I will do my best

Scouting is about character, leadership, citizenship, and physical fitness. The aim of our troop is to encourage these ideals in a fun environment. The ideals of scouting are summed up in The Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto, and the Scout Slogan.

It was Baden-Powell's desire that troops utilize the Patrol Method in their operations. This means the troop is boy-led and boy-run. The adult leaders provide safety, security, and advancement opportunities. The youth leaders are elected every six months. They hold patrol leaders' council (PLC) meetings once per month after campouts and whenever needed to discuss current plans, projects, outings, future events, and ways to improve the troop. Patrols, of course, are made up of no less than three nor more than eight members. It is strongly encouraged that as many youth leaders as possible attend through the National Youth Leadership Training Course given by the Last Frontier Council every year. (NOTE: Look for this to become a future Eagle requirement!!!) Other training sessions are conducted by the Scoutmaster, as needed. We want our troop and patrol leaders to be as effective as possible and training is the key. Older scouts are expected to teach scouting skills to younger scouts and to help them with advancements. As the scout advances in rank, he assumes more leadership responsibility.

More information on scouting and its goals and ideals can be found here.

Scouts progress through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Each has its own requirements followed by a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review. We expect scouts to present themselves to the Scoutmaster and to the Board of Review in full class A uniforms.

Our troop committee has modified the Participation Point System first adopted in 1999 to determine the active participation requirement for advancement from First Class to Star, Star to Life, and Life to Eagle. A scout needs to accrue 25 points earned by a combination of attending troop meetings, campouts, service projects, summer camp, high adventure camp, providing instruction to other scouts, or earning merit badges to qualify for points.

Troop 7 in Coral Gables, Florida has an excellent summary of troop leadership positions and their duties on their excellent web site. There is also a great online resource for knot tying for those who need practice.