Troop 301 Frequently Asked Questions

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 two 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 handed out at a subsequent Troop meeting.

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. Click here for a PDF File that may help the scout to track his activities.

Anytime a boy is finished with the requirements for the next rank, these two items are required. They are the Boy Scout’s method of checks and balances. First, the boy meets one-on-one with either the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster, usually at a Troop meeting or a campout. He 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 let the Board of Review Chair know to schedule a Board of Review.

The Board of Review also usually takes place during a Troop meeting. The Board is made up of 3-5 Troop Committee members, who will spend 20-30 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.

Both of these events should be carefully prepared for, and a complete Class A uniform must be worn or the Scout will be turned away.

The "Order of the Arrow" is a BSA Scouting Program and is recognized as the BSA's Scouting National Honor Society. Click here for more information on the "Order of the Arrow".

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 Equipment Chair, Adult Training Chair, or Treasurer (to name a few) that require volunteers from the parents. In addition, we need parents to help with boards of review and Courts of Honor. Our Troop 301 by-laws specifically require that at least one parent of the scout register with the troop and volunteer to help in some way. Parents can also help by remembering that we are a “Boy Run Troop”, and letting their son fulfill his requirements on his own is an important part of the growing experience.

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.

Your boy’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, further escalation to District and Council level is available. See the Troop By-Laws for further information.

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

Our Troop Web site (www.troop301.com) has an up to date calendar and list of upcoming Troop events. If you’re still not sure, call the Scoutmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster, or the Troop Committee Chair.

There are three types of medical records used in the Boy Scout program: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. Confusion sometimes arises because the Class 1 and Class 2 medical records are recorded on the same form, however, they are quite different. A Class 1 medical record is filled out annually by anyone participating in Boy Scout events (e.g. Day camp, overnight camping, and other programs not exceeding 72 hours in length). This form is filled out by a parent for his or her son, or an adult participating in the Boy Scout activity. A parent’s signature is required to complete this form (adults can sign for themselves). This form is extremely important as it authorizes medical treatment in an emergency situation. In accordance with BSA policy, every effort will be made to contact a parent or guardian in before emergency treatment begins, however, it is vital that we have a medical release on file should we be unable to make contact.

A Class 2 medical record is good for thirty-six months and is required for all participants in activities such as backpacking, tour camping, or recreational sports involving events lasting longer than 72 consecutive hours (e.g. regular Summer Camp). A Class 2 physical records the results of a medical evaluation by a licensed health care provider (a physician or other provider authorized by the state to give physical exams). Proper Class 2 documentation can consist either of the form used by the health care provider or the Boy Scout Class 2 form. Please note that if a non-BSA form is used, it should contain all of the information listed on the BSA form.

A Class 3 medical record is required annually for all Boy Scouts participating in high-adventure activities (such as Sea Base, Philmont, Fifty-Miler events, and Canyoneering), athletic competition, and world jamborees. Also, it is required for all adults over 40 participating in events lasting longer than 72 hours.

We are in the Scripps/Mesa District of the San Diego-Imperial Council. Our Charter Organization is Dingeman Elementary School.

The dues are $100.00 per boy, and cover San Diego-Imperial Council registration and a subscription to the BSA publication “Boys Life” magazine.

This is a meeting for just the members of each Patrol. The Patrol Leader of your Son’s Patrol should contact him regarding meeting specifics. The Patrol meetings will generally be held as a part of the regular Troop meetings. This is a mandatory meeting that should occur at least once a month. Please feel free to notify the Scout Master if there are any concerns regarding the scheduling or timing of the Patrol Meetings.

A Board of Review is the last step in attaining your new Boy Scout rank. The Board of Review follows the completion of the Rank requirements by the scout and the Scoutmaster Conference. It is an interview with three adults in your troop. Follow these guidelines to have a successful Board of Review:

1) Complete Scoutmaster conference
2) Call Mrs. DeRego at 695-7906 (email: pderego@san.rr.com)
3) Give this information-

• Your full name (first and last)
• Your troop number (301)
• Your patrol name
• The new rank you are completing
• Your phone number (please state it twice if leaving a message).

4) Mrs DeRego will work with you to schedule the Board of Review. This usually occurs during a regularly scheduled Troop Meeting.

