TROOP 91

Boy Scouts of America
Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church
Columbia, South Carolina

Guidelines and Procedures


A printable copy of this document is here



The unit charter of Troop 91 is granted by the Indian Waters Council, Boy Scouts of America to Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, in accordance with the requirements of the bylaws, rules and regulations of the Boy Scouts of America. The Troop will follow and incorporate all the Policies and Procedures of the Boy Scouts of America in the implementation of this Scouting program.

Boy Scouts of America Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and to prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.


Table of Contents




Ideals of Scouting

The Scout Oath or Promise
On my honor
I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my Country and
To help other people at all times
To keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake, and morally straight.


The Scout Law
A Scout is Trustworthy,
Loyal,
Helpful,
Friendly,
Courteous,
Kind,
Obedient,
Cheerful,
Thrifty,
Brave,
Clean,
and Reverent.


The Scout Motto
"Be Prepared"


The Scout Slogan
"Do A Good Turn Daily"

The Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.


Leave No Trace - Outdoor Ethics
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors



WELCOME (Who We Are & What We Do)
Troop 91 is proud to be celebrating more than 50 years of Scouting. It was originally chartered on March 8, 1949. It is presently sponsored (chartered) by Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church.

We meet on Monday evenings at 7PM at the Scout Hut located in the rear of the church. The Troop camps most months. Most of Troop 91's scouts come from Lexington 5 or Lexington 2 School Districts.

Click here to see some photos of past events and adventures.

Click here to see what we have planned for the upcoming year or see the Troop's calendar.

Scouting is well known for teaching the basic skills, such as tying knots, cooking, and camping. While this is an integral part of Scouting, Troop 91 strives to include both adventure and learning activities for the scouts. The Troop tries to instill the ideals of scouting found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters carry out the Scouting program under the direct supervision of the Troop Committee as prescribed by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The Troop's goal is to be "boy run," where the youth leadership plans the meetings and activities under the advisement of the Scoutmaster and with approval from the Troop Committee.

To visit the Troop, please call Scoutmaster Jerry Hilbish at 750-0626 or email him at hilbish@biol.sc.us.

Please call in advance, as we may be having a meeting at another location. All boys are welcome to come to any meeting.



Joining Troop 91

Any boy that desires to follow the ideals of Scouting is welcome to join the Troop.

To become a Boy Scout Once the decision has been made to join Troop 91, a parent or guardian should accompany his/her son to a Troop meeting. A membership packet will be given to the parent for review and for completion of the necessary forms. The parent, with son, will meet with the Scoutmaster to discuss Troop 91's Scouting Program. A boy cannot participate in any Scouting activity until he is properly registered.

The Membership Packet includes:
Each Scout's parent or guardian is asked to contribute to the Troop and its activities in some way. Many resources and talents are required for the Troop to have a quality program.

Parents can assist the Troop in many ways - providing leadership on camping trips, special events, and Expos, providing transportation, serving on Boards of Review, as a Merit Badge Counselor, a Troop Committee Member, or an Assistant Scoutmaster, to name a few.

If the Troop Resource Questionnaire does not address your abilities, discuss with the Committee Chairman or Scoutmaster ways you can assist the Troop.

We would like each boy to have a good Scouting experience. Should a question arise or problems develop, please contact the Troop Committee Chairman, the Scoutmaster, or any of the Assistant Scoutmasters. We will try to resolve the situation. Unless otherwise informed, the Leaders must assume that all is well within the Troop.




Uniforms

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. The uniforms help create a sense of belonging. Wearing the uniform gives the youth and adult members a feeling of personal equality, identification, achievement, and personal commitment. The uniform should be complete and worn correctly.

The first item each Scout should obtain is the Boy Scout Handbook, which contains information on rank requirements and general information on the Scouting program. The Boy Scout Handbook is needed at every Troop meetings.

Troop 91 has a tradition of uniformed Scouts and Leaders. A Scout is encouraged to obtain his uniform as soon as possible. Each Scout should have a Class 'A' uniform before he receives his Scout badge. The Class "A" uniform is to be worn at each Troop function, i.e. meetings, travel to campouts, Scout ceremonies, and other functions as directed by the Scoutmaster.

