Troop 49 Slide Show

Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 49, Whitney United Methodist Church, Boise, Idaho

Troop 49 has been continuously chartered with Whitney UMC (formerly Whitney Chapel) since 1953. Since that time, hundreds of boys and dozens of adults have enjoyed the Boy Scout program, learning and teaching each other in a positive, caring way.

Current Troop 49 leaders (adults) Mary and Tom Schmidt – Co-committee chairs Lorrie Moore – Treasurer Ed Mordhorst – Chartered Organization Rep Eric Owens – Scoutmaster Mike Ryan – Assistant Scoutmaster Mark Ralstin – Assistant Scoutmaster Dave Hoffman – Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Owens – Assistant Scoutmaster Kelly Campbell – Assistant Scoutmaster

Troop 49 fundamentals: Camping every month Boy – run troop through the Patrol Leader’s Council Active committee (15-20 adults at committee meetings) Stable leadership Strong sponsorship from chartered organization Leadership active in the district and council PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY (expected of all Scouts)

Troop calendar (monthly) 1st Saturday of the month – Saturday lunch 1st Tuesday of the month – Board of Review Last Tuesday of the month – Patrol Leader’s Council meeting (for the boy leadership) @ 6 pm Last Tuesday of the month – Committee Meeting for the adults @ 7 pm Last Tuesday of each month – Fun night for the boys (at same time as

Summer camp program Our summer camp program is very strong. For many years, our troop has chosen to attend summer camp out of our own council. Rather than attending summer camp at Camp Morrison in McCall, we have traveled to camps such as: * Camp Fire Mountain, near Everett, Washington * Camp Baldwin, near the Dalles, Oregon * Camp Buffalo Bill, near Yellowstone Park * Camp Meriwether, near Tillamook, Oregon * Camp Cowles, northeast Washington * Camp Baker, near Florence, Oregon As a result of attending summer camp out of council, we can add an additional educational experience for our Scouts. We take side trips to national monuments, museums, tourist attractions, and various other sites that interest the Scouts. Plus we prevent boredom by not attending the same camp multiple times. Many of our older Scouts cite the rotating summer camp program as the main reason they are still going to summer camps even at 17 years old! It also allows Scouts to earn merit badges they may not normally be able to be exposed to in our local area. This is a choice our Scouts made many years

Upon joining Troop 49, new Scouts are entered into a program called “First Year, First Class”. This program is geared towards giving the Scouts a chance to earn their first 3 ranks within the first year. Those ranks are Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. This allows the younger Scouts to learn the skills necessary to be great Scouts. Those skills include First Aid, Compass and Orienteering, Knots and Lashings, Citizenship, and Personal Fitness, among other skills they will learn, demonstrate, and master within their first year in the troop. Research has shown that Scouts who obtain their First Class rank within the first year, or shortly thereafter, have a much greater chance of attaining their goals in Scouting, whether that goal is to have fun, to become a better person, or ultimately to earn their Eagle Scout rank. This allows our older Scouts to concentrate on their leadership skills by teaching the younger Scouts, as well as continuing their own work on merit badges. Each rank has time, leadership, and merit badge requirements that each Scout must attain in order to advance beyond the First Class rank. The other three ranks, Star, Life and Eagle, require the boy leader to earn a specific number of merit badges, complete an active time in a leadership position, and live the Scouting principles in his everyday life. When he has done that successfully, he will participate in a Scoutmaster conference with the Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster, and then go before a Board of Review which will determine if he has successfully demonstrated his ability to take on additional leadership tasks, roles and responsibilities.

Let’s talk about costs Running a troop, unfortunately, costs money. We try to keep the costs down by participating in fundraisers, but there are things that our fundraisers do not pay for. Monthly camps – Most monthly camps cost, on the average, about $20 per Scout. This covers the food, transportation, and activities. When extra costs are incurred, such as entry into a pool or park, we try to keep the cost at $25 per weekend camp. Troop dues – Dues are $50 per year. This covers a subscription to Boys Life, rank advancements, insurance and supplies for the entire year. Almost half of the $50 goes to the national headquarters for registration and Boys Life. Summer camps – Our summer camps generally cost between $175 and $225 for the basic camp fee. There are additional fees associated with certain merit badges that cost money, any items the boys wish to purchase at summer camp, and any costs associated with transportation or food on the way to and from camp. Those additional costs usually amount to about $50-75, depending on the merit badges they select at