What to wear
Class A Uniform (you will not be interviewed at the scheduled time if you are not in Class A). This includes shirt, scouting pants, belt (can be attached if using the new pants), scout socks, shoes, neckerchief, slide, hat and handbook. Patches should be in the appropriate place on your uniform. Your Merit Badge sash is optional until you reach the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle.

Be prepared to recite the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, slogan, and Outdoor code! Be relaxed, be positive, and know that the Board wants you to succeed in scouting!

Service hour participation predominates the higher ranks (First Class and above). However, Second Class requirement # 4 requires "Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project". Service projects are also counted as Troop “events,” which many newer scouts need for advancement . Excess service hours worked for a specific rank do not carry forward to the next rank.

One common question about whether service projects “count” or not is the question of “double dipping.” Sometimes schools, clubs, churches or other groups require a certain number of service hours.Our Troop’s rule is that if you’ve received credit for your service hours from a different institution, then you cannot count it again (“double-dipping”) for Scouts.

Whether it “counts” or not, participation in service projects is a large part of a boy’s demonstration of living the Scout Oath and Law, and is strongly encouraged.

Please refer to page 187 of the Boy Scout Handbook. It specifically instructs the Scout to "Obtain from your Scoutmaster a signed merit badge application (the famous "blue card") and the name of a qualified counselor for that merit badge."  So, it's the Scoutmaster who decides what merit badge counselor the Scout will go to. Also, our Troop policy guide states that a Scout’s parent can only serve as a counselor for their own child if no other counselor is signed up for that particular merit badge, or if the Badge is being worked on in a group setting.

The Merit Badge program helps the scouts learn career skils, develop physical fitness, and provide hobbies that give a lifetime of healthful recreation. Merit badges must be earned with the assistance of an approved Merit Badge Counselor. Once the scout contacts the Merit Badge Counselor and sets up a schedule for earning their merit badge, the following steps take place:

• The Scout obtains a blue card from the Scoutmaster or Merit Badge Counselor
• The Scout fills out the first part of the blue card and has the Scoutmaster sign it
• The Merit Badge Counselor will sign off individual requirements until the merit badge is completed
• The blue card is divided into three sections:
• The Merit Badge Counselor holds one third of the card as a record for at least one year
• The Scout keeps the middle third (the "Applicant's Record") at home in a binder
• The last section goes to the Scoutmaster (or Advancement Chair) to be filed for the troop and used to fill out the merit badge form

Scout's Record Keeping

• Keep your rank cards and merit badge cards in a safe place! There have been incidents where cards are lost accidentally by troops.
• We recommend getting plastic trading card sleeves and a three ring binder to hold the cards. This can be a place to record camping nights, merit badge write ups, etc.
• Photocopy your cards and keep them in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box. It is a good back up in case they get lost or Scripps has another big fire.

Troop Record Keeping

• Upon completion of the blue card, the card goes to the Advancement Chair
• The Advancement Chair records the merit badge in Troop 301 record software
• The Advancement Chair files the blue card for safe keeping.
• The Merit badge form is filled out by the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair
• The form is then given to the Procurement Chair to purchase Merit Badges

He does! Although the Troop keeps advancement records once advancements are completed. A large part of the Scouting experience is for the boys to learn responsibility for their own advancement. The Scout Handbook should be taken on almost all Scouting events, and the Scout should be aware of what requirements are outstanding.

One of the biggest things you can do for your son is to encourage him to keep working and to help him keep all of the Troop and Patrol activities on our calendar straight. Keep track of his advancement progress via his book. Remind him of items he still needs to complete. Talk to his Patrol leader and ask him to help your son review what he needs to get done. You can also work with your son on rank advancements, although you cannot sign them off. You certainly can, however, help prepare him to demonstrate what he’s been working on and get those things signed off at a meeting by either an adult or youth leader.

Placement of the appropriate patches on the Scout uniform is very important. Use this link to view the Official Insignia Placement for patches on the Boy Scout Uniform.

No. (Order of the Arrow?)

No, the Troop provides tents and cooking equipment for all camping and backpacking events. Each Patrol has a fully stocked "Patrol Box" with all the cooking and cleaning equipment required. Each Scout will provide personal eating utensils.

No, but a scout may only carry a maximum of ¼ of his body weight. If he can’t carry what he needs, he should not be going backpacking. A general rule of thumb is that the boy needs to be at least 80 pounds to go backpacking. In some cases, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Scoutmaster.