New Scout Orientation

What is Scouts BSA?

Scouts BSA is a part of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for boys and girls. It provides youth training in character, citizenship, and mental and personal fitness. Scouts are expected to develop personal moral values, learn the principles of American heritage and government, and acquire skills to become successful adults. We help build self-esteem and the importance of teamwork and learning with others. We teach important lessons in leadership, planning and goal setting, good citizenship, character development, and physical fitness. BSA has been weaving these lifetime values into fun and educational activities since 1910. Scouts BSA teaches your child to “be prepared” that means being ready for anything. Scouting activities can help the community with Eagle scout projects.

The vision of the Scouts BSA is to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.

What is the Troop 648 Vision?

Scouts from Troop 648 developed the following vision at their 2018 Leadership Retreat.

Troop 648 Vision (Short Version)

Troop 648 is a place where Scouts feel at home, with friends, able to advance with their

Scout skills and knowledge and put into daily practice the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts

work together to have as much fun as possible with hikes and other adventures and

create lasting positive memories. The troop strives to be Scout-led and among the best at Chain Bridge District events.

Troop 648 Vision (Long Version)

Scouts feel at home, with friends, able to advance with their Scout skills.
The troop should support every Scout that wants to be an Eagle Scout.
We want to have as much fun as possible with hikes and other adventures.
The troop should encourage Scouts to follow the Scout Oath and Law.
Scouts should have lasting positive memories of their time with Troop 648.
The troop strives to be among the best at Chain Bridge District events.
We want Scouts to fully participate in troop activities at their pace.
We want to help new Scouts to feel comfortable and grow and thrive in Troop 648.
Troop 648 is a Scout-led troop and is well organized.

Who are the Scouts of Troop 648?

Troop 648 is open to any youth from 6th Grade to 12th Grade and mainly draws from local public, private and parochial middle schools and high schools in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax, VA. We are looking to recruit youth through the ages of 11 through 18 to join us in the Scouting experience.

I'm a parent of a new Scout in Troop 648. Where do I start learning more about Scouting?

Please use these FAQs as well as our "Helpful Hints," which we developed for parents of new Troop 648 Scouts.

What is the organization of the Troop?

Each Scout belongs to a Patrol which is a group of 5 to 10 Scouts, led by a Patrol Leader (PL), one of their own that they elect. The Patrol Leader is responsible for organizing, motivating, and managing his patrol. He represents the interests of his patrol mates when planning activities with other patrols and relays information to his patrol as needed.

The Patrol Leader appoints an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) to help him with the patrol duties. The APL fills in for the PL when needed and is second in command. Some patrols choose to elect an APL at each election and then have him move up to PL at the next election.

Patrols belong to a troop which is led by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), a Scout elected by the troop. This scout has ultimate responsibility for all the Scouts in all the patrols in his troop. He runs all troop meetings, delegates responsibilities, and interacts with adult leadership. The SPL should be at least a First Class rank Scout and must earn the respect and cooperation of his troop to be successful. The senior patrol leader chooses another Scout that he can work with and that he respects to fill the role of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). The ASPL fills in for the SPL as needed and helps with running and managing the troop on outings and at meetings.

The SPL and ASPL run the troop Meetings which are held weekly. In troop meetings, Scouts learn skills, present skits, play games, and prepare for monthly campouts. The SPL also runs the monthly Patrol Leaders Conference - a monthly meeting of all the patrol leaders in the troop - to review activities, plan new events, and delegate tasks to the patrols. This is the main organizational body of a troop.

Where and when do the Troop meetings take place?

The troop meetings take place on Mondays during the school year at 7:30 pm at First Vietnamese America Church, which is at 4701 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA. We usually start meetings in September and finish the year in June.

What are some examples of Troop 648 activities?

The Scouts learn and have fun through lessons in good citizenship, character development, and physical fitness at troop meetings. We participate in local food drives and other volunteer activities. We also have practical lessons in first aid, orienteering, and outdoorsmanship. We practice what we’ve learned with an optional fun event or special outdoor activity each month (e.g., hiking, skiiing/snowboarding, climbing, camping, or visit to a local attraction). We also have a great time camping all four seasons of year. Troop 648 regularly participate in "high adventure" programs such as Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, Florida Seabase in the Florida Keys and Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia.