Fundraisers Our fundraisers are very successful. We have a variety of fundraisers which will enable Scouts to fund their scouting activities. Christmas Wreaths – We sell wreaths from a local company beginning in October, for delivery in November. Each wreath nets the Scout $3-4, which gives each Scout about 75% of the profits from each wreath. Popcorn Sales – Our popcorn fundraiser is held from September to October. This fundraiser benefits each Scout for his camp and Scouting fees. Potato bars/Chili Feeds – Occasionally throughout the year, we will hold one or another of these quick and simple fundraisers for the troop. This fundraiser benefits the troop general fund. Mustang Car show – This fun fundraiser allows the troop to cook food for the Mustang Car show members at their annual car show. This fundraiser also benefits the troop general fund. Yard sale – This fundraiser, when held (usually every 2-3 years) benefits equally each Scout who helps out before, during and after the yard sale. Car Wash – We participate in the Mr. CarWash annual fundraiser by selling pledges for the number of cars washed during a 24-hour marathon. This benefits each Scout who participates. On a few occasions we have held our own car wash at a local business.

parents can pay through fundraising and personal contribution. One of the Scouting principles is that “A Scout pays his way”. This comes from the Scout law that says a Scout is “thrifty”. Whether a Scout mows lawns, walks dogs, baby-sits, shovels his neighbor’s driveway, or any other number of ways to pay for his Scouting activities, a Scout is expected to shoulder his share of the burden for his Scouting costs. We do not encourage any parent to just freely write a check for their son’s Scouting. We want each Scout to find a way to not overburden his parents with the costs. Each Scout has a troop account he can draw funds from for camping and outings. However, when the situation does arise where a Scout has done all he can to raise his own funds, and has participated in all the fundraising he possibly can, and still comes up short, a request can be made to the committee chair, Scoutmaster, or treasurer, and we will work to find the funds for him to attend camp. This will require more participation by both the parents and Scout in service projects and work days, but will enable him to attend summer and monthly camps.

Troop Committee Troop 49 has a very active committee. Our committee meetings are held at 7 pm on the last Tuesday of each month. At the committee meetings, we discuss how best to help the Scouts run their troop. For example, we help with budget items, transportation, leadership and personnel issues, and any other topics and items the boys need help with. Our committee meets and sets policy and procedures on such varied items as fundraisers, meeting particulars, paperwork, and calendar items. The committee ensures that the troop, the committee, and the chartered organization all work together to maintain an excellent working relationship. The committee coordinates the flow of

Typical troop meeting format Troop meetings are held on the first 3 or 4 Tuesdays of each month. A typical troop meeting goes like this: 6:30-7 pm – Pre-gathering activity 7-7:15 pm – Opening ceremony and announcements, along with presentation of advancements and awards 7:15 – 7:45 pm – Patrol meetings, boys work on advancement from Tenderfoot to First Class 7:45 – 8:10 – Merit badge work (for those

Monthly Campouts

January – Winter Campout February – Klondike Derby (winter competition)

March – Desert campout

April – Troop Campout

Monthly Campouts May – Scout Show (campout) and Cub-o-ree (Webelos crossover) @ Camp Morrison in McCall June – Troop campout

July – Summer camp (Camp Fife, Washington, summer 2006) August – Church Family camp at Camp Sawtooth, Fairfield

Monthly Campouts

September – Troop campout

October – Troop campout November – Troop campout

December – Snow-Capades (Cub Scout Snow Day in McCall)

Special Troop Activities Troop 49 tries to do the following special activities during the year, in addition to our troop meetings and campouts, schedule permitting: New Youth Leader Training – to train new youth leaders Merit Badge Clinic – to allow Scouts a special time to concentrate on merit badges Team-building exercises – to allow Scouts a chance to work together to accomplish a team goal Bike rides – for those working on the Cycling merit badge

Service Project Opportunities Troop 49 participates in service projects within the community throughout the year. Part of the Scout Oath is to provide a “duty to others”. Our philosophy is that we each have an obligation to our fellows and should provide service to those less fortunate. Some of the ways we have provided service to the community are as follows: Saturday Lunch – through the church, providing lunches to the hungry ReLeaf Boise – planting trees in the neighborhoods Rake Boise – raking leaves for those unable to do that task themselves Community Supper – helping with the weekly meal for those less fortunate Flag ceremonies – for various organizations and groups Building projects – for those in the church community

