1. Q: What will our son gain from joining a Scout BSA program?
A: Scouts offer the opportunity to experience outdoor activities, learn valuable life skills and values that will help them to be productive adults. As a Scout advances in rank, they will get opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities that will teach them skills such as planning, organization, communication, teamwork, delegation. Outdoor activities will teach them camping, cooking, first aid, navigation, and conservation skills amongst others. Scouts in Leadership positions will have the opportunity to attend BSA’s NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training). This is a week long camp during the summer that focuses on leadership and teamwork training.
2. Q: What does it cost to join Troop 201?
A: There is an annual cost of to register as a Scout in our council. Troop 201 does not add any additional fees. Events are paid for by those that attend and the Troop holds several fundraisers during the year to fund expenses.
3. Q: Does our son have to be in Cub Scouts first before joining Scouts?
A: There is no prerequisite for Scouts to have transitioned from a Cub Scout Pack.
4. Q: My son would not know anyone. How will he be integrated in to the troop?
A: We successfully have dealt with this by assigning a buddy that will help him integrate with the troop. He would also be assigned to a patrol with scouts of similar age.
5. Q: Do we have to be members of Wesley United Methodist Church to join?
A: No. The Troop welcomes members of any faith and currently has membership across many religious backgrounds.
6. Q: What role do the adult leaders play in running the troop?
A: The Adult leader team is comprised of a Scoutmaster and multiple Assistant Scoutmasters. Their job is to ensure the Troop acts in a safe and responsible manner, approve rank advancement requirements, provide merit badge instruction and provide coaching to the scouts as needed
7. Q: What sort of training do the adult leaders have?
A: All BSA adult leaders (including Parent committee members) are required to take Youth Protection on-line training which covers how Scouts and adults are to conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner. Parents of Scouts are also encouraged to take this training to raise awareness on BSA’s policies and procedures on the interaction between Scouts and adults. Effective in 2022, California State Assembly Bill 506 requires the completion of Mandated reporter training and Live scan background checks. Other examples of training that our leaders take include; Position specific training, Merit Badge counselor, 3 day Workshop on Outdoor Leader Skills, 6 day Woodbadge advanced training workshop. For a comprehensive list of required training for leaders, follow this link.
8. Q: Are there required manpower hours expected from parents to support the troop?
A: No set requirement. However, every healthy Troop is based on active adult leadership (SM, ASMs, Parent Committee) and Parent involvement. To that end, the Troop does ask parents to help coordinate events. It is also a great way to help participate in the development of the scouts.
9. Q: How can I get involved in helping the troop?
A: Several ways. Attend meetings: Troop 201 has a Parent Committee that meets on the first Monday of every other month. All parents are encouraged to attend to stay informed on the Troop activities, budget reviews, and give input and make decisions as needed.
Sign up to be an Activity Coordinator: Each Troop activity requires a parent coordinator who is responsible for organizing the event.
Volunteer to be a driver to take scouts to and from events.
Hold a position on the Parent committee. E.g. Treasurer, Secretary, Advancement Chair, etc.
Sign up as a Merit Badge counselor and complete a short training class. There are currently 135 different merit badges so there is likely a subject that you will leverage your experience and knowledge.
Become an Assistant Scoutmaster in the troop. This is a great way to bond and get involved with your son and help guide other Scouts as needed.
Attend a scouting event to help the ASMs in overseeing the activity. Since Scouting is boy led, adults are not to direct or organize but to provide help if asked or warranted. Any adult at a Scouting event for 72 hours or more (e.g. summer camp) must be a registered adult leader in the troop.
10.Q: Would my son be required to advance in rank?
A: There is no requirement to rank advance. However, many of the benefits from scouting happen through the experience of completing rank advancement requirements.
11.Q: My son has lots of outside activities (sports, music, etc). What if he can’t make many meetings or events?
A: This is not a problem. Many of our scouts are in this situation and make priority calls on what activities in and out of scouting to attend.
12.Q: The Org structure page mentions servant leadership. What is this?
A: This is the concept that leadership is there to serve the people. In the case of Scouts, the Patrol Leader Council is the Troop leadership whose job is to support the Scouts in the troop. This concept is widely practiced in progressive companies in a variety of industries.