Scout Leadership Positions

¨      Junior  Assistant Scoutmaster – elected by the scouts

¨      Senior Patrol Leader - elected by the scouts

¨      Assistant Senior Patrol Leader - elected by the scouts

¨      Guide/Instructor- elected by scouts

¨      Patrol Leaders - elected by the scouts

¨      Chaplain's Aide - elected by the scouts

¨      Historian - elected by the scouts

¨      Quartermaster - elected by the scouts

¨      Scribe - elected by the scouts

Leadership roles also exist at the patrol level: Assistant Patrol Leader, Grub Master, and Patrol Quartermaster are examples. Elections are held annually during our Troop Junior Leadership Training conducted at the Council’s Heard Pueblo facility.

 Although the boys do run the Troop, we need to have adults involved in many capacities in order to provide an effective environment.  Our success requires all parents assist in the operation of the Troop.  

 Anytime you have questions or issues you would like to discuss, please contact any one of the Troop adult leaders.

Our Troop requires uniforms at all meetings, Scout Camps, Fundraisers and Council Activities.  The full Class A uniform consists of:
¨ Khaki Scout shirt with red shoulder epaulet

¨ Olive Scout shorts and/or long pants

¨ Boy Scout belt

¨ Boy Scout baseball style cap (optional)

¨  Scout socks - olive and red (short socks are now available)

¨ Troop Neckerchief – Navy blue with silver lettering (light) BSA logo

The Grand Canyon Council Patch, Troop Number (649) and patrol patches are the Scout's responsibility.  Patrol Leader/Guide/etc. patches, rank advancement patches, merit badges and other related patches will be provided and awarded by the Troop.

You may purchase your uniform and Handbook at the Grand Canyon Council store in Phoenix, 2969 N. Greenfield Road, 602-224-0778.  Please refer to the Handbook for placement of patches and insignia, or ask one of the Assistant Scout Masters.

A light blue "Path to Eagle" Troop 649 t-shirt should be purchased from our clothing chairperson, Brenda Ayoub(480-767-1448) for $12.  This will constitute the Class B uniform, worn on some service projects, campouts, etc.  In addition, Marceline may have some second-hand Class A uniform pieces available for purchase.

Adult Leadership Positions

¨      Charter Organization: Representative - Congregational Church of the Valley

¨      Parent Committee Positions: Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, Activities, Treasurer, Advancement, Equipment Coordinator, Fundraising, Transportation

¨      Scoutmaster

¨      Assistant Scoutmasters

¨      Merit Badge Counselors

ADULT POLICIES
1.      As stated in the Guide to Safe Scouting under Youth Protection and Adult Leadership, adults may never be alone with a scout. "Two deep" adult leadership is adhered to at all times.
2.      If an adult must smoke, please do so discretely and out of the view of the Scouts. Adult beverages are not to be used by adults on scout outings. 

CAMPOUT/ACTIVITY PROCEDURES
1.      All activities require a signed permission slip.  Be sure to return the permission slip with the money due (patrol dues for food will be collected and managed by the patrol).  These will be handed out at the meeting and emailed.
2.      Be on time for departures.  We usually leave from the church parking lot, and do not wait for latecomers.
3.      Scouts will be returned to the parking lot following an event for pickup by their parents.
4.      Parents may be called upon to be a driver for a certain activity.  This does not require you to stay. 

2007 Camp Emerald Bay Catalina Island

Congregational
Church of the Valley  www.ccovnow.com

 Congregational Church of the Valley (CCOV) is the "Chartered Organization" for B.S.A Troop 649. As the troop sponsor CCOV signs our charter each year, provides facilities for meetings, secures qualified adult leadership, and encourages meaningful service projects. The Chartered Organization Representative is the liaison between the church and the troop and serves as an active member of the scout district committee.

 Troop 649 Thanks CCOV for all their support!

The Calendar for each year is planned by scouts during leadership planning session in August and presented to and approved by the parent committee.  The activities that are coming up are noted on the yearly Calendar.  Scouts should be encouraged to review the Calendar and plan accordingly.  Updates will be handed out at meetings and sent out via email.

