Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 49. This letter is an overview of troop specific to help get you better acquainted with BSA Troop 49. We're sure that you have some questions about Boy Scouting and our troop. Hopefully this will answer some of the FAQs you might have. If you have any questions at all regarding Troop 49, or scouting in general there are plenty of involved leaders that are happy to address your questions or concerns. You will find contact information below.
Troop 49 meets on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Mondays of the month. We do meet year round, with the exception of a holiday break in December. The 1st Monday of the month is the PLC (patrol leaders conference) meeting. This is where scouts plan for the meetings to follow for the month. Being a boy led troop, all scouts are encouraged to attend the PLC meetings; however only scouts in a leadership position are required to attend those PLC meetings.
All Troop and PLC meetings are held at the VFW Post #9545 in New Lenox. Meetings begin at 7PM and generally last about 90 minutes. Parents are always invited, indeed encouraged, to attend the meetings with their scouts to be a partner in their progress, and share the unique adventure that awaits them in Boy scouts.
The information contained in the letter can also be found on the troop website for future reference. The website is a key source for all pertinent information contained here as well as the troop calendar, permission slips, and other items of scouting interest.
1. Troop Contacts: Troop 49 is fortunate to have many trained and dedicated adults in formal leadership roles, and many others, who work behind the scenes to make the troop run efficiently. Any adult leaders are available to address any questions or concerns. Primary contacts are the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, and Membership Chair. Their contact information is below:
Mr. Michael Drymiller Mr. Mike Whitman
Scoutmaster Committee Chair
michaeldrymiller@gmail.com whitman.michael@district205.net
(815) 919-6089 (815) 955-6276
Our adult leaders are involved because they have a genuine interest in the success of your scout and are happy to assist to that end. We welcome all who share that same passion to join our leadership team. If you are interested to see where you can help please contact one of the above listed leaders.
2. BSA Medical Forms: BSA medical forms are required ANNUALLY for all scouts and adults participating in troop activities. Part A & B are required for all general activities. Part C is mandatory for any activities longer than 72 hours in duration. Part C must be filled out by a practicing MD providing a doctor's physical exam. Part D is required for all "high adventure" activities.
3. Rules of Conduct: Rules of Conduct are provided and maintained for the safety of all participants of troop activities. Parents need to review the rules of conduct with their scouts so that all understand the expectations. The last page of the rules of conduct is an acceptance form. This form must be signed and returned to the troop committee chair or scoutmaster.
4. Fundraising: The troop is in the scouting business, not the fundraising business. However to pay for the annual charter fees, as well as program materials, and equipment there are mandatory fundraising responsibilities. The troop has 2 annual fundraisers and other optional opportunities. The annual BSA popcorn sale is a mandatory fundraiser that pays for the annual charter and program fees. The annual pancake breakfast is a mandatory fundraiser that helps to fund equipment needs and also directly funds individual scout "activity points".
5. Scout "activity points": Your scout will be issued an individual or family scout "account". Participation in fundraising opportunities will provide "points" to the account that can then be used to "pay" for troop activities. As the obligations to different fundraising events vary, so too will the scouts share of the proceeds from these events based on their participation in the specific event. The portion of the scout proceeds is determined by the troop committee once all the proceeds are collected and obligations paid.
6. Troop Committee: Essentially any adult with a chartered scout is part of the committee. All adults are welcome to attend the troop committee meetings to provide suggestions, opportunities, or help in planning the troops events as well as shape policy and procedure. The troop committee meets on the 2nd Monday of the month, 30 minutes before the troop meeting at the VFW. If you have questions or suggestions the troop committee meeting is the best opportunity to have them addressed.
7. Permission Slips: Permission slips are required for all troop activities. Each activity has a due date for permission slips. That date is on the slip itself, as well as on the troop calendar. Permission slips must be filled out completely, signed by the participants/ guardian, and submitted with payment required by the deadline indicated. There is a link at the troop website specifically for permission slips. It is recommended that you check there often as permission slips are released as the details of events are confirmed; and that does not always correlate with the regular meeting schedule.
8. Troop Activity Gear List: You can find a gear list on the troop website. It is strongly recommended that you consult the gear list when preparing for troop events. Not all items are needed for every event so it's important to consider every item in relation to the particular event. Generally personal gear for scouts will consist of appropriate clothing and footwear, sleeping bag/ pad, a mess kit w/ eating utensils, troop mug, flashlight, and personal hygiene products/needs. Scouts are required to use tents and patrol kitchen equipment on troop campouts. Pots, pans, stoves, grills, gas lanterns, cleaning, and other camping equipment is provided by the troop, and maintained by the scouts. The gear list is a guideline for those who might want to have specific personal gear or clothing. Troop "class B" tee shirts and hats are available to purchase at certain troop meetings. The troop strongly encourages your scout to have an orange "class B" at campouts. For specific uniform/ clothing requirements, equipment responsibilities please consult the "rules of conduct" guidelines.
9. Troop Privacy Policy: Troop 49 may use, publish, or otherwise publicize photographs, film, video, electronic media, or sound recordings made of scouts and adult participants on the troop website, or in other public media, solely for promoting scouting or troop purposes. Scouts and adults will not be individually identified in any such promotion without their prior consent. Those who participate in leadership, as counselors, or advisors, may have their contact information published on the troop website, troop archives, or otherwise shared solely for scouting or troop purposes. Should you have any concerns with this policy, or wish to opt out, please notify the scoutmaster or committee chair in writing as soon as possible.
10. Fees and Dues: The application fee schedule for joining Troop 49 is as follows:
(please make checks payable to "TROOP 49" and submit payment with your membership application)
- $0 for a transferring scout that is currently chartered with a cub scout pack or BSA Troop for the current charter year.
- $165 for a scout who is not currently chartered or new to scouting.
- $71 for an adult leader who is not currently chartered or new to scouting.
- There is no fee for registered adult leaders currently chartered with a pack/troop.
- Scouts are expected to contribute meeting dues. Dues are $1 per meeting.
We hope this synopsis has helped to address any questions you may have had. If any questions or concerns remain do not hesitate to seek out one of our adult leaders for help. Your troop leadership and committee are genuinely concerned, and invested, in the success of your family's boy scouting experience. We're looking forward to being a part of, and having you as a partner in, your scouts adventure in Boy Scouting and Troop 49.