New Scouts

Welcome to Troop 383!

Here are some helpful documents for new Boy Scouts and their parents:

 

 

1. New Parent Guide
• This word Document outlines the Scouting Program in general and our Troop in particular.


2. Camping Equipment
• This Equipment List is a complete list of what you will need for our monthly campouts.
• Additional Equipment List for Summer/Winter Camp


3. General Comments
   • We encourage Parents to participate in all troop activities.
   • We need your help on the Troop Committee.
   • We need your help as Assistant Scout Masters in working with the Scouts.
   • We need Merit Badge Counselors
   • Don't panic over purchasing camping gear. We truck camp most of the year (that means we park very close to our camp) so you don't need to go out and buy all of the expensive small camping gear you see in the Sporting good stores. You may want to eventually get some of this gear but these are the items you will need to start with:
     
     
     • Sleeping bag: You need a good sleeping bag for the colder months. If you are going to buy a sleeping bag, make sure you buy a lightweight bag that packs up into a small package. Eventually they will need to pack in their gear and if you are going to buy gear, this is a good place to start. We recommend a bag that is rated at 0 to 20 degrees to ensure they are warm enough on the two campouts a year that get cold. The rest of the year they can sleep on top of the bag or pack a sheet with their bag to sleep in.
     
     
     • Backpack: young Scouts are still growing so you don't need to run out and spend a lot on a backpack, yet. They will outgrow their first backpack unless it has growing room and they won't need a better backpack for at least another year or two. They will need something to pack in their sleeping bag, camp gear and clothing but nothing advanced or expensive. Eventually they will need a good backpack but you have lots of options and you don't necessarily need to spend a lot to get a good backpack. We will give you more tips on gear as we go but the Scouts will learn by watching the older Scouts and the gear they use.
     
     
     • Clothing: We highly recommend good hiking socks, proper shoes and layers of clothing that can be added or removed for warmth. Hiking boots are expensive and not necessarily needed initially. A good stout pair of Tennis Shoes that fit well and can be tightened will work until they get into more serious hiking but good hiking socks are important. One of the more helpful clothing items is under armour or similar underwear. These help keep the boys dry on and minimize chafing while on hikes or participating in other Scout activities.
     
     
     • Eating Utensils: Keep it simple. A light lexan bowl, a spork, and good camping cup is all they need to eat while camping. You can get more but this is light and inexpensive and will work the entire time they are in Scouts.
     
     
     • Stoves, Cooking gear and Tents: These are provided by the troop. Eventually the older scouts end up with their own gear but at least at the beginning, the troop provides this gear.
     
     
     • You don't need to buy all new gear. Watch for good used gear and pay a fraction of the price. Ebay is great for this but there are risks as well so please ask someone who has some experience with this before you venture out on the web. Otherwise, shop and do your homework on line but do your best to support our local merchants. Burdette and Sons is a good place to start but there are several other retailers in town who cater to Scouts. And make sure you take your Scout card with you. In many instances, you may get a discount by presenting your Scout card.
     
     
   • The Scouts are responsible for their gear and their preparation. We don't baby our Scouts. If they forget something they will have to do without it. This may seem harsh however, they only forget once or twice before they learn to pack their gear and check to make sure everything is there. Please let them do their own preparation as this is a VERY IMPORTANT part of the learning process. We will not let them starve or freeze but going a little hungry or a little cold because they forgot to check their gear, is something they don't forget. Experiencing the consequence of their actions is a great life lesson and they WILL learn this within the first year of Scouting. You might help them for the first couple of campouts but give them the packing list and watch them go over it so they learn to prepare on their own. The sooner they learn the sooner they become more responsible and learn to plan ahead.
   
   
   • Overwhelming? This may seem a bit overwhelming at first but we camp enough that it gets easy fairly quickly. Spend the time up front to be prepared and after that it is a simple task. I personally leave my Backpack Packed. All I have to do is change out the clothing in my pack and other than that, my gear is always ready. It takes me 10 minutes to prepare my gear for a campout now that I have been doing it for a year and half (that doesn't include the time it gets to get the food together - just the gear).