Boy Scouts of America Unit: Spring Hill Troop 1855 Middle TN Council – Duck River District Scoutmaster, Christopher Taylor (931) 637-2521 Assistant Scoutmaster, Dennis Wuest  (931) 486-1229 Assistant Scoutmaster, Dave Gross (931) 388-1105 Committee Chair, Janet Hart (931) 840-0258 Committee Member, Faris Wheatley (931) 486-0554 Troop 1855 website – www.shtroop1855.org/

Chartering Organization: Rippavilla Plantation Charter Representative, Pam Perdue 5700 Main Street Spring Hill, TN 37174 (931) 486-9037 Rippavilla website:  www.rippavilla.org

 

 

 

 

 

Dear New “Scouter” and Parents:

 

Thank you for your interest and your time in visiting our Spring Hill Troop 1855, chartered by the Rippavilla Plantation.  We understand you may have several questions about our program and not all may have been answered during your visit with our Troop.  Therefore, we have created this guide to acquaint new Scouts and their parents with both the purpose of the Boy Scouts of America program and how Troop 1855, in partnership with Rippavilla Plantation, will administer the program.

 

Although we would love for you to join our Troop, we encourage you to visit several other Troops as well.  This provides you an opportunity as to how each Troop operates.  Not all Troops are the same! It is in the Scout’s best interest to find the Troop that will best fit his needs and goals.  The trail to Eagle Scout is a long one.  It requires time, active participation and commitment to make the rank of Eagle.  If a Troop doesn’t quite meet your needs or expectations, that trail can seem a lot longer and a Scout may not want to continue with Scouting.  We believe in the Scouting program so much that we would rather see a boy complete the Scouting program with another Troop that he is happy with and meets his needs, then to drop out of the program altogether.  Please contact the Middle TN Council Duck River District Executive Rep, Allen Crawford at (931) 286-3902 for information on other Troops in the area.

 

Please take a moment to review the information and call us if you have any questions.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

Friends in Scouting,

 

 

Christopher Taylor Janet Hart

Dennis Wuest Faris Wheatley

Dave Gross

 

 

Note:    Short “Bios” on the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Chair are at the back of this guide.

 

 

 

AIMS OF SCOUTING:

 

 

The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America program is to provide an effective program designed for the youth to:

 

BUILD CHARACTER:

·         Build Courage, Honesty, and Integrity

·         Build self-reliance, self discipline, self-confidence and self-respect

 

FOSTER CITIZENSHIP:

·         Behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, privileges and functions of a citizen

 

DEVELOP FITNESS:

·         Physical, Mental, Emotional and Moral

 

With active youth participation in the Boy Scouts of America Program and support of family, this program helps provide this country with citizens who:

·         Are physically, mentally and emotionally fit

·         Have a high degree of self-reliance as evident in such qualities as initiative, courage and resourcefulness

·         Have personal and stable values firmly based on religious concepts

·         Have the desire and skills to help others

·         Understand the principles of the American social, economic, and government systems

·         Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand America’s role in the world

·         Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people

·         Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving leadership to American society and in other forums around the world

 

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL ADULT LEADERS/COACHES

 

The following ten characteristics are important to the success of a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, registered Adult Leaders and Coaches:

 

·   High moral standards ·   Would commit to high ideals of Scouting ·   Ability to relate to boys

·   Ability to keep a cool head ·   Ability to organize ·   Ability to relate to adults ·   Ability to plan

·   High energy level ·   Detail-oriented ·   Flexibility/ability to compromise

 

 

METHODS OF SCOUTING

 

1.   IDEALS:

The ideals of the Boy Scouts of America is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, to prepare them to make ethical choices during their lifetime in achieving their full potential.  The values we strive to instill are based on those found in the Scout Oath and Law:

 

Motto:    "Be prepared."

 

Slogan:    "Do a Good Turn Daily."

 

Oath:      "On my honor I will try to do my best

                  To do my duty to God and my country and

                  Obey the Scout Law;

                  To help other people at all times;

                  To keep myself physically strong,

                  Mentally awake and morally straight.”

 

Law:        "A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.”

 

2.   PATROLS:

    Use the patrol method which is a grouping of six to eight boys who work together. Each patrol elects its own boy leader, called a Patrol Leader.

 

3.   OUTDOORS:

Scouting was designed to be carried out in the open and during all four seasons.

 

4.   ADVANCEMENT:

To spur a Scout to learn, achieve and mature.

 

5.   PERSONAL GROWTH:

Build character, fitness, leadership, skill training, citizenship, etc.

 

6.   ADULT ASSOCIATION:

    Scouts learn from the examples set by their adult leaders.

 

7.   LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

Leadership development is not only for Scouts who are leaders, but also for the Scouts who are not.

 

8.   UNIFORM:

It is an outward sign that shows the Scout believes in certain values and is willing to stand up for them.  It gives them a feeling of belonging to a patrol, troop and also a worldwide organization.

 

TROOP 1855 INFORMATION

 

WHY TROOP NUMBER 1855?

This is the year the Cheairs Mansion on the Rippavilla Plantation, was completed.   Construction on the mansion commenced in 1852 and was completed in 1855. Completion of the mansion was delayed for three years because of Nathaniel Cheairs’ own vision of the home. He stated that he wished the house to stand for over 100 years. Construction of the home was halted three separate times. The mansion was over 50% complete all three times that he had construction stopped, and each time the walls were torn down before it was eventually completed in 1855.  For more information regarding the Rippavilla Plantation and Cheairs’ Mansion, please visit www.rippavilla.org.

 

 

TROOP ORGANIZATION:

Troop 1855 is a boy-run troop.  Every boy will have an opportunity to participate in both shared and individual leadership.  The meetings are planned and carried out by the Patrol Leaders’ Council.  Understanding the concepts of leadership help the boys accept leadership of others, and to grow into more responsible adults.  The “Key Leaders within A Troop” section lists all of the key leaders within a Boy Scout troop and their duties.

