Why should I become an adult member of the troop? Two-deep leadership: Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. Safety of the Troop: Adult leaders are subject to background checks. Outings: The more adults that are registered, the more that can lead outings. Plus, by being a registered adult member of the troop, you are eligible for awards for training. The other benefit; the Troop insurance policy covers 'registered youth and adults' when at Troop meetings or planned outings. Also, registered adults will receive Scouting Magazine...a wealth of information for leaders.
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How do I apply for membership? Where are the forms? Fill out the Adult Application and turn it in to the Troop Committee Chairman for approval. Don't forget to list your references; people who know about your experiences working with youth. The forms can be found at the Council Scout Office, at Troop Meetings, Troop website, or on the National website at http://www.scouting.org

Does the troop expect me to help out? What would be more natural than a parent willing to help out with a group his or her son is a member of? Parents set the best example for youth involvement by being involved themselves. Remember the old saying, 'many hands make light work?' The Troop would run out of volunteers before it would run out of jobs! By helping out, you contribute to the success of the whole group, not just your own son. How much? As much as you'd like. But remember, taking on too many jobs may impact how well you do just one. There are all kinds of jobs, so ask if there is one available that you can fit in to your schedule.

Is there a list of things that I can do? We're working on it! If there is a specific job you already have in mind, please contact the Committee Chair, Phil Lacovara.

Am I expected to attend the weekly troop meeting? Expected - No. Encouraged - Yes. It's always helpful to check first to see if there are enough leaders to oversee the meeting. ( see two deep leadership above.) If not, please consider staying. You may be surprised how much you'd learn about the program! Besides, boys do like to see their parents involved

Am I invited to the monthly parent meeting? Yes!! All parents, & leaders are invited

Am I allowed to go on campouts/outings? YES!! The more adults that attend, the better. Please see adult registration above for more details.

Do I need my own tent? Your own tent is best. Separate accommodations. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.

Do I need my own food? Ask the Senior Patrol Leader in charge of the outing. If you have specific dietary needs you should plan on providing your own.

Can I bring one of my younger children along? If the activity is considered a Family Camp, yes. Otherwise, you must contact the Scoutmaster or inquire at the Parent Meeting. BSA Accident Insurance, Troop Insurance does not cover younger siblings unless they are registered Scouts and are invited along on the trip. Consider the type of outing as well.

Do I need a medical form? Yes. They are as follows:
Class 1: Includes any event that does not exceed 72 consecutive hours, where the level of activity is similar to that normally expended at home or at school, and where medical care is readily available. Examples: day camp, day hike, swimming party, or an overnight camp. Medical information required is a current health history signed by parents or guardian. The health history form currently found on the back of the BSA individual applications or the Class I Personal Health and Medical History found on form No. 34414A (Personal Health and Medical Record) meets this requirement. Den leaders, Scoutmasters, team coaches, and crew Advisors should review these and become knowledgeable about the medical needs of the youth members in their unit. Forms must be updated annually. They are filled out by participants and kept on file for easy reference.
Class 2: Includes any event that exceeds 72 consecutive hours, where the level of activity is similar to that normally expended at home or at school, and where medical care is readily available. Examples: resident camping, tour camping, and hiking in relatively populated areas. Medical data required is an annual health history signed by parents or guardian supported by a medical evaluation completed within the past 36 months by a licensed health-care practitioner. The Personal Health and Medical Record--Class 2, on No. 34414A, is designed primarily for resident Cub Scout and Boy Scout summer camp but could be used for any Class 2 activity. Youth members and adult participants under 40 years of age use this form. (See Camp Health and Safety for additional information on Class 2 application.)
Class 3: Includes any event involving strenuous activity such as backpacking, high altitude, extreme weather conditions, cold water, exposure, fatigue, athletic competition, adventure challenge, or remote conditions where readily available medical care cannot be assured. Examples: high-adventure activities, jamborees, Wood Badge, and extended backpacking trips in remote areas. Medical information required includes current health history supported by a medical evaluation within the past 12 months performed by a licensed health-care practitioner. Form 34412A is to be used by youth for Class 3 activities. Adults age 40 or older will use this form for Class 2 and Class 3 activities. See form No. 34414A, Personal Health and Medical Record, for more information
High Adventure: Some high adventure camps, such as Philmont and the Florida Sea Base, require their own medical forms
If I drive, how much insurance should I have? BSA Tour Permits require the State Minimum. All vehicles must be covered by automobile liability insurance with limits that meet or exceed requirements of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. It is recommended that coverage limits are at least $50,000/$100,000/$50,000. Any vehicle designed to carry 10 or more passengers is required to have limits of $100,000/$500,000/$100,000.

Can I sign off on rank advancements? Only if designated by the Scoutmaster. Otherwise, you may observe and help document your son's progress, but he will have to show 'knowledge or ability' to the Scoutmaster or his designee. This is where the youth is 'tested' on the requirements.

