FAQs

Troop 1910 / 1920 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Adult Training

I know the Troop is scout-led, but what can I do as an adult to help out?
The adults support the Scouts behind the scenes. The three big ways adults can help out in the Troop is be on the Troop Committee, to be an Assistant Scout Master (ASM), be a Merit Badge Coordinator (MBC), or a combination of those three.

Is training required?
Yes; either online or in person. Each position has its own training requirements.

So how do I get started?
Visit the Longhorn Council’s ("LHC") training courses website for more details for the required position-specific training. Regardless of the position you want to serve in, they all require Youth Protection Training ("YPT") available online through my.scouting.org and Safe Sanctuary available online through Keller United Methodist Church). If you don’t have log-in credentials yet for the my.scouting.org website, you can take the YPT class in person. See the LHC training website for class dates. Also, the Safe Sanctuary training requires a $15 fee to offset the cost for the church’s background check on you. If you have any questions about training, don’t hesitate to talk with one of the adult Scouters in uniform, or visit with the Committee members in the Committee room during the meeting.

What other types of training are there?
CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, BSA Lifeguard, BSA Rock Climbing, Wood Badge, Archery or Rifle/Shotgun Shooting Instructor, and University of Scouting to name a few. Please visit the LHC’s training courses website for more details.

What is Wood Badge?
“Wood Badge is the premier adult leadership development course for the Boy Scouts of America ("BSA"). The ultimate purpose of Wood Badge is to help adult leaders deliver the highest quality Scouting program to young people to help them achieve their highest potential.” I highly encourage all adult leaders to attend this training. Not only will you enjoy it, but you’ll also help to make Scouting better for all those involved. There are usually 3-4 courses per year in our area. Please visit this Wood Badge training website for more details and class dates.

What is the University of Scouting?
It is a one-day training event, usually held in November through the LHC. This training offers classes that cover all phases of scouting. It also gives you the ability to meet with vendors and service organizations that will help your Scouts meet their goals. For more information, visit the LHC University of Scouting website.


Campouts

Where do I find info on the monthly campouts?
The weekly Troop email.

When are the permission slips due?
This largely depends on the camping location. The weekly email will list the due date.

How much do the campouts cost?
Usually just the cost of food; and usually $15 for Scouts & $20 for adults. Do not bring the money until the Monday meeting before the campout. If there are any additional costs, the weekly email will let you know.

Who does my Scout give the money to?
If it’s for food, then the patrol’s Grub Master. If there’s an additional cost for an admission fee, etc, then give that money to the Committee Camping Coordinator.

Can a parent/family member go on a campout even though they’re not an ASM or a Committee member?
Definitely! You’ll just need to give $20 for food to the adult Grub Master and any other additional fees if needed to the Camping Coordinator.

Is there a packing list for the campouts?
Yes. There is a basic packing list in the files section of the Troop Facebook page. There is also a link to one on the Troop’s website.

Where can I find a copy of the Medicine Distribution Form?
In the files section of the Troop Facebook page. There is also a link to one on the Troop’s website.

Why did my scout come home with a big tote, a cooler, and a wad of cash?
Congratulations! Your Scout just volunteered to be the Grub Master. They’ll also have a piece of paper with the meals the patrol planned for the campout. So your job as the adult is to assist the Scout in coming up with a shopping list, go shopping with them, help them keep track of the costs, and then properly store the items in the tote and cooler they brought home. The first time it’ll be an overwhelming experience, but be patient and let the Scout do most of the work. They learn nothing if a helicopter parent does it all for them. If there is money left over, the Grub Master can either evenly refund the money back to the patrol members, or donate the money to the patrol’s quartermaster fund.

My Scout is the Grub Master and the campout is over, now what?
If there is food leftover, the patrol members can either take the food home, or it can be donated to KUMC’s food pantry. The Grub Master is now responsible for taking the tote and cooler home, cleaning and drying them, and then returning them to the next meeting.

Is there a place to buy, sell, or give away used scouting and used camping gear?
Yes, there is Facebook group titled “Troop 1910 Gear Outpost”. It is utilized by Troops 1910 & 1920, Crew 1910, & Pack 1910.


Fundraisers

What does the Troop do for fundraisers?
We don’t sell popcorn. However, there are several opportunities throughout the year for the Scouts to do fundraisers. A portion of the money they raise is donated into the individual’s Scout Account.

Where do I find information on fundraisers?
The Troop’s weekly email will have all the information.  We also have a dedicated Fundraisers Page on our website where all of the fundraising information and forms will be listed and updated as new fundraisers roll out.

So how does the individual Scout Account work?
A percentage of the money raised will go into the individual’s Scout Account. The percentage of each fundraiser is different. For instance, the percentage for the flower fundraiser is approximately 33%, the Scout Saver cards is 50%, the Art in the Square is 100%. The Scouts can then use this fund to pay for summer camps, high adventure treks, etc.


Merit Badges

How does my Scout start a Merit Badge ("MB")?
They’ll need to visit the Merit Badge Coordinator in the Committee room, and open a blue card. Once the requirements are complete, they’ll return the signed blue card back to the Coordinator.

