Parents Information

PARENTS' INFORMATION

Troop Committee

The Parents of Troop 494 are the sponsor for the troop and all parents are expected to support their scout and the troop by assisting in committee positions, assist in event planning and transportation. Parents meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month (unless school is not in session) at Kennedy Room B from 7:30-8:30 PM.

Some Committee Positions:

Committee Chairperson
Newsletter Editor
Friends of Scouting Chair
Summer Camp Coordinator
Treasurer
Advancement Chair
Outing Coordinators (11)
Fundraiser Chair
Eagle Scout Coordinator
Merit Badge Counselors
Troop Quartermaster (equipment)
Court of Honor Chair
Parents' Handbook Chair

The troop has a Parents' Handbook that contains information regarding troop rosters, phone lists, troop guidelines, board of review information and space to store troop finance, newsletter and other handouts.

Driving: A major reason for the success of the troop are the frequent and varied outings that we have. In order for this to happen, we need parents to help drive up and back. Please do your share in this responsibility. We expect parents to drive several times a year.

Boards of Review: The troop also needs parents to sit on Boards of Review. The Board of Review interviews scouts prior to obtaining a new rank, except for the ranks of Scout and Eagle. Eagle reviews require a special board. It's not very difficult to sit on a BOR and there is a guide that explains how to do it. Board of Review Guide

Merit Badge Counselors

The merit badge program is part of the advancement plan of the Boy Scouts of America. It has guided the interests and energies of Boy Scouts for 85 years and is one of the most unusual educational programs ever devised. A merit badge is an award that is presented to a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout when he has completed the requirements for one of more than 100 subjects in a wide variety of art, craft, hobby, sport, trade, profession, agribusiness, service, or self-improvement areas. Merit badge counselors are the key to success in the merit badge plan. They offer their time, experience, and knowledge to help guide Scouts in one or more of the merit badge subjects.
The counselor's responsibility is to:

Assist the Scout as he plans the assigned projects and activities to meet the merit badge requirements.
Coach Scouts through interviews and demonstrations on how to do the required skills of the craft, business, or hobby.
Certify the Scout after determining whether he is qualified for the merit badge

Your task is to satisfy yourself that each Scout who comes to you meets all the requirements for the merit badge. In this sense you are an examiner, though your larger opportunity lies in coaching-helping the Scout meet the challenge of the requirements and making him aware of the deeper aspects of the subject through your knowledge and experience.
What Do I Agree to Do?
As a merit badge counselor, I agree to

Follow the requirements of the merit badge, making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts.
Have a buddy present with each Scout at all instructional sessions.
Renew my registration as a merit badge counselor annually if I plan to continue serving as a merit badge counselor.

How do I become a merit badge counselor?

It's simple, take a Merit Badge Counselor training session at the scout office. The cost is free and the training lasts about 90 minutes.

Last updated: March 18, 2005