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First Class EmphasisTo: FCE Scouts and Parents Advancement is important to all Scouts. It is the philosophy of the Boy Scouts that all boys complete at least the requirements for First Class while in Scouting. This process is called First Class Emphasis or FCE. Much attention is directed to this program by Troop 642 with the older Scouts conducting the training for many parts of the program. There is a great deal of emphasis on First Aid, camping skills, cooking, and improving self reliance in the individual Scout. The requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are included in FCE. Scouts can have requirements for First and Second Class signed off on while they are working on Tenderfoot. However, service hours for a rank can only be earned while working on that one rank A significant part of our FCE program occurs during our annual summer camp program at El Rancho Cima. Attending summer camp is strongly encouraged as advancement opportunities are significantly enhanced for the individual scouts attending our summer camp program. FCE Scouts attending summer camp at El Ranch Cima will have the opportunity to complete three merit badges (Pioneering, Basketry and Swimming) and a significant number of their FCE program requirements. The dates for summer camp at El Rancho Cima this year, 2010, are Sunday, June 13th to Saturday, June 19th. For those scouts who are hoping to advance one or even two ranks at summer camp, please note that requirements that have held up advancement for individual scouts in past are:
Therefore, we recommend individual scouts start the Tenderfoot exercise program as soon as possible. Also please try to attend all Troop activities including Scout Sunday (February 7th, 2010) and the monthly camp-outs to ensure you meet the minimum level of 5 activities by time summer camp comes around. Note that attending summer camp counts as one activity and that during summer camp you will have opportunities to attend other troop activities including the Order of the Arrow (The Scouting honor society) calling out ceremony, etc. To help with the FCE First Aid requirements we are planning to hold FCE First Aid classes from 7pm to 8pm at the MDPC Scouthouse on the following dates: January 21, 28 May 6th, 13th, 20, 27 The FCE First Aid classes will cover the various FCE first aid skills needed for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class advancement. Various adult and youth instructors will be available on each of these dates to work with the boys on individual requirements. Refreshments will be provided. We will aslo work on other advancement items, as well -- time alotting. The objectives of the FCE First Aid training sessions are:
Attending at least three of the FCE First Aid sessions is highly recommended. We recognize many of our scouts have other commitments or may want to sign up for merit badge classes that have meetings that conflict with these dates. If you can not attend at least three of these sessions note that we will continue to cover First Aid skills and other FCE requirements on our regular monthly camp-outs and at Summer Camp. However, on camp-outs we generally focus most on the outdoor and camping FCE requirements. In addition to the FCE First Aid meeting we will also have a FCE Advancement Day, May 27, 2010. This will be held at the Scout House and will allow us to catch up on advancement items with the boys. Look for more details on the program for that day as the date approaches. Yours in Scouting Bill Carr |