Who provides my son with his rank and merit badge patches?

The Troop provides all rank and merit badge patches as part of his annual dues payments. When a boy advances in rank, he receives his new rank patch at a subsequent Troop meeting, but is formally acknowledged during the next Court of Honor. Traditionally we have three Court of Honor ceremonies per year. Merit Badge patches are handed out at Courts of Honor only, although the "blue card" that indicate his finishing a merit badge is given to him by his merit badge counselor when he completes the badge.

Who keeps track of the activities that my Son participates in?

All service hours, nights camping, miles hiked, advancement dates, and miscellaneous events are recorded by registered troop leaders in the Troop Database. Merit badge applicant records (blue card), as well as rank advancement cards, and special award cards should also be kept by the scout in a safe place. This documentation may be required to document the scout's advancement to Eagle Scout. The scout should also record his service hours, camping nights and hikes in his Boy Scout Handbook.

What is a Scoutmaster conference?

When a boy is finished with the requirements for his next rank, a Scoutmaster conference is required. Along with a Board of Review, these are Scouting's method of checks and balances. In a Scoutmaster Conference, the boy meets one-on-one with either the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster, usually at a Troop meeting or a campout. The Scoutmaster will go through and review to be sure that the Scout's book is signed off properly and will review with the Scout many of the requirements he has gone through. The Scoutmaster (or Assistant) will also talk about the requirement which speaks to living the Scout Oath and Law in his everyday life. If the Scoutmaster feels that the boy is ready for this advancement, he will sign the scout's handbook. If the Scoutmaster feels that there are any deficiencies, they will be clearly outlined with what needs to be done to correct them, and a follow-up conference date will be set.

After a successful Scoutmaster Conference, the next step is for the scout to ask the Advancement Chair to schedule a Board of Review.

The Scoutmaster Conference should be carefully prepared for, and the scout must be wearing his complete Field Uniform or he will be turned away.

What is a Board of Review?

The Board of Review is a conference with members of the Troop Committee who are not Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters or the boy's parents. It usually takes place during a Troop meeting, but can also be conducted at a campout or Summer Camp if there enough committee members available. A Board of Review typically follows a Scoutmaster Conference for rank advancement, but may also be requested by the Troop Committee for other reasons, such as to find out why a boy is not advancing.

Requests for a Board of Review must be directed to the Troop Advancement Chair at least one week before the requested board date.

The board will spend a few minutes with the Scout discussing the things he had to do to earn this advancement, as well as the Scout's general feelings about the Troop, the program, his goals, etc. This check and balance system allows for the Scouts to be able to openly discuss issues with people they can trust, as well as to be sure that the boys are truly deserving of advancement and not watering down the program. It is fair game for the Committee to ask the Scout about not only this current advancement, but ALL ranks earned previously. He will not be re-tested on any requirements, but may be asked how he completed them. For example, for the cooking requirement, he could be asked what foods he prepared and how he did it.

As with the Scoutmaster Conference, the scout must be in his complete Field Uniform and have his handbook and a pen.

What is the Order of the Arrow?

How can parents help with Troop 407?

Parents can help in many ways. We always have positions open for Assistant Scoutmasters and Committee Members. There are a number of different committee positions, such as Secretary, Equipment Chair, Adult Training Chair, or Treasurer (to name a few) that require volunteers from the parents. Most positions can have a "shadow" who can assist the primary officer and learn the job. In addition, we need parents to help with boards of review and Courts of Honor. All parents are automatically members of the parent committee, which meets monthly to discuss the business of the troop and provide support to the program. All parents are welcome to register with Boy Scouts of America; the cost is only $12 per year, which includes six bimonthly issues of Scouting Magazine. (There is no charge if you are already registered in another unit, e.g. Cub Scout Pack.) While all parents have a say in committee proceedings, only those registered as Committee Member or Committee Chair have a vote. Parents can also help by remembering that we are a "Boy Led Troop", and letting their son fulfill his requirements on his own is an important part of the growing experience.

Should I call someone if my son can't be at a meeting? If so, who?

Well, yes and no. We would encourage your son to make that phone call. Everything is a learning experience, even this simple act. He should contact his Patrol Leader. If he is a Patrol Leader, he should contact his Assistant Patrol Leader and the Senior Patrol Leader.

If my son has an issue with another scout, how should I handle it?

Your son's first and most important leader is his Patrol Leader. If there is no satisfaction at the Patrol Leader level, then Senior Patrol Leader should be involved. If no satisfaction is found within the youth leadership, the issue should be escalated to either the Scoutmaster or one of his assistants. The final escalation point within the Troop is the Troop Committee. This same escalation process also is in play when disciplinary action needs to be involved. We always try to have the youth leaders police their own issues, if possible. If the Troop is unable to resolve the issue, assistance is available through the Unit Commissioner, who is a district-level volunteer and who can call upon district and council resources.

If any issue ever involves conduct that endangers personal safety, the process skips directly to the adult leaders.

How can I find out what events and the dates that the troop is planning?