All Scouts, Scoutmaster, and Assistant Scoutmasters are expected to wear the following:
Formal Uniform or Class "A" Activity Uniform or Class "B"
Official BSA khaki shirt (short sleeve recommended) Any Scout T-shirt
Green Scout pants (long or short) Green Scout pants (long or short)
Scout belt with buckle Scout belt with buckle
Red and green Scout socks (required if wearing shorts) or dark socks Red and green Scout socks when wearing shorts
Red epaulettes  
Insignia for shirt:
  • Indian Waters Council patch
  • American flag patch (on shirt)
  • Patrol patch (provided by Troop)
  • Numerals "91"
  • Rank insignia (provided by Troop)
  • NOTE: Scouts may wear a Class 'B' uniform during May, June, July, and August (any month that is not spelled with an "R"). 
    Uniforms and other Scout accessories can be purchased at the Scout Shop or at Moe Levy's, by mail order from the official Boy Scout Catalog (obtained from the Scout Shop), or from the BSA official web site.

    Scout uniforms are expensive. If your Scout needs a uniform, the Troop has a limited number of uniforms available for loan to Troop members.

    Please donate your Scout's outgrown uniforms and return any that have been on loan.

    Please refer to the Boy Scout Handbook for proper placement of insignia on the shirt.



    General Troop Information
    Registration and Fees
    Each Scout must submit a completed Boy Scouts of America membership application signed by a parent or guardian and the registration fee paid prior to participation in any Scout activities. Since the Troop renews its charter every May, the rechartering fee is collected by the first of May. The Troop Committee sets the registration fee each year.

    Cost of Transportation and Camping Expenses
    Insurance Health Information, Forms, & Tour Permits Activities Activities/Camping Trips

    Camping is the heart of Troop 91's Scouting Program and the Troop usually has one per month, RAIN, SNOW, or SHINE.

    Scouting offers a boy an opportunity to learn how to live in the outdoors and enjoy new experience. Scouting advancement requires a boy to go camping. A Scout who does not advance soon loses interest. Special trips are planned and the Troop participates in District and Council events as well as summer camp. Scouts are also encouraged to go on National BSA High Adventure expeditions when eligible.

    The BSA "two-deep leadership" policy will pertain to all Troop functions. According to this policy, two adults (at least one a registered BSA leader) must be present at a scouting activity. There are occasions when more adults are needed.

    We recognize that Scouting has become expensive and can be a strain on a household budget. We would like to see every scout be able to participate. No Scout should be prevented from participating for financial reasons. Please share your concerns with any Adult leader. All discussions will be held with the utmost confidentiality.

    Camping Equipment
    Troop 91 supplies the basic Patrol camping equipment such as tents, tables, stoves, axes, saws, dining flies, and basic camp cookware.

    A personal equipment list is found in the BSA Boy Scout handbook and Scoutmaster Handbook. If you do not have the proper equipment, please call the Scoutmaster. Equipment is available for loan. (link to personal equipment list)

    Aquatic Activities
    1. All aquatic activities will follow the Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense Plan.

    2. All Scouts will have a safety briefing and/or shakedown (practice) prior to any canoe or aquatic activity. Those that do not attend will not be allowed to participate in the activity.

    3. Adult Scouters operating a powerboat are highly encouraged to have completed either a Coast Guard or Power Squadron Safe Boating Course.

    Campout Guidelines Travel Issues Safety Issues Patrol Issues Advancement
    Advancement is the process by which a Scout progresses from rank to rank in the Scouting program. Personal growth is the prime consideration in the advancement program and can be measured by how youth live the Scouting ideals and how they conduct their daily lives.

    Each youth progresses at his own rate. The badge of rank is recognition of what a young person is able to do not just a reward for what he has done. The Boy Scout ranks are Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle, and Eagle Palms. The Boy Scout requirements for rank are the basis for advancement.