Scouting's founder, Robert Baden-Powell, wanted a First Class Scout to be the complete outdoorsman. Originally, First Class was the final and highest rank in Scouting. In keeping with Baden-Powell's vision, Troop 648's goal is to have every Scout earn the rank of First Class. This webpage shows how the troop will complete most of the activities in the Scout through First Class rank over a two year period.

What are the roles and responsibilities for Scout parents?

There are many opportunities for you to help your child grow in Scouting! Each troop has an adult leader, the Scoutmaster, who is a volunteer registered with the Boy Scouts of America and trained. The Scoutmaster is responsible for helping the Scouts with their planning of the year's program so the Scouts are given adequate Opportunity to advance in rank and complete merit badges. A troop will be successful if there are also Assistant Scoutmasters to support the Scoutmaster. The adult leaders should only do those things that the Scouts can not do themselves - driving, for example. The Scouts should be allowed to lead their own troop with only minimal guidance as needed, depending on the maturity and abilities of the Scout leaders.

The troop is supported by a troop Committee, all volunteers. There is a troop Committee Chairman and other troop committee members. Most troop committees consist of family members and members of the troop's chartered organization.

Where do I sew the patches on the uniform?

The back of the Scout handbook provides instructions on where to sew the patches. You can also use this website. You can also use Badge Magic instead of sewing the badges. You can get this at the local Scout stores or online.

What are the different awards given to Scouts?

Scouts BSA has seven ranks, grouped into two phases. The first phase of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class is designed to teach Scoutcraft skills, teamwork, and self-reliance. Scout is the first rank, awarded when the youth first joins the Scouts, and requires just a rudimentary knowledge of Scouting's ideals. Further ranks have progressive requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth, and Scout Spirit. Scouts with a permanent mental or physical disability may use alternate requirements, based on their abilities and approved by the council. The troop's goal is to get all Scouts to First Class.

The second phase of Star, Life, and Eagle is designed to develop leadership skills and encourage the Scout to explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program. These ranks require that the Scout serve in a position of responsibility and perform community service. Most new Scouts earn their first merit badges at Summer Scout camp.

Scouts learn and demonstrate skills to earn these ranks as well as merit badges, which are worn on a sash. The merit badge sash is usually worn during ceremonial events.

The Eagle Scout requires, in addition to merit badges and a position of responsibility, a community service project planned and led entirely by the Eagle Scout candidate. After attaining the rank of Eagle, a Scout may earn Eagle Palms for additional tenure and merit badges.

Although Eagle is the highest rank, for which Scouts should strive, the number of Scouts achieving First Class within one year of joining is still one of the key measures of unit effectiveness. Studies have shown that if a Scout achieves First Class within a year of joining, he typically stays in Scouting for at least three years. Scouts who do so are more likely to retain Scout values as an adult and achieve the BSA primary mission of "producing useful citizens".

Ranks and other recognitions are presented in a troop awards ceremony called the court of honor. The Eagle Scout rank is usually presented in a separate and special court of honor.

How does the troop leadership communicate with parents?

E-mail is the main method of communicating news and events to parents. The troop Webmaster also keeps troop webpage and Google calendar updated with news and events. The troop webpage is a private webpage that is restricted to Troop 648 parents. Only registered Troop 648 parents can view and contribute to the webpage. Please see this webpage for how the troop leadership communicates with the members.

What training resources are available for parents?

The Scouts BSA offers convenient training for everyone—parents, leaders, and youth members. As a new parent, you can learn all about Scouting and the wonderful year-round adventure he is about to experience. Log onto www.scouting.org, click the “Parent” tab, then “Training,” and you will discover all of the courses available. Create a “My Scouting” account and get started.

What training and resources are available for youth protection?

Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting. Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. For that reason, the BSA continues to create barriers to abuse beyond what have previously existed in Scouting. The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for its youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies, and provides parents and leaders with numerous online and print resources for the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs. Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers.

New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins. Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be registered. We encourage all parents to take the BSA’s Youth Protection training.

To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent’s Guide in any of the Cub Scout or Scouts BSA handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

What is the relationship between Troop 648 and the Our Savior Lutheran Church and the First Vietnamese America Church?

