Joining Requirements

 In order to join the Troop, your son must be 11 years old. He must visit the Troop at least three times. One of his parents must attend one of the visits before he joins. After his three visits and prior to joining, he will have a conference with the Scoutmaster. It is important that he review the Scout Oath and Law before the Scoutmaster conference. He also needs to complete the application required by the Boy Scouts of America and the Health History Form to join.

Advancement

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 the Troop 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 ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are included in FCE. The Scouts can get requirements for First and Second Class signed off on while working on Tenderfoot. However, service hours for a rank can only be earned while working on that one rank. Scouts can begin earning merit badges as soon as they join the Troop, however some badges have minimum rank requirements before the Scout can participate in the merit badge class. Merit badges are not required for FCE advancement. All ranks above First Class are earned in part by completing a certain number of merit badges. Among the merit badges will be certain required merit badges for each rank.

In order to take a merit badge the Scout must sign up on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board. This sheet will list the name of the instructor, rank requirements for the badge, if any, and the times that the badge will meet. The Scout must then obtain a blue merit badge card, print the required information on the card and have a Scoutmaster sign the card before beginning the merit badge. When he completes a merit badge it will be awarded on a merit badge card for that particular badge. He should keep the card as the dates on the cards are required on the Eagle application. There is a Mustang District Merit Badge Fair in January of each year where your son can obtain up to three merit badges. Some badges require work ahead of time. Many of the merit badges are ones that are not offered in our Troop, but many are and many more are offered at Summer Camp.

Once a Scout has been awarded five merit badges, he should obtain a merit badge sash and have the merit badges sewn on to it. He should then wear the sash as a part of his uniform at all Scout meetings.

Many of the higher rank advancements require that the Scout hold a troop office in order to qualify for advancement. In order to qualify for the officer election, they must complete a knot-tying test, which is conducted in the month before the elections. He will have to be able to tie the 6 basic knots including the square knot, two half hitches, tautline hitch, sheet bend, clove hitch, and bowline in 90 seconds to qualify. These are all knots that they have learned in the FCE program. Once they have completed the knot test, they must submit a letter indicating which office they would like to run for and why they would like to hold that office.

In order to promote advancement, a Scoutmaster is assigned to each rank. They participate in the Scoutmaster Conference for that rank and make sure that Scouts are progressing in the rank advancement process.

The participation of parents is an important role in advancement. First, in assisting your son in his personal advancement with encouragement and support. Secondly, by teaching merit badges to a group of Scouts, and third, by participating in the Board of Review process. After each Scout has completed the requirements for a particular rank and had a scoutmaster conference, he must complete a Board of Review to advance. A panel of at least three non-Scoutmaster adults comprises the Board of Review. The Scout is presented to the Board by his Patrol Leader. The Board reviews his knowledge of the skills he has learned and what he has done to show Scout spirit while working on the rank. This review also contains materials that relate to prior ranks and is thus cumulative of his Scout skills and knowledge to date. By demonstrating a knowledge of these Scout skills and requirements to the Board, he will successfully complete the rank advancement.

Meetings

Troop 642 meets on Wednesday nights, promptly at 7:30 p.m. It is recommended that the Scouts be a 15 minutes early as there is always some type of preparation before each meeting. Patrols are assigned weekly tasks such as arranging chairs before the meeting or taking the chairs down after the meeting. Meetings adjourn promptly at 9:00 p.m.

The Patrol Leader of your son’s patrol will call your son and remind him of the meeting and any special preparation that is needed for that meeting. He will also contact your son about upcoming camping trips and special activities. Following up on the requests of the Patrol Leader is an important part of the learning process for your son.

The Troop does not meet during the summer months and during holidays such as Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Merit badges are generally taught on Tuesday or Thursday nights and at other times as scheduled by the instructor. We love to have parents to volunteer to teach the merit badges, especially if you have a special skill or interest.

There is a Troop Committee meeting the first Monday of each month. All parents of Scouts are members of the Troop Committee. Policy is set and decisions concerning the Troop and its activities are made at this meeting. This is a good time to meet the other parents and learn what is going on in the Troop and what will be happening that month.

You can pick up a monthly Troop Calendar at the Committee Meetings (as well as downloading one from this web site in the "Calendar" page).  You can also obtain a Troop Roster with the name of all the Scouts, their parents names and their phone numbers. It also contains a breakdown of the Troop by Patrol and officer position. You can learn the names of the other Scouts in your son’s Patrol and their parents’ names. Parents are strongly urged to attend this meeting.  A roster is also available at this web site in the "Troop Info" page.

Camping

Camping is one of the most important activities in Troop 642. We camp every month except the summer months of July and August, and during December. We attend Summer Camp the first session in June at Camp El Rancho Cima in Wimberley, Texas. This is usually the second week of June. The dates are usually known a year in advance.

