BSA Troop 885 Guidelines
 
 
 

Meetings

Boy Scouting is a year-round program. Scouts attend meetings a few times each month. Troop Meetings are normally held on Monday nights at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls. Meetings start at 6:45 PM and last until approximately 8:15 PM. One or more outings are held every month, usually on weekends. The boys may also meet for Patrol meetings and outings if their patrol decide to have them. It is not mandatory for a Scout to attend all of these meetings and outings, especially if he is involved in sports or has a school, church or family commitment. Scouts are strongly encouraged to attend as often as possible so they continue to advance, stay informed, and can help the troop plan and conduct its program.

Troop Committee meets once a month.  These are usually on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM until approximately 8:00 PM. Adult leaders should attend the meeting or to contact the Committee Chairman before the meeting date if they cannot attend. This is because 3 committee members in addition to the Scoutmaster are needed for Scout Board of Reviews, and none of those leaders can be a parent of the Scout getting advanced. We would rather reschedule the review than disappoint the Scout after he shows up.

 Court of Honor ceremonies are held two to four times a year, depending upon need. These are special meetings for the Scouts and their families. Scouts are formally recognized for any advancement since the last Court of Honor. Information is presented on Troop activities, Scout advancement and account status, and other topics. Social time with refreshments will follow the meeting. Scouts should be encouraged to attend these ceremonies even if they are not receiving any awards themselves. It displays good Scout spirit and loyalty to be there to congratulate their fellow Scouts that are receiving awards.
 
 

Outings

Troop 885 provides the Scouts with the opportunity to be involved in a variety of events throughout the year. We encourage the Scouts to participate in as many of the outings as possible, since they are used as a means of advancement. Parents, may also attend these outings to provide transportation and are encouraged to attend with their son. Scouts are required to wear Class A uniform shirt and neckerchief while traveling to and from an outing. Everybody traveling in cars MUST wear a seat belt.

The cost of these outings normally will range from about $15 to $20 for a weekend camp out. This pays for food, camping fees and admission/activity fees. Permission slips are handed out for each outing and are available for download at our website. They must be turned in whether you are going or not. This helps us to know that everyone is aware of the outing, and saves us a lot of time phoning around to see who is going. Payment should accompany the permission slip. In most cases, fees are non-refundable once the Troop has spent the money for food or fees to reserve your spot. The Bay-Lakes Council may sometimes provide funds through camperships to Scouts who might not otherwise be able to afford outings. Contact the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman for more information on camperships.

Scout leaders will not be charged for the events as they are providing gas, transportation, and leadership on the events. Adults joining the outings will be charged half the amount of the scouts.
 
 

Attendance policy

Troop 885 camps roughly every month.  All Scouts are urged to attend these outings so they don't miss out on any of the fun. Scouts that miss events have a lesser opportunity to advance in rank.  Scouts that do not attend summer camp can fall almost a full rank behind others in their same grade.  We try to visit new and interesting places all the time and are always open to consider new places. Feel free to talk to any leader or committee member, or email the webmaster if you have ideas

All Scouts in leadership positions (SPL, ASPL, PL, APL) need to be at all activities of the troop unless they contact the Scoutmaster to be excused.  If you do not, you may be removed from your position after three unexcused absences.   You need to be present to fulfill your duties of office. You run the Troop, not the leaders. The Leaders are there for guidance. If you know that you will be busy during a certain period, please do not run for office during that period.

Uniforms

The Scout uniform is an important part of Scouting. There are two types of uniforms that our Scouts will be required to wear:

Class A - This uniform consists of a regulation khaki Scout shirt, & neckerchief. Troop 885 does not require Scout pants or shorts for the boys to wear. The type of long pants and shorts that will be considered acceptable is left to the discretion of the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters for each occasion. The Scouts are provided with one free Troop neckerchief when they join. If needed, additional neckerchiefs can be purchased at the Scout Shop. Class A uniforms are required for Troop meetings, Board of Review, Court of Honor, at evening meals on outings, and at other times specified by the Troop leaders. If you are not in Class A when you come for advancement, you will not be reviewed. Class A uniforms are required while traveling to and from an Scout outing. You must be in Class A to travel.

