Home TROOP
5 HANDBOOK
TROOP LEADERSHIP
Boy Scout Troop 5 is very fortunate
to be sponsored by the VFW Post 3838 of
The Scoutmaster is Jerry
Hampton. Jerry lives and breathes Boy Scouting and has the support of his
family, which consists of three sons who are Eagle Scouts and wife Betty who
helps the troop tremendously.
Assisting the Scoutmaster
are a large number of Assistant Scoutmasters who work together to guide and
train the boys toward attaining merit badges, rank advancements, and leadership
skills. These adults provide strength, guidance, understanding and knowledge to
the Senior Patrol Leader, Leadership Corps, and Patrol Leaders. The Leaders
main goals are to facilitate and provide a learning atmosphere for today’s
youth, helping them become mature young men.
The Senior Patrol Leader
runs the Troop. He works on planning the weekly meeting agendas and is the main
spokesman during the meeting. He holds Patrol Leaders Council meetings with the
individual Patrol Leaders, Asst. Patrol Leaders, and at the Patrol Leaders
Council meetings, when the scouts plan the monthly meetings and outings. The
SPL is an elected position by the boys. It is limited to one 6-month term. You
must be a Star Scout and have gone to the JLTC.
The scouts are divided into
separate patrols of 8 or less boys. The Patrol Leader and Asst. Patrol Leader
work with the scouts on planning patrol activities while on monthly campouts.
Overseeing the patrol is an Asst. Scoutmaster. He provides guidance to the
scouts, making sure that they are meeting all the requirements to achieve the
next rank. Patrols are to meet twice a month to plan what they need for the
monthly activity, menus, and work on rank advancements. The Patrol Leader and
Asst. Patrol Leader are elected by the Patrol and serve 6-month terms. They may
serve more that one term. For the first year the boys rotate every month at
being the Patrol Leader.
The Troop Committee is
responsible for supporting the troop’s activities and handling the
administrative duties, which include - Troop Committee Chairman, and volunteers
in charge of fund raisers, treasury, advancement records, travel arrangements,
and providing communication for all scout families
All of these adults together
provide guidance and support to the scouts helping to teach needed leadership
and communications skills, which all youth should possess in their adulthood
lives. We attempt to provide the scouts with many leadership responsibilities
by having a youth ran organization.
Parent participation is a
key aspect in scouting. Parents are asked to take an active interest in their
son’s life through supporting his interest and his troop while being involved
with Boy Scout Troop 5. Supportive parents help boys stay active in scouting
and not lose interest in the scouting program.
Parent participation is
tremendously beneficial to Troop 5. The Troop has a very effective Troop
Committee comprised of the parents, which perform the troop’s administrative
duties.
Troop 5 committee Meetings
are held the first Wednesday of the month during the regular Scout Meeting at
the VFW. All parents are encouraged to attend these monthly meetings to discuss
their interests and concerns. This will keep you informed of the upcoming troop
activities.
Parent participation and
interest is vital to help influence a scout to have an active interest in the
Boy Scout program. The leadership of Troop 5 appreciates your participation.
Troop 5 puts the "OUTING" in SCOUTING!
Our camping program is
structured to provide a variety of camping experiences for today’s youth. We balance
our camping experiences to focus on both historical and intellectual
significance and the love of nature and the outdoors. The troop plans at least
one outing per month, 12 months a year and attend 1 week at
Our nature and outdoor
programs allow scouts to learn the proper way to pitch a tent, build a fire,
and to prepare and clean up their own meals. They are taught knots and
lashings, and introduced to wildlife, native plants and trees in the area. They
learn how to use a compass by experiencing an orienteering course and enjoy the
opportunity to establish new friendships with fellow scouts.
Our programs are designed to
help the scouts learn the proper methods in working with other people. Through
trusting a fellow scout to perform his share of the work, the boy experiences a
team effort and helps to promote group accomplishments. These programs help the
scouts in building character and confidence in their own Individual talents,
which carry over into their adult lives.
