How is Troop 101 organized?
Troop 101 is organized along traditional BSA guidelines. A very strong emphasis is placed on the Patrol Method. This method was first descibed by Lord Baden Powell over 100 years ago and is still the cornerstone of the Scouting Program. There are a number of leadership positions that the Scouts hold which enables them, the Scouts, to run the Troop.
What is the Troop Committee?
Troop oversight and functional support are provided by the Troop Committee. The adult Troop Committee is led by the Committee Chairman and consists of the Charter Organization Representative, Treasurer, Advancement Chairman, Secretary, and Coordinators for Fundraising, Equipment, Outings, Special Events, and Training. The Committee meets on a monthly basis with several sub-committees meeting at various times to provide support and structure for the Troop Program.
What is the Scoutmaster Staff?
Program implementation and youth training are the task of the Scoutmaster Staff. The Scoutmaster Staff consists of the Scoutmaster (SM) and Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM). These are adult positions. They help the youth plan and implement the Troop program, meetings, and outings and are responsible for overseeing youth training. Our Scoutmaster Staff is required to be fully trained and all ASMs are encouraged to be Wood Badge certified.
How are the Scouts organized?
The Scouts are organized into the youth Leadership Staff and several patrols.
The patrols are led by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) who is elected to a one year term. The SPL selects the youth staff (with Scoutmaster approval) to include the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL), Quartermaster, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Chaplain’s Aide, OA Representative, Instructors, and Troop Guides. The Scouts are divided into patrols, each with an elected Patrol Leader (PL). The Patrol Leader selects an Assistant Patrol Leader, Grubmaster, and Quartermaster.
What is the Troop’s policy on adult involvement?
A primary concern of Troop 101 is to provide the highest quality training and supervision for our youth. It is Troop 101’s policy to limit direct involvement with the Scouts to registered adult leaders who have received the approved BSA training and are certified to work with our youth in Scout-related functions.
Adults are encouraged to join the Troop Committee, participate in the Merit Badge program as Counselors. Assistant Scoutmasters are invited to join the Scoutmaster Staff after there first year in the Troop, having camped on several camping trips and participated in Summer Camp. The Scoutmaster Staff evaluates new Assistants on their ability to work with youth and follow the principles of Scouting.
Activities are planned and conducted by the youth leadership – it is a youth-run program. The adult leadership is there to guide and advise the youth, to provide good role models, to ensure support needs are met, and to help keep the program on track.
How can I, as a parent, become involved in Troop 101?
Troop 101 believes Scouting should involve the entire family if the program is to be successful. Troop 101 believes parents should be involved in at least one (1) Troop activity per quarter. This could include attending a campout, providing transportation to an activity, teaching a Merit Badge, helping with a fundraiser, or supporting a service project. Parents are always welcome to observe Troop meetings, committee and sub-committee meetings, outings, or any function that involves their Scout. Any adult interested in becoming a member of the Troop 101 Committee or Scoutmaster Staff should talk to our unit leaders.
Parents should also play a role in their Scout’s progress by taking an active interest in his advancement requirements. Periodically, parents should review with their Scout the Troop calendar and discuss the upcoming activities and advancement opportunities. This is especially important for younger Scouts. Remember to let the Scout plan and prepare on his own.
What is Troop 101’s Advancement Policy?
Troop 101 provides every Scout the opportunity to achieve the rank of First Class within their first 12-18 months of membership. Our Advancement Chairman maintains advancement records and uses them to periodically assess the progress of each Scout. Once a Scout has reached the rank of First Class, the Scout begins his Trail To Eagle.
The Troop Committee conducts Boards of Review for Scouts completing a rank. The purpose of the Board of Review is to determine if the Scout is benefiting from the Troop program in terms of skills learned, leadership experience, self-confidence, and service to community.
Does Troop 101 have a New Scout Program?
Troop 101 does have a new Scout program overseen by an Assistant Scoutmaster. Their first several campouts are dedicated to introducing new Scouts to basic scouting skills. Our goal is to provide each new Scout the opportunity to reach the rank of 1st Class within 18 months or his second summer camp.
