INTRODUCTION TO BOY SCOUT TROOP 203 - Oakland, CA
District: Peralta Council: San Francisco Bay Area Council
Scoutmaster: Joel C. Goldberg OaklandTroop203@gmail.com
Weekly Meetings: Mondays 7:00-8:00pm at Montera Middle School
Annual Dues: $125.00
HISTORY
Troop 203 was chartered in February, 1961 and has operated continuously ever since. During this time it has served the community well in helping boys adopt the ideals of Boy Scouting as they grow into manhood. In particular, the troop places special emphasis on developing each boy's qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, and leadership to the fullest through a program centered on the outdoors and community service. Over the years, a high proportion of boys in Troop 203 have attained the rank of Eagle Scout (63 as of 08/01/12). At the same time the Troop 203 scouting experience is fun!
ACTIVITIES
The program of Troop 203 is centered on camping, hiking and the outdoors. Usually there is one overnight outing a month during the school year. In late June, the Troop goes to summer camp for a week at Camp Wente near Willits, CA. High Sierra backpack and camping trips are scheduled in the summer, typically with a longer trip for older scouts and a two-night trip for all scouts. Other activities occur throughout the year: day hikes, service projects, Merit Badge activities, etc. There has been much variety over the years, depending on the various interests of the Scouts and the adult leaders.
Regular troop meetings occur once a week during the school year at Montera Middle School: Monday nights, 7:00-8:00pm. There is usually no troop meeting on school holidays, breaks, or the day after a campout weekend. At troop meetings, the troop conducts weekly information exchange, learns Scout skills, prepares for campouts, plays games, conducts awards ceremonies, etc.
COMMUNICATION
News of activities and events are communicated in a variety of ways. These include email (generally to parents, not Scouts, unless a Scout checks his email regularly), telephone, Troop website and announcements/flyers at troop meetings. Other websites, such as www.usscouts.org (for all kinds of Scouting information) and www.meritbadge.com (for merit badge requirements and helpful worksheets), are useful resources. Although the scouts gather most of their information at meetings, the primary method of communication to parents is via email. In order to stay abreast of the troop's activities, it is important that parents stay on top of the email flow from the troop adult leadership.
SCOUT LEADERSHIP
Scout leadership is important in Troop 203. The Boy Scout leader of the troop is the Senior Patrol Leader. He is an older, more experienced Scout who has shown both the willingness and the ability to be a leader. The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) works closely with the Scoutmaster, other adult leaders, the Assistant SPLs, and the Patrol Leaders to plan and conduct the weekly troop meetings and monthly campouts. In these roles, the Scouts learn the challenges and skills of leadership. The Scout leaders meet once a month at the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) with the Scoutmaster (usually the first Thursday of the month) to discuss troop outings and other Scout business. In Troop 203, all scouts are welcome at this meeting, with the expectation that they will participate and help lead the troop.
ANNUAL PROGRAM PLANNING
The troop year runs parallel to the school year, beginning in early September. The Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) works early in the scouting year starting in late August to plan the annual calendar. Typically most events are scheduled by early October, with the fall activities in place somewhat earlier. The scouts develop the annual plan under the leadership of the Senior Patrol Leader with some guidance from the Scoutmaster, taking in to account all of the scouts' interests, needs, and skill levels.
TROOP ORGANIZATION
The troop is sub-divided into smaller groups of 5-9 Scouts called "patrols." As with most troops, Troop 203 is organized into patrols and we conduct many activities based on this structure. However, for the purposes of our outings, such as camping and hiking, we divide down into event-specific smaller groups of 3-5 for the purposes of food planning, tent arrangements, etc. The Patrol Leaders and Senior Patrol Leader meet regularly with the Scoutmaster to plan and monitor the troop program at the PLC mentioned above.
ADULT PARTICIPATION
The troop is led by the Committee Chair and the Parent Committee. The Scoutmaster's job is to oversee all phases of troop operation. His special responsibility is to work with the Scouts in their activities. He develops a Scouting program with the Scouts that will teach them necessary skills and will meet their needs for advancing in rank at a pace they are comfortable with.