Scouts will attend 6 days
and 5 nights camping at Boy Scout Camp LEWALLEN. While at summer camp, the
scouts have the opportunity to meet boys of many other troops and to work
towards earning several merit badges. Summer camp is a week full of new experiences.
Troop 5 will be camping together in a campsite assigned to them only and will
spend the day with other scoots while attending merit badge sessions. FAMILY
NIGHT is on Wednesday. Parents and family are welcome to come to camp after
Boy Scout Troop 5 Leaders
provide their time and talents to teach the scouts proper values in today’s
society and provide an excellent scouting program. We are able to accomplish
this task when scouts parents share the responsibility in instructing their
sons as necessary. Discipline in a Boy Scout Troop is not meant to demean or
punish any boy, but to help them understand the rights of their fellow scout.
They may not infringe upon others for their individual pleasure or personal
gain.
When a boy joins the troop,
he is another one of Jerry Hampton’s sons. You as a parent are consenting to
allow another parent, scout leader and or Scoutmaster to reprimand a scout for
improper conduct while on a scouting event. The leadership in Troop 5 works to
guide the scout in developing proper values and behavior, but the primary responsibility
for a scout’s behavior rests with his parents.
Forms of behavior that will
not be tolerated include fighting, stealing, lying, smoking and possession of
harmful devices while on a scout activity. Scouts should not harass or tease
another scout. Such acts hurt others and do not allow individuals to benefit
and take pleasure in the scouting program. The condoning of these acts would be
a disservice to the troop and the individual scout. The Scoutmaster has the
option to have a parent come and get their son whatever time it is if the deed
warrants.
Service projects allow the
scout to understand the importance of working for a worthy cause towards
bettering themselves and their community. Scouts receive direct benefit from
their time and unselfish devotion to scouting and their respective community.
Service hours and or
projects are required for every scout in order to advance in rank. Each scout
takes part in six hours project in order to obtain the ranks of Star and a six-hour
project for Life. This time can be spent helping their community, school, or
religious organization.
Projects should be submitted
in writing to the Scoutmaster for approval before starting. Helping another
scout with their project does not count for your service project. After the
project has been completed, a representative from where the project was
performed should submit in writing that the service project was completed
satisfactorily.
For service hours, Troop 5 stays
very active. Troop 5 performs many service hours for the community every year
by participating in the Scouting for
The scouting program offers
over 120 different merit badges for a scout to earn. A scout must earn a
required number of merit badges to advance in rank (see scout handbook for
specific rank requirements). The scouts may work on merit badges in a group
with the troop, individually, and at summer camp.
The Troop Advancement Chairman
keeps records of all the requirements that each scout has completed towards
earning a merit badge or advancing in rank. This will include troop activities
/ campouts attended, merit badges earned, service projects/hours completed, and
all of the Individual requirements required to complete the rank advancement.
The scout may use the Assistant Scoutmaster for his patrol or the Advancement
Chairman as a resource to inquire which requirements he currently lacks to
obtain advancement.
A scout must complete a
merit badge application for each merit badge they are working on. The
application must be signed by the Scoutmaster to be valid.
A scout must call the merit
badge counselor himself to set up the class.
Merit badges are a learning
experience for the scout and help them become more competent and independent on
beginning a project and overseeing every obstacle, becoming aware of new
information, and develop experience making an initial contact with an adult
counselor to review his work. Merit badges help the scout appreciate and fully
understand the scouting program.
When scouts are ready to
advance in rank, they request a Board of Review. At the board of review, scouts
will meet with three adults from the troop and discuss questions concerning the
rank that they have been working on, their participation in troop activities,
merit badges earned, Scout Oath, Scout Law, personal feelings about the troops
activities, etc.
