Responsibilities of the Scout

Dues

The troop collects dues to cover the costs of registration and campouts. The cost of dues for the coming Scouting year is determined by the troop's Finace Committee in August and is included in the Scoutmaster's welcome back letter. Dues are expected to be paid in full at the start of the Scoouting year, however, if this presents a financial hardship, other arrangements can be made. Scouts joining the troop mid-year will be charged a pro-rated amount for dues beased on the month that they join. Failure to be current in dues payments will prevent a scout from advancing. A scout should contact the Scoutmaster if he needs financial aid.

Attendance at Meetings

Scouts are expected to attend all troop meetings. Patrols rely on their scouts to be on time and properly attired to earn points for the patrol contents. The scout's patrol leader should call the scout each week (generally by Wednesday evening of the week before) to remind him about upcomming events and meetings what he may need to bring.

Attendance at Campouts

Scouts are also expected to attend the scheduled campouts. The cost of campouts is included in the dues. If a scout cannot attend the Monday meeting before the campout he should inform his patrol leader of his plans in advance.

In the Case of Absence

If a scout cannot attend a meeting or a campout he should inform his patrol leader as soon as possible (leaders should notify the scoutmaster of their department). If the scout has already made car pool arrangemebts for the event he should also notify the person giving him a ride.

Uniform

The scout should be dressed for each meeting in the official Tay House Class A uniform. For the sake of simplicity a single uniform is worn year-round. This uniform consists of a shrt-sleaved scout shirt (with the Otetiana Council patch), scout shorts, scout belt, and scout socks. All items can be purchased at the Otetiana Council Scout Shop at 474 East Ave. In addition to the basic uniform the scout can make or buy his neckerchief slide. When a scout joins the troop he is provided with a special neckerchief, name tag, and Tay House patch without charge. The troop patch substitutes for the standard red troop numeral patchs that most troops wear. The uniform should be clean, neat, and tucked in. The scout belt should show "brass on brass" and be centered in line with the button line of the shirt and zipper of the shorts, forming a “gig line.” Appropriate footwear for the uniform includes docksider shoes, hiking boots, moccasins, loafers, or other low-topped leather shoes in a dark color. Sneakers or other athletic footwaer are not acceptable. No hats are allowed.

On some occasions a Class B uniform is required. This uniform consists of a plain white (preferably with no lettering or symbols) or scouting-themed t-shirt, scouts shorts, scout belt, scout socks, and sneakers (preferably white).

The troop has a collection of "gently used" uniform shirts and shorts available for purchase at a discouted price. If you would like to inquire about the availability of specific sizes, please contact the the Scoutmaster. If, in the course of his scouting career, your son outgrows his uniform, please consider donating it to the troop so that another scout can make use of it.

Boy Scout Handbook

Each scout needs a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook, which can be purchased at the Scout Shop. Scouts should mark their names on the front cover and bring the Handbook to each meeting and campout. Besides listing the requirements for each rank, it can answer nearly all questions the scout make have about scout skills.

Fundraising

Scouts are expected to fulfill the fundraising requirements established at the beginning of each sale. This iscludes selling a minimum number of wreaths and working a set number of tree sale shifts.

Policy Concerning Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Knifes

The use and possession of all drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is stricktly forbidden during all troop functions. No scout may bring a firearm or sheathed knife on a troop function. If any of these materiasl are found they will be immeadiately confiscated and the scout's parents will be notified.

If a scout needs any mediacation (perscription or over-the-counter) on a campout, please notify the scoutmaster in advance so that he is aware of the scout's special needs. At the campout please provide all mediacations with written dispensing instructions to one of the scoutmaters when dropping off the scout. The troop does not allow scouts to take medication without proper supervision.

The front of the Scout Handbook contains a guide entitled How to Protect yout Children form Child and Drug Abuse. This guide is for both prents and scouts. Please take a few minutes to become familiar with this guide and discuss the material with all of your children.