Welcome

We are glad that your scout has chosen Troop 826 and you are joining our scouting family.  Our troop has a long history of providing a high quality scouting experience and holding true to the mission of Scouting America (SA) (formally Boys Scouts of America (BSA)).  We hope that you noticed this about our troop, along with our commitment to provide the boys with the support and experience they need to advance as far in scouting as they are willing to go.  The Troop 826 Committee has created this handbook for all parents (including grandparents, foster parents, guardians and other caregivers) to give you an introduction and overview of the troop. 

The mission of the SA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Outdoor opportunities and skills provide a fun experience for the scouts to develop these values.  We like to say that with Troop 826 “scouting happens in the woods.”  Your scout will learn many skills useful in the outdoors, but the real purpose behind the fun is to teach the scout character and morals that will last a lifetime. 

What is Special about Troop 826?

What makes Troop 826 special are the boys who lead.  Being a “boy led troop” means the scouts meet together each year and develop an annual plan.  The boys elect the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) as well as their individual Patrol Leaders.  Boys are placed in multi-age patrols so that younger scouts have the opportunity to learn from older scouts, and older scouts learn to lead and teach others.  This means that parents and the Assistant Scout Masters provide space, guidance and opportunities for the boys to lead.  The adults monitor and support - the boys lead.  We understand that this is a change from the Cub Scout experience.  We find that this method provides better opportunities for scouts to learn and to lead.  You can help your scout find answers to his questions and to understand what he needs to do by encouraging your scout to talk to his Patrol Leader.  We encourage you as a parent to find answers to your questions by talking to any of the Committee members or Assistant Scout Masters.

Communication

Our troop communicates with families in several ways.  Each Patrol Leader should provide updates (text or phone call) to your scout with updates about the activities for that week.  If you find this is not happening, please check with the Patrol Leader at the next meeting.  One of the most important communication methods for the troop is the circle up at the end of each weekly meeting.  Around 8:15 PM the Senior Patrol Leader gathers the scouts for an ending circle.  It is important that parents gather in a circle around the scouts to hear the announcements. 

The troop website is http://www.troop826.com/.  Committee members make an effort to keep the website information as accurate as possible.  It is your scout’s responsibility to make sure his information on the website is accurate.  Each scout and parent has a login to see that merit badges, rank advancement, scout account and contact information are all accurate.  You can help your scout monitor his account.  The website automatically generates a monthly newsletter that is sent to the email you have provided to the troop.  Scout leaders depend on that contact information to keep you informed.  Part of SA youth protection policy mandates that any time a scout leader contacts your scout that you or another Scout Adult leader be included.  One of the goals for the scout is to develop his skills for communicating with adults and others. 

Twitter: @Scoutmaster826  / Facebook: Boy Scout Troop 826 Community

All Scouts are required to have:

• Scout book

• Complete Class A uniform (Class A tan shirt, class B shirt, scout shorts or pants, belt and socks). Click here for example.  Complete uniform to be worn at every meeting and campout unless instructed otherwise.

• We wear full Class A uniform to and from all Campouts as well as meetings between Labor Day to Memorial Day.  Class B uniform for meetings between Memorial Day to Labor Day.

  • Troop closet available for used items that past scouts have outgrown.

Calendar/Events

When the boys have completed the annual plan, typically in August/September, there is a one page summary that outlines the camping trips, the focus for the Troop weekly meetings, special events and dates of service projects.  While major events, like campout dates, rarely change, some flexibility in the calendar is necessary.  Changes in the calendar are communicated at the weekly night meetings, Troop Facebook site and Troop website.

If Reynoldsburg schools cancel classes on the same day as our regular troop meeting, the troop may also cancel the troop meeting too.  Any cancellation will be communicated via Facebook and Youth Staff reaching out their patrols.