Where can I find info on MBs?
Either in MB pamphlets or online at the BSA Merit Badge Requirement website.

Do I have to buy the pamphlets?
No. The Scout may be able to borrow from the Troop’s library or from a public library. If you do want to buy them, then they can be purchased from the Scout Store in Hurst, TX or online at the BSA Scout Shop.

Should my Scout do all the Eagle required MBs first to get them out of the way?
That’s a family decision. The Eagle required MBs are the hardest to do and a younger Scout might get frustrated. My opinion is to do a mix of Eagle required MBs, and others they show an interest in. This will help them progress and keep Scouts fun. If your Scout is 17, take a close look at the unfinished, Eagle required MBs. Several of them have 12-week logs as a requirement. If your Scout’s 18th birthday is in 11 weeks, it’s too late to start and they will not earn their Eagle rank.

When are MBs required for rank?
The Star rank. However, it’s encouraged to get started sooner.

Any recommendations on the Eagle required MBs?
First Aid & Cooking should be one of the first MB classes they attend. First Aid and Cooking have sign-offs across multiple ranks. Personal Fitness is best to be done in conjunction with 6th/7th/8th grade PE & Athletic classes because of the requirement for a 12-week activity log.

Where can my Scout take MB classes?
There are numerous opportunities throughout the year; summer camp, winter camp, and MB colleges. The Troop’s weekly email will give you plenty of notice for upcoming classes.

What is a Merit Badge College?
This is a two-Saturday training event held jointly by both Troops 1910 & 1920 in January & February. It is one of the best ways to get a great start on some of the Eagle rank required MBs. It allows the Scout to takes classes on up to three merit badges. The LHC also holds a Merit Badge Mania over two Saturdays in October at Tarrant County College in Hurst. Regardless of where they do these classes, let the Scout know that homework will be required between the two class dates. Also know that not all MBs will be 100% complete at these trainings. However, it is a great place to get started on the MBs as a high percentage of the requirements will be accomplished.

My Scout is having a hard time contacting their assigned MBC. What should they do?
Have the Scout go talk with the Merit Badge Coordinator in the Committee room. They’ll be able to assign an alternate MBC.

My Scout completed the MB and received the patch at the Court of Honor, do they need to keep the blue card?
Yes. They will eventually be reviewed at the Eagle rank BOR; so don’t lose them. Ideally, your Scout should store them in a 9-card plastic sheet protector that is good for storing trading cards.


Rank Advancement

Can a parent sign off in the Scout Book where it says “Leader Initial & Date”?
No…a big NO! Only ASMs or the SM can sign off on the requirements in the right-hand column.

Can a Scout work on skills in more than one rank at a time?
Yes. The Scout can work on individual skills toward the First Class rank in any order. However, they must progress through the ranks in order; Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class.

So what’s the left column for with the check mark on top?
That column is for the Troop Guide ("TG") to sign off a “demonstrate” skill. The Scout must learn this skill from a TG, Patrol Leader ("PL"), or experienced Scout. Once the Scout feels proficient in the skill, they’ll demonstrate it to the TG. If successful, the TG will initial and date the left column. The Scout is now ready to demonstrate the skill to an ASM. If they successfully demonstrate the skill to an ASM, the ASM will initial and date the right hand column. If unsuccessful, the ASM will ask the Scout to retrain with a TG and return to them when the Scout is ready.

What’s a Troop Guide ("TG")?
The TG is an older scout that wants to teach and help the younger scouts advance in rank. They support the PLs & Senior Patrol Leader ("SPL") during the training portion of the weekly meetings.

What is a PL and SPL?
These are older scouts that basically run the show. The PL is elected by the patrol members to be their leader for the next 6 months. The SPL and their team of ASPLs are elected to run the Troop for 6 months.

When is the best time to do the Scoutmaster conference?
When all other sign-offs for that rank are complete. This item will be the second to last item completed for the rank. Once the SM signs off on the conference, the Scout will them go to the Committee room to schedule a BOR at a future meeting.

What is a Board of Review ("BOR")?
The BOR is a review to see if the Scout is ready to earn the next rank. It typically consists of three adult leaders who field a question and answer session with the Scout inquiring about what they learned. The Scout will be in a full Field uniform, and the BOR should be taken very seriously. As they get closer to the Eagle Scout rank, the BORs will get more intense.

Scout Book (Paper & Website)

Is the Scout's Book important?
Yes!!! It keeps track of all requirements your Scout will need for rank advancement. It’s also a great place to keep track of camping and service hour logs. I would recommend you buy one, and a cover, from the Scout Shop in Hurst, TX, or through the online Scout Shop. I also highly encourage that you take frequent pictures of the rank requirement, and log pages in the back of the book. If the book is ever lost, these pictures will help to prove requirements and enable to the Troop to recreate the sing-offs in the new Scout Book. I would also encourage you to write your Scout's name on the spine in permanent marker and also on the book pages so that it can be easily identified. 

