Troop 86 is a Boy Scout Troop that is chartered by St. Denis Church inHopewell Junction. The Troop meets Monday nights at the Knights of Columbus inFishkill from September to June at 7:00 pm.
Troop 86 is a “Scout Run Troop”. The scouts elect a Senior Patrol Leaderwho appoints his assistants and scouts to other leadership positions. The scoutsrun the weekly meetings, prepare the activity schedule, and maintain the troopequipment. The adult leaders, including the Scoutmaster, the Committee Chairand Assistant Scoutmasters monitor the troop.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethicaland moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts are encouraged to take on responsibility. Scouts are responsiblefor their own uniform, advancement, preparing for camping, reading the weeklyemail and any other scout activity.
UNIFORM
The Scouts are expected to have a Class “A” uniform that can be purchasedfrom the Scout Shop located in Newburg or online. Class “A” consists of scoutpants or shorts, scout shirt, and neckerchief and should have all appropriatebadges including patrol patch, rank and leadership position patches ifapplicable. The Scout Handbook gives guidance on uniform requirements. Thereare also several online resources such as www.scoutstuff.org whichhas a uniform inspection sheet.
The Scouts should also have aClass “B” uniform. This is a green t-shirt with the Troop 86 insigna. This isworn at meetings and events that do not require a Class ”A” uniform. Class Bshirts can be ordered from the troop as well as other items such as troop sweatshirts,hats, etc.
ACTIVITIES
We are an active troop and have monthly activitieswhich include camping, hiking, swimming, service projects and Eagle Projects.Scouts are encouraged to attend troop activities but should never feel pressureto participate in everything. These activities are developed to benefit ourscouts, encourage camaraderie, and help them with rank advancement.
CAMPING
The typical camping trip is two nights-Friday andSaturday. The troop tries to have a variety of different camping trips eachyear, and the scouts’ ideas and input are encouraged in picking the trips.Campouts are an excellent opportunity for Scouts to complete steps towardadvancement and get items signed off. Previous campouts include snowshoeing, AmericanHeritage (Boston, Gettysburg), Albany Rock Gym, zip-lining,white water rafting, Herkimer Diamond Mine and fishing. The basic campout feeis $25, but that can increase if the trip has additional fees. Tents, cooking equipmentand food are supplied by the troop.
All scouting events require a completely filled outPermission Slip.
Equipment Requiredfor Camping:
Backpack or bag tocarry gear
Sleeping bag
Flashlight
Change of Clothes(Weather Appropriate)
Hiking boots
First Aid Kit
Mess kit
Refillable WaterBottle
Special medications(held by the leader in charge)
Insect Repellant(seasonal)/Sunscreen
Hand/Foot warmers(seasonal)
Scouts are assigned troop gear to clean after eachcampout. The scout is responsible for cleaning the gear, ensuring all parts arethere, and returning it to the Quartermaster ready for use. If there is aproblem with any gear, it should be noted and reported to the Quartermaster.Gear should be returned to the troop within two weeks unless it is neededsooner.
HIKING
There are several day hikes of varying lengthsthroughout the year. The scout should have well broken-in hiking boots thatcover the ankle and wool socks appropriate for hiking. Cotton socks should beavoided because they cause blisters. Scouts should have plenty of water, snacks,and first aid kit. Mole skin is also recommended in case of blisters. A smallday pack is best for these trips.
SERVICE
Service has always been an important part of ourprogram. We hold food drives for theVeterans at Castle Hill, supporting some events at the Knights, support localcharity runs, help with projects at CampJoy, and aid our scoutswhen they are working on eagle projects. Most service projects require Class“A” uniform unless there is physical labor then dress is Class “B” or asappropriate. Service hours are required for rank advancement so it is importantthat scouts participate and ensure they sign in and out to receive credit.
EAGLE PROJECTS
Earning the rank of Eagle requires dedication andpersistence, but it is certainly an achievable goal. The majority of our scoutsearn the rank of Eagle. Scouts are offered generous guidance throughout thisprocess, and leaders are available specifically for scouts working on theirproject. The planning and leadership for Eagle projects must come from thescout, and it is his responsibility with the guidance and support of the troopto earn this prestigious award.
COURT OF HONOR
The troop holds three Court of Honor ceremonies duringthe scout year (October, February, and June). Each is a family celebration ofthe scout’s accomplishments including merit badges, rank advancement, eventpatches, and service stars. The Court of Honor is run by the scouts and is anexcellent opportunity for any scout working on the Communication merit badge.Scouts need to attend the troop Court of Honor in Class “A” Uniform. Those notreceiving any award should still be there to recognize and support their fellowscouts. Parents and family members are encouraged to attend. The fall andwinter Court of Honor ceremony is followed by dessert, and all families areasked to bring a nut-free dessert to share. The June Court of Honor is usually afamily BBQ and is held on a Saturday.
EAGLE COURT OF HONOR
When a scout achieves the rank of Eagle, he has theoption of receiving his Eagle rank at a troop Court of Honor or having aseparate Court of Honor arranged by his family with troop guidance. All Scouts inthe troop are encouraged to attend. Once a Scout earns his Eagle rank, he canreview his options for celebrating his achievement and having his awardpresented at an official ceremony.