Rank Advancement

Your scout will enter Troop 826 with no rank.  The first rank he will earn is Scout which involves a few skills.  The Patrol Leader for your scout’s patrol will help your scout with these activities. Your scout should purchase a Scout Handbook and understand what the requirements are for each rank toward which he is working.  Your scout (with your assistance) should keep his handbook up to date.  In the back of the book is the official log for his rank advancement.  In addition, there is the campout and service hour logs that need to be kept up to date.  When your scout has completed any one of the requirements he should ask the scout leading the activity to sign and date his book.  Regardless of the rank they hold, they can work on the ranks before First Class.  When your scout has completed all of the requirements for a rank advancement he should write his name in the troop’s Big Blue Book.  There are three sections to the Big Blue Book.  For ranks up to First Class, he should sign up for a Scout Master Conference.  Upon completing the conference he should go back to the big blue book and sign up for a Board of Review.  At this review, Committee members will interview your scout and check the requirements in his book.  This is a valuable experience for a boy to talk with a small group of adults about what he is learning.  Scouts should wear Class A uniforms (even socks and belt) to their Board of Review and Scout Master Conference. Our troop has a tradition of awarding the rank patch at the meeting when a scout completes the Board of Review.  At that time he can sew it onto his uniform.  At the next Court of Honor, the scout will be recognized for the rank advancement.  Court of Honors are held twice a year and are a special ceremony where boys are honored and celebrate with their families.

Merit Badges

Scouts of any rank may earn any merit badge.  SA requires certain merit badges for Eagle rank (see the handbook and SA website) but there are many, many others.  All of the information about merit badges is online.  Our troop has a library full of merit badge books that your scout may check out at any time.  Please talk to your scout about his interests and what badges he would like to earn.  Merit badges are not required for rank advancement prior to First Class, but they can be lots of fun to earn.  Several merit badges cover topics and activities that your scout will be doing for school, church or other activities with your family.  When your scout decides to work on a merit badge he should ask one of the Assistant Scout Masters for a Blue Card.  He should then ask the Scout Master to sign the blue card.  You must then find a Merit Badge Counselor to work with your scout.  Parents may not be their scouts’ Merit Badge Counselor with two exceptions; either it is part of the official program for the troop or a group of scouts is working on the badge together.   Many adults in our troop volunteer to be Merit Badge Counselors for scouts in our troop and we hope you will consider being one as well.  The district and council also maintain lists of Merit Badge Counselors.  The troop website contains an updated list of Troop 826’s Merit Badge Counselors.

Troop Service Project

Several times each year, the Troop volunteers at the Mid-Ohio Market at HEART located at 6475 East Main St. Suite 101 in Reynoldsburg.  The Troop assists with cleaning and restocking shelves. 

Each Summer, the Troop also volunteers to clean the creek at Civic Park in Reynoldsburg.

The Troop also volunteers helping with breakfast at the VFW on the 5th Saturday throughout the year.

Campouts

Troop 826 goes camping once a month, rain or shine.  Campouts are generally Fridays at 6:00 PM to Sunday at 11:00 AM.  These times are subject to change.  The troop gathers at the VFW around 5:30 PM and waits until all scouts that have signed up for the campout have arrived.  Please be prompt when dropping off your scout and make sure he has had dinner (there is only a snack provided on Friday evening of campouts).  Currently, the troop asks each scout participating in a campout to pay $20.  The scout should give his $20 to his Patrol Leader at the weekly night meeting one/two weeks prior to the campout. This money is used to purchase food and a small portion covers gasoline for the troop truck. Each patrol will create their own menu and grocery list for a campout. 

If a scout fails to routinely pay their $20 cash, this could result in not being eligible to camp.  The Scout Grubmaster depends on this cash to purchase food for their patrol.  Scouts not paying the $20 cash, the Scoutmaster/Comm. Chair will speak to those parents.

Any scout who has a negative balance of more than $200 will not be eligible to attend a campout.

Any medication for a scout is required to be provided to a Troop Adult leader along with the Prescription Medication Dosing / Info Form which can be found on the Troop website.  Any scout that does not have their required medication may not be eligible to attend the campout.

Scouts are expected to pack and maintain their own personal gear.  The troop provides the tents and cooking equipment.  Scouts supply their own sleeping bag and clothing.  The troop travels to and from all campouts in Class A uniforms – including scout pants/shorts.  As a troop, the boys work together to maintain the camping supplies.  The troop Quartermaster (a scout) helps all of the boys do this. 

