Welcome to New Parents

Troop 406 welcomes you as parents of Troop Boy Scout Troop 406. Boy Scouting is different than Cub Scouting and some valuable information is provided here to ease your transition We operate a year round program. The Troop meets every Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at grace Lutheran Church at 6th and Main Streets in Royersford..

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Patrol method

Troop 406 uses the patrol method. Although it may look chaotic at times, the method works and has been proven to provide the most benefit to the Scouts themselves. In the patrol method the troop is divided into a number of smaller groups called patrols. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader (PL) and an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) who are responsible for the patrols overall function. Overseeing all of the patrols are the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and his assistant the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). The SPL, ASPL and the individual patrol leaders make up the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The PLC meets monthly and plans and organizes the troop's activities and functions. This leadership method has proven to be very effective in developing young boys into strong leaders.

It is the patrol leadership that is responsible for communicating to their patrol members. Phone chains and email links are in place so that program changes are easily communicated. Each Scout is expected to bring a notepad with a pen/pencil to each meeting so that they can keep good notes on when and where activities are to take place, as well as, what kind of gear may be required. In addition, the Troop calendar is posted and available through the web page.

The troop is overseen by a cadre of adult leaders who are responsible to ensure that the overall goals of Boy Scouting are achieved. The adults provide guidance when and where it is appropriate. However, the primary function of the adult leadership is ensure the safety and well-being of the scouts.

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Troop Committee

Parents of Scouts may serve on the Troop Committee. It is the responsibility of the Troop Committee to plan activities, outings, service projects, fundraisers, etc. All Troop business and important decisions are discussed. Parents input and willingness to serve on the Troop Committee is essential to the success of the Troop. The Troop Committee meets from 7:00 PM usually on the second Tuesday night of each month (verify on the Troop Calendar webpage). Please plan on becoming an active member of this committee.

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Fees

Initially the troop covers the registration fee. This includes the cost of the official BSA Registration and a years subscription to boy's Life magazine. Our scouts are required to wear our District Patch($3), Troop 406 numeral patch ($5) and Troop Neckerchief ($10). These items are sold at our cost. During the year the Troop dues are $25 each session (fall and spring). The fall term fee is due in October, and the spring fee is due in February. These dues cover the cost of the Troop/patrol insignia plus all ranks, merit badges, other awards received by the Scout and rechartering for the following year.

Each term the Troop committee works with the scouts to select a fund raiser(s) where Scouts can earn money to offset the cost of camping and other trips. The money a Scout earns is deposited into their own Scout Account. A Scout may elect to use this money he has earned to offset any camping fee, up to the balance available in his account. Camping fees are based on an individual event basis. Once a year, we do hold a Troop fundraiser to cover the Troop's costs, this money is kept separate from the Scout accounts.

Camping Fees are due TWO WEEKS PRIOR to the campout. The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) works with the Troop committee to determine the menu, and the Scouts (along with the leaders) purchase the food. These policies and prices are subject to change, please check with committee members for the most up-to-date policies and prices.

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Uniforms

All Scouts are required to have a complete uniform when participating in Troop related activities. Information regarding uniform articles and insignia can be found in The Boy Scout Handbook (which is part of their required gear). Uniforms don't have to be new as long as they are in good repair (we do have a closet of "broken in" scout uniform gear). Garage sales, Army Navy stores, and thrift stores are good sources for many uniform items. Remember, a scout is thrifty! As a minimum, the following items are required (Class A):

Scout Shirt (short or long sleeve)
Troop Neckerchief with Slide
Scout Pants or shorts
Scout socks
Scout Belt with buckle
Insignia/patches (Council Patch, Troop 406 Insignia, rank, patrol, etc,)
Notepad with pen/pencil
Boy Scout Handbook

The Troop field uniform (class B) is a more casual outfit and replaces the official scout shirt with a scouting related T-shirt and ball cap. These field uniforms are used primarily worn while camping and other activities for which the official uniform is not appropriate. When we travel as a troop we require the Scouts to wear their complete class A uniform.

Each new scout is required to have his BSA handbook available. The Boy Scout Handbook contains critical information that each scout needs to participate in our program. The handbook is where the record of the Scout's advancements are kept. Handbooks can be purchased anywhere uniforms are sold.

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Camping

Parents are required to complete a medical history form before their son can participate in any outdoor activity with the troop. the medical form provides leaders with critical information in the event of sickness or injury. These forms are available from the troop leadership and are on the website. If a parent desires to transport any Scout other than their own to any Scout function or activity they must have adequate insurance coverage and seat belts for each passenger. A local Tour Permit is required to be completed and submitted identifying each driver, it is also available from troop leadership and on the web site.

Troop 406 camps throughout the year in all types of weather conditions. There is usually one campout each month. All registered Scouts and Scouters are allowed to camp (there are occasional family camp-outs and parents will be notified when these special camp-outs occur). Monthly Troop Campo-outs usually start on Friday afternoons and end Sunday mornings. As the times do fluctuate, please ensure you provide a proper contact number to arrange group transportation to/from the scout hall. Parents of new Scouts should refer to the Boy Scout Handbook for a listing of personal gear and clothing required for each Scout. Scouts are required to have their own sleeping bag, personal mess gear and camp chair. Thrift shops and garage sales are good sources of used camping equipment.

You can refer to our camping gear list web page for a detailed list of equipment to bring and equipment not to be brought. Click here

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7) Advancement

Requirements for advancement to each rank are listed in The Boy Scout Handbook. Requirements can be fulfilled at troop meetings, campouts, hikes, and other troop/patrol activities. A registered leader will initial and date the requirements as they are covered. It is the Scout's responsibility to get a requirement signed off immediately as it is completed. Therefore, the Scout should bring his Handbook to all troop activities.

Once the requirements for a rank have been completed, the Scout must have a Scoutmasters Conference and Board of Review. The Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster will meet with the Scout for the Scoutmasters Conference. The requirements for the rank just completed will be reviewed, and other Scout-related topics will be discussed. It is the responsibility of the Scout to ask the Scoutmaster for a Scoutmasters Conference and request a Board of Review. Following the Scoutmasters Conference, the Scout will meet for a Board of Review at one of the scheduled Troop Committee Meetings. Again, the Handbook will be reviewed, a uniform inspection will take place and the panel will question the Scout about his growth in Scouting. When requirements have been satisfactorily met, the Scout will advance in rank. The rank patch will be presented at a Court-Of-Honor, held about every three or four months. Parents and other family members are invited to attend the Court-of-Honor. Awards, advancements and merit badges are presented to Scouts during a ceremony to honor their hard work.

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