DUES
The troop collects annual dues. The majority ofdues collected is turned over to the district and national organization. Ourtroop has always kept our dues at a minimum, but increasing district andnational dues have forced recent increases. If any family needs assistance withdues, please see the Scoutmaster or the Committee Chair as we do not want anyscout dropping out due to financial hardship.
OTHER FEES
We are a “pay as you go” troop. If you attend, youpay the fee associated with that event. A typical campout costs $25 per scout.If the event has additional fees such as whitewater rafting or rock climbing,there will be additional costs. We try our best to keep costs down and make ourevents affordable to all our scouts.
SUMMER CAMP
Summer camp is a great opportunity for scouts toexperience the first time being away from home and get to know the other boysin the troop. The opportunities to work on rank requirements and earn meritbadges are abundant. Troop 86 has madethe Ten Mile River Camp Ranachqua its summer camp home for many years, and thescouts overwhelmingly vote to go back each year. They sleep in platform tents,and the camp provides three meals per day. Scouts enjoy numerous outdooractivities such as swimming, boating, archery, rifle shooting, and fishing.There are high adventure trips available as well. Summer Camp requires additional medical formsthat must be completed and turned in prior to camp. The camp website is notedbelow.
https://www.tenmileriver.org
Equipment for Summer Camp:
Lockable Trunk
Sleeping bag
Sheets if desired
Pillow if desired
Mosquito netting
Sunblock (nonaerosol)
Insect repellent(non aerosol)
Flashlight withgood batteries
Extra batteries
Hiking boots
Bathing suit
Two towels
Toothbrush/toothpaste/soap/shampoo
Refillable waterbottle
Clothing for fivedays
Class “A” uniform
Class “B” uniform
Any medications
MEDICALS
Every Scout AND adult must have a medical on file with the troop in order to participate in troop activities. Medicals are valid for one year. AS A MINIMUM,scouts and active adults must turn in a BSA Medical Part A & B at the start of each scout year. Parts A & B cover most events less than 72 hours in length. Part C requires a physician’s signature-it is required for events greater than 72 hours, high adventure, and summer camp.
Additional information on required medicals and printable forms can be found at:
www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/ahmr.aspx
Pleasekeep a copy of all forms submitted to the troop.
ADULT LEADERSHIP
We welcome parent volunteers and encourage new leaders to join our troop. There are many opportunities for adults to help in whatever capacity they can. Merit Badge Counselors are always needed and offer an excellent opportunity for a parent/guardian to share skills they may have. Adequate leadership for campouts and events throughout the year is imperative. All adult leaders must have the minimum required training, and we strongly encourage position-specific training as well.
Committee Meetings are held monthly to discuss upcoming events, finances, troop policy, items of concern, and troop business.Leadership is encouraged to attend, and meetings are open to any parent/guardian wishing to attend.
Our Direct Youth Contact Leaders– The Scout Master and Assistant Scout Masters are responsible for coaching the scouts, training scout leaders, and giving direction to the scouts.
Hudson Valley Council offers training and it isalso available online ww.scouting.org.
http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx
All leadership positions require an application.Please see the Committee Chair for details.
ADVANCEMENTS
There is plenty of adult leadership to help with advancements, but they are ultimately the scout’s responsibility. Every scout will need a Handbook that he will keep and maintain throughout his years in Boy Scouts. When a scout completes a requirement, it is his responsibility to have an adult leader sign it off in his book AND THEN show the handbook to the Advancement Chair so it can be recorded in the troop database. It is important for scouts to keep their handbook current and organized.
MeritBadges- Scouts are given a BLUE CARD when they decide to work on a merit badge. The Scoutmaster can provide one. Once the merit badge requirements are completed, it is the scout’s responsibility to show the completed Blue Card to the Advancement Chair for recording. Always keep a copy of your completed Blue Card as it is proof of completion.
Ranks -The Scout Handbook is divided into ranks with each rank having a number of requirements. There are several ways a scout can meet a requirement. At summer camp there is a first year scout program thatfocuses on many of the scout requirements up through First Class. Scouts can also work on rank requirements at troop meetings, campouts and activities.Assistant Scoutmaster’s can sign off on each requirement that the Scout demonstrates he has completed. If a Scout needs help with a requirement, he should discuss it with the youth leadership first then an Assistant Scoutmaster if needed.
ScoutMaster Conference - when a Scout has completed all the requirements for a specific rank, he must speak with the Scoutmaster and request a Scoutmaster Conference. The Scout is expected to schedule the conference prior to the meeting and must be in full Class “A”uniform for the conference.
Board of Review- After the Scoutmaster Conference, the Scout will have a Board of Review. The Board of Review is a panel of adult leaders that will question the Scout on his knowledge of scouting to determine if he has successfully fulfilled the requirements for the rank. The Scout is expected to know the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto and Scout slogan. He must be in full Class “A” uniform.
Once the Board of Review is successfully completed, the Scout must show his signed-off records to the Advancement Chair so it can be recorded in the troop database.
A Scout may request a copy of his records at any time. Any discrepancies are resolved using properly documented records maintained by the Scout such as signed-off handbooks orMerit Badges Blue Cards.