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The Patrol: As soon as a boy joins
the Boy Scouts, he will
become a member of a
patrol, which is a group
of four to eight boys
who enjoy Scouting
together. A Patrol
Leader, elected by the
patrol members, will
help plan the exciting
things that the troop
will do. The patrol does
everything together as a
group.
 The
Troop: Each Scout troop is made
up of numerous patrols
of Scouts. The troop
members elect a Senior
Patrol Leader who is an
experienced Scout and he
is in charge of the
troop. He runs the
meetings and activities.
The Scoutmaster is the
adult directly
responsible for the
troop.
 Advancement: The Scouting program
provides many
opportunities to learn
skills and take part in
terrific adventures. It
also recognizes
achievements by awarding
badges of rank. The
first three are
Tenderfoot, Second Class
and First Class. These
focus on the Scout
learning the basic Scout
skills to prepare them
to be a better camper,
hiker and Scout. The
next three ranks are
Star, Life and Eagle.
These focus on advanced
skills learned from
earning various merit
badges and troop
leadership positions.
 The
Troop Meeting: Troop meetings are held
once a week at the troop
meeting location (ex:
church basement, school
gym, etc.). The meeting
is run by the Senior
Patrol Leader and
consists for five parts
(although each troop is
run slightly
differently).
-
Pre-Opening - This is the part of the meeting that occurs as the
Scouts arrive.
It could consist
of a game,
preparing for
the next trip,
working on
advancement,
etc.
-
Opening - The official start of the meeting includes a flag
ceremony and
patrol reports.
-
Skill Session - This consists of a demonstration or guest speaker
on various Scout
related topics.
-
Inter-Patrol Activity - This can be a troop game, contest or other
activity.
-
Patrol Meeting - At this point each patrol retreats into their
corner where
they take
attendance,
collect dues and
discuss patrol
business such as
planning for the
next trip or
activity.
-
Closing - Final announcements are made and the Senior Patrol
Leader or
Scoutmaster
closes the
meeting with
some "sage words
of wisdom" or a
prayer.
 Trips/Camping:
A major part of the
Scouting experience is
the camping and outings
that take place on a
regular basis. These
unique experiences are
often an opportunity
that the Scout would not
ever get to have on his
own.
Day Trips - Most troops go on a monthly trip on a Saturday or
Sunday to a museum, zoo,
attraction or other
activity.
Camping Trips - Most active troops camp year round on a monthly
basis. In warm weather
they stay in tents and
cook over a campfire. In
cool weather they may
choose to stay in a
lean-to (a 3-sided
wooden shelter) and in
winter cabin facilities
with heat and a kitchen
are used.
Summer Camp - Each summer Scouts have the opportunity to attend a
week long Boy Scout
Summer Camp. Our
long-term camping
facility in the Blue
Ridge Council is the
Camp Old Indian Scout
Reservation, near
Travelers Rest, South
Carolina.
Activities there
include: swimming,
boating, canoeing,
climbing, sports, rifle
shooting, archery,
handicrafts, fishing,
hiking, nature study and
earning various badges
 District
Camporees - District Camporees are a time when troops from all across the
district can come
together and enjoy a
time of fellowship and
learning in the great
outdoors! The Long
Cane District sponsors
two camporees per year,
one in the fall (usually
held in October of each
year) and one in the
spring (sometime in
either April or May of
each year --- unless the
Blue Ridge Council is
sponsoring an Exporee or
Council Camporee).
Cub
Scouts (especially
Webelos Cub Scouts) are
encouraged to attend the
District's Fall Camporee
to see, learn, and
experience the great
adventure of Scout
Camping! Let's put
back the OUTING
in SCOUTING !!! |
