Quick Overview of Troop 799
Meetings: We meet every Monday evening in Eaton Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church in the west end of Richmond. Meetings start at 7:00 and end at 8:30. All are welcome—especially parents! There is lots of activity (aka controlled chaos) at meetings. We try to get a lot done plus have a great time. Scouts should come to every meeting in uniform with their Boy Scout Handbook.
Campouts: We camp every month, and Scouts will want to participate. See the troop website and calendar, plus ask your Scout to remember announced events and bring home any handouts for you. Every Scout in Troop 799 should plan to attend Summer Camp.
Fees: The annual registration fee for the 2011 charter year is $45 for the first Scout and $33 for each additional scout in a household. This pays for Council services, insurance, and Boys Life. Every campout, with some exceptions, has an associated fee of $25, which includes food, any reservation fees and transportation costs. Adults are not charged for campouts. If money is an issue that may keep a Scout from participating in an event, talk to the Scoutmaster—really.
Leadership: Troop 799 is a boy led troop. The Senior Patrol Leader—an elected youth position—is charged with moving the Troop along. He is in charge of the Patrol Leader’s Council which is comprised of other youth leaders who assist him in the planning and execution of meetings and campouts. The Scoutmaster, his staff, and the Troop Committee provide adult oversight. Your Scout will be in a Patrol with an elected Patrol Leader (or Troop Guide(s) if crossing over from Cub Scouts).
Advancement: Your Scout will work with an Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Guides to learn new things and advance through the scout ranks. In addition, a New Scout Weekend is planned each spring to help with advancement. Everything your Scout and you need to know about advancement to First Class is in the Boy Scout Handbook.
Safety: Adult and youth leadership are fully committed to Scouting being a safe environment. There are a number of policies and procedures in place to insure that your Scout is safe.
Gear: The troop has tons of gear. Your Scout needs to only be concerned about his personal gear. See the Boy Scout Handbook for the “10 Scout Essentials” and the suggested Personal Equipment List.
Scout uniform: Short sleeve uniform shirt—with green shoulder loops, Heart of Virginia Council strip, short or long uniform pants (or ‘Switchback’ pants), official web belt (if not included in Scout pants), Scout socks, neckerchief slide. We’ll provide one Troop 799 number strip upon joining the troop and a Troop 799 neckerchief when your son completes Scout Rank. At summer camp he’ll be issued a Troop 799 Summer Camp t-shirt.
Information: You will receive email updates on troop events. Please check the Troop 799 website www.Troop799.org for the troop calendar, updated troop information and also to sign up for upcoming campouts and events.
Adult participation: There are many ways that you can help the troop, and there are lots of things that need doing. Ask any of the adult leaders for advice on how you can best help out. Boys with involved parents tend to succeed.
??? or !!!: Scouts should contact their Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader (H. Gingras, SPL@Troop799.org). Scouts and parents are encouraged to contact the Senior Patrol Leader, Scoutmaster (Phil Victor, Scoutmaster@ Troop799.org), or Committee Chair (Louis Allin, Committee_Chair@Troop799.org). All comments, concerns or suggestions are welcome.
Troop Website: www.Troop799.org
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Troop 799 is here to do what’s best for your Scout. Welcome!
Created by the Troop 799’s 2010–2011 PLC
Vision: Troop 799 is a tightly-woven, boy-led troop that uses the patrol method to encourage participation and fun.
Goals for 2010–2011:
- Discipline and Respect – Every Scout should show discipline and respect to not only the Adults, but also to his fellow Scouts. A Scout is Courteous and Kind….
- Patrol Method – Troop 799 will continue to grow as a unit under the Patrol Method. As Lord Robert Baden Powell said, “the patrol method is not one way to, it is the only way.
- Interaction between New and Old Scouts – Increased interaction between older, more skilled Scouts and younger Scouts
- Balance of New and Old Events & Outings – The PLC scheduled trips and events new to Troop 799 with those that are familiar and ‘traditional’.
- Communication – Communication is always key and increase communication between the PLC members, Adults and the Scouts and Parents at large will strengthen the troop.
