New Troop Forming

[Mungo from the Shire]

****o all

Myself and three others are starting a new Troop in McDonough. Troop 165 is going to draw mainly from Dutchtown Middle and Senior High Schools. We will be providing the opportunity for over 1400 kids to enjoy Scouting. We really need alot of help from others to make this dream come true. Lisa F. will verify our needs and existence. We will accept any used gear, gear you have not used in a few years, any monetary donations, anything you think we could use. Please feel free to contact me at: scoutmaster165@gmail.com

Thanks for your help.
DC.

[Scout Enthusiast]

Mungo,
Sounds like a great opportunity to start off with ScoutParents' philosophies in mind---set expectations for the parents. Best wishes for a successful troop!

[Nuts4Scouts]

Have you talked to your CO about what they are willing to provide? Some CO's can be very generous, after all, you are their unit!

[WB Bear]

On another note about starting a new unit, you might look into the relatively new William D. Boyce Award.

[FRUSTRATED SCOUTMASTER]

I agree with Scout Enthusiat that this would be a great opportunity to impliment Scout Parent's Philosophy.
You now have the opportunity to set the expectations high and make sure that parent's know this.
You have the opportunity to select your own member to serve as Assistant Scoutmaster and serve on the Committee and with support of your Charter Organization you can have an ideal Commitee and Leaders.
Remember, get everybody trained as soon as possible. Go on=line and take Fast Track and Youth Protection right away. Talk to your District and find out when New Leader Essentials. Scoutmaster Specific and Outdoor Leader Essentials will be taught. Insist that they schedule one so that you start off on the right foot.
Get a good outdoor program going too.
Also, get your Unit Commissioner involved. He can be a wealth of information and help in getting you off to a good start.
I kind of envy your position in that you are starting a new unit.
Good Luck and Good Scouting.

Bob Klimas
Concord, N.C.:)

[ScoutmasterJerry]

Fantastic! I know what you are going through.. We started up our Troop 4 years ago.
So here is some free advice from someone that has been there and done that:

1. Get your committee established early, way before you get the boys.
Establish the key leaders first and fill in the blanks.
2. Get your Chartered Partner on board and keep them there.
Have the CO Rep in on the process and allow them to make decisions.
They should be in on picking the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair and you should let them have input where ever they feel comfortable.
Most CO's do not know much about Scouting, so guide them.
3. Once you get boys signed up... GO CAMPING!!!
The first campout is important. Make it so much fun they don't want to go home. Don't worry about Patrols or leaders.. let them form on the campout... unless you have established groupings of Scouts...
On the First Campout..get a feel for your ability levels.. do some Scout skills.. knots.. fire building.. stuff like that.
Whatever you do...do it outside.. GO CAMPING!!!
4. Make your meetings fun.
5. and finally.. the best advice I ever got as a Scoutmaster, from an old Wise man and possibly the best Scoutmaster I have ever met...
"NEVER DO WHAT A BOY CAN DO".

Have fun!!!