F.A.Q.

1. What do I need to think about before joining?  Our troop meets Tuesdays 7:00 PM - 8:30PM.  It is expected that Scouts attend most troop meetings.  We will have weekend camping trips in April and May, and a weeklong summer camp in June.  Although it's not required, it's highly recommended to attend the campouts.

2. What are the steps to join?  As we are starting up the troop, we need to have a parent participating as one of the roles needed by the Troop (see vacancies here).  Please decide which role a parent can take and reach out to someone on the troop.  After we make formal contact, you can go through these steps to get fully registered.

3. How are the meetings run?  The meetings are entirely scout led, with the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) carefully following each part of the agenda, made by Patrol Leaders (PL), to ensure scouts are fully engaged in the activities during the allotted time periods. The meetings begin with the designated Patrol (rotated every week) setting up for the flag ceremony 10 minutes before the meetings begin. The SPL, or assigned scout, then conducts the opening flag ceremony. Next, the activities planned for that week are performed, and there are typically 10 minutes allotted at the end of every meeting for scouts to complete sign offs. Finally, during closing ceremonies, all announcements are made (from scouts to ASMs), the scoutmaster gives their scoutmaster's minute, and the closing flag ceremony is completed.  There is also a 10 minute period after meetings are finished in which the leadership team reviews their plans for upcoming meetings and discusses plans for any pending events.

4. What is the average time a Scout needs to put in every month?  There is no "average" time commitment that a Scout needs to undertake.  They enjoy doing what they want to do in the Scouting program.  Some Scouts are not interested in the "advancement"  and just go camping and have fun with the troop.  They aren't fussed about getting things signed off in their book.  The Scoutmaster has said that they often get Scouts who disappear off for six months and then come back to the program when they are ready for it again.

5. Is attending summer camp required?  Background: Summer camp is a 1 week adventure away from home where Scouts focus on learning and advancement.  Scouts work towards ranks and merit badges at their own pace. There is no mandatory attendance to any events - even summer camp.  Summer camp is pushed because it is a great week away and the Scouts will find they can get done in this one week what they would otherwise take "six months" to do as they are immersed in the Scout world with no electronic distractions for a week.  It is also shown that attending summer camp in their first year gives a much higher probability of a scout staying in the program.  But if she can't make summer camp that is not a reason to not join the troop.  There is no failing that takes away any opportunity - each Scout advances at their own pace.  Only a few percentage of Scouts actually make Eagle rank, and it is the journey not the destination that is the learning experience, that is the important thing to remember.  

6. Where do I register for a troop event/find information on an event I registered for?  You can register for a troop event on Troopmaster, where you can also find information on the event you've registered for. For any further questions, you can directly contact the scout leader (OSPL) or adult leader (OSM), whose names are usually listed at the bottom of the event. It's important to carefully read the description of events, as deadlines for forms are often set weeks before the event's actual date. 

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For any questions/suggestions about the Troop or website, please contact iniya.indirajith@gmail.com.