Boy Scouts of America
Chartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts, since 1913
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Troop 182 Boy Scouts of America Chartered in Wellesley, Massachusetts, since 1913 |
Letter to Parents from the Scoutmasters
September 9, 2007
Dear Prospective Scouting Parents,
Troop 182 is now in its 94th year serving the youth of Wellesley and surrounding towns. We have proven that a creative and outstanding program, such as ours, will attract and keep boys in Scouting. In the last 12 months, most active Scouts in Troop 182 advanced at least one rank. Half of our troop attended Boy Scout summer programs last year, including: a week at Yawgoog Scout Reservation; Trail to Eagle Camp in Metamora, MI; Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the International Jamboree, outside London. We are continually receiving calls from inquiring parents who begin by saying that Troop 182 is where they want their son to be a Scout. The primary reason is that the boys are having a lot of fun, plain and simple. There are many other reasons. We have a great bunch of scouts. We have a program that is exciting, challenging, and age appropriate. We meet on Sunday nights (fewer scheduling conflicts for many families). We have a philosophy that is in tune with the realities of busy boys. You are welcome to visit any meeting; check the calendar on the troop’s website (www.troop182.org) for meeting dates.
We now have about 45 active Scouts in the troop. The Troop Committee has decided to limit the troop to no more than 60 boys. The facilities at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church cannot accommodate a larger membership. Siblings of current members will get first priority followed by the order of receipt of application. After that, names will be put on a waiting list. We do not expect this will be an issue at this time, but want to make our policy clear.
The adult leadership of the troop knows that Boy Scouting is a significant character-building opportunity for boys and believes that some participation in Boy Scouting delivers some, if not most, of the proven benefits of being a Boy Scout. Therefore, we encourage interested boys to be Scouts, recognizing that most boys today cannot participate fully in every scheduled activity and meeting because of the many demands upon their time. (It is not unusual for one of our Scouts to temporarily leave one of our local weekend events to play soccer or hockey or to sing in a choir and then, later, return to that Scouting activity. This requires significant parental coordination with the adult leaders, of course.) Regular participation allows more predictable advancement through the Scouting ranks. Four percent of boys in Scouting make it to Eagle Scout and we don’t expect that of all of our boys. But every Eagle was once a First Class Scout, which is our goal for every boy. This can be done in less than a year for a boy who is focused, or might take 2-3 years for one who has less time to invest in the program. Rank is a requirement for very few of our events and we don’t believe in “pushing” our boys to attain of ranks beyond Second Class, where fundamental skills and safety are taught. We will provide the opportunities and environment; they must provide their own motivation, maybe with a little help from you. Most boys will make progress toward ranks as part of their participation. Since 1913, Troop 182 has had more than its fair share of Eagle Scouts and we expect that those boys who want to achieve will find Troop 182 a very conducive environment. Three scouts are currently working on their Eagle Rank projects. Seven scouts completed their Eagle journey in the 2006-2007 program year.
Participating in Scouting requires planning on the part of parents and Scout. Each Spring, we publish an annual calendar through August of the following year. Meeting nights are identified, as are “Major Events”, which occur typically once per month throughout the school year. You need to start planning now for your son’s involvement in activities and events. The Troop cannot wait until the week before to know how many Scouts plan to go on an outing. We need to know not only how many but who, because the plans will need to be adjusted for the mix of ranks, ages, and experience. Also, space is sometimes limited. In addition, we need you to begin to plan for your own involvement in events and meetings. Not every event and meeting, unless you want to, but a couple of events and several meetings per season as an active participant. Each one of you will be asked to assist in the curriculum, activities, or the management of the Troop.
In 2007-2008 we are assessing membership dues at $50 per Scout, with an optional request for a voluntary contribution to the troop. (Financial assistance is available; please ask one of the Scoutmasters, in confidence.) About $24 goes to the National Office for membership, insurance, and Boys Life magazine, and $10, on average, goes to buy patches over the year (each badge of rank/merit badge and card costs about $1.85, for example). New Scouts receive a package that includes a handbook, neckerchief, insignia, and more. The rest goes to buy equipment, for copying, mailing and web site costs, for refreshments, for fees and expenses for some of our events, and for meeting supplies. The expected profit from our yearly sale of Christmas wreaths covers the insurance and incidental costs for our cabin at the Nobscot Reservation, one of only three troop cabins in good condition. We have used some of the proceeds to give scholarships to Scout camp, and plan to in the future. Your voluntary contributions will be used to buy the additional equipment needed by our growing troop and to subsidize those Scouts in need of financial assistance. You are always welcome to attend a Troop Committee meeting (monthly) to review the troop’s finances.
Which brings us to the next topic – paying for event fees. Most of the activities and events are planned to be self-supporting. Collecting money for an event, such as orienteering or a campout, can be a nuisance for the Troop and the parents. So, we are again offering a convenient approach to paying these fees. You can write a check for an amount you choose and we will hold it “on account” to pay for your son’s (and your) activities. When you, or your son if you so authorize, signs up for an event, we will deduct the cost. You will be billed even if you don’t participate, unless you cancel before the “point of no return” (which will be stated in advance of each event) or we can get another Scout to take your place. We need this policy, if we are to keep each event self-supporting. So please complete the financial form and deliver it with your check to the troop treasurer or bring it to the next meeting.
You also will need to complete the troop’s Parents’ Information Form. This is important so that we know about your son’s capabilities and special requirements. It also allows us to see what skills you have that might be valuable to the troop. In addition, there is the Annual Permission Slip, which is required for your son(s) to participate in the Troop’s activities.
In these challenging times, you should know that we strongly support and follow the National Scouting guidelines for safe participation by Scouts. These range from always having at least two adults at every activity or event to having adults trained in “Safety Afloat” and “Safe Swim” procedures. You are encouraged to review the tear-out guide in the front of the Boy Scout Handbook with your son. While many of these issues have been (or soon will be) presented as part of the School Department curriculum, a review is always helpful. We strive to have a comfortable environment for all of our boys. We will not tolerate unacceptable behavior of any sort. If you have any concerns or ideas regarding safe participation, please bring them to the attention of one of the Scoutmasters or a member of the Troop Committee.
Check out the troop’s web site at www.troop182.org. We rely on the web site to communicate with the troop’s members and families. This is speedier and saves a lot of printing expense. If you do not have access, please add a remark to the Information Form.
We are going to have a great year. Ten Assistant Scoutmasters and an active Troop Committee join us in welcoming your son (and you) to join our troop. If you have any questions, please call or e-mail one of us.
q 2007-2008 Dues and Fees Form
q Information Form and Resource Survey
q Permission Slip to Participate
q BSA Registration Form [multipart-make sure that you complete the medical history on back without writing through to other side of forms] … parent must sign
q B.S.A. Class 3 Medical Form [white] … you may attach (not substitute) a copy of a previously completed physical examination form as long as it is less than a year old. Make sure that Scout and parent sign the Class 3 form. (A current form is required for Boy Scout camp. It must be less than a year old when entering camp.) Submit a copy of this form as soon as practical.
You may return forms and your check made payable to “Troop 182, B.S.A.”
at the next troop meeting