TROOP OBJECTIVES AND THEME

The major AIMS of the scouting program are:
    •     Growth in moral strength and character
    •     Participating in citizenship
    •     Development of physical, mental, and emotional                         fitness
To promote these aims Troop 228's major theme is outdoor hiking and camping.
We put emphasis on teaching the scouts to experience and learn about the great California outdoors. From that experience, especially on some of the more arduous hikes, the boys will be able to work toward the above objectives.

RUNNING THE PROGRAM

Troop 228 is a BOY RUN TROOP! As such, the Senior Patrol Leader and his organization (Leadership Corps and Patrol Leaders) run the troop and direct the
meeting and outings. The Scoutmaster's prime function is to act as the coach in advising and assisting the boys in carrying out the program. As a result of this
philosophy, the meetings may not always be as smooth running as adult-led troop meetings, but the training in self-discipline and leadership is well worth the price.

Scouting is not merely for the boys alone. Adult assistance is vital and necessary to carry out the troop program. The adult sponsorship and background leadership is organized by the Troop Committee, which is made up of Scout's parents. This committee functions as the primary support for the Troop.


FINANCIAL

Registration dues are collected annually at the first Parents Meeting in November and cover a whole year of Scouting from January to December. Dues cover the
majority of the general operating expenses of the Troop, including national and council registration fees, Boy's Life subscription, miscellaneous troop expenses (troop/patrol equipment), Courts of Honor, and mailings. Exceptions are the summer camps, the ski trip, and other similar "big ticket" outings.
In February, there is also an annual contribution for Friends of Scouting (FOS), which supports the Ventura County Council for BSA.

UNIFORMS

ADVANCEMENTS

CALENDAR

FORMS

MEETINGS AND OUTINGS

An annual plan (calendar) is developed near the end of each scout year in the Spring and provides dates and locations of the following activities. The Troop makes every effort possible to hold to the scheduled dates on the annual calendar. A copy of the current year's calendar is distributed in the Fall. Parents are encouraged to transfer these dates onto their family calendar and to plan their participation.

    •     Troop Meetings.
                All scouts are expected to attend. Parents                                are invited to observe.

    •     Troop Committee Parent Meetings.
                Regular parent meetings are held monthly
                at troop meeting place. They are held on                            Mondays. All parents are encouraged to
                attend.

     •    Courts of Honor.
                These are normally scheduled 3 to 4 times a                            year, including an Eagle Court. Location for                                regular Courts are at designated locations.


While the philosophy is that the troop will be boy run, we can not achieve that goal without strong parent guidance and participation. The monthly parent meeting
provides one of the best forums for parents to get involved.

CAMPOUTS

Campouts are an important part of the scouting experience. Campouts are usually announced quite far in advance at the scout meetings and are listed on the Troop calendar. If a scout is interested in a campout, he should be sure to attend meetings or contact his Patrol Leader so that he does not miss the sign-up dates.

Information about specific campouts will be given to the scouts at the meetings before the campout. Meals on camping trips are planned, purchased and cooked by patrols. Each scout is expected to participate with meal planning and preparation. An adult leader will assist (particularly with the younger scouts) in the planning and preparation, but this is designed to be a scout-run process with minimal supervision. Adult leaders plan, prepare, cook, and eat as a separate group.

Each member of the patrol shares in the cost of food. The Patrol Leader assigns duties such as cooking and clean up and selects two or more scouts to go to the grocery store (with a parent) to purchase the food. Because money is collected and food purchased several days before a camping trip, a scout who cancels after that time cannot expect to get his money back. If your son has any special dietary needs, discuss them with the Assistant Scoutmaster who is assigned to your son's patrol.

SUMMER CAMP

The troop attends an annual week-long summer camp experience at one on many California's premier scout camps. Summer camps are fun and a great opportunity for rank advancement and to earn Eagle-required merit badges. Summer camp is usually the highlight of the year for most scouts, and attendance is highly recommended for first and second-year scouts. Scouts are encouraged to earn money to pay for summer camp through participating in troop fundraising events.

Sign up for summer camp is in the spring. The troop generally reserves two weeks at different summer camps each summer, and scouts can choose the camp and week that works best for them.

A "shakedown" meeting is held before each summer camp. Final plans and course schedules are completed at those meetings, so all summer camp participants should plan on attending.