 Troop meetings are typically scheduled the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the Congregational Church of the Valley (Shea and 120^th) from 7-8:30 pm.  The PLC meeting is usually held the first Tuesday of the month at CCOV.  Regular attendance at both meetings and events is stressed as important. Since elected leaders typically have responsibilities at scout gatherings, it is important that they attend the meetings. If for good reason attendance is not possible, a scout in a leadership role should notify the Scoutmaster well in advance.

 We typically schedule one outing per month.  The PLC plans each outing.  Please check with your son and check your email for updates.  Most of the outings will be overnight backpacking trips or campouts.  In addition, during the summer we will attend two summer camps (one week at Geronimo and one week at another Scout camp) and conduct one weeklong 50-mile backpack trip. 

 We will engage in several service projects that benefit the community or our sponsoring organization during the course of the year.  We strongly encourage all the boys to participate in these efforts.  Community service efforts not only bring an intrinsic sense of reward to the participant, but also fulfill service requirements needed for each rank.  Additionally, the efforts often assist fellow scouts in completing their Eagle project, a requirement to achieve the rank of Eagle.

 A "Court of Honor" will be held twice yearly, in September and March.  At that time Scouts will be recognized for rank advancement and the merit badges they have earned.  We will help the parents of Eagle Scouts plan an Eagle Court of Honor.  All requirements for Eagle rank must be completed in order for the Scout to participate. Please contact the Scoutmaster early to plan an Eagle Court of Honor.

Policies and Procedures

TROOP POLICIES
1.      We make every effort to adhere to the BSA Guide to Safe Scouting.
2.      Once signed up to attend a Scout Outing, cancellation by a scout of his intent to attend the outing must be done in advance.  Even then, refunds can only be provided if expenses have not been incurred.
3.      Scout use of a knife, saw, and axe are only under the guidelines of the Tote and Chip disciplines and those stated in the Guide to Safe Scouting. A Tote and Chip card is required to use a knife, saw or axe. To earn the card a Scout must demonstrate knowledge of how to use, handle and store a knife, saw, and axe.  Any careless use of a knife, saw, or axe will result in restriction on use or possibly the confiscation of the Tote and Chip card.
4.      Matches and other fire starters are for use only in camping and backpacking situations under adult supervision.  Any careless use of matches and other fire starters will result in restrictions.
5.      Use fire of any kind is strictly prohibited in tents. Also, any aerosol products (hair spray, deodorant, insect repellent) are banned, as these can represent fire hazards as well as destroy the integrity (especially the water repellent capabilities) of the tents. Non-aerosol insect repellent containing DEET must be carefully managed around plastic and nylon products, including tents and sleeping bags.
6.      Sleeping cots tear holes in tent bottoms so these are not allowed in Troop tents.
7.      On campouts, there is no food or drink other than water allowed in the tents.  Trail snacks (e.g. energy bars and gorp) should be brought on backpack trips and campouts but must be properly stored.  8.      Scouts will participate in patrol meals and patrol cooking unless otherwise designated or permission for individual meals is specifically provided by the scoutmaster.  
9.      TV's, radios, tape/MP3/cd/dvd players and electronic games are prohibited.   
10.  Scouts are accountable for their behavior.  A reasonable code of conduct is in effect during all meetings and Troop functions.  If a scout is seriously disruptive, consequences can apply.  The first incident will result discussion with patrol leaders and senior patrol leadership and is almost always managed at this level. Adult leaders will be engaged if necessary. Repeated or progressive infraction may require further action such as a conference with the scoutmaster, scout and parents and/or requiring a parent to come on the next outing that the scout attends to observe and assist.  Serious infractions of policy can result in the scout being asked to miss the next outing.  There are levels of accountability where safety is concerned or laws are violated that will result in dismissal from the Troop. 
11.  Drug and alcohol use or possession will result in expulsion from the troop. Tobacco product use or possession is not allowed and considered a serious infraction.
12.  All scouts should respect the property of others and that of the Troop.  Should any willful destruction of Troop equipment occur, the scout will be expected to replace what was damaged and the scout will face appropriate consequences.