What medical forms are required?

Beginning in 2010, BSA and Troop 407 require the new Annual Health and Medical Record form, which replaces the old Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 medical forms. The same form is used by both adults and youth.

The form has three parts. Part A is the basic declaration of medical information and history. Part C is the informed consent statement and certification signature by the participant or parent. Part A and Part C are completed and submitted to the troop health and safety officer. They are required for participation in normal Boy Scout activities, such as day hikes, short-term troop overnight and weekend camping, and other activities of up to 72 hours.

Part B is the Physical Examination section and must be completed and signed by a physician. Part B, in addition to Parts A and C, is required for long-term (over 72 hours) and high-adventure camping. (Some national BSA programs have their own forms.)

With the new form, the physical examination must be completed annually for all participants - both youth and adults. Previously, a parent could recertify a youth physical exam for up to three years following the date of the exam, but this is no longer the case.

How much are the annual dues, and what do they cover? What are the other costs?

Currently, Troop 407's annual dues are $100 per scout. This can be paid in full by the first troop meeting in January, or $75 payable in January with the balance due by April 1. Annual dues covers registration with Boy Scouts of America, accident insurance, a one-year subscription to Boys' Life Magazine, all rank advancement, merit badge, and special insignia such as Quality Unit or Scout Sunday patches. It also helps pay for fixed costs such as youth and adult training, meeting room rental, and materials and supplies. A scout joining in mid-year is charged a pro-rata amount based on when he joins. The adult registration cost is $11 per year unless the adult is also registered and paid for through another unit (e.g. Pack).

Dues only covers a portion of the costs of running the troop. There is a charge for most campouts, normally $25 unless a special event or out-of-town trip is planned. Fees for summer camp are approximately $250. There are small costs involved with activities such as swimming or fun activities. The cost of a full 12 months of scouting is approximately $600, if the scout participates in all activities.

What equipment does my son need to start out?

He won't need to purchase a lot of gear to begin his adventure in Boy Scouting. The most important requirements are a sleep system (sleeping bag and ground pad) and a mess kit (or dishes, silverware and mug). It's also helpful to have a duffel bag or backpack to carry everything in. (An old school backpack should work fine.) Troop 407 either provides all other equipment, such as tents and stoves, or can loan gear like compasses. For cabin campouts, he may only need a blanket and pillow, but for outdoor campouts he'll need a sleeping bag rated for at least the expected low temperature. A closed-cell foam ground pad (e.g. Ridge Rest) will help block heat loss into the ground.

Of course, normal outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather is a must. Look in the Camping section of this FAQ for a list of essentials.

Are there fund-raising opportunities?

Troop 407 offers scouts an opportunity to earn money toward scouting expenses through participation in fundraising activities. Currently, our big scout account (and troop general fund) fundraiser is the work detail at Michigan International Speedway. The troop camps at MIS and works cleaning a portion of the grandstands after the races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during two race weekends in the summer. Participation in MIS is expected of all troop families, and the entire family (and friends and relatives) are welcome. You can also enjoy the midway and might even get to see a part of the races for free! By working all shifts, a scout could earn $100 toward his expenses this past summer.

We also sponsor Trail's End popcorn sales. All of the troop portion from a scout's sales goes to that scout's account, so a scout can raise an unlimited amount of money toward his expenses.

The troop sponsors other fund-raisers from time to time, either to raise funds for troop operations or for a specific activity such as high adventure.

What is a Scout Account?

A Scout Account is a fund held by the troop but belonging to the scout, which can be used to pay for scouting activities and related expenses. A scout earns money for his scout account by participating in fundraising activities. Money can also be deposited into the scout account for convenience. The scout account can be used to pay for campouts, summer camp, dues, troop t-shirts, merit badge classes, and scout-related purchases such as merit badge books and other publications, and outdoor equipment including hiking boots, backpacks, personal camping gear, and the like. An account is established for each active scout and adult Scouter. The Troop Treasurer can tell you your balance at any time.

What and when are Troop Meetings? Are there also Patrol Meetings?

Troop meetings are held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM each Tuesday that Novi schools are in session. If Novi schools are closed or cancelled for any reason, the troop meeting is also cancelled. At the troop meeting, the entire troop meets together and scouts sit with their patrols. During most troop meetings, there will be time for patrols to meet and conduct business or plan for participation in campouts or future troop meetings. Patrols may also choose to hold meetings outside of troop meetings, if necessary to work on projects, maintain their patrol equipment, or other purposes. This is up to the patrol leader of each patrol, who will notify each patrol member if a separate meeting is called.

What's an Expresso?

No, not a strong cup of coffee! (Though our campout coffee sometimes qualifies!) The Expresso is a file with folders for each of our families. This is your troop "mailbox" where you'll receive flyers, forms, printouts and other information, and where you can leave items for troop committee members or other families. There are also supplies of permission forms, applications, recent handouts and information sheets. Be sure to check your expresso at each troop meeting.

What is Youth Protection Training? Do I need to take it?