    There are four steps in the advancement procedure -
    1. learning
    2. testing
    3. reviewing
    4. recognition
    Rank Requirements
    Boy Scout Rank Requirements are set forth in the current Boy Scout Handbook. Service hours utilized for rank advancement (2nd Class, 1st Class, Star and Life) must be approved in advance by the Scoutmaster. As a scout completes requirements, he needs to have his Scout Handbook signed by an adult scout leader.

    Scoutmaster Conference
    When a Scout completes the requirements for his next rank, the Scoutmaster reviews his progress during a Scoutmaster's Conference. The Scoutmaster's Conference helps the Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals. Once this conference is complete, the Scout requests a Board of Review from the Advancement Chairman.

    Board of Review
    The Troop Committee Advancement Chairman is responsible for Boards of Review for the ranks of Tenderfoot to Life. On the 3rd Monday of every month at 7:00 PM, a Board of Review is available if needed. The Troop Advancement Chairperson may schedule others if needed. It should be scheduled with one week in advance. Members of the Troop Committee participate on Boards of Review. A periodic review of the progress of Scouts assists in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Scouting Program. Troop Leadership may call a Board of Review for reasons deemed necessary.

    A Board of Review is not an examination.
    The purpose of the Board of Review is:
    1. To review what the Scout has done for the rank (where he learned a skill, who taught him, what he learned from completing a requirement)
    2. To discover what kind of experiences the boy is having in his Patrol/Troop.
    3. To encourage the Scout to progress further.
    A Scout appearing before a Board of Review is expected to present himself in a complete class "A" uniform with his membership card and his Boy Scout Handbook properly signed. If a scout is not wearing the proper uniform, he will have to wait until the next Board of Review.

    Life to Eagle
    An Eagle candidate will follow the Indian Waters Council's Guide found in the Life to Eagle packet. An Eagle candidate's Board of Review is scheduled by the Etowah Creek District's Eagle Board of Review Chairman.

    Merit Badges
    Through the Merit Badge Program, a Scout learns career skills, develops socially, and may develop physical skills and hobbies that give a lifetime of healthful recreation. Boy Scout Merit Badge requirements are set forth in the current individual official BSA Merit Badge Books, or Boy Scout Requirements.
    When a Scout is interested in earning a Merit Badge:
    Scouts are encouraged to complete any Merit Badge requirements within 6 months of beginning the Merit Badge. This includes any partially completed at summer camp or Merit Badge University or Merit Badge Saturday. There is no time limit on Merit Badges other than the age of 18.

    The Scoutmaster, Advancement Chairperson or their designees will sign all advancement forms concerning the Scouting program. For a rank advancement, at least three members of the Board of Review must sign the advancement form.

    Court of Honor
    The Troop will have a semi-annual ceremony to give peer recognition as well as parental and Troop Committee recognition to those Scouts who have earned awards, Merit Badges, advanced in rank or attained a leadership position. All Scouts who attend the Court of Honor are expected to be in their Class "A" uniform. Parents, family members, church members, Troop Committee members and friends are encouraged to attend and support their Scout.





    Troop Leadership Information

    Adult Leadership
    The Troop Committee is comprised of church members, parents, and other interested individuals who provide administrative and other support to the Scouts, parents, Scoutmaster, and Unit.

    The Scoutmaster and his Assistants serve to provide a quality program for the Scouts.

    All Scouters serving in this program are BSA volunteers, age 18 and over and serve in advisory positions and strive to ensure that all activities of the unit follow the rules, regulations, and Policies and Procedures of the Boy Scouts of America.

    Junior Leadership
    The scouts in the unit provide the Troop's primary leadership. The senior youth leader is the Senior Patrol Leader. All other youth leadership is subordinate to this position. Note: If the Senior Patrol Leader and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader are absent for any reason at a Troop function, the Patrol Leader with the highest seniority will temporarily assume the duties of the SPL for that function.

