Troop Goal
The Patrol Leader Council set the goal for attendance to exceed 50% at all events. Aim to surpass expectations. Set your goal to be active 85% of the time. You will be glad you did.
It’s Not Hard
- Troop 416 encourages active, loyal participation at Troop and Scouting-related activities.
- We recognize the desirability of Scouts being well-rounded and realize conflicts in scheduling are unavoidable.
- Advance notification of absences is appreciated to maintain the integrity of planned events while allowing Scouts to live up to expectations for involvement.
- Because advancement and leadership are underpinned by active participation, advancement and leadership normally will be more quickly attained for the more active Scouts.
- No matter what a Scout’s level of participation, we are thrilled to have every Scout as a part of our troop—all involved will gain from the association.
Making the Most of Scouting
We encourage active, loyal participation at all Troop and Scouting-related activities including:
- weekly troop meetings,
- Troop service projects, including helping at Eagle service projects,
- camp outs, including summer camps and high adventure activities,
- patrol meetings and patrol activities,
- Troop, Southern Sky District, and Circle Ten Council activities, and
- Order of the Arrow monthly meetings and events,
because they are important opportunities for learning knowledge and skills, and observing and emulating the values of Scouting enumerated in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
What If I Can’t Do It All?
Troop 416 expects Scouts will be well-rounded—they will have:
- family,
- religious,
- school,
- work,
- social,
- sports, and
- civic responsibilities.
These and other obligations provide rich opportunities which compete for time and energy. There may be whole seasons we may not see a Scout. Decisions about a Scout’s level of participation should be made with his family based on individual goals and obedience to family goals and expectations – not just a knee-jerk reaction to the pressure of the moment.
Troop 416 knows there are unscheduled reasons for spotty, or non-, attendance and may include:
- illness,
- wakes and funerals, and
- emergencies.
I’m Gonna Be Gone; Now What?
Troop 416 expects Scouts’ advance notification of scheduled absences. Scouts are provided with the Troop Annual Calendar which details dates for all events.
It is courteous when Scouts notify their patrol leader as soon as schedules are available for absences related to their other activities. These schedules might include:
- duty to God through religious observances, services, and classes,
- family vacations and special activities, school-mandated activities, such as band and sports practices, performances, and competitions,
- employment.
While the Troop is concerned about the individual Scout, the leadership also is concerned about the integrity of the event. Timely notification avoids problems in planning and prevents waste.
When emergencies arise, Scouts should contact their patrol leader as soon as possible. . . even if this means the patrol leader is contacted after the fact.
Planning Ahead
Troop 416 knows Scouts want to do the loyal thing and will make an effort to live up to expectations. To help them be trustworthy and learn to properly prioritize competing options, parents and Scouts will want to create open, two-way communication with the Troop leadership, so the decisions of the family may be reinforced and alternative options generated (recognizing it takes courage to stand firm in choices chosen) which involves:
- planning ahead to complete activities and commitments,
- being responsible with time,
- open communication as to values and goal
Excuses, Excuses
Solutions
- No ride, family pressures, multiple family members with competing schedules—
- Arrange a ride in advance using the Troop Roster as a guide to making friends with other Scout families who live near you. “Be prepared” by knowing who is available, in case a ride is needed. Plan schedules ahead and make it your goal to attend.
- Homework
- In general, Scouts know what their daily workload is likely to be. “Be prepared” by planning ahead to complete assignments before the meeting time.
- Another activity overlaps
- Do your best to attend whatever portion of the Scouting event you can. Scouts should not feel embarrassed if they come in late. Better to come late, in a clean uniform, than not at all. Scouts should check with their patrol leader to learn what has been missed. It is courteous and kind for Scouts who must leave early to give advance notice to those affected.
- Tired
- A healthy Scout makes sure he has adequate rest. If you need to be in bed and asleep by 7:30pm., this is probably the proper choice. If not, please plan to put on an upbeat, cheerful attitude and attend. Your participation will “fire you up!”
- A “better” offer
- Consideration should always be given to doing the most important thing – keeping in mind promises, responsibilities, goals, and values – will help Scouts make the decision which will not break trust with those counting on them.
No Where to Go But Up
The more a Scout is able to actively participate the greater the opportunity to personally develop the desired knowledge, skills, and values. This results in the natural progression of advancement.
A Scout’s ability to participate needs to be carefully analyzed prior to taking on any leadership position with the Troop. It is unfair to the Troop if boy leaders cannot be present to lead. Advancement occurs as a result of active participation. Advancement will likely be quicker for the more active Scouts. Advancement may stall due to lack of participation — an indicator of Scout Spirit and a requirement at each rank level. Once Scouts return to active participation, they will be able to continue their advancement.
“No matter what a Scout’s participation level, we are thrilled to have each one attend whenever they are able and hope they will attend as often as possible. Each individual Scout is important and offers so much to the overall program of the Troop. Each Scout is missed when he is not present.”