Each patrol is responsible for maintaining a patrol box with their cooking equipment.  Depending on the weather, and how the boys maintain the box, it sometimes needs to be cleaned out.  If your scout is assigned to be Patrol Quartermaster, he may need to bring the patrol box home to clean it.  For each campout one scout from each patrol is given the duty of Grubmaster. The Grubmaster and his family do the grocery shopping for the patrol for the campout.  The weekly meeting before the weekend campout, the Grubmaster and his family should take home a troop cooler and the meal plan.  Your scout may need your help in determining how to use the money provided to purchase the food items for the patrol menu.  The Grubmaster and his family should bring the food in a box labeled with the patrol name and the patrol cooler on Friday. 

On each campout there will be several adults who would like you to have their cell phone numbers.  This way you have the contact number for an adult in charge.  It is also important for your scout to know your number to be able to contact you.

Summer Camp

Our troop goes to Seven Ranges Boy Scout Reservation near Canton, Ohio for one week of summer camp.  Typically this occurs in the 3rd or 4th week of June.  The camp program focuses on merit badges.  Registration for summer camp merit badges happens in April/May.  Adults in our troop volunteer to help register scouts for merit badges.  Please talk with your scout about what badges he would like to work on at camp.  Some merit badges have prerequisites that must be completed before camp.  Each year scouts are invited to participate in a scout honor program at Seven Ranges called Pipestone.  This is a wonderful tradition for the boys and is one of the reasons our scouts return year after year.  For this program, each scout brings a collection of sticks.  The sticks must be in a bundle tied with twine and labeled with the scout’s name.  The sticks should have no bark, be roughly the size of a finger, broken (not cut), 15 to 20 inches long, and in a bundle approximately 14 inches in diameter.  Scouts should deliver their bundle of wood to the VFW 2-3 weeks prior to camp. 

Summer camp fees can be around $410 per scout.  There is an early bird discount ($360) due before April 1st.  After April 1st and to May 15th, the fee is $410 and after May 15th, the cost is $425.  Scouts will need to have the available money in their account before the Troop can register the scout.

There are several financial aid/scholarships available for Summer Camp. 

·         Buckeye Council does offer a Campership for those families in financial need.  Campership applications are due before March 1st for that year’s camp. 

·         Blackfoot Scholarship

·         Troop 826 Alumni Assoc. Scholarship

Special Outings

High Adventure

SA has four high adventure bases.  Our troop has a tradition of going to one of these bases every other year.  Scouts must be 13/14 years old and have a rank of First Class to attend high adventure outings. 

Mini-High Adventure

Our troop has a wonderful tradition of providing adventures and opportunities for all scouts in the troop.  This gives the boys something to do in the summer as a “mini” high adventure.  In the recent past our troop has spent weeks on bicycle trips, kayaking, rafting, repelling, hiking and caving. 

How adults can help

Troop 826 depends on adult volunteers to run a successful scouting program.  All adults who volunteer must complete SA Youth Protection Training every two years, including Merit Badge Counselors and Committee members.  There are many other volunteer opportunities and training for adults if you are interested. 

Committee:

The Committee for Troop 826 are parents and community members who volunteer to oversee the troop.  They are responsible for the “behind the scenes” work of planning, finances, and other vital functions for the troop. 

Assistance Scout Masters:

Assistance Scout Masters are vital to the troop.  This group of men attends weekly meetings, campouts, summer camp and other troop activities.  They are resources to the scouts leading the program and provide guidance to scouts as they advance through scout ranks.  Assistant Scout Masters are mentors and role models for the scouts and have completed training in the outdoor skills and other topics necessary to fulfill this role.

Merit Badge Counselors:

To be a Merit Badge Counselor adults must be a registered member of Troop 826, complete the mandatory on-line SA Merit Badge Counselor training, and register for all merit badges for which they would like to be a counselor.  If you complete the requirements to be a Merit Badge Counselor, please let the Committee know so that we have an accurate list for the troop.