If the reviewers believe
that the scout has fulfilled all the requirements and is participating they
will inform him that he has passed the Board of Review. If they do not feel
that he has fulfilled all the requirements or is not participating in troop
activities, they may give him an assignment to complete before advancing. These
decisions are not meant to punish a scout but to help him to fully understand
and appreciate the scouting program.
Board of Reviews are held
each month. Parent involvement is often necessary to help conduct full Board of
Reviews.
All requirements for rank advancement must be finished
before a boy may go before a Board of Review.
After a scout has fulfilled
all the rank requirements and had a board of review, he is ready for a
Scoutmaster’s Conference. At the Scoutmaster’s Conference, the scout and
Scoutmaster review what he has done and what he plans to do.
Troop 5 awards merit badges
and rank advancements earned by the scouts at quarterly ceremonies called Court
of Honor. At the Court of Honor, Troop 5 welcomes all family members to watches
their scout receive these honors. A Court of Honor is a highly revered and
special night when scouts are applauded for their hard work and accomplishments
in the scouting program.
The rank of Eagle Scout is
the highest honor a scout can achieve in the scouting program. Nationally, only
2% of youth that enter the Boy Scouts of America will ever obtain the rank of
Eagle. Troop 5 has had an excellent success rate of scouts earning the rank of
Eagle. Troop 5 attributes this to the great leadership given by our
Scoutmaster, Asst. Scoutmasters, parent participation and solid scouting
program.
When a scout has earned the
rank of Life and is ready to continue on the trail of Eagle, he will get an
Eagle packet from the scout office. This packet has all the information that he
will need to carry out his Eagle project, additional merit badges that are
required, etc. The leaders of Troop 5 are always available to guide a scout
along this trail.
The elite corps in the
scouting program is an organization within the Boy Scouts of America called the
Order of the Arrow. The Order of the Arrow is the only organization known which
allows non-members to elect candidates to become members. The name of the
organization means Brotherhood of Cheerful Service The Order of the Arrow helps
provide a vast majority of service to
In order to be eligible, a
scout must be at least First Class in rank, have fifteen days and nights of
camping, with at least one long-term camping activity within the last two
years. They must have the Scoutmaster approval. Adult eligibility requires the
same camping requirements, must be nominated by the Troop and he approved by
the local Council office. Elections for Order of the Arrow nominees are held
once a year at summer camp and the callout ceremony is held at the Wednesday
evening Order of the Arrow ceremony.
Boys only vote for boys.
Adults only vote for
adults.
A scout becomes inducted
into the Order of the Arrow by taking an Ordeal at
There are three levels in
the Order of the Arrow - Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil this gives the scout the
chance to grow as he is advancing.
Once the scout has been
inducted into the Order of the Arrow, he is entitled to every right and
privilege as his fellow brothers in the program.
The Scribe at the beginning
of each meeting collects monthly dues of $5.00. This money goes towards the
purchase of badges. You may pay by the year.
All outstanding dues must be
paid before receiving awards at the Court of Honor.
The class A uniform is the khaki
scout shirt, green scout pants or scout shorts, scout belt, scout socks and
Troop 5 hat. This is the uniform that is worn at all scout meetings, Court of
Honor ceremonies, campouts, flag ceremonies, and all scout functions as
instructed. This is the uniform we wear when we are traveling.
The class B uniform is the
Troop 5 red T-shirt, green scout pants or scout shorts, scout belt, scout socks
and Troop 5 hat. This is the uniform that is worn when you are not in your
class A’s.
This dress code is for all
scouts and all Scoutmasters and Asst. Scoutmasters.
Junior Leader Training Camp
is offered twice in the summer at beautiful S-F Ranch. It is a week of intense
training to help our scouts to be a leader. Troop 5 sends five young men to
this camp each year. The VFW has always paid for this camp.
To go to JLTC you must be a
First Class Scout and have at least one week of summer camp. Your son will be
recommended on a vote of the Scoutmaster and Asst. Scoutmasters. If the scout elects
not to go, the Scoutmaster must be notified so that another scout may be
offered the opportunity to go.
