troop Meetings are usually held Monday evenings 7:30pm – 9:00pm, at the Willowdale Elementary School. Information and demonstrations for upcoming trips are provided. Occasionally, Merit Badge Counselors provide opportunities to work on Merit Badges. Guest Speakers are sometimes invited to meetings. Scoutmaster conferences and Board of Reviews for Rank advancement can be scheduled. Supermarket Script certificates can also be picked up. Back to Top Where Can I Buy Scout Related Items? Most Scout related supplies can be purchased at the Council Store in Doylestown (next to the Mercer Museum), Rose Uniforms in Willow Grove or the BSA National store at the Cradle of Liberty Council Office in Valley Forge, PA. This includes Uniforms, Socks, Belts, Handbooks, etc. Some items, like Rank Advancement patches, Merit Badges, etc. are purchased by the Troop for your son. Back to Top Scout Uniform Full Dress or “Class A” uniforms should be worn to all Troop Meetings, Trips and Scout Functions. This uniform consists of a khaki Scout shirt, pants, socks, belt, Troop Neckerchief and slide. The activity uniform or “Class B” uniform, consists of a red Troop 139 T-Shirt, khaki Scout Shorts / Pants, socks and belt. You will be notified of events or meetings when this is the appropriate uniform. Troop 139 T-shirts may be purchased through the troop. At induction, the red “Troop 139” number patch and brown neckerchief will be provided by the Troop. If your neckerchief is lost, a new one may be purchased for $6. At Courts of Honor, all Merit and Rank Badges will be provided by the Troop. A Uniform Exchange program is also available. There is no charge for this exchange. If you need a recycled shirt, pants or shorts, simply donate your outgrown uniform and select one in the size you need. Troop 139 T-shirts: Doug Robbie – (215)491-4305 Replacement Neckerchief: Sheryl Deley - (215)343-3625 Uniform Exchange: Zoe Puglisi(215)672-4721 Back to Top Scout Leadership Troop 139 is run by the boys ! Leadership Council Members include: Senior Patrol leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders, Troop Scribe, Historian, Troop Guides, Quartermaster, Librarian and Instructors. The Leadership Council meets monthly to decide the format and content of each Troop Meeting. These meetings are noted as “PLC Meeting” on the Troop Calendar. If your son is not in one of the Leadership positions listed above, he does not attend these meetings. The members of the Leadership Council are responsible for planning monthly trips. These trips provide the means to accomplish many of the requirements for rank advancement and merit badges. Leadership roles are necessary to fulfill certain Rank requirements, and each scout will be expected to assume a leadership role for a period of time as he advances. The boys in the Troop vote for leader positions each January. Back to Top Patrols Scouts are divided into Patrols and each Patrol elects their own Patrol Leader on a yearly basis (January). The Patrol Leader then selects the Asst. Patrol Leader, Patrol Scribe and Patrol Quartermaster for his Patrol. As Webelos crossover into the Troop, their Dens become the newest Patrol – the Cobra Patrol. Instead of electing a Patrol Leader, these first year Scouts will work with a Troop Guide, who will help them learn the requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot, 2nd Class and some requirements for 1st Class. Prior to new Scouts joining the troop, (January), these Scouts will be assigned to a permanent patrol. All patrols have a phone chain. Your son will be called by his Patrol Leader prior to a Monday night meeting, to remind him to turn in permission slips, special needs for that meeting or general announcements . Back to Top Adult Leadership Boy Scouting is VERY Different from Cub Scouting. Adult Leaders do not provide a program as was done in Cub Scouts. They play an advisory role only. The underlying purpose of Scouting is to teach Leadership to the boys. We will let them lead: this is their Troop. As Adult Leaders, we “help” any way we can, but the ultimate responsibility is on the boys. Sometimes they learn by failure. We let them try as long as what they are doing is safe and reasonable. Hazing is not permitted, and any suspicion of it should be brought to the attention of an Adult Leader. Scouting is for the entire family, and we ask that you get involved and help out. Driving on a trip, teaching a special skill or contributing to the newsletter are some of the little things that make us all part of the same scouting family. All interested parents are invited to attend any of our functions, but we ask that you respect the authority of the Scout Leaders at all times. Current Adult Leader names and contact information are listed on a separate page. Back to Top Troop Committee The Troop Committee provides for the administrative and financial needs to run the Troop. All parents are encouraged to join or attend any Committee Meeting. Meetings are held the first Sunday of each month at the United Church of Christ starting at 7:00pm. The Troop Committee Member names / positions are included on a separate page. Back to Top Troop 139 Newsletter & Website The Troop has a monthly newsletter, The Gazette, which is distributed to each scout family. The boys should read it to keep up on current information about meeting dates or events, special projects, Merit