 

 

TROOP GOALS:

·         Community service oriented

·         Bridge the gap between Troops within and outside our District

·         Fun-filled learning

·         Hands-on learning (not information download)

·         Diverse (not just focused on camping/canoeing, also introduce the boys to the "Arts", help develop social skills (manners), etc.

·         Teambuilding - developing trust and friendship

·         Promote education and the importance of historic preservation

·         Represent Scouting in a positive manner in both appearance and attitude

 

 

MEETINGS:

Spring Hill Troop 1855 meetings are typically held each Monday night, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at Rippavilla Plantation Excel Building.  There is not a troop meeting following a week-end campout.  Instead, a Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) will be held, this is for Troop Patrol Leaders only.  We will do our best to consider school schedule and holidays when scheduling other Troop meetings and activities.  Troop 1855 will do its best to maintain at a minimum, a 6-month program calendar for all scheduled events.

 

The Troop meeting itself is a Scout designed, planned and delivered activity.  The PLC develops the agenda and the patrols carry out their assigned activities.

 

Note:  The Rippavilla Plantation has agreed to make portions of the Cheairs Mansion available to use and full use of the outdoor facilities.  We must be respectful of the Rippavilla Plantation and use the space with care in order to protect and preserve this historic property.

 

TROOP 1855 INFORMATION (cont’d)

 

TROOP “NORMS”/CONDUCT CODE:

 

·   Be on-time for all meetings and troop activities – “To be early is to be on-time, to be on-time is to be late!

·   Good attendance and active participation is expected at meetings and activities

·   Both adult leaders and Boy Scouts will wear class A or Class B uniforms at all Scout meetings and/or activities.

·   Scouts will show respect towards everyone.  They will also address adults as Mr. or Miss and [First or Last Name] or by Leader’s title and [First or Last Name]

·   Proper manners will be expected

·   Extreme care will be used to protect and continue to preserve any facility we use for meetings and/or activities.

·   Represent Scouting in a positive manner in both appearance and attitude

·   Absolutely no “bullying”,  “hazing”, “harassment” or “initiations” will be tolerated, and may result in being “expelled” from the troop.

 

 

TROOP FUNDING:

Troop funding is necessary to obtain the necessary equipment for outdoor activities, rank advancement and camping (tents, stoves, lanterns, portable kitchens, etc.).  Funding will be secured through:

 

·   Annual Registration - fee of $50 that includes:

o    $10.00 for Boy Scouts of America membership

o    $12.00 Boys Life Subscription

o    $1.00 Boy Scouts of America insurance

o    $27.00 Troop Funding to help pay for new equipment, badges for rank advancement, Troopmaster Software, administrative items, etc.

 

 

·   Fundraising – Rippavilla Plantation will have many opportunities for us to earn funds or our troop.  During their community festivities, i.e. corn maze, etc.  We will be allowed to run a concession and/or assist with parking cars and/or assist with the activity itself.  We expect as much help when needed from everyone, including both scouts and their parents. 

 

 

SCOUTING WEBSITES:

Troop 1855 – www.shtroop1855.org/

Middle Tennessee Council – www.mtcbsa.org

BSA Site – www.scouting.org

U.S. Scouting – www.usscouts.org

 

 

SCOUT UNIFORM

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE SCOUT UNIFORM:

When boys are in uniform, Scouts are conscious of their rank and make a greater effort to advance.  Only the uniform provides a place for display of badges – important symbols of achievement.

 

The purpose of the Scout uniform is not to hide the differences between the boys or make them feel they are all the same.  However, there is a way in which all Scouts are alike.  Whenever a scout sees another Scout in uniform, he knows he is like that person because both have committed themselves to the principles of the Scout Oath and Law.  The Scout Oath and Law bind all Scouts of the world together in a common purpose.  By wearing the uniform, Scouts give each other strength and support.  Beyond accepting the common bond between Scouts, by wearing the uniform, Scouts are declaring their commitment to some important beliefs that bind them to all people.  It is a way of making visible their belief in God, their loyalty to our country, and their commitment to helping other people who need them.

 

When smartly worn the uniform can:

·         Help build good troop spirit

·         Make the troop visible as a force for good in the community

·         Attract new members

·         Create a strong positive youth image in the neighborhood, thus helping to counteract the negative feeling some adults have about today’s youth.

 

 

OFFICIAL TROOP 1855 UNIFORM:

 

Provided by the boy: Class A: ·         Scout Handbook ·         Shirt – official tan w/red shoulder loops ·         Patches:  Flag, Council ·         Bolo ·         Belt – official olive web belt ·         Pants/shorts – olive or green ·         Socks – official olive with red ·         Hat (official scout cap only)   Class B: ·         Additional Troop 1855 T-Shirts (long or short sleeve)

Provided by the troop: ·         Troop 1855 Numeral ·         One short-sleeve Troop 1855 T-Shirt ·         Camp checklist luggage tag ·         Rank badge

 

Note:  Official placement of insignia and patches may be found on the inside front and back cover of the Scout Handbook.

 

 

BOY SCOUT ADVANCEMENT

 

 

Advancement is the process by which youth members progress through ranks in the Scouting program by the gradual mastery of Scouting skills.  Ranks are simply a means to an end, not an end in themselves.  Everything boys do to advance and earn these ranks, from the day they join until the day they leave the program, should be designed to help boys have an exciting and meaningful experience.  The advancement program is a four-step process.  The four-step process that each boy goes through to earn their rank is:

 

1.   Learn – A Scout learns by doing.  As he learns, he grows in ability to do his part as a member of the patrol and the tro