If a scout accepts the
opportunity to go to JLTC and then does not go, he will be expected to pay back
the cost of the camp fees.
The national Scout Jamboree
is presented every four years. Details on this event come out well in advance.
If your son has the opportunity to go, it will be an event of a lifetime for
him.
50 + MILE FLOAT TRIP
The 50+ mile float trip is
offered each summer to all Star Scouts and above, that have gone to two weeks
of summer camp. This is an exciting trip that the scouts usually really enjoy.
Each scout is responsible
for his own food, equipment and means of carrying it. A mandatory-planning
meeting is offered before the trip for all scouts and parents that are taking
this adventure.
Cost for this trip is
usually less that $100.00. for 5 days on the river.
Camping beads are given out
after each activity. They may be worn on a tote that hangs from your belt.
These totes are available for a small cost from the Scoutmaster.
White-----Snow
Blue-------Cold
Green-----Warm
Black------Rain
Red--------Long
Term Camping
Orange---JLTC
Marble---Camp-O-Ree
Yellow----Hike
Philmont Scout Ranch is an
opportunity for the boys to go and spend 10 days on a back packing trail. It is
very difficult to get reservation. If you feel that you would like to go,
contact the scout office for more details and reservation information.
Adult Basic Leader Training
is offered twice a year at Camp Lewallen. It is required for all Asst.
Scoutmasters of Troop 5 to attend this fun filled weekend. It will increase
your confidence in scouting and improve your leadership skills. You will have a
good time, too.
The Trade-O-Ree is a fun
event that has been put together by our Scoutmaster Jerry Hampton. Scouters
from all over the US come together to buy, sell, or trade scout items and scout
patches. The Trade-O-Ree is also a great fundraiser for the Scout Accounts.
Money is generated by the rental of tables to the traders and from the sale of
food. We try to get all the food donated for this worthwhile cause. Scout
parents may be asked to bring baked items to sell. The scout parents in the VFW
kitchen do all cooking. Only scouts that
are Star or above may work. There is an admission fee at the door, but any one
that is in full scout uniform will get in free. This event is great fun. It is
recommended that all scouts and scout family come by.
As a camper with Troop 5 a
scout will be expected to be accounted for before leaving to go on the camp
out. If a scout becomes sick or must leave for any reason, they must check out
with the Scoutmaster in charge. Scouts are expected to arrive with the Troop 5
and leave with the Troop 5, unless it is an emergency.
Scouts are expected to have
a duty rooster that has been completed at a patrol meeting with a menu. The
scouts should have the food to cook that goes with the menu they planned. The
money for the food is to be paid in advance to the scouts that are shopping for
the food.
Scouts are to provide their
own cups, knife, forks, spoons, and plates. Scouts will provide a ground cloth
for the tent they are sleeping in (tarp or plastic). Scouts are to provide paper towels for their
own use. Scouts are expected to set up by patrols, and use the patrol
method.
A Scout Account is money
that a scout has earned in a Troop activity. Examples of this would be the
money that Star and above scouts earn at the Trade-O-Ree. Money from various fundraisers has gone into
these accounts.
The money in this account
can only be used for high adventure, long term camp or equipment needed for
related camping. Before any money is released, the Scoutmaster must approve it.
If a scout leaves the troop
and does not recharter with Crew 5 after one year any money left in his scout
account will return to the general fund.
Troop 5 strives to provide
some of the finest equipment for the scouts’ use, but we need your help. Equipment is one of the largest expenses the
troop has. Tents run about $135.00 each and when we order we usually have to
order 10 at a time or over $1,350.00. We
understand normal wear and tear, but neglect and misuse will not be tolerated.
You will be expected to replace equipment that has been destroyed by malice or
neglect. If you leave a wet rolled up tent in the garage for a week you can
plan on buying it, this would be neglect.