In addition to the Boy Scout Handbook, we encourage each new Scout to maintain a Scout Notebook to assist him in keeping up with advancement and Troop activities. The notebook should contain the Troop calendar, roster & phone numbers, camping checklist, activities journal, advancement work, etc. and should be brought to all meetings.
Where do we buy Boy Scout uniforms and patches?
Monmouth Council has a Scout Shop that carries the complete line of Boy Scout products and uniform items (Cub Scouts, Venture and Varsity too).
The Scout Shop is located at:
- 705 Ginesi Drive, Morganville, NJ 07751
Phone: 732-536-2347
The Hobby Shop also sells some Scout products and uniform items:
- 1077C Hwy 34, Aberdeen, NJ 07747
Phone 732-583-0505
You can also order from the Boy Scout Catalog at 1-800-323-0732 or shop online at www.scoutstuff.org.
What fees can we expect when joining Troop 101?
Troop 101 asks for a one-time ‘Join-up’ fee of $85 from each Scout to cover costs of their first year registration, BSA insurance, and a yearly subscription to Boy’s Life Magazine. This fee also includes costs of the Troop neckerchief, and the ‘101’ numeral patch for the uniform. Dues also cover expenses such as rank advancement, awards, merit badges, and leadership patches in addition to some of the Troop’s administrative costs.
Each subsequent year the dues are $85 and cover costs of National registration, BSA insurance, and the yearly subscription to Boy’s Life Magazine as well as all advancement and leadership material.
There will also be costs for Summer Camp and campouts. Campouts usually cost $20-$35 to cover food, cooking fuel, and occasionally cabin rental. Additional activity fees may apply such as raft or canoe rentals, ski lift tickets, etc. All fees will be included on the events flyer.
How can a Scout earn & save money to meet these costs?
Troop 101 participates in the Boy Scout Popcorn fundraiser which gives every Scout the opportunity to earn money which can help pay for their Scouting experience. Proceeds are credited to each Scout’s “Scout Account”. Money in Scout Accounts can be used to pay for Scouting related activities such as summer camp, outing and registration fees. These funds can not be used for other purposes and are deposited in the Troop’s general fund once a Scout is no longer registered with Troop 101.
What equipment does the Troop provide?
While some Scouts choose to use their own equipment, the Troop does provide the essentials in the way of patrol equipment: lanterns, stoves, patrol cook kits, tents, dining flies, tarps, camp tools, water containers, and fuel.
What camping equipment should we buy?
Please refer to the Troop 101 Personal Gear List. Also, chapters 8 and 9 in the Boy Scout Handbook discuss the camping gear each Scout should have. We encourage each Scout to provide his own equipment, but before you buy any new equipment, talk to the Scoutmaster staff on gear recommendations and priorities (especially tents and sleeping bags). You don’t need to spend a fortune, and can borrow some equipment before you buy.
How do I find out what is going on within the Troop?
First, ask your son. This is a Scout run Troop and each Scout should be aware of upcoming activities. They are encouraged to keep a notebook with such information. Announcements are made at every Troop meeting and Patrol Leaders will routinely call their patrol members to remind them of activities. Announcements will also be posted on this website and on our Facebook page. A Google calendar is also maintained that you can view on this website of even sync to your Apple or Android phone. Email is also frequently used to disseminate information and announcements.
What is the OA?
The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a brotherhood of honored Scouts whose purpose is to recognize those Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law; to promote camping traditions within Scouting; and encourage cheerful service. Scouts are elected by members of their Troop and are eligible when they have reached 1st Class and have completed the necessary camping requirements of 15 days & nights within two years of candidacy. Adults must meet the same camping requirements but are selected by the Troop Committee based on services or skills they can offer the OA.
Fundraisers
Troop 101 will conduct fundraisers in accordance with the By-Laws of the Troop. All fundraisers must be approved by the Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee, and Monmouth Council.
Scout Account Program
The Scout Account Program is designed to serve as a way for Scouts to earn money to help pay for their Scouting experiences. An individual account will be established for each Scout when they join. By participating in the Boy Scout Popcorn fundraiser, Scouts can earn enough money to offset the costs for campouts, dues and summer camp. The Scout Account funds can not be used for other purposes and are deposited in the Troop’s general fund once a Scout is no longer registered with Troop 101.