Badges, Trips and Permission slips, etc. A monthly Calendar of events is also included. A copy of the Gazette as well as a calendar of events and other interesting troop information can also be found at www.bsatroop139.org. The scouts of Troop 139 maintain this site. Back to Top Scout Handbook Each Scout will need to supply his own Handbook (can be purchased at the Scout Store in Doylestown). The Scout Handbook contains a variety of information your son will need about Rank Advancement, First Aid, Camping, etc. He should bring this Handbook to each meeting and refer to it regularly. Since every Scout brings his Handbook to each meeting, we suggest you write your last name on the closed edges of the book. This makes the books easier to identify. The Scout Handbook is also used to record completion of Rank Advancement requirements. Back to Top Behavior Scouts are expected to live by the Scout Laws. Each Scout is responsible for knowing and understanding the Scout Law completely. Patrol Leaders are in charge of the conduct of their patrol. The Troop has a discipline policy based on the Scout Law, please read the policy thoroughly. Back to Top Fundraising Fundraising is a necessary means for keeping our Troop solvent. Without it, we could not provide camping gear, canoes, Merit and Rank Badges, etc. In the past, we have sold Joe Corbi Pizza (April) and Corbi Cookies (November). In addition, all year long we offer Supermarket Script that benefits the Troop as well as your son. Supermarket Script Scouting for the individual can get very expensive. Personal equipment, trip costs and Summer Camp all add up quickly. This program provides you and your scout(s) with an easy way to earn money to defray the costs. It allows the scouts to accumulate money in their individual accounts that are used for scouting expenses. One boy purchased a $600 Canoe with money he earned through this fundraiser. Many boys never pay for a trip, they just ask for payment to be deducted from their accounts. Here’s how it works: The Troop buys Food Store Gift Certificates with a $100 Face value for $95 and sells them to you for $100. You use the certificates just like cash. The Troop turns a $5 profit in the transaction: $3 is assigned to a special account for the scout responsible for the sale, the other $2 is used for Troop expenses. Your boy will earn $3 for every $100 in sales ! If your family uses the certificates every week and spends $100 at the Supermarket, he will earn $150 a year. If he has a little initiative and sells to neighbors, Grandparents, etc., he can earn $500-$600 a year. All it takes is a phone call to the person in charge of the account, and they will bring the script to the next Troop Meeting where the exchanges are made. Best of all, you don’t buy anything you don’t really need or use. It costs you no more that shopping with Cash ! The program has been in place for years and works great. For more information, contact the person who handles the Script for the store you shop at. Acme : Bill King (215)322-0896 Giant: Nancy DeHaven (215)672-5727 Genuardi’s: see their Web site for information Back to Top Supermarket Script Scouting for the individual can get very expensive. Personal equipment, trip costs and Summer Camp all add up quickly. This program provides you and your scout(s) with an easy way to earn money to defray the costs. It allows the scouts to accumulate money in their individual accounts that are used for scouting expenses. One boy purchased a $600 Canoe with money he earned through this fundraiser. Many boys never pay for a trip, they just ask for payment to be deducted from their accounts. Here’s how it works: The Troop buys Food Store Gift Certificates with a $100 Face value for $95 and sells them to you for $100. You use the certificates just like cash. The Troop turns a $5 profit in the transaction: $3 is assigned to a special account for the scout responsible for the sale, the other $2 is used for Troop expenses. Your boy will earn $3 for every $100 in sales ! If your family uses the certificates every week and spends $100 at the Supermarket, he will earn $150 a year. If he has a little initiative and sells to neighbors, Grandparents, etc., he can earn $500-$600 a year. All it takes is a phone call to the person in charge of the account, and they will bring the script to the next Troop Meeting where the exchanges are made. Best of all, you don’t buy anything you don’t really need or use. It costs you no more that shopping with Cash ! The program has been in place for years and works great. For more information, contact the person who handles the Script for the store you shop at. Acme : Bill King (215)322-0896 Giant: Nancy DeHaven (215)672-5727 Genuardi’s: see their Web site for information Back to Top Rank Advancement Each Scout must take the initiative to achieve Rank Advancement. They must refer to their Scout handbook for requirements, take advantage of opportunities offered through Troop Meetings or Trips, and Summer Camp. They should ask for assistance when needed. Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are the first three ranks the boys will strive for. These Rank advancement requirements can be worked on simultaneously. Many of the monthly trips provide opportunities to fulfill the requirements for these ranks. Summer Camp also provides a first year scout program, which will enable the boys to achieve these ranks. Star, Life and Eagle are the succeeding ranks. These must be done individually. They require the leadership roles previously mentioned. Back to Top Be active in your Troop The first requirement for the rank of Star, Life and Eagle reads: “Be active in your troop and patrol . . . “ Troop 139 has determined that the definition of “active” will be 50% participation in Troop Meetings and Troop trips for all Scouts. Back to Top Scoutmaster’s Conference and Board of Review As a Scout completes the requirements for each rank, it is his responsibility to schedule a Scoutmaster conference and Board of Review. Scoutmaster’s Conference and Board of Review are generally held during a Troop Meeting. 1. Scoutmaster Conference must be scheduled with Mr. Candell in advance of the Troop meeting. 2. You must call the Advancement Chairman, Mr. Detwiler, no later that the Friday before a Troop Meeting to schedule a Board of Review 3. You must know the Scout Oath and Scout Law by heart and will be asked to recite both. 4. You must be in a clean, full dress (Class A) uniform, or you will be told to reschedule the Board of Review The troop meeting immediately before a Court of Honor is usually completely scheduled with Scoutmaster’s Conferences and Board’s of Review. Schedule these meetings early to avoid disappointment. These conferences may be held at any time during the year. Your rank advancement takes place immediately after the Board of Review. Recognition and a Rank Patch will be given for the rank advancement at the next Court of Honor (held 3 times a year). Back to Top Merit Badges With so many different Merit Badges to choose from, there is something for everyone! It is up to the individual to choose what badges to work on and the rate of his progress. However, First Aid and Swimming are extremely important and will be the first badges the boys are required to earn in Summer Camp. There is also a list of required Merit Badges a scout must earn as part of the Eagle Scout Requirements. The required merit badges are listed in the Scout Handbook (page 188). ---IMPORTANT --- With each Rank Advancement or Merit Badge earned, in addition to the patch, you will be given a card. DO NOT LOSE THESE CARDS. They are very important. Some boys purchase a 3 Ring binder and use “Collectable Card” sleeves to keep them organized. You must keep a record of your progress. The Troop and Council will have records also, but should a discrepancy occur, you will have proof of your accomplishments. This information is most important when applications are filed for Eagle Scout Rank. For each Merit Badge, there is a Merit Badge Pamphlet. These can be purchased at the Scout Store, or check with the Troop Librarian to see if the latest version of this pamphlet is available for the Merit Badge you would like to learn more about. For Counselors and Scouts alike, Merit Badge information is also available online at: www.meritbadge.com. Back to Top Merit Badge Counselors Each Merit Badge is assigned to a Counselor. They are usually the Adult Leaders of the Troop, but parents who are an expert or have a special skill in a particular field either by profession or hobby can also become a Counselor. Scouts must work with their Counselor in order to complete a Merit Badge. Parents can not sign off Badge requirements as they did in Cub Scouts. A Merit Badge Counselor must be a registered scouter. If you have an interest in helping the Scouts by becoming a Merit Badge Counselor, please contact Cynthia McGinley(215)682-7283 or check the website for the necessary forms. Back to Top Court of Honor In Cub Scouts, the boys receive their achievements each month at the Pack Meeting. In Boy Scouts, the boys receive their Rank and Merit Badges at a Court of Honor. These events are held in October, February and June at the United Church of Christ. Look for information about Courts of Honor in the Gazette. Scouts must plan and finish their Merit and Rank Badge requirements accordingly. Back to Top Eagle Court of Honor An Eagle Court of Honor is held after a Scout has completed the necessary requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout. It is a very special ceremony. Every member of the Troop, as well as family and friends of the Scout being honored are invited to attend Back to Top Scout Leadership Training By Invitation only, Leadership Training is for Scouts pursuing leadership roles such as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader or Patrol Leader. Additionally, all Scouts who earn the rank of 1st Class during the year will be invited to attend this weekend event, with the assumption they will be assuming a Leadership position in the coming year. This is an intense weekend packed with training and activities to provide Scouts the skills and tools required to be an effective Leader. This event is usually held in February. Back to Top Order of the Arrow The Order of the Arrow is a National Brotherhood of Scout Honor Campers. It originated at Treasure Island Camp (Philadelphia) in 1915 to help strengthen troops and encourage outdoor camping. The purpose of the Order is to build character, encourage selfless service to Scouting and foster Brotherhood. There is a provision for recommending adults for induction into the Order to assist as Advisors. Inspirational ceremonies are based on legend and lore that strengthen