Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 123 Rochester, Michigan!
BSA Troop 123 is based out of Rochester, Michigan. We are happy to have you visit our web site. Troop 123 is one of the older Boy Scout Troops in the Rochester area. We are part of the Clinton Valley Council Ojibwa District. We have been in existence since June 1, 1958. We have a large contingent of adult leaders who are committed to making the troop successful. We continually strive to maintain and upgrade our equipment to ensure a pleasant and enlightening camping experience for the boys in the troop. We are proud of our Troop's history, and have had over 90 scouts climb to the rank of EAGLE, the highest rank a youth can achieve in scouting.
The Troop 123 Handbook is available on-line. Just click the link.
| Sponsoring Organization: Map |
St. Paul's United Methodist Church 620 Romeo Road Rochester, Michigan 48307 |
| Troop Meetings: | September through May; every Monday. June through August; every other Monday. Troop gathers at 7:15 pm. Opening ceremony is at 7:30 pm. *Rule of thumb: no school no meeting. |
| Troop Committee Meetings: | Monthly starting at 7:00 pm. No meeting in December. Special planning event in August. See Website for dates and times. |
| Parent's Meetings: | All parents are invited to attend. First Monday of each month at 7:30 pm. Meeting held at St Paul's Church during scout meeting. |
Ideals
The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, The Scout Law, The Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.
Patrols
The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.
Outdoor Program
Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.
Advancement
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
1.
How often has your
Troop achieved Quality Unit status in the last 5 years? Every
Year.
2.
How are new Scouts handled? Are
they mixed in with existing patrols or put into a new
patrol?
We have done both and like to keep
friends together. We have an Assistant Scoutmaster focused on
advancement with the younger scouts.
3.
How many
registered leaders are there? 30
What is their attendance history at regular meetings and on outings?
Pretty high. Rough estimate last few years of 6 – 10 per
campout probably more on the 10 side than the 6 side.
4.
What is the
boy:leader ratio at meetings and on outings? Rough guess: 5
boys to a leader.
5.
Do you have an active
outdoor program? Yes. How many days/year are spent
camping? 35 – 40 days not including High Adventure. High
adventures tend to be 7 – 14 days in duration. Where?
6.
What is your
philosophy on uniforms? Scouts should be in Class A’s for all
meetings and on way / back from campouts. Monday after campouts,
class B is OK.
7.
How are new Scouts going to learn what to do as
Boy Scouts (camping skills, patrol activities, advancement, etc.)?
The older scouts work with the younger less experienced scouts
to teach the skills. Scouts 1st Class and higher can sign
off rank requirements for 2nd Class scouts and lower. 2nd
Class scouts can sign off for Tenderfoot. Will they have an
experienced adult leader working with them?
An Assistant Scoutmaster is dedicated to
working with the younger Scouts.
8.
What is a typical
Troop meeting like? Flag ceremony, oath, motto, announcements,
boy planned and led sessions, usually play a game near the end of
the meeting. Do you work on merit badges? There are
alternate merit badge sessions graciously put on by some of the
merit badge counselors. These sessions are usually held prior to a
troop meeting or on an alternate night as not to disrupt the troop
meeting. This works pretty well. Do you play a lot of games?
It is entirely up to the senior scout leadership.
9.
What is your
philosophy regarding advancement (at what pace are the ranks
earned)? The boys work at their own pace. We do not force them
to advance. If they wish to do High Adventures or other special
trips, it is a general requirement that they achieve 1st
class status. We strongly support and encourage advancement but do
not “make” them achieve it. The resources are available to the boys
if they wish to use them. Generally, if the scout is on track, they
should be 1st class around the end of their 1st
year or so.
10.
What kind of program
do you have for the older Scouts? Are there any High Adventure
activities? We have several older scouts in the troop and have
many special activities. We have been going on High Adventures each
year. We have special activities like climbing at Planet Rock, a
Bowl-A-Thon, Skiing, etc…. There is also a “sister” Venture Crew –
2123 for those interested in additional high adventure type
campouts.
11.
What kind of
fundraising do you have? Christmas Wreaths and Popcorn (fall),
and sometimes can drives for High Adventures or special trips
12.
What are the financial obligations for each
Scout?
a.
at signup $75
per year if signed up by Dec 31. After $80. Includes Boys Life
Magazine and Scout registration.
b. per campout Depends on campout. Usually $25. If a longer trip, include an extra $5 or $10 for lunch on way back. Adult drivers are free.
c. summer camp 2008 was: $250
d.
other Each
scout has a scout account. First $200 of fund individual fund
raising is split with the troop 50/50 per year. After that it is 90%
scout /10% troop.
13.
Do you pay for or subsidize training for the
boys (Junior Leader Training, Den Chief training, etc.)?
We do for JLT and bring up other decisions
to the committee.
14.
Does your Troop have
a limitation on size? No.
15.
Do you have written
policies?
Yes. Troop 123 Handbook
16.
Is your Troop
"boy-run" or "adult-run?" Boy Run
17.
Are Troop meetings
and activities planned:
- by the boys? Yes
- for a full year? Themes are planned in advance
– meetings planned once a month
- at a patrol leaders meeting? Yes
18.
What kind of equipment do you
have?
2 Trailers. Is it in
good shape? Yes Do you have enough if Webelos were to
join your Troop? Yes. If we need more, we get approval from
the committee to purchase.
19.
Are your Scouts able
to balance Boy Scouts with other activities such as sports, band,
church, etc.? Certain times of year, scouts may be busy with
other activities. Just make scoutmaster aware if not going to attend
meetings for an extended period of time.
20.
How active is your Troop at District and
Council events? Several adult
leaders are on Council and District Committees.
21.
How many current
leaders are trained in:
- Youth Protection? Almost all leaders. We strongly encourage
all leaders to attend.
- Scoutmaster Fundamentals? Several. We strongly encourage all
leaders to attend.
- Woodbadge? Some.
22.
What are the
expectations/requirements of new adults/parents to this Troop
- as assistant leaders, committee members, special event
chairpersons, event workers, merit badge counselors? Pick a
passion and we will be happy to have your help.
23.
Does the Troop pay
for any/all adult leader registration and training?
Registration is covered and most adult leader training is covered by
troop.
24.
How many leaders
routinely attend Round Table? 2 – 5.
25.
How do you feel about a Scout (and
parent) visiting a meeting unannounced? It’s OK. Prefer notice
so we can plan better.