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Parents Guide

Organization

The Boy Scouts of America is a national movement, and so, by its nature, it is a complicated organization.  The nation organization is divided into Regions and within each Region, into Local Councils.  Councils are further divided into Districts.  Troop 993 is in the Four Rivers District of the Baltimore Area Council.  The Council advises, offers training courses, sponsors council  activities, and is the go-between for individual units and the Regional and National offices.

Membership

Eligible to join the Troop are boys who are in the fifth grade or are 11 years old, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award, but are younger than 18 years of age.  Generally the boy visits the Troop one or more times before deciding to join and is invited by the Scoutmaster.

Upon deciding to join the boy and his parents are given applications, a copy of Parents' Guide to Troop 993, a Troop Resource Survey, Merit Badge Counselor Application, a current activity schedule, an adult leader listing and an organization chart showing the scouts and adults who have positions of responsibility.  The parent(s) will also make their commitment to support the Troop if their son is accepted into Troop 993.

Parent Application

All adults affiliated with the Troop are non-professional Scouters and all are volunteers.  All have the same objective, to provide boys in the community with the opportunity to have fun and learn Scout skills while helping them grow into useful citizens and fine young men.  Please look over our list of jobs that require Scout parent volunteers.  You are definitely needed to assist in providing the best Scouting program possible.

Finances

In addition to the fund raising support of the outdoor program and the Scouts individual uniform and camping expenses the Troop requires money for registration fees, insurance, badges, awards, literature, etc.  Without adequate funds the operation of the troop can be seriously hampered and the tasks of the leaders made doubly difficult.  The amounts required are not large, but it is essential that the procurement and expenditure of all unit funds be done in an efficient and business-like manner.  A member of the Troop Committee functions as treasurer and is responsible for fiscal management.  Each year in August the Troop Committee receives an annual program plan from the Scoutmaster and based on this creates an annual budget to support the program.  Each boy is required to pay dues of $36 per year, which is paid in January.  Payments should be made by check to Troop 993.

Troop Meetings

Troop meetings are conducted on Thursday evenings in the Scout Room, #208, of the Severna Park United Methodist Church.  Weekly meetings are held throughout the year according the the annual program plan.  Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. sharp and close at 9:00 p.m.

The Scout Uniform

The uniform, since the beginning of the organization, has been a part of Scouting and is now, also, a part of the American scene.  Not only is it an important part of being a Scout, but you will find it functional and rugged for heavy wear.  In this area the uniform may be purchased at The Scout Shop, 7502 Connelley Dr, Suite 120, Hanover, MD 21076 410-553-6913 (this is right off of Dorsey Road behind Burger King). Or on line at www.scoutstuff.org .  We also have a "Class B" T-Shirt that we use in the summer which can be ordered directly from the troop, see one of the leaders or download an order form here.

Advancement

To assist in evaluating a Scout's progress through the Scouting program certain measures of accomplishment have been found helpful.  In the individual case they are a partial measure of the boy's achievements:  in sum, they are the hallmarks of  a good troop.

The ranks of Scouting from the start to the highest are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.  The requirements for achieving these ranks are fully described in the Boy Scout Handbook.  To find out exactly how your son is progressing, visit the Troop and ask to see the Troop Advancement Records, speak with the Scoutmaster and/or the advancement Chairperson.

Although the rate of advancement varies considerably among individual Scouts, the majority progress at the following rate:

After 1 year in the troop    1st Class or 2nd Class

After 2 years in the troop    First Class or Star

After 3 years in the troop    Star or Life

After 4 years in the troop    Life or Eagle (the latter is the exception)

Parent interest and encouragement have been demonstrated to be essential ingredients to a Scout's advancement, participation, and enthusiasm in Scouting.  Public recognition of honest achievement by a Scout is the most powerful motivator for success in Scouting.  Therefore, it is most important that all parents and other adults in the Troop attend the Courts of Honor to recognize and applaud the achievements of their sons and all other boys who are honored.  Nothing is more heart wrenching than to see a boy step forward to be recognized with no adult to accompany him.  Please make the time to attend these functions, the Troop holds 3 courts of Honor each year in September, January, and May.