THE TROOP IN A NUTSHELL

      Sometimes referred to as a Unit, the Boy Scout Troop is the most essential element of the Scouting organization.  To coin a phrase, it’s where the rubber meets the road.  It is with the Troop that a Scout spends most of his time, does most of his learning, and seeks most of his praise.  The boys have little knowledge of lofty things like Districts or Councils or national policies, nor do they desire to know such things.  But ask any former Boy Scout about his Troop and memories glimmer in much the same way they do for beloved schools and fraternities.  As the oldest Troop in one of America’s oldest cities, 396 is proud to have produced an awful lot of memories.  

Who We Are

        There are several organizational tiers in Scouting, many of them confusing, but, for the record, we are the Boy Scouts of America, Northeast Region, Area 5, Baltimore Area Council, Patuxent Eagles Service Area, The Capitol District, Troop 396.  Our Troop is chartered by Trinity United Methodist Church, 1300 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland, a relationship enjoyed by both parties for nearly 60 years.  The chartered organization actually is a part of the chain-of-command, falling between the Troop and the District.

Meetings

         Unlike many Troops, we hold regular meetings year-round.  If you are a part of Troop 396 then, with few exceptions, Monday night is “Scout night.”  All meetings are held at Trinity United Methodist Church on West Street.  Regular Troop meetings begin at 7:00 PM and end at 8:30 PM.  Twice per year there is a Court of Honor where all Scouts assemble in the chapel for presentations and formal awards.  These are important nights for the Scouts, and families should attend.  Courts of Honor are also held on Mondays from 7:00-8:30 PM.

How a Troop Is Organized

         To the greatest extent practical, the Scouts run a Troop, with adults along to help and advise.  The Troop is separated into several patrols of four to ten boys each.  The Scouts in a patrol are led by a boy called a Patrol Leader whom they elect.  The Patrol Leaders are led by the Senior Patrol Leader, who is also a boy.  The Scouts elect him, too.  The Senior Patrol Leader answers to the Scoutmaster, an adult, who is supported by a group of adult Assistant Scoutmasters.  A Committee of adult officials, like a treasurer, fund-raiser, and so forth supports the Troop.  The role of the Committee is to review and oversee the Scoutmaster’s program, insuring that it adheres to National Council policy, and to provide administrative support.  In addition to their clerical duties, many Committee members also work with the boys and come along on trips.

Annual Calendar

         We go on 12 camping trips per year (once each month), usually from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.  Generally we leave the church parking lot at about 6:30 PM on a Friday evening after having had dinner at home and return to the church soon after lunch on the following Sunday afternoon.  Some events are repeated annually, others vary according to the wishes of the Boy Scouts in leadership positions.  They are responsible for planning the calendar.  Summer camp is usually a week long with changing locations, alternating Broad Creek, a Scout facility north of Baltimore, with some new location.  We return to Broad Creek every-other year because it belongs to the Baltimore Area Council, so it is our “home field.”  The calendar also includes 12 day trips per year (once each month) like orienteering, day-hikes, the Memorial Day parade and the Massing of the Colors at the Naval Academy.  Parents are welcome on all outings.  Siblings are invited only to specific events.

Advancement

         If you were a Cub Scout you were invited simply to “Do Your Best.”  That is no longer the case.  Success now counts and boys must take the initiative to work at home and on their own if they are to advance.  That probably won’t happen without strong parent encouragement.  Typically the process of approving accomplishments is as follows: An older scout will teach them; an older Scout will test them and sign their books (parents may no longer sign books); they will participate in a conference with the Scoutmaster, their accomplishments will be reviewed by a board; and they are recognized for their work.

Ranks

         The first badge of rank is Boy Scout.  Following in order are Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.  Beyond Eagle Scout boys may continue to advance, earning awards called Eagle Palms.  In addition to rank, boys may earn merit badges for study in specific subjects.  Some examples are astronomy, archery, environmental science, basket making, and swimming.  Merit badges are numerous and diverse.  Most are optional, but certain ones are required for higher ranks.

Finances

         Monthly dues are $10.  Camping trips normally cost $10-$15.  Summer camp is about $200.  Naturally those numbers are revised occasionally, but they provide a good basis for planning.  We would like the boys to earn their own way by taking advantage of Troop-sponsored fundraisers, such as popcorn and candy bar show & sell (take-home sales are not required) opportunities.  The money each boy earns goes into his individual account and is spent at his discretion.  Scouts may even use money in their account to buy Scout-related equipment with the approval of parents and the Scoutmaster.  The Troop’s only source of income is the collection of monthly dues.  From that income the Troop pays for insurance, equipment, camping fees, badges, equipment repairs, and so forth.

Participation

         Boys are busy these days.  While we encourage Scouts to participate in all Troop activities, we understand they may have scheduling conflicts, and therefore we do tolerate minimal involvement.  We feel it’s better to have a boy involved on some level than not at all.  There are no minimum attendance standards until a Scout progresses into leadership, which normally does not occur for several years.  A low level of participation will, however, effect how quickly a Scout advances in rank.

Joining

         To join Scouts boys must be 11 years old or have completed the fifth grade.  Second year Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light are also eligible without age restriction.  Interested boys should contact the Scoutmaster, whose information may be found on the contacts page.

Information Flow

         Information about upcoming camp-outs and troop activities is kept on a bulletin board in our meeting room.  Parents are expected to come in at the end of every Troop meeting to listen to closing announcements and check for the most up-to-date information.  A permission slip, available from any Assistant Scoutmaster, must be signed for each activity.

Emergency Contacts

         Many of our camping trips are to remote sites with no phones or easy means of access.  This sometimes leaves parents with only a vague knowledge of where their sons are, or how to contact them in an emergency.  We try to offer cell phone numbers, but they vary for every trip according to which adults attend and whether any of them own a cell phone.  If there is an urgent need to make contact with a camper the Troop Committee Chairperson should be called at home.  The name and phone number of the Chairperson can be found on the Troop roster.

Civic Duties