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Parents'
Page ABOUT
SCOUTING SAFETY
THE PARENT'S
ROLE COST WHAT
TO EXPECT IN A BOY SCOUT PROGRAM
Boys
join a Boy Scout troop for any of several reasons: ----->
to make new friends ----->
to have fun ----->
to "get out of their house" But
parents who support their son's involvement in our program can
expect more than just that: ----->
The purpose of the Boy Scout program is to promote good character
and citizenship in boys. ----->
The Scouting program offers more than 100 merit badges which
introduce boys to hobbies, sports, and careers. ----->
Boys in a Scout program learn teamwork within a patrol of 4-8
boys. Later they will learn leadership as they manage the patrol. ----->
Boys in a Scout program receive recognition for their
accomplishments. The advancement program is self-paced. The Scouts
learn responsibility by doing things themselves. The troop is led
by boys under the guidance of trained adult leaders. ----->
The Boy Scouts is not a military organization. ----->
The Boy Scouts does not have any secret ceremonies or initiations.
All Scouting functions are open to parents. ----->
Scouting is a major asset to include in a college application or a
job résumé. Achieving the highest rank of Eagle Scout is a real
plus. Only about 1 in 100 Scouts achieve that rank. ----->
The Scouting program encourages boys to seek a relationship with
God and to respect the right of people to honor their chosen
faith.
"Boy
Scouts has provided my son with an opportunity to learn
many useful skills (first aid) and experience nature and the
Great Outdoors in a way schools could never teach. It has been
a great experience for him."
-
Robert Spear
ABOUT
SCOUTING SAFETY
THE PARENT'S
ROLE COST
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SAFETY
AND INSURANCE
Occasionally you see or hear a news item about mishaps that
happen in Boy Scouting, and that gives the impression that our
program is risky. Actually, though, this is not the case at all.
The Boy Scouts of America is, by far, the largest youth movement
in the United States. About 1 in 10 boys are involved in
Scouting. There are over 50,000 Scouts and Scouters in the Sam
Houston Area Council alone! Considering these high numbers, the
safety record of Scouting is exceptional. Statistically, your
son is more likely to suffer a fatal mishap at school than he is
in Scouting.
Each year, the Boy Scouts of America publishes a book titled the
"Guide to Safe Scouting." Leaders of troops are
required to submit tour permits for activities that involve
travel, and these permits require the leader to read and follow
the current "Guide to Safe Scouting." Scout troops
wishing to swim anywhere are required to have leaders currently
trained in the 8-point "Safe Swim Defense." Troops
doing canoeing or boating must be trained in "Safety
Afloat." The council requires a whitewater canoe course for
troops planning canoe trips on moving water. "Climb on
Safety" is required for Scouts engaged in rock climbing or
repelling. "Trek Safely" is required of leaders
seeking permits for high-adventure trips. Troops are required to
have leadership trained in CPR for outings that involve physical
activity, and participants are required to obtain a doctor's
physical to ensure they are capable of the activity they want to
participate in.
The Sam Houston Area Council, to which we belong, provides
insurance to augment the coverage carried by the individual
leaders of a Scout unit. It covers both injuries and illnesses
requiring medical care while your son is participating in a
Scouting activity after your own insurance, if any, has paid
their portion of the claim.
No discussion of safety issues would be complete without
including the Boy Scouts' excellent programs to prevent child
abuse. In the front of your Boy Scout Handbook, there is a
removable booklet intended to educate both the new Scout and his
parents on how to recognize and avoid child abuse situations.
All Scout leaders are required to complete the "Youth
Protection" course, which is frequently updated. At least 2
adult leaders are required at Scout activities. There are no
secret ceremonies in Scouting, and parents are encouraged to visit
and help with our program. Hazing and initiations are forbidden
under Boy Scouts of America policy.
"I
think that the Boy Scouts teach my son things he doesn’t
learn at school or at home, but on campouts. It also teaches
him responsibility and to take care of his own things away
from home. I also think that the first aid he is learning is
invaluable, as well as cooking and camping. The merit badges
also give him some real life experience such as the personal
management merit badge."
-Maria ChangABOUT
SCOUTING SAFETY
THE PARENT'S
ROLE COST
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PARENT'S ROLE
In Cub Scouting, for boys under the age of 11 years, the parent
helps the Cub directly with the projects he completes for his
advancement. Boy Scouts are learning to do things for themselves.
They plan their own menu as a patrol, buy their food, and cook on
their own when we go camping. The leaders handle their menu
separately. At first, the meals the boys cook may be lacking some
things. They won't starve, but they will learn.
The activities Boy Scouts do cost more money. Only with the help
of all of the parents can the troop plan its budget and raise the
funds it needs. Parents conduct the advancement reviews. They may
counsel merit badges or help with transportation.
The minimum a Scout's parent is expected to do is encourage him to
succeed in Scouting. This means they make the effort to mesh the
family's activities with the troop calendar, so the boy may
participate fully in both. A Scout parent should know what the
Scout is doing in the troop, and they should attend the awards
ceremonies, called "Courts of Honor."
Active parents will go camping with the troop, serve on the troop
committee, and offer to counsel merit badges for the troop.
It is every parent's right to participate in our program. We have
found that boys who lack the support of their parents benefit from
their Scouting experiences, but will fall short of achieving the
rank of Eagle. ABOUT
SCOUTING SAFETY
THE PARENT'S
ROLE COST
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THE
COST OF SCOUTING
The money you will spend on your son's Scouting needs varies
widely from one troop to the next. Some units pay most of their
expenses from money the families contribute directly. Others raise
most of the money they use. A few are subsidized by the council,
but offer a limited program.
Boy Scout Troop 1197 raises most of our money. Our goal is to
offer opportunities for the boys to raise enough money in their
"accounts" to cover the expenses of summer camps and
high-adventure trips. Of course, if they miss those fundraisers,
the family would have to chip in the balance necessary.
We recognize the needs of families are different, and we do not
want any boy to be denied a Scouting adventure due to lack of
money. We can help you get a uniform to use until you can afford
to buy one. The people of our church, Westminster, believe
strongly in the Boy Scout program and are eager to help any
deserving Scout.
Here is an estimate of the expenses you would incur as a member of
Boy Scout Troop 1197 and the ways they can be handled: Items
that must be paid by the Scout: ---->$30.00
yearly registration and dues ---->$25.00-$35.00
per campout to cover food and gasoline expenses ---->$35.00
in miscellaneous gear - flashlight, bug spray, book, etc. Items
that should be paid by the Scout's family, but we can help with: ---->$40.00
for a camp cot ---->$20.00-$60.00
for a sleeping bag ---->$100.00
for a full uniform Items
the troop raises money for, or can be paid by the Scout: ---->$200.00
for summer camp ---->$200.00-$1,000.00
for high-adventure trip ABOUT
SCOUTING SAFETY
THE PARENT'S
ROLE COST
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