Troop 642 is fortunate to be able to camp primarily on private ranches. The ranch owners usually have had some affiliation with the Troop for a number of years and include one present Assistant Scoutmaster. We have camped at some of these ranches for many years. This allows us to camp in privacy and to have the flexibility to belier meet the needs of the Scouts for their advancement.

All of the food for the Scouts and their dads is provided for in the Troop activity fee. (The one exception is the Scout and his dad have to bring their own sack lunch for the noon meal on the first day of a campout.  A drink will be provided.) The Patrol Leader is responsible for the menu and the purchase of the food. He is often assisted by one of the Scouts working on the Cooking merit badge. The meals are excellent, fresh meats and vegetables with bread and baked dessert. We also provide the food for the FCE meals (First and Second Class cooking). This again includes food for any of the dads whose son is doing FCE cooking. The menus are closely supervised and the Patrol Leaders have developed experience cooking before they assume the Patrol Leader position.

Fathers are strongly urged to attend the camping trips. We want fathers to know what we do and how we do it. We also need your help to get the Scouts to the camp sites, help with the patrols, and to help with activities, Scout advancement and Boards of Review. We also conduct new member orientation meetings for the new dads on their first camping trip. This will help you understand how the camp out is conducted and how you can best help your son’s Patrol to have a successful camp out.

The fathers need to provide their own sleeping bag and personal gear. You may want to have you own tent if snoring bothers you or if you snore loudly. By Scout policy the fathers sleep in an area away from the main body of Scout camp sites. Fathers will also need their own plate, fork and cup. Coffee is served at the Scoutmaster’s dining fly throughout the camping trip.

We do a lot of First Class Emphasis (FCE) work on the camping trips. The FCE program is basically any and all skills related to rank advancement for Tenderfoot, Second Class or First class. It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America and the Troop to strongly emphasize this portion of Scouting and try to have each Scout complete at least the rank of First Class. On our camping trips we try to provide programs and training to help the Scouts advance through the FCE program within their first year with the Troop. Advancement is generally determined by the individual Scout’s participation and desire to advance and by parental encouragement and involvement.

We have several traditional camping trips. In November we have the Feast and shotgun shooting trip to the Clinton Ranch on the Colorado River El Rancho Cima is our destination in May to do service projects for the camp and get our campsite ready for summer camp.

Camping is the heart of Boy Scouting, so please take a few minutes to read this sheet. Boy Scouting is absolutely different from Cub Scouting or Webelos! And while parents (and sometimes whole families) often accompany Cub Scouts on campouts, Boy Scouts camp with their patrol and not with their parents or other family members.

Troop 642 Policy Summary

Here is a summary of our troop (and BSA) policies, followed by the reasoning for the policies. There are exceptions, but these policies are in effect on most outings.

Scout Tenting - Scouts tent with their patrol in a patrol site separate from the other patrols. Patrols plan their own menus, and cook and eat together as a team. Adults do not tent with a boy patrol.

Adult Tenting - Adults set up their tents in a designated area that is separate from the scout patrols.

Adult/Boy Tenting - BSA youth protection policies forbid an adult and a boy sharing the same tent. While youth protection policies may not apply to a father and son tenting together, it is troop policy that boys tent with boys and adults with adults. If a father tents with his son, it has been our experience that the boy will lose out on many opportunities to make decisions and be part of the patrol team! [Yes, you are probably the rare exception, but it wouldn't be fair to the other adults to single you out.]

Smoking/Drinking - Drivers may not smoke while Scouts are in the car. Adults may not smoke or use tobacco products, nor drink alcoholic beverages during a Scout activity. Adults who must smoke or chew must do so discretely out of sight of the Scouts.

Boy Leadership - Adults should not interfere with the functioning of boy leaders, even if they make mistakes (we all learn best from our mistakes). Step in only if it is a matter of immediate safety or if the mistake will be immediately costly. If possible, involve a uniformed adult leader first.

Boy Growth - Never do anything for a boy he can do himself. Let him make decisions without adult interference, and let him make non-costly mistakes.

Adult Training - The Boy Scouts of America provides an outstanding handbook for adults, and an excellent set of training courses/materials to help us understand the aims and methods of Scouting. The adult manual is called the Scoutmaster Handbook, and it's worth the time of every adult involved in our Troop to buy a copy of this manual and read it.

Rationale

Boy Scout camping activities center on the patrol, where boys learn teamwork, leadership, and most camping skills. It is important that adults not be in the middle of patrol activities such as site selection, tent and fly pitching, meal preparation, and anything else where boys get to practice decision-making.

A key difference between Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting/Webelos is leadership. Look for the word "leader" in a job title, and you will begin to appreciate the difference. The responsible person for a Cub/Webelos den is the adult Den Leader. The responsible person for a Boy Scout patrol is the boy Patrol Leader.