- Structured Meetings – Troop meetings will be well-planned, relevant and starting and stop on time.
- Older Scout Participation – Older Scouts are an essential part of the troop. Their participation is important in the advancement of younger Scouts
- Organization of Troop Trailer – Use of Troop and Patrol QMs who will help to maintain
- Leadership Training - Troop 799 will continue to hold Leadership Training sessions, and participate in the Buckskin NYLT Program.
- Fun and Interactive – All meetings and outings must be fun and interactive for all members who attend.
- Encourage Advancement – Advancement should be encouraged on the patrol level and the PLC will schedule program and activities to assist in advancement.
- Understanding the Role of the Junior Assistant Scout Master – The Troop 799 JASM is a former SPL and his role is to act as a youth advisor to the current SPL.
Background to the calendar
Three-quarters of “Scouting” is “outing” and so we prefer every Scout at every campout. This usually means that we’ll each try to be personally involved.
Troop Calendar
2010
November
12-14: Individual Patrol Camping (TBD by Patrols)
15: Webelos Open House
19-21: Individual Patrol Camping (TBD by Patrol)
22: Troop Meeting
29: PLC/Advancement/Merit Badges & Skills
December
6: Troop Meeting & Popcorn Money Due to Mr. Blouch!
10-12: OORAH Camporee – near Quantico, VA
13: Troop Meeting
20: Troop Service Project: Caroling
27: NO TROOP MEETING
2011
January
3: PLC/Advancement/Merit Badges & Skills
7-9: Troop 799 Klondike Weekend (Patrol Competition)
10: Troop Meeting
14-17: Winter Camp at Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation
17: Troop Meeting
22: Patrick Henry Session #1 – Public Speaking & Communications MBs
24: Troop Meeting
29: Patrick Henry Session #2 – Public Speaking & Communications MBs
31: Troop Meeting
February
5: Patrick Henry Session #2 – Public Speaking & Communications MBs
7: PLC/Advancement/Merit Badges & Skills
13: Scout Sunday & Spring Court of Honor
14: Troop Meeting
18-20: Winter Hiking Trip (Location TBD)
21: Troop Meeting
28: Troop Meeting
March
7: PLC/Advancement/Merit Badges & Skills
14: Troop Meeting
21: Troop Meeting
25-27: Cardinal District Merit Badge Weekend
28: Troop Meeting
April
4: PLC/Advancement/Merit Badges & Skills
8-10: Spring Backpacking Trip (Location TBD)
11: Troop Meeting
18: NO TROOP MEETING
25: Troop Meeting
May
2: PLC/Advancement/Merit Badges & Skills
9: Troop Meeting
13-15: Archaeology MB Campout – Pipsico Scout Reservation
13-15: High Adventure Campout – for older Scouts (Location TBD)
16: Troop Meeting
23: Troop Meeting
30: Troop Elections (SPL, PL & OA)
June
5: Family Picnic & Summer Court of Honor
17-19: PLC Planning Retreat
24-29: 50+ Mile Backpacking Trip (Location TBD)
July
16-23: Summer Camp – Camp Daniel Boone (in SW NC)
Where do you want to go during the 2011-2012 year?
Have an idea? Then make a proposal!
Every June, during the Troop Planning Conference, the PLC proposes to the Scoutmasters and Troop Committee where they want to go camping during the next year.
Let your voice be heard! We decide as a Troop and then we all sign on and go!
Talk to your fellow Scouts. Talk to your SPL. Talk to the Scoutmasters. Talk to your parents.
Troop Meeting Ideas
Have an idea for a troop meeting program?
Talk to Mr. Jones and/or your SPL!
Your ideas matter!
Help!
We need adults to help out on our campouts!
Interested in being a part of the best youth development program in the world with your son during his teenage years?!
Want to be involved, but don’t know how or what to do?
Your son is a Scout and it’s important to him. So shouldn’t it be important to you, too?
We understand time commitments and availabilities vary, but we can always use a helping hand and a friendly face is always welcome!
Note: If you were involved with Cub Scouting, your role in Boy Scouts will be very different and can take some time getting used to.
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Have any questions about how to get involved? Ask a uniformed adult!