I. General Information

MISSION STATEMENT:

It is the purpose of Troop 399 North Babylon to provide boys (ages 10-18) and their families the opportunity to participate in Boy Scouting.  The purpose of the program and troop is to encourage family understanding, working with others, proper sportsmanship, doing your best, showing scout spirit, personal growth, and simply to have an enjoyable time.

Troop 399 serves families of the Babylon area by educating the minds, molding the hearts and developing the leadership skills and talents of young men in the community. More than an institution of standard scouting, Troop 399 offers young men an opportunity for moral, spiritual, athletic, and social growth.

Our mission is clear. Every boy, unique in their own talent and abilities, should have an opportunity for a scouting experience in a community in which respect is always the top priority. Therefore, we strive to provide an environment where each scout is accepted and challenged to reach his potential in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

ABOUT US:

Troop 399 North Babylon is part of the Sagtikos District of Suffolk County Council. The troop is very active within the North Babylon, West Babylon, West Islip and Deer Park communities. The Troop's motto is "Quest for Eagle" which represents the Scouts journey to the Eagle Rank, the final and most prestigious one for a Boy Scout.

SPONSOR: North Babylon Lions Club

ADULT LEADERSHIP:

II. Meetings

TROOP MEETINGS:

All scouts and uniformed adult leaders are required to attend troop meetings.  Committee members and parents are encouraged to attend.  Troop meetings are the site for basic event planning, announcements, skill review, rank advancement, etc.  Scouts are required to attend 70% of all troop meetings during the scouting year.

Day- Every Thursday school is in session

Time- 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm (meetings start promptly)

Place- Marion G. Vedder Elementary School Cafeteria

COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

Conducted by the Scoutmaster and Committee Chairperson, all Committee members are required to attend monthly Committee meetings.  Committee meetings are the site for fundraising planning, parent involvement and helping move the program of the troop in the necessary direction.

Day- First Tuesday of each month

Time- 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Place- Scoutmaster's or committee member's house unless announced otherwise

PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL MEETINGS:

All scouts holding leadership positions are required to attend PLC meetings.  PLC meetings are the site for troop meeting planning, building the troop activity calendar and making decisions for the youth of the troop.  Meetings are conducted by the Senior Patrol Leader.  Two uniformed adult leaders are required to attend.

Day- First Wednesday of each month

Time- 7:30 to 9:00 pm

Location- SPL's  house unless announced otherwise

WHAT IS NEEDED AT TROOP MEETINGS:

• Uniform
• Scout Handbook
• Troop Notebook
• Merit Badge Requirement Book (if rented from library)
• Leader Handbook (if owned)
• Pen/pencil

III. Uniforms

CLASS A UNIFORM STANDARDS:

The Class A uniform is worn during the night a scout is attempting to advance in rank, on Court of Honors, at Eagle Ceremonies, public events and Yawgoog dinners.

The Class A uniform consists of the tan scout shirt, green scout pants or shorts, scout belt, troop hat, troop neckerchief, merit badge sash (optional) and scout socks.

A modified Class A uniform may also be worn at the Scoutmaster's discretion, which is the Class A uniform described above minus the troop neckerchief.

ACTIVITY "CLASS B" UNIFORM STANDARDS:

The Class B (activity) uniform is to be worn to all scout meetings*, fundraising events, intra-troop events, District Camping trips and Yawgoog events (including breakfast and lunch).

The Class B uniform consists of the troop shirt, troop hat, green scout pants or shorts, scout belt and scout socks.

*At the Scoutmaster's discretion, Class A uniforms either full or modified may be required for troop meetings or other events.

**Any scout that has a prior sport practice or event where they cannot dress into their uniforms at home must bring their uniforms with them and change at the meeting place.

IV. Scout Conduct and Safety

CONDUCT:

1. Each scout is responsible for his own behavior whether at a Troop Meeting, special event, campout or summer camp.

    a) No one is allowed to go outside or be dismissed during a troop meeting without permission from one of the adult uniformed leaders (SM, ASMs)

    b) Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Any Scout not conducting himself properly will be warned that his conduct is not acceptable and will be given the opportunity to correct his conduct.

    c) If inappropriate behavior continues, he will be removed from the meeting, event, or campout and his parents will be called to pick him up. For severe or repetitive misconduct, he will be prohibited from one or more future meetings, events, or campouts.

    d) If the inappropriate behavior cannot be permanently resolved, the boy will be dismissed from the Troop and all dues paid will be forfeited.

2. Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to:

    a) HAZING: defined as any willful action taken or situation created by a boy  in connection with initiation into or affiliation with the Troop which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of another boy.

    b) PHYSICAL ABUSE: includes but is not limited to PUNCHING, KICKING, BITING, SPITTING

    c) VERBAL ABUSE: includes but is not limited to NAME CALLING, THREATENING, DEFAMATION

    d) USE OF DRUGS, ALCOHOL or SMOKING

    e) CHEATING, BULLYING, STEALING, LYING, SWEARING, VANDALISM or any other activity that is unbecoming of a Scout.