Drivers for campouts and summer camp:

Sometimes additional drivers are needed in order to transport scouts to and from camp or campouts.  The Scout Master will inform parents of the need for drivers prior to each event.

Troop 826 Alumni Association

The Troop 826 Alumni Association was created in 2002 to act on behalf of and for the benefit of the troop. The Association is a registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.

The Troop 826 Alumni Association is charged with the task of raising substantial funds each and every year.  These funds are used to offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining the assets of the Troop, financing program support activities, and underwriting the cost of various awards and recognition programs for the Troop.

Troop 826 Fees

New Scout Fees (Not transferring from Cub Scouts or another Troop): $155 which includes ($145) National ($85), Council ($60) fee and the Troop’s first month due of $10.  Scout's Life magazine is an additional $15.

Transfer Scout Fees from a Chartered Pack, or another Troop: Troop’s first month due of $10.

Regular Annual/Recharter Fees: $145 annual recharter fees due in the Scout’s registration month.  (This amount is set by National Scouts SA ($85) and Simon Kenton Council ($60), and is subject to change).

Adult Leader Fees are $65 which covers the background check.

Adult Merit Badge Counselor only fee is $25 however being a MBC does not allow the adult to attend campouts.

Monthly Dues: $10 per month for weekly activities, campsite reservations, awards and advancement, and replenishment of supplies and gear.  Paid with check (payable to Troop 826), cash or online using the Troop website.

$20 CASH for camping trips attended for food and fuel.  Paid 1-2 weeks prior to camping.  If a scout fails to routinely pay their $20 cash, this could result in not being eligible to camp.  The Scout Grubmaster depends on this cash to purchase food for their patrol.  Scouts not paying the $20 cash, the Scoutmaster/Comm. Chair will speak to those parents.

Any scout who has a negative balance of more than $200 will not be eligible to attend a campout.

Scouts will have 90 days to contact either the Scoutmaster and/or Comm. Chair to request any refund on remaining money in their account regardless of how it was raised.  After 90 days, the money will be transferred to the Troop's General Fund.

Scholarships

It is important to the Troop and Council that no Scout ever be denied participation in the Scout program due to the family’s financial situation. 

There are Scout Scholarships available for both Summer Camp and Annual recharter fees.

Summer Camp:

Buckeye Council Campership: 7 Ranges Camp has a campership available to those families in need.  The Troop will provide the form to parents prior to registration.

Blackfoot: Blackfoot offers Summer camp scholarships.

Troop 826 Alumni Assoc.: Families in need, can also submit a scholarship for Summer Camp fees to the Alumni Assoc.  Scouts requesting the scholarship need to also participate in fundraising as well (i.e. popcorn, VFW breakfast, etc.)

Recharter Fees:

Simon Kenton Council Scholarship: SKC has a scholarship available which families can submit the completed form to either the Scoutmaster or Comm. Chair who will submit to Council.

Troop 826 Alumni Assoc: Families in need, can also submit a scholarship for Recharter fees to the Alumni Assoc.  Scouts requesting the scholarship need to also participate in fundraising as well (i.e. popcorn, VFW breakfast, etc.)

Fundraising

Popcorn Sale: Sell with proceeds benefiting your Scout.

Scouts that leave/exit Troop 826 will forfeit all Fundraising money.  Fundraising money will be transferred to the Troop's General Funds account from the Scout's account.

Troop 826 helps raise money for the Troop with various monthly restaurant fundraisers.  The Troop usually will get a portion of each order.  These funds help off-set additional costs such as merit badges, campouts, additional camping fees (i.e. Klondike) and activities (i.e. sledding).

Scouts requesting financial aid/scholarship will need to participate in fundraising as well (i.e. popcorn, VFW breakfast, etc.)

Troop 826 Attire

The Troop works with various vendors to offer Troop 826 apparel such as t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies and jackets. 

The Troop usually submits one order in March/April each year to gain a volume discount.  Costs for these items will be charged to the scouts account.

The Troop will pay for the scouts initial Class B short and long sleeve shirts.