Class B - This uniform consists of pants or shorts and any Scout related T-shirt or activity shirt (such as Gardner Dam, Bear Paw, Twin Lakes, Rokilio, Jamboree, Troop 885, anything out of the BSA catalog etc.) Class B uniforms may be worn on outings at times when Class A's aren't required.
 
Camouflage clothing is not allowed according to BSA policy, we are not a military unit.

Electronics

Electronic games - Electronic games such as PSP, Game Boy... are not allowed on Scout outings. A scout attends outings to learn, and show what they have learned, and to socialize with other scouts and leaders. We do not want them miss any opportunities because they were ignoring everyone. For this reason we also do not allow personal CD players MP3 players. If the Scout wants to bring a board or card game along for at night or during bad weather, that is allowed as long as more than 1 person can play the game.  Cell phones are permitted, but they are to be used minimally.

Dues

Each boy is required to pay $52 a year for dues, (which includes Troop Dues, Boys Life and Scout membership).There is a discount if you have two sons in our Troop. This fee is automatically deducted from the Scout's account in February. If a Scout does not have enough funds to cover the dues, he will be contacted. If a boy joins the Troop as a new Scout mid-year, the dues will be prorated on a by month basis.

Fundraising / Scout Account

During the course of the year the Troop Committee will provide the opportunity for the Scouts to earn money for scouting expenses. The money the Scout earns through fundraising will be put into his Scout account. This money can be used to pay for Scout outings. It can also be used to purchase Scouting equipment by filling out the Equipment Purchase Form and submitting it to the Troop Committee. If the Troop Committee approves this request, then the Scout will be reimbursed from his account after he turns in the receipt to the Troop Treasurer. The Scout account balances can be viewed on line at our website.
 
 

Advancement

When a boy joins Boy Scouts, he has a rank of Scout. He then starts working on Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements. These requirements are listed in the Scout Handbook. The Scout may work on these requirements at home, at Troop meetings, and on Troop outings. Only the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters can sign off the Scout's book when he completes each requirement. The Scout handbook should always be with the Scout.

The Scout may also work on Merit Badges. These are separate programs that teach a scouting skill or about a hobby or occupation. They are required for advancement for the rank of Star, Life, and Eagle. When a boy wants to earn a Merit Badge, he must contact the Scoutmaster for his approval and the name of a Merit Badge Counselor. If he approves, the Scoutmaster will give the Scout a signed merit badge card (blue card). The Scout will then call the Merit Badge Counselor and set up an appointment. He must go to the Counselor with another Scout or with a parent. He may not go alone for his own protection.

A Scout or parent can contact the Troop Advancement Chairperson and check on the advancement status. They may show up after the meetings to talk to the Scoutmaster, or they may also attend any of the Committee meetings. The troop will support, guide, and offer the opportunity for a scout to advance, but it is the Scout's responsibility to work on the requirements. Parents should help motivate the Scout. Only the Scoutmaster can sign off in the Scout Handbook. Scouts will be presented the badges they earn them at a Troop Meeting shortly after they earn them. Formal recognition will also be held at a Court of Honor so they may be recognized in front of family members.
 
 

Board of Review

After a boy completes the requirements for a rank, including a Scoutmaster's Conference, he will go to a Board of Review. A Board of Review is conducted by the Troop Committee. This consists of at least 3 committee members, none of which can be the Scoutmaster or the Scout's parents. They will interview the Scout to determine if he has satisfied all of  the requirements for the next rank. They also discuss the Scout's opinions about Boy Scouts and the Troop and his short-term and long-term goals in Scouting. If the Board feels the Scout is ready, they will approve his rank advancement.

It is mandatory that a boy be in a Class A uniform at his Board of Review. He must also bring his handbook with all requirements signed by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. The Board of Review will take place monthly at the Committee meetings. Optional times may be arranged with the Committee Chairman if needed.
 
 

Eagle Court of Honor

The Eagle Court of Honor is to be organized by the Eagle Scout and his family, with input from the Troop Committee. The Troop will pay for a recognition plaque, the cake and punch.