Troop 309's
PUBLIC SITE
Home Page
Troop Adult Leaders
Committee
Inclement Weather
Eagles Nest
Community Service
FAQs


 
Boy Scout Troop 309
(Pittsboro, Indiana)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Troop Member Login
  
 

Frequently Asked Questions



What is Boy Scouting?


Scouting is unlike anything your son has ever experienced before.  

Unlike school, organized sports, or perhaps even in the home setting, in a Boy Scout troop the youth are the ones who are in charge.  THEIR desires become our agenda.  THEIR ideas for adventure, fun, and excitement are what the adults guide them to bring into reality.  In Scouting, THEY speak and the adults listen. 

By practicing representative democracy, they pick their own leaders who form the "Patrol Leader Council" that creates the yearly agenda.  Scouts work together on every issue, from what to eat at camp, deciding who will wash dishes and shop for food, they learn and PUT INTO PRACTICE communication, public speaking, teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership.

By taking advantage of any of the 130 possible merit badges, they gain exposure to areas of interest ranging from Rifle Shooting to Chemistry, from Small Boat Sailing to Aviation, and from Reading to Nuclear Science.  Statistically, the Merit Badge program often leads to life-long hobbies and even career choices.  At a minimum, Merit Badges help a young man try things he may never have had a chance to do if not for the Scouting experience, such as rifle shooting, archery, sailing, or camping. 

While boys are busy "being Scouts" and having fun, they start to embody the virtues of Scouting defined in the Scout Oath and Law.

What is Scouting?   It's "fun with a purpose".

What do boys do as Boy Scouts?


The Boy Scout Of America Program is a 101 year old, professionally crafted, program of education and character development.  By using the "Outdoor Method" (camping, fishing, rock climbing, etc)  boys work together to do "the things boys like to do".  In the process, they learn the value of teamwork, honesty, communication, mutual respect, and more as they work towards their goal and overcome any obstacles they encounter.

By employing the Methods of Scouting, we reinforce the purpose of Scouting, which are reflected in our Oath and Law.  The goal is to see that they become permanent fixtures in the character of each Boy Scout as we teach them to be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrift, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

Most boys get to do things and go places they would have never had the opportunity to do if not for being involved in Scouting.  

Ever try shooting rifles, shot guns, and bow & arrows?
Ever try fishing?
Ever cook over an open fire?
Ever spend the night in a tent?  or spend the night under the stars?
Ever camp when the high temperature was 10 degrees and snow was on the ground?
Ever used a knife, axe or saw to make a useful "tool"?
Ever start a fire by using only friction?

WE HAVE !


What should every scout do?



READ THE BOOK !

The Boy Scout Handbook does an EXCELLENT job explaining the BSA Program. 

It also provides valuable skill instruction and has thepotential to IGNITE dreams of adventure, exploration, and fun for boysof all backgrounds and abilities.... all of which are POSSIBLE in thistroop! 


"I'm bored" are the 2 words NO Scout has a right to say, aswe are determined to help bring all their ideas into reality.



Spend time with your son each night (especially if he is newto Scouting).   Read the book with him.  Quiz him on a skill, or"challenge" him to a knot tying contest.  Ask him how he sees himselfliving up to the Scout Law.


Don't let Scouting be "2 hour a week" each Wednesday night, but a regular and routine part of every day.



What does Boy Led mean?


A Boy Scout troop leads itself.   Adults are present to guide and ensure safety & compliance exists, but it is the YOUTH who make key decisions.  The primary role of the Scoutmaster is to teach the Senior Patrol Leader how to run/lead his troop.

The Scouting program using The Patrol Method means the Troop members ELECT their own leaders; individual Patrol Leaders and a Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who takes on "ownership" and hold the actual leadership position within the Troop.  The SPL appoints an assistant scout (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - ASPL) and various other leadership positions, all of whom serve at the Scoutmaster's discretion.

While serving as Senior Leaders, the SPL and ASPL cease to be members of their respective patrols and function as peers with the adult leadership. The SPL and ASPL execute Program decisions, lead the meetings, plan agendas, pick camping destinations, and LEAD BY EXAMPLE when executing the agenda that the boys themselves created and agreed to follow.

Patrol Leaders are responsible for the well being and actions of their individual patrol and will REPRESENT their patrol in the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC).

At the PLC meeting (chaired by the SPL and monitored by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster), Patrol Leaders plan future trips and troop meetings.  Through a model of Representative Government, they CHOOSE the trips and activities THEY want to do, and appoint other scouts to serve as skill instructors, or lead games or other activities.  Adult leadership keeps them on track with suggestions and advice, but the decisions are ultimately left to THE BOYS.

Once the future meetings/camping trips are planned, the SPL and Scoutmaster present the PLC's plans to the Troop Committee for review. The agenda is checked for issues such as necessary fund raising, unique equipment/skills, camp ground reservations, and is given an over-all inspection to confirm that trips are aligned with the purpose of the Scouting Program.   If the plans are approved, and the weekly meetings are lead by the boys (as designed) unless the skill instruction needed is currently beyond the skill set of the Scouts, or relates to merit badge requirements, then adults will render assistance.

ADULTS are a RESOURCE for guidance and ensuring that things are done the "BSA way" for safety, youth development and general direction setting.

"Boy Leadership" really means the Troop is doing the things the BOYS THEMSELVES want to do, and in doing so, will develop the leadership, communication, problem resolution, and organizational skills that underscore why Scouts excel in all other areas of their lives.