    Junior Troop Leaders and Their Terms

    Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) Elected 6 mos.
    Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) Appointed by the SPL 6 mos.
    Patrol Leader Elected 6 mos.
    Asst. Patrol Leader Appointed by the PL 6 mos.
    Troop Guide Appointed by the SM 6 mos.
    Quartermaster Appointed by the SPL 6 mos.
    Scribe Appointed by the SPL 6 mos.
    Chaplain's Aide Appointed by the SPL 6 mos
    Librarian Appointed by the SPL 6 mos
    Jr. Asst. Scoutmaster Appointed by the SM 1 year
    Order of the Arrow Representative Appointed by the SM 1 year
    Troop Instructor Appointed by the SPL 6 mos.
    Den Chief Appointed by the SM 1 year

    Troop Elections

    The Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)
    The elected and appointed junior leaders of Troop 91 are known as the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). Under the guidance of the Scoutmaster or his designee, the PLC is responsible for the Troop program which includes planning and carrying out the Troop meetings and outdoor programs.

    In order to properly represent the members of the Troop, Patrol Leaders are requested to meet at least once a month for a PLC.

    Each Patrol Leader presents the needs and concerns of his patrol. He participates in the Troop's planning and decision-making. The Senior Patrol Leader or in his absence the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader will preside over this meeting and will call for any votes. The Troop Scribe will record any decisions made and will prepare them for review by the Scoutmaster.

    These meetings are held monthly during the regular Troop meeting. Other youth and adults may be invited to the PLC by the Senior Patrol Leader to assist with planning of activities as needed.

    Patrol Leaders Council Voting

    The Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders will vote on all issues and proposals at the PLC. Each member of the PLC will have one vote. The Troop calendar must be first voted on at a PLC, and approved by the Scoutmaster and finally approved by the Troop Committee. A quorum, at least two-thirds of the PLC voting members must be present before a vote can be taken.

    Termination of Leadership Position

    As it is vital to the smooth operation of the Troop, all Scouts in leadership positions are requested to attend all meetings. If the SPL, ASPL, or PL cannot attend a meeting or other event, it is his responsibility to inform his superior and his adjutant to fill his position. In the event of three unexcused absences that Scout will be removed from the position he is currently holding, and an appointment will be made. In the case of the SPL or a PL, the ASPL or APL will immediately fill the position until the next election.

    Any Scout caught using any drugs, tobacco, or alcohol during any Scouting event or activity will be removed from the leadership position he is currently holding, and may not run for any leadership position again until approved by the Scoutmaster after consultation with the Troop Committee Chairperson if needed.

    Other infractions of BSA policy or the Troop or may also give cause for dismissal by the Scoutmaster.

    Code of Conduct

    Each Scout has the responsibility to conduct himself during Troop meetings and activities in a manner that is consistent with the Scout Oath and Law, including compliance with safety and Troop Guidelines. If a Scout finds himself unable to obey the Scout Law during Troop meetings and activities his parents will be notified and his opportunities to participate in future activities may be restricted.

    Scouts unable to follow the Code of Conduct or Troop Guidelines will be brought before the Scoutmaster for disciplinary action. If the Scoutmaster cannot handle an infraction, a special disciplinary Board of Review may be held for further action and disposition.

    Grievances

    Use of the chain-of-command within both the youth and adult leadership is encouraged whenever possible. For minor grievances, Scouts should first talk with their Patrol Leader, who may take the matter up with the Senior Patrol Leader. The Senior Patrol leader, in turn may utilize the Patrol Leader's Council and/or the Scoutmaster as a resource to settle disputes or resolve issues. Similarly, Assistant Scoutmasters are encouraged to bring issues to the Scoutmaster's attention for resolution. The Scoutmaster may utilize the Committee Chairman or any member of the Troop Committee as necessary.

    For major grievances, disputes, and infractions of the Code of Conduct, the Scout may go to any adult Leader directly for resolution.

    Should a question arise or problems develop, please contact the Troop Committee Chairman, the Scoutmaster, or the Assistant Scoutmasters. We will try to resolve the situation.




    Internet Guidelines


    Guidelines Revision, Review & Approval

    The Troop Committee approves Troop 91's Guidelines with the advice of the Scoutmaster and in compliance with the Policies and Procedures of the Boy Scouts of America which take precedence in the event of any contradiction. These Troop Guidelines and information will be reviewed annually by the Troop Committee with input from the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders.



    Reviewed and revised: Oct. 23, 2001


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