In support of the Scouting program, the Parent Committee handles the business end of the troop and sets troop policy. It is a subset of all the parents of Scouts in the troop and other friends of the troop who are interested in Scouting, usually about 5-7 individuals who are elected by all the parents. It meets regularly, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, to conduct business, discuss future plans, and set policy as necessary. Specific positions on the Parent Committee include: Chair, Treasurer, Trip Coordinator(s), Adult Quartermaster, Advancement Chair, Web Master, and others.
In addition to the Parent Committee, each family is expected to support the troop by driving on outings, camping and hiking with the troop, and/or lending their hobbies or professional skills as merit badge counselors. Everyone needs to help in some way. There will be no lack of opportunity to help with your son's Scouting career!
TROOP FINANCES
Troop 203 is 100% self-financed. It receives no money except through its own fund raising efforts. All adult leaders of the troop are volunteers. The annual dues for each Scout are $125. The dues cover the cost of insignia/patches, a subscription to Boys Life magazine, insurance and the national Boy Scout registration fee. The dues are supplemented by the troop's basic fund raising activity which is collecting and packaging mistletoe for sale at Christmas tree lots. All scouts and parents are expected to contribute to this single, but very important, fundraising activity that runs from late November through early December.
From these sources, the troop covers the basic costs of the camping program (campground fees, troop equipment, mileage reimbursement, etc.). On most outings, the only thing Scouts pay for is their food. The exceptions are summer camp and special trips, such as rafting, canoeing, or bicycling where special fees are necessary to cover costs.
"Campership" subsidies in Brian Marion's name were established beginning in 2016. Donations to the Campership fund or to the Troop in general are welcome. Please contact the Scoutmaster with any questions.
WHAT TO BUY
A Boy Scout Handbook is provided by the troop. The scout needs to purchase a Boy Scout shirt with San Francisco Bay Area Council and Troop 203 numeric insignia at the Scout Shop (1001 Davis, San Leandro) or McCaulou's along with the purple universal scout insignia.. The handbook is the basic source of information for a Scout and it will be his record of advancement. The shirt is the basic component of the Scout uniform. Troop 203 will supply the troop's distinctive neckerchief. These will be presented at the Scout's first Court of Honor. The Court of Honor is the formal recognition of Scout advancement and they are typically held 3 times per year. These occur in late September, February and early June.
Don't rush out to buy a lot of equipment. Wait and see what is available in the troop for loan or for sale "used." Hear from other Scouts and get some experience before investing heavily into gear.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
There are certain behavioral expectations for Troop 203 events (meetings, campouts, summer camp, hikes, etc.). These include behaving according to the Scout Oath and Law. Each Scout and parent signs annually an agreement. "Behavior On Troop Outings" reminding them of responsibilities as a Scout and of the possible consequences.
In addition:
- Scouts are prohibited from possessing any of the following at any Boy Scout function: firecrackers, firearms, cigarettes/tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
- No hazing or harassing of any Scout or fighting between Scouts is allowed.
- Theft, vandalism, or destruction of property is NOT allowed.
- The only electronics generally allowed on Troop 203 outings are watches and digital cameras. The following items are not allowed on campouts or at Troop meetings:sheathed knives, cell / smart phones, radios, cassette players, CD players, MP3 players, electronic games, ear phones or comic books. (Electronics are OK in cars on the way to and from outings with the approval of the driver.)
OUTING PROCEDURES
For each trip there is an adult coordinator (and back-up) whose job is to make any necessary reservations and arrange for transportation. Transportation is typically by car pool. Trip coordinators will make sure that there are sufficient drivers to and from outings. Adult supervision on all trips is "two deep"; a minimum of two adults will accompany the Scouts. All participating adults must have current Youth Protection Training for the safety of the scouts.
Camping and food preparation is by patrols. All Scouts in a patrol share in the planning of meals, the cost of meals, the preparation of meals and cleanup. Adults on trips similarly organize themselves as a patrol.
Planning the details of each trip is normally done at the troop meeting immediately before the trip. For major events, like summer camp, detailed planning occurs over a period of months.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully this has provided a lot of the basic information on Troop 203. There are great Scouting opportunities ahead and we hope to share ours with you and your potential Scout!