This isn't token leadership (like a denner). A Patrol Leader has real authority and genuine responsibilities. Much of the success, safety, and happiness of six to ten other boys depends directly on him.

Boy Scouting teaches leadership. And boys learn leadership by practicing it, not by watching adults lead.

So what do we adults do, now that we've surrendered so much direct authority to boys? Here are our troop's guidelines on the indirect, advisory role you now enjoy (no kidding, you should enjoy watching your son take progressively more mature and significant responsibilities as he zooms toward adulthood).

The underlying principle is never do anything for a boy that he can do himself. We allow boys to grow by practicing leadership and by learning from their mistakes. And while Scout skills are an important part of the program, what ultimately matters when our Scouts become adults is not whether they can use a map & compass, but whether they can offer leadership to others in tough situations; and can live by a code that centers on honest, honorable, and ethical behavior.

Boys need to learn to make decisions without adult intervention (except when it's a matter of immediate safety). Boys are in a patrol so they can learn leadership and teamwork without adult interference.

Being an adult advisor is a difficult role, especially when we are advising kids (even tougher, our own sons). Twice each year, the Boy Scouts of America offers special training on how to do this, which we expect our uniformed adult leaders to take. And any adult is welcome—and encouraged—to take the training (see our online Troop 642 calendar, ask one of our Scoutmaster for details or visit the SHAC or Mustang District website for training opportunities and dates).

Quite simply, if a parent goes on a campout our troop policy requires adults to tent separately from the Scouts (even dads & sons). We are safely nearby, but not smotheringly close. Sure, go ahead and visit the patrol sites when invited (not just your son's), talk to your son (and the other Scouts), ask what's going on or how things are going. But give the guys room to grow while you enjoy the view. Show a Scout how to do something, but don't do it for him. Avoid the temptation to give advice, and don't jump in just to prevent a mistake from happening (unless it's serious). We all learn best from our mistakes. And let the patrol leader lead.

Your job is tough, challenging, and ultimately rewarding, because your son will be a man the day after tomorrow.

Summer Camp

This Troop traditionally attends summer camp the first session in June. We have attended Cockrell River Camp at El Ranch Cima for many years. The camp is located near Wimberley, Texas, west of San Marcos. Our Troop encourages attendance at summer camp. A great deal of advancement is accomplished at camp and many of the requirements for advancement in this troop require attendance at summer camp. It is also a chance to obtain several of the required merit badges that are difficult to obtain at other times of the year.

The first year at camp, Scouts will earn 3 merit badges as well as other FCE advancement. They must take swimming, pioneering, and basketry.

The second year at camp they are required to take life saving, environmental science and another craft merit badge of their choosing. Environmental science is one of the required merit badges for Eagle and is only taught in conjunction with summer camp.

The third year requirements include cooking, camping, orienteering, and another water sports merit badge such as canoeing or rowing.

If the Scouts continue to attend camp and finish the required merit badges in camping, waterfront, orienteering and canoeing, they can qualify for the Order of The Cool Cima Dude. This is an organization whose members are only from Troop 642. This organization is to honor those individuals for their attendance at camp and the successful completion of the many requirements of the Troop at summer camp. It is a special recognition that is eagerly pursued by the older Scouts in the Troop. Once members, they receive special hats and T-shirts at camp in recognition of their accomplishments. They also get to take Water Skiing Merit Badge the following summer while the Troop is at summer camp. This is one of the most sought after ventures in the Troop.

Scouts are tapped-out for the Order of the Arrow while at summer camp. This organization is comprised of Scouts chosen by their fellow Scouts in a secret ballot election in the Spring. It recognizes individuals who are respected by their fellow Scouts as being excellent leaders, campers and knowledgeable of Scout skills, as well as a willingness to serve. This ceremony is one of the most impressive and memorable of all activities in Scouting.

High Adventure

 High Adventure trips are an important and fun part of the Scouting experience with Troop 642. We normally take High Adventure trips in the odd numbered years and try to send crews to Philmont in the even numbered years, if space is available. Philmont is considered by most Scouts to be the greatest experience in Scouting. The ranch is located in northern New Mexico near the city of Cimarron, New Mexico. The trip consists of a 10 day backpacking trip through the mountains of New Mexico.

Our High Adventure trips are done in crews with a crew leader, and both Scout and father crew members. We have been to Hawaii, Washington state, Colorado and on several Navy ships. Next to Philmont, this is considered one of the great experiences of Scouting within our Troop.

Activity Fees and Fundraising

 Troop 642 funds most of its Troop activities through its semi-annual Activity Fee and its annual fund raiser. The fee pays for the food on camping trips, maintenance of our equipment, purchase of merit badges and rank advancement as well as many other costs associated with operating such a large Scout Troop. A portion of the fee goes directly to the budget of the Boy Scouts of America and their many important programs in support of Scouting through the Scout's Registration Fee.