Adult opportunities Troop 49 has been very successful over the last 50+ years. The largest factor contributing to the success of the troop is the number and quality of its adult leaders. Each adult is asked to contribute to the troop in ways they are comfortable with, and that are within their skills. Some adults participate in Boards of Review, others serve as merit badge counselors. Many help out with our fundraising, while others provide transportation to the monthly campouts and summer camps. Some adults choose to don the uniform and fill a position within the troop, such as Assistant Scoutmaster, Advancement Chair, Older Scout Mentor, Treasurer, Committee chairperson, Chartered Organization Representative, or other uniformed positions. Others choose to help the Scouts without having to purchase a uniform, such as merit badge counselors or members of the committee. Still others help whenever asked, such as helping with Boards of Review, planning for the fundraisers, or providing transportation. We have plenty of opportunities for adults to help

Venture Crew 49 Whitney UMC also sponsors Venture Crew 49. Venture crews are a separate group within the Boy Scouts of America. It is co-ed, for boys and girls from the ages of 14-20. The Venture crew is composed of young men and women who are looking for a more high adventure experience within the scope of the BSA organization. Each month may find Venture Crew 49 going rock climbing, ice skating, participating in the Winter White-out, doing team-building exercises and games, or just camping in the great Idaho outdoors. Mike Ryan is the Venture crew advisor, and the assistant crew advisors are Laura Morris, Karen Hoffman, and Eric Owens.

Troop 49 Calendar of Events September 2005 – February 2006 September 2005 6 - Troop Meeting/Board of Review 3 -- Saturday Lunch 9-11 -- Campout in Placerville 13 -- Troop Meeting 17 – Mustang Car Show Concessions 20 -- Troop Meeting 27 -- PLC/Committee meeting

October 2005 4 -- Troop Meeting/Board of Review 8 -- Saturday Lunch 11 -- Troop Meeting 14-16 -- Campout to Bruneau 18 – Troop Meeting 25 – PLC/Comittee Meeting 29 - Scouting for Food Door Hanger

November 2005 5 – Saturday Lunch/Scouting for Food Pickup 8 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 11-13 – Campout to Givens 15 – Troop Meeting 22 – Troop Meeting 29 – PLC/Committee Meeting

December 2005 3 – Saturday Lunch 6 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 9-11 – Campout to Grimes Creek 13 – Troop Meeting 20 – PLC/Committee Meeting

January 2006 3 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg 7 – Saturday Lunch 10 – Troop Meeting 13-15 – Campout to Steamboat Gulch 17 – Troop Meeting 24 – Troop Meeting 28 – University of Scouting/POW-WOW

February 2006 4 – Saturday Lunch 7 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg 14 – Troop Meeting 17-19 – Klondike Derby 21 – Troop Meeting 28 – PLC/Committee Mtg

Calendar: March 2006 – August 2006 March 2006 4 – Saturday Lunch 7 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 14 – Troop Meeting 17-19 – Campout to Celebration Park 21 – Troop Meeting 28 – PLC/Committee Mtg

April 2006 1 – Saturday Lunch 4 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg 7-9 – Troop campout 11 – Troop Meeting 18 – Troop Meeting 25 – PLC/Committee Mtg

May 2006 2 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 6 – Saturday Lunch 9 – Troop Meeting 12-13 – Scout Fair 16 – Troop Meeting 23 – Troop Meeting 26-28 Cub-o-ree 30 – PLC/Committee meeting

June 2006 3 – Saturday Lunch/OA Ordeal 6 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg 13 – Troop Meeting 16-18 – Campout to Silver City 20 – Troop Meeting 27 – PLC/Committee Meeting

July 2006 1 – Saturday Lunch 4 – Independence Day (No meeting) 11 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 18 – Troop Meeting 21-29 – Summer Camp at Camp Fife

August 2006 1 – No meeting 5 – Saturday Lunch 8 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 11-13 – OA Fall Ordeal 15 – Troop Meeting 18-20 – Family Camp at Camp Sawtooth

Troop 49 Contacts Thanks for viewing our activities. To arrange a troop visit, or for more information, contact the following persons:

Scoutmaster John Eric Owens 385-7651 Chartered Organization Representative Ed Mordhorst 345-5609