How are we different from Cub Scouts?
As a Scout Troop we try to go on a campout or day trip about once a month. On campouts the Scouts get to do things that they couldn’t do as Cub Scouts, like rock climbing, canoeing, building camp fires, etc. The scouts plan and lead the activities and program as much as possible. They get involved with making decisions on where to go and what to do. They make up their own menus for meals, buy the food, cook it and clean up afterword. In Cub Scouts, the adults plan and do all this. In the Scouts BSA program, the adults’ job is to advise and guide the Scouts, making sure they are safe and on task. Also, the scouts will have to depend more on themselves and learn to work together. Just like Cub Scouts, the Scouts advance in rank. However, to advance in rank Scouts have to rely more on their own initiative, especially as they progress in rank.
Who’s in charge?
The Senior Patrol Leader runs the meetings and keeps things organized on campouts. The Patrol Leaders work with him to lead the patrols and figuring out what needs to be done. The Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders are advised by the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. We have a number of Assistant Scoutmasters. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters work together with the Scouts to achieve our goals and keep our activities functioning. Our other important needs, which include equipment, finances, tracking advancements and reserving camps and meeting places are handled by the Troop Committee. Our Troop committee has been doing an excellent job covering these areas.
What do the kids get out of Scouting?
We present the BSA’s program to build character, teamwork, citizenship and learn important life skills such as first aid and cooking. We place a strong emphasis on our outdoor program and community service. The scouts will be exposed to many activities they may not get to do anywhere else. The Scouts BSA merit badge program offers an incredible array of subjects that the Scouts are able to pick from. They can earn merit badges in things like small boat sailing, rock climbing, computer science, music, cinematography, welding, scholarship and literally a hundred others. The scouts are organized into Patrols (about 5 to 8 kids) and elect their own leaders (Patrol leader and Assistant Patrol Leader). They learn to plan and cook their own food, set up tents and plan events as a team. They learn the importance of doing work to benefit the community. Importantly, we make sure they have fun doing it
What will happen when my child joins?
We will form a new Scout Patrol out of all the new 5th graders entering the Troop. They’ll figure out a name for their Patrol and get to design and make a flag. They’ll also have an older Scout called a Troop Guide whose job it is to assist the new Patrol to get organized and teach them what they need to know for their first campouts. The new Scouts will also start working on achieving the first ranks of Scouting, Scout and Tenderfoot. They will set up each other’s tents, cook each other’s food and start to work together as a team. The Troop Guide and adult leaders will review what the Scouts have learned to make sure they are prepared. Your child will be expected to attend meetings and special events in the Scouts BSA uniform.
What’s the outdoor program?
We go camping or organize an outing almost every month and go to summer camp for a whole week in August. We usually camp at State parks or Scout BSA camps that provide a lot of open space and unique things to do. We give the kids the opportunity to learn various outdoor skills (e.g., cooking, camping, hiking, fishing and climbing) and often couple the campout with an event such as cave exploring or rock climbing. These are all a lot of fun and allow the Scouts to develop an appreciation for the outdoors which may last a lifetime. Their leadership and teamwork are needed to make this happen, an important part of the overall program.
What will this cost and how are expenses handled ?
The good news is that if you are crossing over from Cub Scouts, your yearly registration fee is already paid. The 2023 registration fee is not due until December. The other fees you will need to pay are for our monthly outings and summer camp. The cost of monthly outings varies and are calculated based on transportation, food, campsite and rental fees. The Scouts are expected to earn their own way as much as possible. We have three major fund raisers each year: on the 3rd of July, we hold a pancake breakfast at the Pleasant Dale Park District that the scouts sell tickets for, in November, we sell Christmas wreaths door-to-door and in Spring we hold a plant sale. In each case, the Scouts get half of the profits credited to their “Scout Account”, which they can use for any purpose related to Scouting, whether it's camp fees, equipment, uniforms, books, etc. You always have the option of paying out of pocket or using your child’s Scout Account for expenses.
How does rank advancement work?
Scouting has 7 ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Your child should have most of his Scout rank requirements completed as a part of earning his Arrow of Light. through Cub Scouts. Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class all require learning the Scout skills for camping, hiking, first aid, cooking, etc. and also require some community service and leadership. A Scout who earns First Class has generally fully mastered basic Scouting. Star, Life and Eagle require the Scout to explicitly demonstrate leadership inside his Patrol and Troop, serve Scouting and his community and gain more advanced knowledge of citizenship, fitness, and Scout skills through earning merit badges – some of the latter are specifically required for Eagle, while others will be their choice. For Eagle, each Scout must not only participate in service, but also plan and lead a service project. The rank of Eagle Scout is well recognized as a significant achievement both within and outside of Scouting. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an obtainable goal for any Scout willing to give his time to the program. **See Board of Review Guidelines for Scouts & Parents in Download Forms.**
What will my child need?
Everyone will need a uniform, which they wear to every meeting and some events. We’ll give everyone a Troop neckerchief, a Class B Troop 69 shirt and a Troop 69 patch for their uniform. They’ll need some basic camping gear: sleeping bag, mess kit, water bottle, etc. You can get the uniform and patches at the Scout Store in La Grange. You can get the basic camping gear at any of the major sporting goods or outdoor stores (Sports Authority, Dick’s, Bass Pro Shop). The Troop does have some limited quantities of the basic gear (packs, sleeping bags, etc.) that we’d be glad to loan until your child gets their own. We’ll provide a full list of items after they start. And everyone will need a copy of the Scouts BSA Handbook.
How can my child get the most out of Scouting?
Scouts need to come to the meetings and the outings, and they need to do so in uniform. They need to bring their Handbook and something to write with and in (a small notebook is fine, something they can stick in their pocket). They’ll need to participate – Scouting is not a spectator sport. They need to be there, and their Patrol needs them there to do their part. There’s no “bench” in Scouting, everyone participates !
What can I do in this program?
Support your child! The Scouts who are most likely to succeed in Scouting are the ones whose parents take an interest. Ask them what they are doing. Have them show you the knot they learned or the bandage they learned to tie. You are welcome at any Troop function, whether it’s a campout, a Troop meeting, a service project, or anything else. The years go by quickly and you won’t regret spending time with your child. You are welcome to help with any activity we engage in. You are especially welcome to sign up as an Assistant Scoutmaster or a committee member. Scouting is a family activity and the unit works best when the parents are involved in whatever way they can. Either way we welcome all the help we can get.
Troop 69 Thanks the Pleasantdale Park District & Following Businesses for their Generous Donations in Support of this Year's Pancake Breakfast
- Barone's Pizza • BizStrat Technology • Chant • Countryside Bank • Crane & Hoist Repair • Giordano's • Heather & Vine by Chalor • Lively Arts Dance Studio • Noodles, Etc. • Papa Passero's • Sound Performance • Pam Swearingen, Special Event Floral Design Artist • Taco Patio