BSA Troop 256 Policy and Procedures Manual: Welcome

Table of Contents

Welcome to Troop 256

If you are already a member, or have decided to join, congratulations on your decision to join BSA Troop 256! If you are considering membership and have questions, I hope you will contact me or another adult leader.

There are several Boy Scout troops available to boys in our area. They all follow the same basic BSA principles. So I want to use this opportunity to describe some ways in which Troop 256 may differ from other troops.

Troop 256 schedules at least one major monthly activity, usually a camping event, each month. We urge all Scouts participate in Troop-level activities. For patrol-level activities, we have organized Troop 256 along Scouts' ages and experience. We provide adults and older, more experienced Scouts as leaders and trainers for younger Scouts. As younger Scouts acquire skills and grow older, they will be able to participate in more adventurous activities.

Troop 256 elects Scouts to new junior leadership positions twice a year. Adult leaders and experienced Scouts provide formal leader training to newly-elected junior leaders.

We recognize that today's youth are pulled in many directions. Academics, athletics, music, church youth, for example, and other worthwhile pursuits, together with Scouts, are all components contributing to a well-rounded individual. While Troop 256 would like to enjoy a high priority in claiming a portion of a Scout's time, we recognize this is not always possible. Troop 256 celebrates its Scouts' successes in any worthwhile endeavor.

Finally, as with all other troops, we can fulfill our promise to our Scouts only with the help of adult leaders. Every adult participant is important to the troop, and we strive to involve every parent in troop activities. Troop 256 recognizes that demands of family and work may limit the contributions some parents and guardians of our Scouts can make, but the variety of skills required and the duration of different tasks means that every adult can and should find a suitable contribution to make.

Simon Garza, Jr.
Scoutmaster