The Troop has one fund raiser each year. We conduct a greenery sale in the late fall leading up to the Christmas season. Sales are made in October and November and the greenery is delivered the first week of December. The Scouts share in the profits from the sale once they exceed a minimum sales level. The more they sell, the higher their share of the profits. Their portion of the profits is placed into a special Scout account in their name. The money is used to pay their summer camp fees and the costs of High Adventures. Many Scouts have sold several thousand dollars worth of greenery and paid all of their expenses to High Adventure. This product will sell itself if the Scouts will just make contact with their neighbors and friends and show them the product. Many have been successful in having the parent’s employers send the greenery as a Christmas gift to clients.

All Scouts should remember that when selling the greenery, it is against Boy Scout policy to wear their uniform.

Adult Training

The Boy Scouts of America provides an outstanding handbook for adults, and an excellent set of training courses/materials to help us understand the aims and methods of Scouting. The adult manual is called the Scoutmaster Handbook, and it's worth the time of every adult involved in our Troop to buy a copy of this manual and read it.

BSA training courses available to adults are highlighted in the Adult Training section of our Parents Handbook. The Mustang District and Sam Houston Area Council offer a broad array of training options that we encourage all parents to consider as a good investment of your time.

We also encourage every new adult who wants to lend a hand to our troop, even if it is only to drive scouts to campouts and/or sit on boards of review, to complete Scout Leader Basic Training.

Basic Leader Training is a series of three 1-hour classes: Youth Protection Training, Fast Start and New Leader's Essentials. The first two classes can be completed on-line by registered adults at a web page maintained by BSA National at http://olc.scouting.org/. All three classes are also available almost every month in traditional stand-up leader-led classroom format somewhere in our council. The council posts a consolidated district training schedule at: http://www.samhoustonbsa.org/Home/Training/.

After completing basic training, most volunteers make a decision to either join the committee or become one of our scoutmasters. BSA offers additional training specific to each role. Every year, the troop asks adults to report their progress so that we can recognize our trained leaders.

Equipment

 Your sons will find that much of the equipment they need will continue to be used throughout their Scouting experience. The basic camping gear for a new scout will form the basis for the equipment that they will use for Philmont and High Adventure treks.

Basic Troop Camp Out (In the following list of items, special emphasis should be addressed to getting a good pack, sleeping bag and hiking boots. Many of these items will last throughout their careers and will make the enjoyment of their camping experience much greater).

1. Sleeping bag: your son will need a good quality sleeping bag. (Remember that they will one day have to pack it, so invest in a quality bag that is light. The Troop has a lot of experience and can give you guidance in this area. We conduct classes on this a couple of times a year. You might also talk to someone at REI or Whole Earth Provisions for advice). The sleeping bag should include a stuff sack. The Scout should use a plastic garbage bag liner inside the stuff sack when packing the sleeping bag for a camping trip.

2. Hiking boots: good ones, don’t skimp here. Unfortunately, they grow out of them quickly, so we swap them around the Troop when we can.

3. Back pack: Fitted to the Scout, ask someone at RE! or Whole Earth about fitting the pack. Plan to spend some time choosing and property fitting the back pack.

4. Rain suit: might want to start with one from Academy or Oshman’s but will need a good one for High Adventure.  No ponchos, please.

5. Clothing: change of clothes (appropriate for the season) including socks, pants, underwear and jacket in a zip lock plastic bag.  An extra pair of shoes will be useful and towel!

6. Toiletries

7. Utensils: lexan spoon, fork, cup, and small plate or bowl

8. Small personal First Aid Kit

9. 50’ (2 - 25') of parachute cord or braided nylon cord

10. Water bottles: two wide mouth Nalgene bottles. These can be purchased at RE! Whole Earth or similar outdoor stores.

11. Pocket knife: folding knife with at least one blade 2 inches long, but no longer than 2 1/2 inches. The really expensive Swiss Army knives are neat, but they are usually not practical for peeling potatoes and cuffing up carrots for FCE cooking. The basic one or two blade knife is best. The addition of a Leatherman’s tool in addition to the pocket knife has become a staple of the back packing Scouts.

12. Cap/billed cap, sun screen, 4' x 6' ground cloth, swim suit, jacket, sleeping pad, pack cover, plastic garbage bag, small flashlight or head light, Scout Book, knot rope, pen & paper.

13.  Remember to label everything.

NOTE: WE DO NOT ALLOW FIXED BLADE SHEATH KNIFES IN THIS TROOP. THEY CAN INJURE SCOUTS WHO ARE WEARING THEM ON THEIR BELT IF THEY FALL OR TRIP.  NO CHAIRS OR STOOLS.

High Adventure List Based on the trip, equipment lists will be handed out well in advance of the trip.