Troop 300’s About Us

Welcome to Troop 300

The following is a collection of basic information that you will find helpful as a member of TROOP 300. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our Scoutmaster or any member of our troop leadership.

Meeting Time and Location

Our troop meetings are held on Mondays throughout the year. We do not meet on Mondays that fall on school holidays or Mondays after a campout. Please refer to our Calendar for scheduled meeting dates.

 

The meetings are held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church located at 1500 Jupiter Road . The Scouts wanting to participate in the Troop game (volleyball in the summer) or the merit badge classes should be at the church at 7:00 p.m.

 

The scouts associated with the troop's Green Bar (scout leadership core) meet at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on the first Monday of each month.

 

The adults associated with the Troop Committee meet at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on the third Monday of each month.

 

Courts of Honor are a special ceremony where awards and achievements are recognized and are held about three times each year. Family and friends are encouraged to attend these special events. We request that all parents attend even if you believe that your Scout may not be receiving an award.

 

Leadership

Troop 300 is a boy-led troop with a troop leadership core consisting of senior scouts, elected and appointed officers. The leadership core is responsible for planning and executing all major activities. The leadership core receives guidance from the Scoutmaster and inputs from the troop committee.

 

The current troop leadership core includes: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistance Senior Patrol Leaders, Patrol Leaders, Scribe, Historian and Troop Guide.

 

Additional troop offices include Bugler, Quarter Master, Librarian, Chaplain's Aide, and Web Master.

 

The adult leadership of Troop 300 includes: Scoutmaster, four Assistance Scoutmasters and multiple committee members. We are proud to say that among our adult leaders we have five Eagle Scouts.

 

Organization

Troop 300 is organized into patrols with an independent leadership core.

 

Troop elections and reconfiguration of patrols occurs every six months.

 

The size and number of patrols varies with troop population. Our goal is to have 6 to 8 scouts in each patrol.

 

Troop 300 integrates new scouts into existing patrols.

 

Advancement

Troop 300 believes it is important for all scouts to advance in rank and it is our goal to provide the opportunities and resources to each scout so he can achieve his goals. Our goals are for each scout to reach the rank of First Class after one year in scouting and to provide each scout the opportunity to reach the rank of Eagle before they turn 18.

 

To achieve their advancement goals, Troop 300 scout leadership core plans activities through out the year that provides each scout at least two opportunities to complete each requirement for Tenderfoot through First Class ranks. In addition the leadership core teaches scouts skills during each meeting.

 

Merit Badge classes are conducted by the troop committee and scouts are encouraged to participate in merit badge colleges.

 

Activities

Troop 300 provides a wide variety of activities for scouts. These activities are chosen by the scouts. Some of the activities this year have included: Weekly Meetings, Camping, Summer Camp, Hiking, Rifle Shooting, Boating, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Scout Show, Scouting for Food, Meet the Troops, Christmas Party and Merit Badge Classes.

 

Scouts are encouraged to participate in all activities but there are no required activates.

 

Summer Camp

Troop 300 currently swaps between two summer camps but we are looking at adding a third camp to the rotation in the summer of 2008. We attend Camp Cherokee in the odd years and Camp Constantine in the even years. We hold summer camp “briefings” for all new parents prior to summer camp each year.

 

Campouts

Troop 300 typically goes on campouts every 6 to 8 weeks. There is no fixed interval and camping dates are set by the boys during their yearly planning meeting. Camping dates are selected based in part on time of year, holidays, school events and district calendars. Please refer to the troop calendar for the current campout schedule.

 

For weekend campouts, Troop 300 usually has the scouts meet at the church about 6:00 p.m. on Friday and we leave after loading the gear. We usually return Sunday no later than 1:00 p.m. Most of the weekend camps are of no cost except for meal money which is collected by the patrol leader before the campout. We drive together to campouts but each patrol is responsible for their patrol transportation, so don't be surprised when your son asks you to help drive his patrol to or from a campout. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend campouts but be sure to check to see if the campout is an "easy walk" or a "hike-in". The basic rule for parents on campouts is that parents sleep in the “leadership” campsite.

 

Costs

Troop 300 believes that scouting should be not expensive and we try to maintain costs to a minimum. We believe that all boys should have the opportunity to be a scout and will work with any boy who needs assistance to make sure he can participate.

 

Currently we collect $50/year from each scout to cover Troop and scout registration and to pay for awards and other operating costs.

 

Additional funds are collected as needed to cover costs associated with activities. These funds are collected from the scouts who chose to participate in the activities. For example, the scouts who attend summer camp are expected to pay for summer camp and scouts who attend a campout are expected to pay for their portion of the meals. In addition to meals and summer camp, there may be additional costs for other events like Rock Climbing, Rifle Shooting, Hawaiian Falls , etc.

 

All fees are collected at the time of the event or as required by the Great Planes District or Circle Ten Counsel. Scout and Troop registration fees are collected in December. Summer Camp fees are collected in three installments and timing is based on when payments are due to the counsel.

 

Fund Raising

Troop 300 currently conducts two fund raising activities per year. These actives are counsel sponsored Popcorn sales and Scout Show Coupon/Ticket sales. We encourage the scouts to participate in these fund raisers but it is not a requirement.

 

Scouts participating in fund raisers benefit directly from their participation. Currently 50% of the money earned by a scout for the troop goes directly into the scout's account. He can use this money to pay for his fees to participate in scouting events. For example, we have boys who pay for summer camp by selling Pop Corn.