Troop Policies

While you can depend on Troop 41 leadership to give you a quality program, Troop 41 expects many things of you in return.

Attendance/Scout Spirit

Each level of advancement requires the scout to “show scout spirit”. Troop 41 defines “showing of scout
spirit” in the following manner:

      • A scout must attend at least 75% of all Troop Meetings.
      •  A scout must participate in at least 55% of all Troop Outings.

Troop Meetings

Scouts are expected to attend meetings regularly, to arrive on time, and to attend the entire meeting. Late arrival or early departure should be an exception, not the rule.

      • Scouts are to wear their Class A (tan uniform) shirt and scout pants and should come prepared with their scout book, paper and pencil
      • On Merit Badge nights, scouts are to wear their Class B T-shirt and scout pants and should come prepared with their Merit Badge homework/materials, scout book, paper and pencil
      • Meetings are run by scouts and divided into segments involving learning and practicing skills or preparing for troop campouts and activities

Adult Committee Meetings

According to BSA guidelines, Troop 41 has a troop committee to govern the troop:

      • Committee meetings are held once a month.
      • The committee consists adults who are formally registered as “committee members.” There are named committee positions, such as treasurer, secretary, chairman, etc. The committee governs and supports the troop.
      • Sometimes (rarely) only those formally registered as “committee members” meet and vote. Generally all are welcome at committee meetings.
      • Success of the troop program hinges on the activity of the parents and guardians of the Scouts therefore all parents and guardians are invited to attend Committee meetings and get involved.

Church Code of Conduct

Troop meetings are held at First Church. Use of the facility requires that scouts:

      • Only leave the meeting room to go to the bathroom, Merit Badge class, or Board of Review.
      • Do not wander through the church or run around the parking lot
      • Do not sit on tables and stay off the stage
      • Do not disturb items in the meeting room that are not for scouting
      • Return tables and chairs to their original state when we leave
      • Regularly sweep the floor, check the bathrooms and ensure everything is in order
      • Scout Sunday is held in February and all scouts are requested to attend service with the troop at First Church Congregational on that day. We also help our ushering and sometimes with fellowship hour.

Scout Behaviour

Simply stated, all scouts are to act in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law.

      • Adult leaders are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary.
      • Parents of youth members who misbehave will be informed and will be required to accompany their child at meeting and scouting events for a minimum of four weeks.
      • For severe problems or incidents where a threat to the safety of another individual is concerned parents or guardians of the offending scout could be called to pick up their child regardless of where the troop is.
      • The unit committee will review repetitive or serious incidents of misbehavior in consultation with the parents of the child to determine a course of corrective action including possible revocation of the youth’s membership in the troop.
      • The BSA does not permit the use of corporal punishment by unit leaders when disciplining youth members.

Fundraising

To help defray costs of trips, replace needed equipment and fund other troop activities we hold a number of fundraisers throughout the year. Typically:

      • Scout concession stand at Nobscot in Framingham
      • Annual Yard Sale
      • Popcorn Sales benefits both the scout and the troop. Ongoing from now until late October.

Parental Involvement

For the troop to be successful we need the help of all parents. There are many ways for everyone to get involved helping out the troop by working or leading one of our fundraisers, serving on the adult committee, participating in adult committee meetings, serving as a merit badge counselor, helping out at camping trips, or helping out at meetings to name a few. If you would like to get involved please contact an adult leader at a troop meeting.

We thank you for your support in the Troop 41 scouting program and supporting our scoutmaster, in his enforcement of our troop guidelines.

Yours in Scouting,
Troop 41 Committee

Medication Policy

On the recommendation of our Charter, First Church in Marlborough (Congregational), and in consultation with Mayflower Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 41 Marlboro, MA the following policy regarding medications was instituted on April 2, 2003.

At or on any event, outing, meeting, campout or trip, adult leaders of Troop 41 will not handle, dispense, safeguard or otherwise be responsible for any prescribed medication for any boy in the Troop. This policy will in no way prevent a boy from using prescribed medication provided the boy or an adult, accompanying the boy specifically for this purpose, is solely responsible for the care and use of said medication.

If your scout has a severe food allergy or other potentially life-threatening medical condition, a parent or legal guardian will be required to accompany the scout on all campouts and troop events to ensure the scout’s safety.

This is fully in keeping with the official rules of the Boy Scouts of America which states in the Guide to Safe Scouting:

“The taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual’s parent or guardian. A Scout leader, after obtaining all the necessary information, can agree to accept the responsibility of making sure a Scout takes the necessary medication at the appropriate time, but BSA policy does not mandate nor necessarily encourage the Scout leader to do so.”