There are many ways to help the Troop function and play an active role in your Scout's experience. Please review the list of the areas where help is needed, and the attached Troop Committee Positions document.
Roundtable Attendance-
Roundtable is a meeting put on by the Potawatomi Area Council, for all units in the Council. Council meetings are currently held on ZOOM. The meeting is great opportunity to meet other leaders and the PAC staff, learn about activities going on in the Council, and bring important information back to the Troop. We need at least two adults to attend the meeting each month. Wear a BSA uniform if you have one.
Camp Coordinators and Attendees-
All Troop Camps need an adult Coordinator and additional adults. The Coordinator will coordinate scout and adult registration, merit badge registration, trailer logistics, and communication with the Troop and Long Lake. Adults are also needed to stay at camp for the week and help the SPL run the camp. The lead adult for a Troop Camp is required to have current Oak Leaf Training. Troop 49 usually attends the following, plus other camps as they come up- Outdoorsman Meritbadge Camp in May Home Improvement in June Long Lake Summer Camp in June or July Devil's Lake in September or October
Adult Volunteering-
At times parents of scouts look to see what they can do to help in the troop. Boy Scout troops have what is called the “outdoor program” and the “non-outdoor program”. The “outdoor program” is just that- being outside or camping; it can also include helping to plan an event. The “non-outdoor program” can consist of planning an event, being a merit badge counselor, or being part of the troop committee. What the Troop asks as you consider where you want to help is for you to check your level of comfort and maybe push it a little, okay maybe push it a lot. We know everyone has it in them to help.
Outdoor Program: If you happen to be someone who is comfortable in the outdoor program, that’s great. Troop 49 averages one or more outdoor events each month throughout the year. The scouts need adult participation for this type of program. It does take commitment on the part of the adult, it doesn’t happen all by itself. To be part of the outdoor program BSA National policy requires specialized training. It starts out by completing Youth Protection Training; this can be done online at Myscouting.org. If you want to expand your training you can take Safe Swim Defense, Climb on Safely, Hazardous Weather and more, all of which can be done online. Additionally you can participate in “Outdoor Leadership Training” or as our Council calls it, Oakleaf Training. This last type of training goes deeper into how a troop runs, first aid, knots and lashings, fire starting, backpacking, orienteering and more. Troop 49 requires at least one adult on an overnight campout be Oakleaf trained.
Non-Outdoor Program: The non-outdoor part of a Boy Scout troop is just as important as the outdoor program. Without this part a troop cannot exist. One aspect is the Troop Committee. This is made up of a Committee Chair, Advancement Coordinator, Outdoor Activities Coordinator, Newsletter, Webmaster, Recruitment, Treasurer, Chaplin, Court of Honor, Secretary and more. Events that need planning include Scouting for Food, Merit Badge Clinics, Courts of Honor, campouts, cantina nights, etc. Everyone has an important part in running this part of the troop. New families serve alongside those who have served the troop for years. We are always looking for people to help.
Merit Badge Counselors: Another part of the non-outdoor program is that of Merit Badge Counselor. There are 135 merit badges available to all scouts. In order for a scout to be eligible to reach the rank of Eagle he must complete 21 merit badges of which 13 are Eagle required. The process starts by receiving a signed blue card from the Scoutmaster then meeting with a Merit Badge Counselor. This is where we need you! There is always a need for an adult to be a merit badge counselor; this is so scouts have someone in our troop who will help them work on their merit badges. In addition, they see that adults are interested in their growth so they too will become more interested. The process is rather easy for an adult to become a Counselor. The first step is to get trained, which is free, easy and takes less than 45 minutes to become trained. This training is provided by experienced people who are part of the Council Advancement team.
We ask that adults take on at least an assistant role in one or more of the programs or leadership positions. This allows for seamless transitions as adults move on. If you have questions go up to an adult wearing a Scout uniform and ask what you can do.
Your time with your son or daughter and scouting is short. This is a once in a lifetime experience with him. Make the most of it!!