Welcome!
Welcome to Troop 897! We are excited to have you but also understand that there is a lot of information that can feel a bit overwhelming. This page will help you navigate how the Troop operates along with some terms to demystify the terminology. Please don’t hesitate to send an email or reach out to any Troop leader if you have any questions.
New Parent Check List: To get you started, we have created a checklist. This will provide a quick guide to those things needed to get your Scout off and running.
Meetings
Troop Meetings
We meet Monday nights at Winfree Church. Scouts will gather around 7:00 for a variety of targeted meetings with the formal Troop meeting beginning at 7:30. Each meeting will start with a flag ceremony and announcements. The announcements are a great way to get information about upcoming events and the night’s activities. The meetings are planned and run by the Scouts with the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) leading. Please note that during the school year, if Chesterfield County schools are closed (including for inclement weather), we will not meet. The meeting schedule during the summer months is a bit more sparse as Scouts are often at summer camp, attending high adventure camps or out of town on family vacations.
Committee Meetings
Committee meetings are open to all parents and committee members. These meetings will focus on Troop business such as finances, open positions and other pressing topics. Parents are welcomed to bring any topic to this meeting for discussion. These occur monthly on the 2nd Wednesday of each month over Zoom. The Zoom information is made available through a targeted email and our Troop’s Band site.
Communication
While some communications will come from email, the bulk of our communications and information are pushed through the Band App. You will need to create an account and request access to the “Scouts BSA Troop 897” site. For safety reasons, this is restricted to Troop members and families. You are also encouraged to download the app from the app store and enable alerting. Our alerting is set to only send alerts between the hours of 8am and 8pm so you don’t have to worry about late night alerts waking you up. The alerting is particularly helpful as timely reminders such as when Scouts are headed home from trips are sent though the app. This is also where we publish the Troop calendar and photos from our trips.
Uniform
You will often hear the term “Full Class A”, “Class A” and Class B” as it relates to uniforms. This speaks to the uniform requirement for a particular event. Below is some information to help you better understand what is needed and when.
Uniform Components: Uniforms consist of a Scout Shirt, olive green shorts or pants (we do not require BSA pants/shorts – anything olive green will do), a Scout belt, green socks, a neckerchief, slide and epaulettes. The neckerchief, slide and epaulettes are provided by the Troop when your Scout joins. You can order the shirt, belt and socks online or visit the local Scout shop.
Full Class A: This term refers to the full “dress” uniform. It includes the shirt, pants/shorts, belt, socks, neckerchief, slide and epaulettes. This is typically only required for Court of Honor, Eagle Scout ceremonies and when your Scout is participating in a Board of Review.
Class A: This is what your Scout will wear to most meetings and to camping trips. Once we arrive at the campsites, Scouts will typically change into something more comfortable for camping. This consists of the Full Class A uniform minus the neckerchief and slide.
Class B: These are more casual and consist of olive green shorts and any sort of Scouting shirt. It could be a summer camp or Troop t-shirt or maybe a dry fit shirt from a high adventure trip. This is what we typically wear during the summer months.
Advancement
While Scouts are accountable for their own advancement, we work with our newer Scouts to help them get to the rank of 1st Class relatively quickly. For Star, Life and Eagle, Scouts are expected to take a more proactive approach and own their progress. Below you will find some information that help clarify how advancement is managed.
Handbook: The Troop will provide your Scout with a handbook when they join. This is considered the official record of rank advancement so it is important that they do not lose it. We encourage Scouts and parents to take pictures of the rank sign-off pages as they get completed so there is a digital copy in the event the handbook is lost.
Scoutbook: This is the online advancement tracking tool that BSA uses. Web and mobile versions of this are available. Your Scout will have an account in addition to parents and certain adult leaders. This is also where rank and merit badge requirements can be monitored. Dates for rank requirements should mirror what is in the physical handbook.
Scoutmaster Conference: This one of the last requirements for most ranks and occurs after all requirements are complete and just before the Board of Review. For the younger ranks, these are brief conversations with an Assistant Scoutmaster. The focus of those conversations are geared towards what they learned while working on the rank…not just the tangible skills like cooking but also softer skills such as leadership.
Board of Review: This is the last step in the rank advancement process. For Tenderfoot to Life ranks this is done with a group of Troop leaders who do not serve in a Scout Master or ASM role. These are typically conducted by 2 – 4 committee members. The conversation is more about the Scout’s overall Scouting experience and how it is translating into their daily lives.
