Troop 249 Leadership's

View of Scouting

Republished with permission from Scout Pack 42 Waretown, NJ 08758


Troop 249 believes that Scouting is a parent and child endeavor. We also believe that it is not just a one hour a week program. Troop 249 serves the community by developing character traits in young boys that will help them make ethical choices during their lives. We cannot do it just during the meetings. It is much more than that. It is an ongoing path in life which is to be nurtured at Troop events and at home.

Parents' Participation Promise


I, {name}, promise to do my best to help my son to be a good Boy Scout, to encourage him to fulfill the Boy Scout Oath and obey the Laws of the Troop. I promise to assist him in his Boy Scout merit badges and advancements; to cooperate with the Scout Master,  and Troop Committee members; and to participate actively in Boy Scouting.

Troop Leaders Message to Parents


We are only leaders

We are not experts. We're your next door neighbors.

We're not perfect. . .we're just parents like you.

We don't have any more spare time or energy than you do: we work full time and juggle our families and our schedules and try to keep it together as best we can.

The only difference between us is that we believe in what Scouting has to offer. So much so that we contribute our time, our smiles and our talents to help our sons and your sons grow in Scouting.

We complete authorization forms, budgets, and registrations, and fill our homes with boxes of paperwork that you will never see.

We are required to take hours of training and attend meetings every month so that we can meet our greatest challenge: providing a variety of programs which meet the needs and interests of all your boys.

We try to involve parents who want us to understand they don't have the time to drive to outings, help at meetings, or worst yet help their sons progress through the ranks.

We rejoice at the generosity of others.

Sometimes we find ourselves going in too many different directions. We run out of steam. Memory lapses, communication lines break down, time slips by, but that does not mean we don't care. So many evenings we spend on the phone, seeking advice and support from other leaders when disappointment or problems occur. "How do we keep the boys' attention?" "What are your ideas for a ceremony?" "How do we explain this cancellation to the boys?"

Our dining room tables are covered with merit badge and event information with the focus on helping each boy make progress at the next meeting. . . often this is a challenge for those boys who do not attend regularly to complete requirements along with the other boys. The result is extra time is spent trying to catch them up so they don't become disappointed when their fellow scouts advance and they don't.

Sometimes we feel unappreciated.

Yet these same boys can fill us with pride at their determination and accomplishments. Their smiles light a room, and when they say, Thank You! it makes it all worth it.

We help these boys build relationships. Some struggle more than others. Consideration, fairness, and kindness to all are demanded by the Boy Scout Oath and Laws. Sometimes, we, too, must learn these lessons over and over again with the boys. But we are willing to keep learning.

Please be patient if we appear distracted or frustrated or overwhelmed at times. Forgive us if we are not the kind of Boy Scout Leader you would be if you had the time. Instead, provide us the encouragement, or offer your help. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

We are, after all, the mentors, role models, leaders and VOLUNTEERS who have taken an oath to give these boys the most precious gifts we have to offer: THE GIFT OF OUR ATTENTION AND OUR TIME.
 

Parents Responsibilities


(1) Be prompt in arrivals and departures – also in turning in all monies due.

(2) Ensure your son arrives in uniform with his book and binder in hand.

(3) Do not wait to be called upon for help. Plan on staying at meetings to help once in a while. A leader may struggle alone rather than taking the time to make phone calls or send emails.

(4) Take time at home to help your son with his achievements so that he does not fall behind the others. Scout leaders cannot possibly do all achievements at their meeting without boredom soon setting in, and some achievements must be done at home.

(5) Accompany your son to Troop Meetings, or make arrangements with another parent to take responsibility for your boy’s transportation and behavior. This other parent is not to be the scout leader.

(6) Keep your own children under control at Troop Meetings, not allowing running or roughhousing to take place. It is awkward for a leader to reprimand a boy when his parent is sitting right there!!

(7) Set a good example for our boys during Troop Meetings, being a good sport about participating in the fun and games and keeping annoying chit-chat to a minimum during ceremonies and awards.

(8) Try to “call in sick” when your son has to miss a meeting. There will undoubtedly be something you need to know, and three absent boys make three more phone calls for an already overloaded leader.

(9) Provide information forms and permission slips when asked.

(10) Provide input to the Troop Leadership with regard to Troop programming.

(11) Above all, try to remember that the troop leader’s job is the one you didn’t want or didn’t think you had the time for. Do whatever you can to make their job easier.