3. The use of Cell Phones by Scouts during Troop events is by permission of the Scoutmasters only.  They will be turned off before the event is to begin.  Violation of this policy will result in the phone being confiscated and will be returned at the end of the event. Repeat violations will result in suspension from the Troop pending a conference with the Scout's parent to address this.

SAFETY:

1. For scouts with special needs or considerations, the Troop may require a parent or guardian to attend meetings or outings.  If the safety of that scout or other Troop members is deemed to be at risk due to the actions of that Scout or that an inappropriate amount of youth or adult supervision is required, a parent or guardian may be required to attend meetings or outings.

2. It is in the best interest of the Scout's family to disclose the medical and psychological information and history of the scout, and to provide a list of medications that are required, and if the scout is capable of taking these medications on his own.  If the scout is incapable of self-administering his medications and the parent does not which an adult member of the Troop to administer them, that Scout cannot attend meetings or outings without the parent or guardian.

V. Patrol System and Structure

PATROLS:

Each scout will be assigned to a patrol by troop leadership.  New Scouts will be put into a Transition Patrol of up to 6 months; at this time each scout will be put into a patrol assigned by leadership. All troop members who have all their merit badges and requirements completed for Eagle are placed in the Senior/Venture patrol which conducts its own program for camping trips and events.  Senior/venture patrol members are still required to partake in troop fundraisers and summer camp.

PATROL LEADERS:

Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders may be selected by patrol members or the troop leadership.  Patrol Leaders will be responsible for fulfilling all of the requirements of their position as described in the Patrol Leader's Handbook, which every Patrol Leader will receive.  They are responsible for attending the monthly Patrol Leaders Council Meeting.  They must also participate in troop planning and communicating with fellow patrol members.  Those patrol leaders unwilling to do their position or failing to do it properly will be removed from their position.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP:

Youth leadership positions are selected by Adult Leadership each June.  The terms for each scout leadership position begins with the Annual Program Planning Conference in August and ends upon the return from Summer Camp the following July.  A scout's selection for a leadership position is based on the following:

• Past leadership positions and the goal to move scouts higher in leadership position as they advance in rank.
• Maturity/responsibility/ability to handle the responsibilities of the position.
• Rank advancement.

To become a Senior Patrol Leader or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, a scout must be at least Star rank and has held a patrol leader, assistant patrol leader or Assistant Senior Patrol Leader position before.

To become a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, a scout must have been a Senior Patrol Leader or holds the rank of Eagle Scout.

PATROL ADVISORS:

Troop Committeepersons may be assigned as Patrol Advisors and Assistant Patrol Advisors by the Scoutmaster.  These advisors will oversee Patrol meetings and patrol planning sessions, assist scouts  in their assigned patrol on an individual basis, monitor progress for the patrol, and monitor individuals' scout's progress towards rank advancement.

VI. Dues

DUES:

Dues are payable once a year by an assigned date (usually at or around Thanksgiving time).  The amount currently stands at $65.00 for the first (or only) Scout in a family per year. Dues for additional siblings in one family are $50.00.  The total amount for adult leaders and committee members currently stands at $15.00.

The dues include the Suffolk County Council registration and insurance fees.  For an additional $12, a subscription to Boys' Life Magazine will be added (optional).  Scouts who fail to pay their dues will not be eligible for rank advancement nor will be able to participate in troop activities.

If a family cannot meet the annual dues because of financial issues, a parent or guardian must contact the Committee Chairperson or Scoutmaster.

VII. Rank Advancement

ADVANCEMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Each scout will receive rank advancement when all of the requirements from the BSA Handbook are fully completed, reviewed and approved by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters.  All scoutmaster conferences will be done by the Scoutmaster only.  Boards of review are done by committee members.  A scout must be in Full Class A uniform for all scoutmaster conferences and boards of review.

MERIT BADGES:

For the Star, Life and Eagle ranks, Scouts are required to earn a specific number of required and non-required merit badges.  Scouts can receive a blue merit badge card from the Scoutmaster at a troop meeting.  Upon having the blue card signed by the merit badge counselor, the blue card must be returned immediately to the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chairperson.

RECOGNITION AND AWARDS:

Upon moving up in rank, Scouts will be recognized at the end of each Troop meeting and will receive their new rank badge to be properly worn on their uniform.  Merit badges and the Scout's Record portion of the blue card will be given to the Scout at one of Troop 399's Court of Honor awards ceremonies throughout the year.  Scouts are encouraged to wear their badges on the merit badge sash and to save their blue cards.

EAGLE RANK ADVANCEMENT:

Troop 399 has a uniformed adult leader deemed as the Eagle Scout Advisor.  Upon reaching the rank of Life, scouts may be asked or may request meetings with the Eagle Advisor to view progress on an Eagle Scout candidate's paperwork, Leadership Service project workbook and merit badge progress.

RANK ADVANCEMENT RESOURCES:

All troop members have access to the Troop library, a collection of merit badge books to aid Scouts in the completion of their merit badges.  Scouts looking to borrow merit badge books should see the Troop Librarian.

In addition, there is a section on the troop website with links for all rank and merit badge requirements as well as workbooks for merit badge completion.  There is also an Eagle Resource page with links to all the necessary printouts and information for Eagle candidates.