Dear Parents,

Welcome to Troop 228. I'm delighted that your son has decided to join us. You will find that Troop 228 Scouts are active and enthusiastic campers, swimmers, canoeists, and hikers. These and other Scouting activities can involve you and other members of your family in many ways.

There are questions you'll have as your son makes his way through his first year in the troop.

We hope the Parent booklet will answer your concerns and questions, but please feel free to call me or any parent in the troop as needed. I encourage you to become personally involved in the troop, not only because this will motivate your son, but because you'll have a lot of fun and get to know some wonderful people.

The Troop's success over the years has been directly related to the quality of parental involvement in our sons' lives, and we certainly welcome you to the family. As a result, we have many great traditions and bonds that extend back over the years.

There are specific service requirements for most of the Scout ranks, as well as ongoing Eagle projects that directly benefit our community. Of course, we are always prepared to help in the event of a disaster or other need, and our Scouts have done so on several occasions.

Another of our traditions is an opportunity for travel and adventure. We camp one weekend each month as well as two weeks each summer. We enjoy a three-day ski trip each February. In recent years our summer trips have taken us backpacking in Yosemite, Philmont, New Mexico, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Paddling across Shaver Lake and Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. We have seen nature's wonders.

A third tradition is preparedness. Our Scouts quickly become expert in first aid, swimming, and other emergency skills. These activities culminate in a citywide disaster drill dubbed "Bloody Monday", organized every other year. In addition, the Scouts learn the skills needed for adventure in the outdoors. We encourage physical fitness so they can enjoy these adventures.

Through work on merit badges, Scouts have an opportunity to pursue their own interests and learn new skills. Each Scout learns to work with other Scouts both as a follower, a team member, and later in leadership roles. Older boys become the mentors of younger boys, sharing their knowledge and experience. Finally, every Scout has interactions with many friendly adults who serve as instructors, guides, and role models.

Through all these experiences, our guiding ethic is the Scout Oath and Scout Law. We actively promote a commitment to the values described in the Oath and Law. We expect our Scouts to treat one another with respect, to be honest, to be kind. In all these ways, we hope to prepare them for responsible citizenship in our community and the world. We believe that we are making a difference.

Scoutmaster