2. History of Boy Scouts ROBERT BADEN POWELL, Chief Scout of the World Wrote book called Scouting for Boys The Advent of Scouting: 11 days, 22 boys at the historic Brownsea Island campout 1907 DANIEL CARTER BEARD ERNEST THOMPSON SETON Incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February, 8, 1910 WILLIAM D. BOYCE Lost in London. Met with Robert Baden-Powell. First Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910 First National Scout Commissioner JAMES E. WEST First Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in 1911. Server 32 years. Architect of the Boy Scouts of America
11. Scout Ranks As the Scout Advances Through Ranks Required & Elective Merit Badges Minimum time between ranks Service hours Leadership Positions To Obtain Eagle Scout All the above requirements Prior to 18 birthday Eagle Project Eagle Board of Review Eagle Court of Honor Tenderfoot 2nd Class 1st Class Star Life Eagle
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18. Adult Troop Visit Checklist Troop Number: ________ Date of Visit: __________ Quality Unit: Yes No Sponsored by: _____________________________ How Long: _________ Scoutmaster's Name: ________________________________ Meeting Place: _____________________________ Time: ___________ Meeting Run By: Youth Adults Mixed Was the meeting organized: Yes No Does the troop have an active boy leadership corps: Yes No How often do they meet: _____________ How many boys in the leadership corps: ______ How is the boy leadership decided? Elected by boys Appointed by adults How often does the troop hold elections: _____________ Does the troop produce a calendar of events: Yes No How often does the troop camp? ___________________ What type of camping does the troop do? (check all that apply) _____ Summer camp _____ In Council _____ Out of Council _____ Alternate _____ Frequency Where: ________________________________________________________ _____ Winter camp _____ Camporee _____ High Adventure _____ Backpacking _____ Canoeing Do all the boys get to go on all of the outings? ______________________ Are there any age or rank restrictions? _____________________________ Does the program schedule change from year to year or are the events the same? _______ Do campouts have a theme, merit badge or rank requirement focus? Yes No What type of special events does the troop participate in? (ie. Scouting for Food, Scout Show)_______________________________________________________________________ What are the uniform requirements of the troop? ________________________________ How many uniforms will each boy need? ____________________ Were the Scouts in uniform? Yes No Were the adults in uniform? Yes No Are there additional costs to join the troop: _______________________________________
19. My Troop Visit Troop Number: ___________ Date of Visit: ________________ Meeting Place: ____________________ Time: ___________________ Scoutmaster's Name: _________________________________ Senior Patrol Leader's Name: ________________________________ My Evaluation of the troop: (Circle the answers) Are all the boys in uniform? Yes No Was the meeting organized? Yes No Is the meeting run by the boys? Yes No Do they have boys of all ages? Yes No Did I feel welcome? Yes No Did their campouts sound like fun? Yes No Do they have a calendar? Yes No Do I already know boys in the troop? Yes No Are there plenty of adult leaders involved? Yes No Were the older Scouts helpful? Yes No Did they answer my questions? Yes No Do they have a program for new Scouts? Yes No Notes: Things I liked about this troop are:
20. Questions to Ask at Troop Visits How often has your Troop achieved Quality Unit status in the last 5 years? How are new Scouts handled? Are they mixed in with existing patrols or put into a new patrol? How many registered leaders are there? What is their attendance history at regular meetings and on outings? What is the boy:leader ratio at meetings and on outings? Do you have an active outdoor program? How many days/year are spent camping? Where? What are the plans for summer camp? What is your philosophy on uniforms? How are new Scouts going to learn what to do as Boy Scouts (camping skills, patrol activities, advancement, etc.)? Will they have an experienced adult leader working with them? What is a typical Troop meeting like? Do you work on merit badges? Do you play a lot of games? What is your philosophy regarding advancement (at what pace are the ranks earned)? What kind of program do you have for the older Scouts? Are there any High Adventure activities? What kind of fundraising do you have? What are the financial obligations for each Scout: at signup? per campout? summer camp? Dues? Other? Do you pay for or subsidize training for the boys (Junior Leader Training, Den Chief training, etc.)? Does your Troop have a limitation on size? Do you have written policies? Is your Troop "boy-run" or "adult-run?" Are Troop meetings and activities planned: by the boys? for a full year? at a patrol leaders meeting? What kind of equipment do you have? Is it in good shape? Do you have enough if (quantity) Webelos were to join your Troop? Are your Scouts able to balance Boy Scouts with other activities such as sports, band, church, etc.? How active is your Troop at District and Council events? How many current leaders are trained in: Youth Protection? Scoutmaster Fundamentals? Woodbadge? What are the expectations/requirements of new adults/parents to this Troop - as assistant leaders, committee members, special event chairpersons, event workers, merit badge counselors? Does the Troop pay for any/all adult leader registration and training? How many leaders routinely attend Round Table? How do you feel about a Scout (and parent) visiting a meeting unannounced?
