New Parent Info

• Scoutmaster: Rob Engler
  • Email: scoutmaster@troop626.net
• Committee Chair: Bernard Arroyo
  • Email: committeechair@troop626.net
• Meetings: 7:00PM to 8:30PM, Tuesday nights at Peñasquitos Lutheran Church, 14484 Peñasquitos Dr, San Diego
• Troop Website: www.troop626.net

• $50 per scout initial joining fee covers items received from troop (numerals, t-shirt, etc.)
• $75 annual dues per scout – covers patches, awards, equipment, etc.
• Boy Scouts who are transferring from other units/troops – initial dues are $35, no adult fees

Our goal is to make your new scout feel welcome as a full fledge participating member and an integral part of our troop from day one.

• New Scouts will be placed in their own separate patrol with other new or younger scouts.
  • Helps builds a common bond among other scouts of similar age.
  • Provides a “safe” environment that allows the new scouts to begin building their leadership, personal responsibility, and self governance skills.
• They will be assigned an other scout that serves as their “Troop Guide” to help break the ice and get them interacting with other scouts in the troop.
• A dedicated “Scout Skills” introductory campout in March where the troop focuses specifically on the new scouts and helping them achieve their Tenderfoot rank.
• Significant interactions, involvement and focus by our leadership core along with our Scoutmaster, Mr. Tom Meyer.

To further instill the scouting sprit and the bounding with the troop, it is highly recommended and encourage that all new scouts attend summer camp during their first year….it’s a great time and experience!

• Monthly campouts usually consists of two nights out.  Scouts typically leave Friday early evening and return on Sunday by early afternoon.
• Monthly Campouts typically cost between $25 to $35 and Summer Camp in the range of $450 to $550 (est.)
  • Fees cover food, transportation costs and campgrounds fees.
  • Camping & activities fees can be paid from the Scout’s personal “Scout Account”.
• The troop provides Tents and Patrol Boxes (which contain cooking equipment) along with troop related supplies for the activities.
• A minimum of two Scoutmasters/Adults will be present at all events.
• Adult family members are invited and encouraged to attend campouts and activities.
  • Please note that during campouts, adults must sleep in their own tent or in a tent with other adults.

• Purchase Boy Scout uniform – shirt, pants or shorts, belt, if shorts are worn then Boy Scout socks are also required.
  • Can be purchased at BSA Scout Shop in Balboa Park, 1207 Upas Street, SD 92103
  • Can also purchase second hand Uniforms from websites and/or local Scout Sales
• Provide your scout with necessary gear for camping and hiking such as:
  • Sleeping Bag and pad
  • Appropriate Clothing (including rain jacket) & Sturdy Hiking Boots/Shoes
  • Personal Meal Mess Kit (Plate, Bowl, Cup and Silverware)
  • Personal Water Bottle or Hydration System (such as a Camelback)
  • Compass, Pocket Knife, flashlight and Fire Starter (Matches)
  • Personal First Aid Kit
  • Day Pack or Back-pack (note some Camelback’s are large enough to serve as a daypack)
• Encourage your scout to attend, in uniform, all activities – campouts, troop and patrol meetings, service projects.
• Assist your scout with grubbing (meal prep) responsibilities when assigned to them for a campout.
• Active involvement of one adult family member in the troop (Committee Member or Assistant Scoutmaster…see below for more details).
  • All registered adults are required, per BSA policy, to complete Youth Protection Training.
  • Prospective new Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters are expected to complete Leader Specific Training and position related training courses offered through www.myscouting.org.
  • Troop Committee members are expected to complete position related online training courses.
• Volunteer to help with transportation to monthly outings and summer camp.
• Reinforce at home the value system of scouting (Scout Oath and Scout Law).

• Currently our main fundraiser is done through popcorn sales between September and October
  • $150 minimum selling commitment per scout
• Other fundraisers happen throughout the year
  • We encourage and are always evaluating new fundraising ideas
• Portion of the proceeds from fund raising activities will come back to the individual scout and be placed in their individual “Scout Account”

• Upon joining the troop, each scout is set up with an individual “Scout Account” in which the proceeds they earn from fundraising activities are deposited into their account
• Scouts can use funds in their individual Scout Account to pay for Campouts, Summer Camp and Scouting related items – these must meet the approval of the Troop Committee.

• BSA application (one time) & Personal information for TroopMaster software program (one time).
• Permission slips for each activity (campouts, service projects, beach day, etc.)-recurring
• BSA Health and Medical Record form (required for camping and outdoor activities) – updated annually for both scouts and adults who want to participate in activities.

Scout parents are important members of the troop.  Even if some parents are not officially involved with the activities of the troop, the support and encouragement they provide is one of the most valuable additions to the organization.  Your presence at troop events, the assistance you provide to get your scout ready for campouts, driving scouts to meetings and events, all of these actions send a message to the boys that being helpful is not only part of the scout law but really is the manner in which mature people interact.

The statement, “Every boy deserves a trained leader” is not only a BSA recommendation but also an adopted philosophy in our troop.   We expect at least one parent from each family to be actively involved in the troop to help maintain our program.  Parents may choose from several options to fulfill this commitment, either as an Assistant Scoutmaster or as a member of the Troop Committee.

• One adult from each family must register with BSA
• Each registered adult, as per BSA policy, must complete “Youth Protection Training” (YPT) prior to being registered.  It is expected that each adult will also complete “This is Scouting” along with other position related online training courses through the BSA national website.
• Volunteer for one major activity or troop position (see list below)

There are three general volunteer categories from which to choose:

• Complete Leader Specific training for the position of Assistant Scoutmaster and be assigned to a patrol or the high-adventure program.
• Volunteer for a one-year appointment to any one of several Troop Committee positions

• Under the guidance of the Scoutmaster Corps, help plan at least one weekend campout per year.

We require that at least one adult from each family register with BSA.  Adults that expect to spend time with their scout on campouts must be properly trained.  At a minimum, adults are required to complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) and should the online training related to their leadership position.  BSA policy states that at least two adults must accompany scouts on all activities and that at least one of these adults be YPT trained.  To avoid situations in which a group of scouts does not have a YPT-trained adult, we require that all parent volunteers complete this training.  YPT is available online for free for all registered adults and can be completed in about one hour.

There are several adult training courses that cover general areas of scouting (below).  Adults who want to participate in more rigorous activities may also complete activity-specific training such as Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat and High Adventure training.

Adult Training Courses