FAQ's
Q: What is Boy Scouting?
A: Sir Robert Baden-Powell in Great Britain started the Scouting movement in
1907. It came to the United States in 1910 with the Congressional chartering of the Boy Scouts
of America. The program is designed to develop good citizenship traits and leadership abilities
in our youth.
Q: What are the different levels of Scouting?
A: There are four different levels/programs with Scouting. Cub Scouts are for
boys, in the first grade (or age 6) through the fifth grade; Boy Scouts are for young men
who have completed the fifth grade (or age 11) through age 17; Venturing is for young men
and women, age 14, and in high school through age 20; and Exploring, a career based program,
is for young men and women ages 14 through 20.
Q: Which level will Troop 276 serve?
A: Boy Scout Troop 276 will serve young men who have completed the fifth grade, or age 11
through age 17. members may elect to say with the Troop, dual register, or move onto Venturing
or Exploring programs at age 14 or above.
Q: What type of program will the Troop present?
A: At this level of Scouting, we endeavor to present a youth ran program, with
adult supervision, guidance and training. Scouts are placed into patrols of up to eight members.
Each patrol elects their Patrol Leader, who represents them at the monthly Patrol Leaders
Council meeting. The entire Troop elects a Senior Patrol Leader, who runs all activities,
from the Patrol Leader Council meetings, to Troop Meetings, to overnight outings.
Q: Who Sponsors Troop 276?
A: The Community College of Southern Nevada, Applied Technologies Division, offering educational
programs in: Air Conditioning, Automotive Repair, Aviation, Building Technologies, Computer
Aided Drafting and Design, Electronics Engineering, Environmental Safety and Health, Mechanical
Technologies, and Ornamental Horticulture.
Q: Does Troop 276 have a motto?
A: Excellence is our Standard, and Scouting is our game.
Q: How is planning conducted?
A:The Patrol Leader Council meets annually to generally plan the year's goals and activities.
The council meets on a monthly basis to complete specific planning for each meeting and outing.
all plans must be approved by the Scoutmaster, and the Troop Committee, made up of parents
and interested adults.
Q: What do adult leaders do?
A: The Scoutmaster and his/her assistants train the youth leaders to plan and run their troop.
These adults are counselors, supervisors and safety officials. As Much as possible adult leaders
take a low profile, allowing the Scouts to develop their leadership skills, and run their
Troop. Adults that volunteer on the Troop Committee ensure that Troop needs are meet.
Q: Isn't Scouting an Outdoor Program?
A: yes, most definitely. The Scouts plan monthly, weekend overnight outings, such as a campout,
backpacking trip, or canoe trip. Annually, the Troop goes to a weeklong BSA operated Summer
Camp. Other activities such as long term backpacking trips, caving trips, climb and rappel
outings, horseback riding activities, cross country bicycling trips, etc. are possible based
on what our volunteers adult leaders can support and, most importantly, what the Scouts themselves
wish to do.
Q: Are there activities the Scouts cannot participate in?
A: Yes, they are covered in the "Guide to Safe Scouting". They include such activities
as hot air ballooning, bungee jumping and entering abandoned mines. The "Guide to Safe
Scouting" also address those precautions needed for more dangerous activities Scouts
participate in, such as Aquatics (swimming), Climb and Rappel, and Shooting (Shotgun, Single
Shot 22, and Archery) activities.
Q: Are there awards to be earned by the Scouts?
A: Yes. There are seven ranks, each youth member strives to earn Scout, Tenderfoot, Second
Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle. The requirements of the first four ranks, allows
the Scouts to become proficient in outdoor skills, citizenship, and to provide service to
the community and the environment. the requirements of the three higher ranks asks the Scouts
to learn and refine leadership skills, to explore a wide variety of subjects through the Merit
Badge program, and to continue giving service to the community and the environment. For a
Scout to earn his Eagle Rank, he must plan, organize, obtain supplies and equipment for and
run a significant service project for his community or to an environmental concern. Additionally
there are many other awards Scouts may earn, including: mile swim, BSA Lifeguard, environmental
awards, and High Adventure awards. Scouts are recognized for their achievements, at quarterly,
Courts of Honor, in front of their peers, parents, siblings, other relatives, adult leaders
and guests.
Q: How long should it take my son to earn his ranks?
A: On average Scouts earn their Scout through First Class ranks within the first 12 months
that they are active with the Troop. Once your son has earned First Class, he will move
towards Eagle at his own pace. Most Scouts earn their Eagle between the ages of 14 and
17.
Q: Who approves a scout for advancement?
A: The outdoor skills and citizenship requirements for Scouts through First Class may be "signed-off"
by either older Scouts who have earned, at least their First Class Rank, by adult leaders,
or by parents. Scouts working on the Star, Life, and Eagle ranks must earn merit badges, counseled
and approved by registered adult merit badge counselors. After completing the requirements
for any rank, through Life,Scouts meet with the Scoutmaster and then attends a "Board
of Review", made up of three Troop Committee Members, Parents (other then his own) and/or
Guests. scouts must meet a "district or council" level Board of Review to earn their
Eagle Rank.
Q: Can Adult Leaders earn awards?
A: Yes. There are several service and training awards adult leaders may earn. Most are worn
on the uniform as small square knot patches, in a similar fashion to the military ribbons.
With some exceptions, adult leaders do not earn the same awards as the Scouts.
Q: Will our Scouts wear uniforms?
A: Yes, the Troop will require each Scout, the Scoutmaster and his/her Assistant scoutmasters,
to obtain, maintain, and properly wear the full Scout Uniform.
Q: What will my son need? And where can I get it?
A: When a Scout joins the Troop he will receive a personal equipment list.
Q: How much do the Troop Adventures usually cost and how often
do they occur?
A: The Troop normally goes on at least one Outdoor Adventure a month. The cost of the adventure
depends on the where and what is happening. The average cost per adventure is $5.00, for weekend
outings.
Q: How do Scouts pay for their activities and equipment?
A: Partly through their parents, and partly through fund raising activities (car washes, rummage
sales, etc).
Q: Is Scouting a military organization?
A: No, absolutely not! Scouting does have a military base, such as the uniform,
and organization similar to the military's; but, we do not partake of military style activities,
and there is no obligation for Scouts to join the military. Our scouts will learn a few marching
commands and steps, primarily to use to properly present the American Flag.
Q: Who is our Scoutmaster and What is his qualifications?
A: Troop 276's Scoutmaster is Don Robertson. Don has been associated with Scouting for about
34 years, as both a youth and an adult voulenteer.He is and Eagle Scout. He has earned the
Silver Beaver (the Council's highest award), the District Award of Merit, the Scoutmaster
Award of Merit and several Training Awards. He has completed Youth Protection Training, Scout
Fast Start Training, Scout Leader Basic Training, High Adventure Basic Backpack Training,
and Woodbadge (a weeklong, in-depth leadership course). He is also certified in First Aid
and CPR. He is the Tomahawk District Training Chairman, an Assistant District Commissioner,
Roundtable Staff member, and a member of the Membership Team.