BSA requires a charter between the troop and the hosting organization (e.g., church, synagogue, school). In a general sense, the charter is a contract that requires the support from Our Savior Lutheran Church and that the troop will adhere to the chartering organizations requirements. Troop 648 also has a building use agreement with the First Vietnamese America Church, which is the historical home of Troop 648 (going back to 1950!).

Every year this charter is renewed with an updated Scout and parent membership list. There is a fee paid to the local BSA council (National Capital Area Council), which is accounted for in the annual dues. The Scoutmaster will coordinate the re-chartering process with the local BSA council.

How does the troop raise funds for re-chartering and other activities?

The troop raises most of its funds through an annual membership fee, which is paid when they join the troop. There are fundraising opportunities available through BSA but parent volunteers are necessary to run these events. The troop Treasurer provides the troop leadership with regular reports on the status of the troop bank account.

How do I pay the troop for the activities I enjoy?

You can send a check to the troop Treasurer with the payee as 'Scouts BSA - Troop 648.' The Treasurer will record your payment and deposit the funds in the troop bank account.

How does the troop reimburse me if I pay for a troop activity with my own money?

You can provide the troop Treasurer with a receipt showing the purchases for the troop activity. You should first clear these expenses with the Scoutmaster or troop Committee Chair before they are purchased.

How does the troop recruit new members?

Anyone in the troop can reach out to a friend that might be interested in Scouting. We also recruit from a number of local Cub Scout Packs. Please see this webpage for more information.

How does Troop 648 fit in with the Boy Scouts of America?

Troop 648 is part of the Four Mile Run District in the BSA National Capital Area Council (http://www.boyscouts-ncac.org/). The Chain Bridge District covers Arlington and some of Fairfax County while the National Capital Area Council (Council No. 082) includes the DC Metro area (DC, MD, and VA). On the second Thursday of the month at 8PM there is a gathering of Chain Bridge District leaders at District Roundtable. All troop leaders can come to this 'Leaders Roundtable' but usually only the Scoutmaster needs to attend this 1.5 hour meeting.

How can I get more information from the BSA National Capital Area Council?

The 'Scouter Digest' from the National Capital Area Council is a terrific source of info about Council and national BSA activities and issues. Check this site often for updates. You can also attend the Chain Bridge District 'Leaders Roundtable,' which is held on the second Thursday of the month at Westover Baptist Church, 1125 Patrick Henry Dr., Arlington.

You can also sign-up for 'Scouting Wire,' which is the official blog for BSA.

Do I need to buy camping gear?

No. You will need to buy a sleeping bag for your Scout but most gear can be borrowed from the troop or other troop members.

What is Venturing Crew 648?

Venturing is one of the core programs of the Boy Scouts of America, serving young men and women. The Venturing program has a long history within the BSA. The program got its start in the 1930s as the "Senior Scout" Division. The purpose of Venturing is to provide positive experiences to help youth mature and to prepare them to become responsible adults. Currently members must be at least 14 years old, or 13 years old and have completed eighth grade, through age 21.

Our Savior Lutheran Church is the chartering organization for both Troop 648 and Venturing Crew 648. A parent committee supports the Crew 648 and regularly coordinates with Troop 648. The committee chairs for Troop 648 and Crew 648 also regularly coordinate to ensure quality programs for both Scouting units.

Parents and eligible Scouts from Troop 648 can join Crew 648. Please contact venturingcrew648@gmail.com for more information.

Troop 648 Electronics Policy

BSA guidance: “Scouts should use electronics as tools and not toys.”

The following policy on the use of electronics was adopted by the troop at the 2018 Introduction to Leadership Training Skills Retreat.

Troop 648 Electronics Policy: All Scouts can use electronics. They can be used anytime when there is an emergency or as a tool. The use of electronics should be at appropriate times (e.g., in tents or in alone time, before troop meetings) and when it is safe. The use of electronics should not be a distraction from the Scout experience. The following are specific guidelines:

Do not use at bathrooms or showers (zero tolerance)
Do not use during Scouting discussions or activities (e.g., merit badge classes) unless requested.
Use mobile devices only when safe. For example, Scouts should not stare at a screen when hiking.
Scouts should use good judgment and be courteous to others.
Do not use electronic devices to bully others.
No phones at Rodney (special case due to concerns about home sick Scouts