New to the Troop?

This is the ‘One Sheet’: Information for new Troop 140 Scouts 

All about the New Scout Patrol     *   Jump to Camping Gear

Welcome to Troop 140!

The Troop was chartered in 1980 and is made up of boys from all over Clackamas County.  This ‘One Sheet’ is a brief information page to provide new Scouts and parents with some answers to basic questions new members may have.  Parents are not expected to spend lots of money on Scout gear.  Additional information may be found in the Scouts BSA handbook, Troop 140 Introduction Booklet and other BSA sources.  New families are encouraged to ask other Scout families about how they handled their son’s gear. 

The Troop provides some specific items at certain benchmarks. When a Scout...

COMPLETES Medical form part A&B, BSA application & all fees (or verified membership with council): Red folder with info, Epaulets, Patrol patch, 140 patch, Red Troop T-shirt (known as Class B). 

COMPLETES Pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse" & "Parent/Scout internet contract": Red Troop Scout Hat

When a scout reaches First Class the troop gifts them a personalized name tag. This indicates to lower ranks they are now able to sign off in scout books.

Each Eagle scout will be reimbursed $300 toward an Eagle Court of Honor. See treasurer for details

Uniform

Each Scout should have a khaki BSA shirt, known as the Class A shirt.   The shirt comes with an American Flag on one sleeve and the words ‘Scouts BSA logo’ above one pocket.  Families should also purchase and sew on the shirt: a Cascade Pacific Council patch, and the World Crest Scouting patch.  

A uniform inspection sheet is available to provide placement information for patches. Scout wearing shorts should wear BSA green shorts and green BSA socks.  The Troop also sells additional red Troop tee shirts, hoodies and fleece for sporting activity wear, and other Troop logo items.
No swim suits, athletic pants or sweats should be worn with your Class A shirt.

Meetings

Troop meetings are held at 7pm most Monday at Oregon City Elks 1189 lower level.  In the summer, we move to the St John the Apostle Cemetery meeting room or gazebo field.  Meetings last 1½ hours.   Occasionally meetings are held at other locations.  Planned meeting changes will be scheduled and included in the Troop monthly newsletter, passed at PLC meetings and Troop meetings.

Mandatory meetings are the meeting before a Troop outing.  Scouts attending outings should bring their signed permission slip and cash (amount required on the permission slip) to cover meals during the outing.  Outing planning is a small part of the Troop meeting and Scouts not attending the outing are encouraged to come to the meeting even if they are not attending the outing.

PLC (Patrol Leader Council) meetings are normally held on the Monday after a Troop outing.  The PLC meeting is a planning meeting by the Troop leadership.  The meeting is open to all members, but scouts who are not in an elected office are not required to attend.  Uniforms are optional for PLC meetings.

Adults
If you are not staying for the meeting, plan on returning 10 minutes prior to the end of the meeting.
We have a no cell phone policy for scouts during Troop meetings and events so they will not be checking text messages or waiting outside for you. If your scout needs to leave early, for their safety please come inside to get them.
If they need to leave an event early, please contact the SM. 
Scouts will need to check out with their PL, SPL  AND SM before departing the event.

Siblings are always welcome at Troop meetings.  What a great opportunity to teach them about flag etiquette and youth leadership! For safety and building use guidelines, we cannot have unattended children playing in the stairwells or outside.  Please have the siblings join the adults in the back portion of the cafeteria. We have found that the use of electronics in the cafeteria draws the Scouts away from their activities so please save these for areas away from the Scouts.

Occasionally camping trips and events will also be open to siblings/families.  We expect that they follow the same guidelines as our scouts. Such as no electronics, leave no trace, wash their own dishes, etc. 

Camping

Troop 140 has an outing each month.  Most are camping trips, even in the rain and cold.   Any adult attending a camping trip will need to complete Youth Protection Training and be registered with BSA.  BSA youth protection training link.  

Advancement

Troop 140 offers many opportunities for rank advancement.  New Scouts are encouraged to work on the Trail to First Class concurrently, which improves outdoor skills and confidence in their Scouting abilities. Troop 140 uses the Troopmaster advancement tracking software, which allows scouts and parents to access personal trail to Eagle via both the website and mobile app.

Rank advancement in your scout books are to be signed by SCOUTS 1st class and above. 
EXCEPT yellow highlighted items are to be signed by SM or ASM's.
Scout spirit will be signed off DURING your Scoutmaster conference.

Make sure you are following the advancement steps in order.

1) complete requirements and get your info updated into Troopmaster (show your book to Ms LaCrosse - Advancement Records). Some requirements are auto updated in Troopmaster so check in frequently.

2) Bring your book to the Scoutmaster and request a SM conference 

3) AFTER SM conference section is signed in your book and Troopmaster is updated again, THEN you can request a Board of Review (BOR) with the Advancement team either in person or by emailing 140advancement @gmail.com

Information

Weekly announcements are emailed to each family. This information is also announced during Troop meetings, often at the end of the meeting. Scouts are expected to pay attention at the meetings and provide their parents with information.  If a parent feels they need more info, please talk to the Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmaster, Committee Chair or activity chair. If you move or change email addresses please let us know.
Remember to check for attendance and event sign up sheets on the counter during meetings. 

SCOUTS:

NO CELL PHONES. Your parents know where you are and can get in touch with adults if there is an issue. Your friends can wait 1.5 hours during a meeting to talk to you. During camping trips, scout cell phones should be left at home or in the vehicle and a Scout is TRUSTWORTHY.  We think you are so important that we offered to volunteer in Scouting. Please share that time with your Scout family.

Adults are always needed to work behind the scenes as Merit Badge Counselors, and drivers for outings, among other things.  Contact any adult in the Troop for more info.