understanding of the Scout Oath and Law. Monthly meetings are held the second Thursday of the month, at Neshaminy Warwick Presbyterian Church, on Bristol Road in Warwick. Scouts who have achieved a minimum of First Class and have camped at least 15 days and nights (6 consecutive days at summer camp are mandatory) may be nominated to the Order with their Scoutmaster’s approval. Elections are by members of the Troop who are currently not members of the Order. Any Scout who achieves at least 50% of the vote is elected Back to Top Summer Camp A week of camping at a Scout approved camp is offered during the summer months. Summer Camp begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday. Attendance is highly recommended and provides the chance to acquire Merit Badges in a concentrated amount of time. There is a first year scout program specifically designed for scouts that are working on Tenderfoot, Second, and First Class ranks. Other scouts can schedule up to 5 Merit Badges with qualified counselors. The Troop camps at the same site, in tents. The Senior Patrol Leader is in charge, and several Adult Leaders always attend. Dads may be asked to volunteer to stay for a few days. Footlockers with locks will be needed to store the boy’s belongings. Detailed information on clothing and supplies required will be provided 2-3 months before Camp. A doctor must complete BSA approved physical forms. It’s a good idea to schedule your physical early in the year. The Scout’s Supermarket script account can be used to offset the fee for Summer Camp. Back to Top Monthly Trips Monthly trips are provided for adventure and as opportunities to complete Rank requirements. They usually start early Saturday morning and end Sunday afternoon. They are planned by the Leadership Patrol with the guidance of the Adult Leaders. Trip permission slips will be included in the Troop Newsletter (The Gazette) and must be turned in with the trip fee at the Troop Meeting just prior to the trip. Fees are for Camping charges, transportation and any rental or activity equipment. Food is generally the responsibility of each Patrol, unless specifically stated on the trip permission slip. Money for food will be collected by the Patrol designated cook for that particular trip. One of the Adult Leaders will be responsible for each trip: several will attend. Parents are welcome to come along, but must be willing to spend the weekend “roughing it”. There are specific guidelines for adult campers. They must sleep in their own tents, which are pitched in a separate area away from the boys. Each Patrol is outfitted with a set of camping supplies (tents, camp stove, etc.). At the conclusion of each trip, one or two scouts from each patrol are responsible for cleaning their patrol’s camping supplies. Parents may be requested to help provide transportation. Religious obligations may not be able to be fulfilled: please check with the Adult Leader in charge of the trip. Each Scout must supply his own uniform, sleeping bag, ground mat, backpack, flashlight, canteen, mess kit, utensils, mug, hiking boots and the proper clothing for each trip. A complete packing list is included in the following pages. A transportation insurance disclosure form is provided at the end of this document for those parents who wish to drive on any of the trips. Back to Top High Adventure Crew Troop 139 offers a high Adventure Crew for older Scouts seeking greater challenges. Scouts must be 1st Class or higher in rank, at least 13 years old, and have earned the First Aid and Camping Merit Badges. They must also possess the physical abilities required for the scheduled activity. Past adventures have included Backpacking, Whitewater Rafting, Climbing and long distance Bike Riding. The Crew has regularly scheduled trips in the Fall and Spring. Back to Top Skills and Advancement Weekend Troop 139’s goal is to have Scouts learn the skills and knowledge required to reach the rank of 1st Class as quickly as possible. We have seen over the years, that if a Scout is not actively advancing in Rank, that they will eventually loose interest and drop out of scouting. To give Scouts the chance to get started on the right foot, the troop trip in April is for Skills and Advancement training. This trip is designed to provide Scouts the opportunity to work on items for advancement. This trip is highly recommended for younger Scouts. Back to Top District Events District Swimoree – March Troops challenge each other in swimming events and games. District Camporee – April Troops Camp together and challenge each other in various sporting events, cooking contests, etc Indoor Rally – November Troops test their Indoor Scout skills against other Troops. There are events for all level and ages of Boy Scouting. This event is generally held in a school gym in the area. Klondike Derby – January at Ockanikon Scout Reservation. This is a contest of Outdoor Scouting skills. Each troop may enter as many sleds as they have scouts to pull them. Each sled team is expected to pull their sled, which contains their supplies and equipment, from station to station. At each station, they will be expected to perform some scout skill and will be judged. Cooking their own lunch is also a station. Sleds will be timed and results will be announced at the end of the day Back to Top |
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