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23. Troop Information Request Troop number / Charter organization: Troop Meeting location, time and day of week: List of troop leaders, their positions, years in that position and near term plans: Committee meeting location, time and day of week: List of committee members, their positions, years in that position and near term plans: Number of scouts currently chartered in the troop: List of scouts, their ranks, positions, patrols ages, schools and pack they originated from: Estimate of scouts planning to recharter: Estimate of scouts coming in from Packs 205 and 206: Estimate of total scouts in troop 2003-2004: Number of patrols in the troop and their average size: Eagle scouts produced in the last five years: Please attach/send your 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 Troop calendar and your 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 Troop budget or forecast Please attach/send a recent troop newsletter Does your troop have a website? If so what is the URL? Usual fundraising events and their time of year: Campouts attended in last year: High adventure outings in the last 3 years: Camping gear to accommodate how many boys? Advantages/disadvantages of a large troop: Does your troop have a written “code of conduct” or rules and if so what are they? What does your troop offer our scouts?
Editor's Notes
Founders of Scouting and the BSA Robert S. S. Baden-Powell: As a youth, Robert Baden-Powell greatly enjoyed the outdoors, learning about nature and how to live in the wilderness. After returning as a military hero from service in Africa, Baden-Powell discovered that English boys were reading the manual on stalking and survival in the wilderness he had written for his military regiment. Gathering ideas from Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard, and others, he rewrote the manual as a nonmilitary nature skill book and called it Scouting for Boys. To test his ideas, Baden-Powell brought together 22 boys to camp at Brownsea Island, off the coast of England . This historic campout was a success and resulted in the advent of Scouting. Thus, the imagination and inspiration of Baden-Powell, later proclaimed Chief Scout of the World, brought Scouting to youth the world over. Ernest Thompson Seton: Born in Scotland, Ernest Thompson Seton immigrated to America as a youth in the 1880s. His fascination with the wilderness led him to become a naturalist, an artist, and an author, and through his works he influenced both youth and adults. Seton established a youth organization called the Woodcraft Indians, and his background of outdoor skills and interest in youth made him a logical choice for the position of first Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting, and his intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality. Daniel Carter Beard: Woodsman, illustrator, and naturalist, Daniel Carter Beard was a pioneering spirit of the Boy Scouts of America. Already 60 years old when the Boy Scouts of America was formed, he became a founder and merged it with his own boys' organization, the Sons of Daniel Boone. As the first national Scout commissioner, Beard helped design the original Scout uniform and introduced the elements of the First Class Scout badge. "Uncle Dan," as he was known to boys and leaders, will be remembered as a colorful figure dressed in buckskin who helped form Scouting in the United States . William D. Boyce: In 1909, Chicago publisher William D. Boyce lost his way in a dense London fog. A boy came to his aid and, after guiding the man, refused a tip, explaining that as a Scout he would not take a tip for doing a Good Turn. This gesture by an unknown Scout inspired a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the British founder of the Boy Scouts. As a result, William Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910 . He also created the Lone Scouts, which merged with the Boy Scouts of America in 1924. James E. West: James E. West was appointed the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in 1911. Although orphaned and physically handicapped, he had the perseverance to graduate from law school and become a successful attorney. This same determination provided the impetus to help build Scouting into the largest and most effective youth organization in the world. When he retired in 1943, Dr. West was recognized throughout the country as the true architect of the Boy Scouts of America.
TRUSTWORTHY A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him. LOYAL A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. HELPFUL A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward. FRIENDLY A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own. COURTEOUS A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together. KIND A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason. OBEDIENT A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them. CHEERFUL A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy. THRIFTY A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property. BRAVE A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him. CLEAN A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean. REVERENT A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.