March 31, 2024
This Guide was made by Matthew Elwell, former Troop Guide & SPL, then updated by TCC Yeaney, modified slightly by Raghav Patrachari, Webmaster
A Guide to Scouting
Introduction
The Boy Scouts of America is a program that was brought to America on February 8th, 1910, by W. D. Boyce, after being helped by an unknown Scout in one while on a trip to London. Now, over 2.7 million boys are in the Boy Scouts
and it continues to teach young men to have good integrity through leadership, community service, and hard work.
Troop 713, based out of St. Peter’s
Episcopal Church in Del Mar, California,
currently has over 80 scouts enrolled with
several adult leaders. We are a high
adventure troop frequently have trips to
the Sierra Nevada, Philmont New Mexico,
the Florida Keys, Catalina Island, and
many other locations. We also pride
ourselves on being almost completely boy
led, with our meetings, work projects, and
most camping trips being led by boys from
the troop. Our current Scout Master Edward
Huynh has been with the troop for many
years and is dedicated to helping keep it
running and our dedicated group of
Assistant Scoutmasters and merit badge
counselors help the Boy Scouts to advance in scouting.
The journey you are about to embark on will be more than just pitching a tent in a forest, hiking on a mountain, or cooking hot dogs on a portable stove. For the next five years, you will learn to have a virtuous character, be a leader among your peers, and help yourself become ready for life as an adult.
Important Information
Edward Huynh , Scoutmaster 713bscoutmaster@gmail.com. Troop 713 Website bsatroop713.com
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Address 334 14th Street, Del Mar San Diego Scout Store Address 1207 Upas Street, San Diego San Diego Scout Store Website www.sdicbsa.org/ScoutShop/
Troop Meetings will take place every other Tuesday at St. Peters. While the meeting starts at 7:13 PM, all scouts are expected to arrive at 7:00 in full Class A uniform. Here, scouts can sign up for troop outings, organize meetings with their patrols, or finish merit badges. For a detailed calendar, visit the troop website.
Oaths, Laws, and Codes
These following pledges state the duties and qualities a Boy Scout is required to live by, and are expected to be memorized by the time a scout moves up to Tenderfoot.
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful,
thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to –
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
Be careful with fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
Be conservation minded.
Scout Slogan
Do a good turn daily
Scout Motto Be Prepared
Merit Badges
Merit Badges
Merit badges can be earned by attending certain classes in which you will learn about a concept relevant to the Scout Oath and Law. In order to achieve Eagle Rank, you must earn 21 merit badges, including first aid, citizenship in the community, citizenship in the nation, citizenship in society, citizenship in the world, communication, cooking, personal fitness, emergency preparedness or lifesaving, environmental science or sustainability, personal management, swimming or hiking or cycling, camping, and family life, along with an additional 8 elective merit badges. Eagle required merit badges can be identified by their silver edge, while elective merit badges have a green edge.
To see all the merit badges, go to:
http://www.scouting.org/Home/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges. aspx
For Merit Badge Worksheets go to:
https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/all/
Totem Chit and Fireman’s Chit
While not merit badges, the Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit must be earned before a scout can use woodworking tools and handle fire, respectively.
Rank Advancement
During your time in the troop, you will constantly be striving to advance in ranks. Each rank has certain requirements that must be met before you can achieve that rank. These requirements can be found in the red section of the scout book. Any scout who has reached the rank of Life or Eagle can sign off on most of these requirements, and the Scoutmaster will sign off a few others. Once you have met all the requirements, you can organize a Scoutmaster Conference and a Board of Review, in which you will be tested on the skills you learned. The ranks of Scouting are as follows;
Scout is a joining badge, earned by completing the requirements to join Boy Scouting. The Scout badge has a brown fleur-de-lis on a tan background. The badge is awarded when the boy demonstrates a rudimentary knowledge of the Scouting ideals such as tying a square knot and knowing the Scout oath, law, and slogan.
Tenderfoot is the first rank. A Scout can work on the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks at the same time, but each rank must be earned in sequence. The badge is awarded when the Scout completes requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.
Second Class is the rank above Tenderfoot and below First Class. A Scout can work on the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks at the same time, but must be earned in sequence. The badge is awarded when the Scout completes requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.
First Class is the rank above Second Class and below Star Scout. A Scout can work on the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks at the same time, but must earn them in sequence. The badge is awarded when the Scout completes requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.
Star is the rank above First Class and below Life Scout. Star is awarded when the Scout serves actively in the troop, team or crew in a position of responsibility for at least 4 months; performs at least six hours of community service; and earns six merit badges (four of which must be required for Eagle Scout rank).
Life is second highest rank attainable and ranks above Star Scout and below Eagle. Life is awarded when the Scout serves actively in the troop, team or crew, serves in a position of responsibility for six months, and performs six hours of community service. Another thing a scout must do in order to achieve Life is earn an additional five merit badges (three of which are required for the rank of Eagle), to make a minimum total of eleven merit badges (including the six previously required for Star).
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting division. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men. Requirements include earning a number of merit badges and demonstration of Scout Spirit, service and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout.
Eagle Palms are awarded when an Eagle Scout stays in scouting to earn additional merit badges. For every five merit badges a scout receives after he earns Eagle, he will be given one palm. The bronze palm will be awarded first, then the gold palm, and finally the silver palm.
Troop Advancement Protocol: To arrange for rank advancement you must:
1.Complete scout skill rank requirements and demonstrate to a Life or Eagle Scout for sign off, 2.Contact the Merit Badge Advancement Chair for sign off on merit badge rank requirements, 3.Contact the Scout Participation Chair for sign off on Service Hours and Nights of Camping rank requirements,
4.Contact the Scoutmaster for your Scoutmaster Conference (SMC),
5.Contact the Board of Review (BOR) Coordinator for a board of review to be completed at least 2 weeks prior to the next Court of Honor,
6.Show your completely signed off scout book to the Rank Advancement Chair in order to have your Rank Advancement recorded.
Boy Scout Uniform
Class A
The complete Boy Scout uniform is often referred to as “Class A”. It is worn for troop meetings, traveling, and formal Boy Scout events, such as an Eagle Scout Ceremony. The basic uniform can be bought from the scout store and will be a place to display the achievements you gain in Scouting.
Class B
The “Class B” uniform is just the red troop shirt worn with whatever clothes are appropriate for the event. Class B is worn during camping trips and at informal scout events. The shirts can be bought from the troop quartermaster. You will have the choice of cotton or polyester. I would recommend buying the polyester shirt because they can be worn for water activities and are not flammable.
Front Side Back Side