Eagle Scout: If your child has come this far, congratulations! They are almost there! However, this is where Scouts can often get complacent with the finish line in site. This can be especially challenging if they are quickly approaching their 18th birthday. A few notes about Eagle requirements that you will want to keep in mind:
Eagle Project: The Eagle Project is where Scouts will lean on all of the skills they have learned over the years. This project will require significant planning and several rounds of reviews. Expect this process to take months, not weeks. Examples of past projects include building and installing park benches, small bridges, or picnic tables for a school. Scouts can also decide on other project types such as collecting and assembling back to school bags for underserved communities.
Scout Master Conference: This is a much more involved conversation with the Scout Master. In addition to a discussion about what the Scout has learned, a review of the Scout’s binder helps ensure all documentation is ready for the Eagle Board of Review.
Board of Review: This is much more formal meeting and includes a district representative. Scouts are also allowed to invite others who have had an impact on them such as teachers or coaches. This conversation is a discussion about the Scout’s journey over the past years and what they have learned from that experience.
Court of Honor: A few times throughout the year, we will replace our standard Troop meeting with a Court of Honor. This is a more formal affair where Scouts will receive patches for new rank, merit badges and other awards. We encourage parents to attend as you are will receive a mother’s pin when your Scout ranks up.
Camping
We typically will have one camping trip per month. Trips for the year are selected by the Scouts in the annual planning meeting which occurs in August. Once the Scouts pick the trips, Troop adults will meet and fit them into the annual calendar with consideration given to holidays, school impacts (prom, exams, back to school nights, etc.) and other potential conflicts. A few key items to keep in mind as it relates to camping trips:
Dates: Camping trip dates can be found on the Troop calendar in the Band App.
Fees: We work hard to keep cost down. However, it should be noted that not all trips will cost the same. A white water rafting trip will cost more because we have to pay the outfitter. Whereas a trip to Brady Saunders (a nearby Scout camp) will be much cheaper. All camping trips will have a cost for food. This is typically under $20 per trip and fluctuates based on the number of nights/meals.
Planning: Each trip will be planned by a Scout. The Scouts planning each trip are determined during the planning session. Additionally, Scouts will be assigned an adult leader to help guide them along. The Scout is accountable for reserving the camp sites, communicating the trip details and coordinating any activities that will occur during the trip. They will also work with the Treasurer to set up a payment via Square.
Equipment: Please don’t feel you need to rush out and buy a bunch of equipment as soon as you join the Troop. The Troop does have tents it can loan out (have your Scout ask the Quartermaster) for each trip. We do encourage Scouts to get a few items to get started:
Sleeping Bag: A bag rated to 30 degrees will suffice for the majority of our camping trips. However, if your Scout is attending a cold weather trip such as winter camp, we also suggest a bag rated to 0 degrees.
Sleeping Pad: This is a pad that serves as the layer between the sleeping bag and tent floor. This is helpful to help keep Scouts warm at night and add a bit comfort. You don’t need an expensive pad. Simple foam pads such as this one, will do just fine.
Water Bottle: All Scouts should bring a water bottle to trips and events except for Troop meetings. A Nalgene bottle works well and is what the majority of Scouts use.
Mess Kit: A simple mess kit will do. It can be an old Tupperware container. Ideally, something with sides that could double as a bowl would be best. We also suggest a spork as it is multifunctional. These usually come in multipacks which is helpful as Scouts are known to loose them at times.
Headlamp: A flashlight would also work. However, we find a headlamp is much more functional as Scouts can have their hands free. You can usually find these for under $20.
Pack: Scouts do not need camping backpack to get started. An older school back pack for clothes would work if needed. Over time, if they are in active in Scouting, we would suggest investing in a pack.
Organizational Structure
Scout Leadership
We have several Troop leadership positions for the Scouts. Troop elections occur twice per year and allows Scouts the opportunity to make the case for why they should be elected for a particular position.
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL): This is the most senior youth leader. This Scout is accountable for planning and running Troop meetings. If Scouts have questions they should first ask the SPL. You will hear adult leaders use the phrase “ask your SPL” quite a bit. This is done to reinforce to younger Scouts that the SPL is in charge and provides the acting SPL an opportunity to make decisions and address questions and minor issues as they come up. It should be noted that adult leaders are always available when safety is of concern.
Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL): This Scout is responsible for assisting the SPL and is next in line when the SPL is not available. This role is also next in line to become SPL once the current term ends.
Patrol Leader: Leads patrol activities and supports other youth leaders by ensuring the patrol is actively participating in Troop events. This role will often work with the ASM to work through questions and issues. Accountable for planning and leading 2 patrol service projects during term.
Assistant Patrol Leader: Supports the Patrol Leader as needed. Next in line to be Patrol Leader at the end of the current term.
Scribe: This Scout is accountable for taking notes and providing the minutes from the Troop meetings.
Quartermaster: This role is responsible for organizing the Troop’s equipment. They will assign cleaning duties on camping trips and will determine which Scouts need to take home equipment after camping trips for additional and more thorough cleaning.
Assistant Quartermaster: This Scout is the assistant to the Quartermaster. They will help assign Troop gear and is next in line for the Quartermaster position when the current term ends.
Chaplains Aid: This role is accountable for the prayer during our opening ceremony and coordination with the Church for annual Scout Sunday services.
Troop Guide: This Scout is responsible for supporting younger Scouts and helping them through the earlier stages of advancement.
Den Chief: The role will be assigned to a Den within a Cub Scout Pack. The will support the Den Leader with activities during the Den meetings and may attend occasional trips with the Den. They are a bridge between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and help the Cubs learn more about Boy Scouts and our Troop.
Patrol Leaders Council (PLC): This is name for the group of Youth Leaders. This will group will meet periodically a couple of times a month, typically at 7:00pm prior to the start of the Troop meeting. These discussions are chaired by the SPL and are focused on pressing topics at the time.
Adult Leadership
While we have formal positions/roles for adult leadership within the Troop, we encourage all parents to stay engaged. You don’t have to have a formal role to have an impact. All parents are welcomed (and encouraged) to attend trips from time to time, participate in meeting programs, serve as merit badge counselors or help drive a specific project.
Scout Master (also know as Unit Leader): This adult is the leader of the Troop’s Scouting program. They work closely with the SPL to ensure meeting plans are well thought out and the overall program is running as intended.
Committee Chair: This role is accountable for running the business of the Troop. This includes chairing the monthly committee meetings, addressing parents questions and helping to ensure that all the needs of the Troop are met as it relates to things like finances. They also are typically the primary contact for the Chartered Organization Representative.
Chartered Organization Representative (COR): This is a member of the charter organization who works with the Troop’s adult leadership as needed to ensure that we are supporting the charter organization and addressing any questions that may come relative to topics such facilities usage.
Advancement Chair: This adult leader coordinates the management of Scout advancement. This includes working with Scouts, merit badge counselors and parents to ensuring Scoutbook is updated along with physical Scout Handbook. They also acquire the merit, rank and other badges / awards that are handed out during our Court of Honor.
Assistant Scout Master (ASM): These are leaders who help the Scout Master run the program. They work with our youth leaders to make sure things are running smoothly during meetings and camping trips. They often will provide guidance and recommendations to youth leadership.
Treasurer: This role is responsible for managing the Troop budge and finances. They will provide updates during the committee meetings and inform decisions that have a cost impact. They also support Scouts who are planning trips with collecting trip fees through Square. The also collect and Troop dues and payments for high adventure trips and manage the Troop’s bank accounts.
Service Project Coordinator: This adult will work with known members of the community (e.g., neighborhood leaders, park rangers, etc.) to identify service projects our Scouts can participate in. This does NOT include Eagle Scout Projects which Scouts are accountable for planning and coordinating themselves.
Committee Member: This can be any parent who would like to sign up to be member of the committee and provide any level of support.
Forms and Training
While never fun, having the proper forms updated is important to ensure we have the right information to remain in compliance with BSA policies. This also provides the Troop with critical information such as medical needs, in the event of an emergency.
Youth Protection Training (YPT): Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement. Please see the BSA Youth Protection Training page to learn more about the training and how to get started.
Adult Application: To become registered as an adult leader, you will need complete BSA’s adult application.
Scout Application: For new Scouts to join, a youth application must be completed.
Merit Badge Counselor Application: If you have experience relative to any merit badge, please consider signing up to be a merit badge counselor using this form.