Welcome to Troop 1599
As you investigate and, hopefully, join Troop 1599, there are a few basic standards we feel that you should know about the Troop. Troop 1599 was started and is maintained as a completely independent Troop. We try to maintain a very high standard of Scouting Excellence and Traditional Values and Ideals. Our goal is to provide every boy with a quality Scouting program of advancement, functioning patrols, leadership, and the outdoors. The following is a brief, introductory outline of boy and adult responsibilities as members of Troop 1599, Boy Scouts of America.1. Uniforms
We expect all of our scouts to be in full uniform at all troop meetings
- Official Class A uniform: Socks, pants or shorts, belt, shirt, neckerchief, and hat.
- Class B uniform: Socks, pants or shorts, belt, scout T-shirt, and hat.
We are an independent Troop and have no outside funding source, other than projects the boys participate in to earn money for Troop activities.
That being said, we will NOT turn away any boy because of financial need. Please speak privately with the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, or Chartered Organization Rep. if you need financial assistance (see the contact us page).
3. Parent Support
Parent support is critical for the successful operation of our Troop. All parents are members of the Troop Committee and are expected to attend the Troop Committee meeting. Parents are expected to participate in, fund raising activities, and other Troop functions.
4. Activity
In order to advance in the Boy Scouts of America, each boy is to be active in his Troop and Patrol for a set amount of time (identified in the Scout Handbook for each rank). We define activity as a minimum of 70% attendance at all activities that are offered to the entire troop. Any boy whose attendance is less than 70% may not advance in ranks until his attendance has met that standard.
5. Advancement
Advancement is a teaching/learning process, not a race. We expect our Scouts to demonstrate proficiency in Scouting skills when they present themselves for advancement. It is no favor to a boy to pass him through the ranks without requiring him to learn the skills of that advancement. The adults of the Troop and the boy leaders are available to teach and test each boy. Boys are expected to read their Scout Handbooks and parents can help by testing and challenging them on their skills. Scouts earning Merit Badges will fill out the merit badge card in conjunction with one of the Scoutmasters prior to his first contact with the merit badge counselor. The counselor is then assigned from the list of counselors in the Troop. Again, a boy is expected to learn and demonstrate proficiency in the skill in order to pass it off to the counselor.
Each Scout will participate in a monthly Board of Review, even if no rank advancement is contemplated for that period. Courts of Honor will be held quarterly, generally in February, May, August, and November (see the calendar). Exact dates are scheduled by the Troop Committee and the Patrol Leader's Council. Parents and families are encouraged to attend Courts of Honor, not only to support their own Scout, but to support all of the boys in the Troop, and the Troop in general.
6. Leadership
Every boy who has achieved the rank of First Class or higher is required to serve actively in a leadership position for 4-6 months prior to his next advancement. We try to find an appropriate position for each boy.
7. Service
Each boy is encouraged to "Do a good turn, Daily." In addition, the individual Patrol as well as the whole Troop will schedule service projects. These should be of benefit to the community, not the Boy Scouts of America, the boy, or his family (Boy Scouts should always be assisting in all family chores and responsibilities, as a good Scout and as a good Citizen). A set number of service hours is required of every boy First Class or above in order to advance. Service hours and leadership goals will be documented by the Advancement Committee before a rank advancement is earned.