How do I become a merit badge counselor? You can fill out the Merit Badge Counselor Form, ( available at http://www.scouting.org and also fill out the BSA Adult Registration form ( even if you have filled out one for the Troop, this one goes to the District Committee)

Who approves me? The Council Office, and / or your District Advancement Chairman

Where are the forms? Available at http://www.scouting.org or on our Troop website under "Troop -> Forms"

What merit badges do we need counselors for? See the Troop 007 website http://www.Troop007.net Consider being available for all youth within the Council. Not all Troops have their own list and need the resources from outside their units.

Someone else in the troop is already signed up for a merit badge I want to do. Can I sign up too? Yes! Remember that saying, 'Many hands make light work'. If one adult is not available, it's great then to be able to contact another.

Am I allowed to serve on Boards of Review? In almost every case, the board of review is conducted by at least three members of the troop committee. The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters are not members of the board of review. The Scoutmaster can introduce the Scout to the board members and may sit with him to hear the board's decision, but should not be present during the actual board of review. Obviously, the Scout's parent should not serve on his board of review panel.

Do I need any training? For a Board of Review? No.

How do I volunteer? By attending Troop Meetings and letting the Asst. Scoutmaster in charge of Boards of Review know you're interested.

The troop seems to have a number of Assistant Scoutmasters. Do we need more? Always. It's helpful to have an Asst. Scoutmaster overseeing the various ranks, as well as the New Boy patrol, Venturing, or Varsity groups.

How do I become an Assistant Scoutmaster? You fill out an Adult Registration form, and then let the Troop Committee know of your intentions. They will make the necessary reference checks and set you up for training.

Are there different levels/types of Assistant Scout Masters? No. But, an Assistant Scoutmaster may be 'assigned' to a specific group of boys, but the level of training for that position is the same.

What training is required? Youth Protection, Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, Boy Scout Leader Specific, and Boy Scout Outdoor Leader Training. Advanced training includes Woodbadge and Philmont Courses. What is available? The Fast Start and Youth Protection trainings are available on line at http://www.olc.scouting.org. This summer and fall I'll be offering the New Leader Essentials, plus ongoing trainings for adults during Troop Meetings. The Council offers several Training sessions per year.

Is there an adult handbook I should read? There are so many to choose from. The best ones are the Scoutmaster Handbook, Troop Committee Guidebook and Guide to Safe Scouting. These are available at the Scout Office.

If I become an Assistant Scoutmaster, does that mean that I have to become the Scoutmaster? No! It just means you will be helping out.

Tell me more about Friends of Scouting? Financial resources for the local council (the local non-profit corporation chartered by the National Council) come from an annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, local United Ways, foundation grants, special events, project sales, investment income, trust funds, bequests, and gifts of real and personal property. These funds provide for professional staff supervision, organization of new Scouting units, service for existing units, training of volunteer leaders, and maintenance of local camps. They also finance the operation of the local council service center, where volunteer leaders obtain literature, insignia, advancement badges, and other items vital to the program. In addition, the service maintains advancement and membership records.

How does Friends of Scouting impact the Troop? By supporting FOS, the youth in our Troop will have the resources needed to have a quality program. These resources include: Scout Camps, Trainings, Materials, Badges, Scholarships, etc. If the Troop meets one or all of it's goals, then some resources will be provided by the Council. ( Eagle Badges, advancements, etc.) These goals are determined by the Council.

I know that we are only asked to contribute within our means, but is there an average donation per scout that the district is looking for? The cost for the Council to provide Scouting per youth is somewhere around $100 a year. Your contribution, no matter what amount, is always welcomed.

How do I get the form for Friends of Scouting? http://catalinacouncil.org
Or...see John Grievencamp.

What is our council name, district name etc. for the Troop? Catalina Council, Spanish Trails District, Troop 007.

I see some of the adult leaders wearing those cool scout uniforms. Can I get one, too? Yes! Any registered Adult can wear one.

Who approves an adult to wear the uniform? There is no approval needed to wear the uniform, you only need be a registered leader.

In addition to the usual troop number, etc., what badges should do on it? Council Shoulder Patch, World Scouting Emblem, Troop number, and if you hold a position ( ie: Troop Committee, Asst. Scoutmaster, etc.). Remember: Only youth under the age of 18 may wear ranks badges.

How do the scout accounts work? Within the Troop, the Scouts participate in Fundraisers. A portion of that goes into their individual Scout accounts. At the Scout office, there is an account to draw from for registrations, awards, etc. The Scout Office accounts may only be accessed by approved committee members.

My son wants to be a scout, but I am not sure if I can handle the expenses. Is any financial help available? Yes. The Troop has a 'uniform closet' for 'experienced' uniforms. And, if there is a hardship, whether for registration or camp fees, just let the Committee Chairman know. It is the job of the Troop Committee Chair, and the Chartered Organization to review and approve any requests for help. The Council office does have camperships available.

If you have other questions, please send them to the webmaster. Remember, no question is ever stupid....unless it's unasked!