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Quick Start Guide to Troop 74

Let me start by welcoming you to Troop 74 at the American Legion Leslie-Reddick Post 721. The purpose of this document is to help you and your child get assimilated into the troop life as quickly as possible.

You are joining a troop with a proud history that goes back over 75 years. Over that 75+ year period the troop has witnessed several Eagles take flight with the eagle badge proudly worn on their uniform. Troop 74 has an active outdoor program that your Scout will become a part of. They may be setting up a tent for the first time in a few weeks, but it will not be long before you are hearing your child tell stories about all of their adventures and creating life-long memories along the way.

This document has five sections that are important in the on-boarding process – A) Forms for registration, B) Patrol program for new scouts, C) Role of adults in the troop, D) What to expect in the outdoor program, E) What do I have to purchase to get on board?

A) Forms - Applications and Medical:

Online application may be completed at the my.scouting.org website along with submitting payment at that time. To complete the online application for Troop 74, just click on here.
A new scout paper application and/ or an adult paper application.

Please complete the scout application and the adult application (if you plan on serving as a volunteer at this time) as soon as possible (along with payment to the troop). When completing the paper application please sign and return the application to either our scoutmaster or give to the Troop Committee Chair with payment. Checks are made out to Troop 74. There is a fee per registered adult. Check with the Scoutmaster regarding best method for payment as this does change over time. Adults who intend on registering will need to complete their Youth Protection Training to complete the registration process. Youth Protection training can be accessed via the Troop website or by going to the my.scouting.org website. Scouts and Registered Adults will need to fill out BSA medical forms Part A & B, these can be easily filled out by parents. Once these forms are filled out, please get a scanned copy to our Scoutmaster. For Scouts and registered adults attending summer camps, Form C is also required. Form C is filled out by a physician after an annual physical.

B) Patrols:

Scouts BSA troops are organized by patrols. Our new scouts are brought into patrols so that they are with scouts of variable experience so that they can learn from each other. A scout will be focused on completing rank requirements with the help of other scouts in the troop and Scout Leaders. The first rank is Scout, then Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, then Eagle. Active scouts typically achieve First Class within 18 months of joining Troop 74. These patrols camp and cook together on campouts, have separate patrol meetings, and may have separate social events.

C) Role of adults in the troop:

Scouting is all about kids, but all scout troops require dedicated adults to run the troop. Our expectation is that parents be open to volunteering with the troop in some capacity during your child’s tenure with the troop. Some parents will be more involved than others depending on their own interest level. We pride ourselves in being a “Scout Led Troop,” but any successful troop requires dedicated adults to make it all come together. Adult roles are divided into two branches, Troop Committee and Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmasters. The Scoutmaster / Assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the scouts and the Troop Committee provides the infrastructure around the troop to make it all come together. Troop Committee positions include a Committee Chair, an Outdoor Coordinator, A Troop Treasurer, A Troop Secretary, among others as needed. For those parents who intend to join the troop on campouts you must be currently registered as an adult volunteer or an adult program participant. Adult volunteers must register in the position(s) they are serving in. Registration as a merit badge counselor position does not meet this requirement.

D) Outdoor program:

Troop 74 camps as often as possible during the school year and has a week-long summer camp each summer. The older scouts may participate in a high-adventure camp in the summer as well (Philmont, Tetons, Florida Sea Base, etc.). Typical monthly campouts will be to state parks between 1-4 hour’s drive from Morrisonville. The troop typically departs around 5:30pm on Friday and returns between 1:00 and 3:00pm on Sunday afternoon. Weekend camp fees cover the cost of the event and run $20, but may cost more depending on the activity.Summer camp is a great opportunity for your Scout to get really plugged into the troop and get Tenderfoot and Second Class rank requirements done. The troop in the past has attended summer camp at different locations including Camp Bunn and Rhodes France Scout Reservation.

E) What do I need to Purchase for my child to be able to participate:

If you do not come from an active outdoor family, a trip to a store like REI might be overwhelming! Don’t worry, getting started does not require a full set of expedition gear…

To start with your child will need a uniform and the BSA scout shop can direct you on what all is needed, the BSA hand book also provides a uniform guide. As far as minimum camping equipment goes a few basic things are needed:

1. Small Flashlight (head lamps are handy)
2. Sleeping Bag
3. Lightweight Sleeping pad
4. Camping Mess kit – plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon, water bottle
5. Small personal first aid kit (troop will have at least one well stocked first aid kit at each outing)
6. Outdoor clothing depending on weather – rain coat, warm clothes etc.
7. A duffel bag to carry camping gear. Many scouts have backpacks but are only really needed for the one or two trips a year where the troop camps away from the troop trailer.
8. A tent is not required as the troop provides scouts tents.

Be an active participant - those that put much into scouting will get much out of it!