Is there a website that does the same thing as the paper Scout Book?
Yes. The website is www.scoutbook.com. As a parent, this is a great place for both you and your Scout to see where they stand with rank advancement & MB completions. It also an alternate place to log camping and service hours that are in the paper version. As an ASM or MBC, this website is also where you’ll log sign-offs after you’ve initial and dated the paper version.

After joining the Troop, you should receive an invitation to join Scoutbook within a couple of weeks. You can accept the invitation, update your profile, and then view your Scout's advancement record, etc., as well as contact other adult members of the unit as needed. Some Scouts have accounts on Scoutbook allowing emails. However, if Scoutbook is utilized to email a Scout, that Scout's parents are always copied on said email to maintain youth protection standard requirements at all times.

So what’s more important, the paper or website version?
Paper. Always paper…with both the Scout Book and the MB blue cards. At the Eagle rank BOR, it’s the paper version of the Scout Book and the blue cards that will get the most scrutiny. However, Scoutbook must be maintained and reflect the Scout's handbook relative to sign off dates, camping logs, service logs, etc. For instance, the Order of the Arrow (Scouting's honor society) utilizes Scoutbook's Camping Log for each Scout to confirm eligibility requirements are met before selection.

So why bother with the Website?
As a parent and for the Scout, it’s a great visual of where the Scout is in their scouting career. As an adult leader, it’s an easy way to view a Scout’s progress outside of the normal meetings. The website also lets the adult leadership run various reports on the Troop as a whole; something that would be very time consuming with paper at a meeting.


Troop Communication

How do I stay informed of Troop activities?
The Troop Committee sends out a weekly email (usually on Sunday) with everything you’ll need to know for the next few months. This is the main form of communication for the Troop. See below for more Troop communication avenues:

Troop 1910 Facebook
Troop 1920 Facebook
Troop 1910 Website
Troop 1920 Website
Troop 1920 Band app (you’ll need to be invited)


Youth Training

My Scout will soon earn the First Class Rank. What’s next?
Now your Scout needs to start thinking about leadership positions within the Troop. Their Scout Handbook, starting with Star rank requirements, will list the leadership positions they will need to hold to continue their advancement to the Eagle Scout rank.

So how does my Scout serve in one of those leadership positions?
Every six months the Troop holds elections. If your Scout is interested in running for one of the positions, they’ll need to submit a candidate application. More details on this will be in the weekly emails closer to the elections.

Are there prerequisites for these leadership positions?
Yes. Most will have a Scout rank prerequisite that will be listed on the candidate application paperwork. Also, the more senior leadership positions (such as SPL, ASPL, & TG) require different types of training.

What are the training prerequisites?
The first training your Scout should attend is ILST. This training is conducted by the Troop, and usually held on a campout in February/March and again at the Scout House in August/September (typically prior to or immediately following Troop elections). After ILST, your Scout should also consider attending NYLT (aka Twin Arrows). NYLT (Twin Arrows) is a week-long training conducted by the LHC, and your Scout will participate in more advanced leadership courses. The NYLT (Twin Arrows) is very similar to the Wood Badge course mentioned in the adult training section above.

Any other training courses for Scouts?
Yes. They can attend Den Chief Training, BSA Lifeguard, Aquatic School, and National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience to name a few. Please visit the LHC’s training website for more details and prerequisites required.


Miscellaneous

Can I participate in the Scout Oath and Law? Can I do the Scout salute?
If you are wearing a BSA uniform, yes, you should salute the flag and join in the scout oath and law. If you are in civilian clothes, hand over the heart is appropriate for the Pledge. You are always allowed to raise the Scout sign and participate in the Oath and Law.

_____________________________________________________________________________
Have a question that is not listed? Please contact Steve Sprowls at 817-739-7601 or bigtex_s@yahoo.com


Abbreviations

ASM - Assistant Scout Master
ASPL - Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
BOR - Board Of Review
ILST - Intro to Leadership Skills for Troops
KUMC - Keller United Methodist Church
LHC - Longhorn Council
MB - Merit badge
MBC - Merit Badge Counselor
NYLT - National Youth Leadership Training (aka Twin Arrows)
PL - Patrol Leader
SM - Scout Master
SPL - Senior Patrol Leader
TG - Troop Guide
YPT - Youth Protection Training


Important Links

KUMC Safe Sanctuary
https://www.kellerumc.org/resources/safe-sanctuary/

LHC Training Courses (Adults & Youth)
https://www.longhorncouncil.org/training-2/

Merit Badge Requirements
https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/

Personal Scout Account
https://my.scouting.org

Scout Book
www.scoutbook.com

Scout Shop
https://www.scoutshop.org

Troop 1910 Facebook & Website
https://www.facebook.com/groups/238005459572366/
https://bsatroop1910.blogspot.com

Troop 1920 Facebook & Website
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2129511313772798/
https://satroop1920.blogspot.com

Wood Badge Training
https://www.longhorncouncil.org/training-2/wood-badge/

University of Scouting
https://www.longhorncouncil.org/event/university-of-scouting/

Updated 5-11-2020 (ARD)