Day: Each Thursday
Place: Keystone United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
16301 Race Track Road
Odessa, Florida 33556
Phone: 813-920-5153
Time: 7:30 - 9:00PM
(2nd  Thursday of school months joint Pack/Troop meeting 7:00 – 9:00)

Attendance

Active participation and regular attendance is expected at all Troop, Patrol, Council, and other Scouting activities. Scouts should notify their Patrol Leader or the Scoutmaster if they are unable to attend a meeting or event. Exceptions can be made for good reasons (school activity, family obligation, etc.) The Scout should also telephone his Patrol Leader for any missed information when he is unable to attend an activity.

Uniform

Complete uniforms are expected to be worn traveling to and from all camp/field trip functions, at all joint Cub Scout/Troop functions, Court of Honors, Scout Sundays, Board of Reviews, Scoutmaster Conference, etc. unless told otherwise by the Scoutmaster. Uniforms must be brought on all trips and camp-outs. No exceptions!   Uniforms must have all the insignia in the proper place, shirts tucked in, closed toed shoes, and be worn correctly, with pride, by each Scout.   Failure to do so will possibly cause the scout to be excluded from certain activities.  (e.g. Failure to wear uniform properly to a court of honor will exclude the scout from receiving awards.  Failure to wear uniform properly will exclude the scout from Board of Reviews, and Scoutmaster conferences.)

Fees

Scouts are expected to pay their first year registration fees (~$25). After that, registration fees are paid from the Troop treasury on the Scout's behalf. Additionally, dues are $5 per month and can be paid annually in a lump sum for a reduced total of  $55 per year. Dues can be paid in advance or on a monthly or weekly schedule. It is each Scout's responsibility to make sure his dues are up to date.
Dues paid in advance or in an annual lump sum basis are nonrefundable, so this method should only be used should you plan to remain in the troop.   Should an unforeseen condition arise such as a family moving out of state for job reasons, a request can be made to the committee for a review.

Fund-Raising

Troop 68 usually does several fund-raisers per year. Fund-raisers, along with dues, provide us with the revenue necessary to operate the Boy Scout program and to offer the Scouts a fun-filled, quality adventure and meaningful experience. Since this is done for the benefit of the boys, they are required to work at these activities. Additionally, since some of the work done at fund-raisers must be restricted to adults for safety reasons, parents of scouts must also participate. Annual dues do not generate enough to support the program, so fund-raisers must make up the difference. Consequently, those families choosing not to participate in fund-raising activities will be required to make up their pro-rata share.

Every scout should also understand it is just like a job out in society, when you do work, the funds you raise are for that employer i.e. Troop 68 and you will receive the benefits as long as you are members of Troop 68.  If you quit the troop or fail to meet your obligations to remain a member in good standing (e. g. fail to pay dues, break rules, etc.), you immediately forfeit any benefit you have for the funds you may have raised and you have no claim to those funds.  The funds remain Troop 68 funds.  It is by remaining a member in good standing that you can fully realize the benefit of the work you have done.  This is no different from work you may do as an adult in the real world.

Troop Budget

Each year, the Scoutmaster, Troop Committee, and the Patrol Leaders Council examine the size of the Troop and its needs. Based on the program features, equipment needs (new, repaired, or replaced equipment), awards, registrations, and special events, we estimate Troop 68's monetary needs for a quality program. This amount is supplied through the Scouts' dues and any fund-raisers needed to balance the budget. If fund raising efforts fail, each Scout will be assessed an equal share to balance the budget. Fund raising helps keep the cost of Scouting down.
 

Service Projects

Troop 68 schedules service projects during the year that benefits the community, our sponsoring organization, or the Scout Council. Active participation from each Scout is expected.

Transportation

Scout parents are expected to take turns providing transportation for their son's Patrol and equipment during Scout outings and activities.

Equipment

Troop 68 has a considerable amount of camping equipment including tents, cooking equipment, storage equipment, etc. This equipment was purchased over the years and is worth a considerable amount of money. To replace it due to carelessness or malicious conduct would divert Troop funds from other, more worthwhile uses, such as trips, awards, etc. Every adult and Scout is expected to take proper care of this equipment. This includes proper usage, proper storage, and proper cleaning. Malicious destruction of Troop property will be subject to disciplinary action.

Donations of equipment or funds given for the troop become troop property and shall remain troop property and shall remain with the troop if a scout quits.  Persons who were instrumental in the acquisition of the equipment or funds (donations) acquired should understand that they are to relinquish to the troop all ties to the possession of equipment or funds should their scout quit.

Camp-Outs

In order to encourage boy leadership and responsibility it is up to the boys to decide on and plan their campouts with the approval of adult leadership.  If an adult takes on the responsibility of making arrangements it is up to the boy leadership to follow up and verify that things are planned properly. 
Anything left out or forgotten for a campout will be the responsibility of the boys and they may have to do without an item in order to learn a lesson and better prepare for their next outing.
The Scout must attend the meeting before an outing in order to go on the outing, unless he has a valid reason, approved by the Scoutmaster, as to why he can't attend the meeting.

Food: Each Scout must take a turn buying the food for a camp-out. If money is needed in advance, see the Treasurer. Each Scout must turn in the money for an event (preferably in cash) by two Thursdays before the event. This will allow adequate time to plan the event and to supply funds to the Scout buying the food. A receipt must be given to the Treasurer for the food bought and any additional funds due will be reimbursed at that time.

Cost: Most normal local camp-outs cost about $10 to $15. This covers food and registration. If costs are more than this, each Scout will be notified of the changes.

Gas: It has been the tradition of Troop 68 that when an adult drives his/her vehicle on one of our outings, he/she may deduct the cost from income taxes as a contribution to a non-profit institution. This helps keep the cost down for those Scouts who may not be able to go if we charged more. If a driver wishes to be reimbursed for transportation costs, please notify the Treasurer before the price for the outing has been set. Reimbursement for gasoline, tolls, and other related transportation expenses, however, will be included in the cost for any long out of state excursions.
Because pulling the largest (8’ X 12’) troop trailer may considerably reduce gas mileage the troop has decided to try to reimburse those drivers for going beyond their call to duty in providing transportation.   Please be fair in your request by filling up before the trip and again afterwards and getting a receipt showing the amount spent on the actual trip.

Radios: Radios, Walkmans, tape/CD players, mobile phones, Game Boys, or any noise producing devices that fall into this category will only be allowed during transport from Keystone UMC to the camp-out, and only if they are played on a silent mode or with earphones. They must be locked in the transport vehicle during the camp-out, and are not allowed in tents.  If any of these rules are broken, the device will be confiscated. First offense, the device will be taken and returned to the Scout upon returning to Keystone UMC. Second offense, the device will be taken and returned only to the parent. Third offense, the boy will be asked to leave the Troop's parents will be called to retrieve their son from the outing, and he will not be permitted to participate in any further activities until he agrees to comply.   If you feel you have a valid need (such as 2 way radios for safety) the Scoutmaster can make exceptions on an individual basis.

Game/Trading Cards, laser pointers: or other possibly disruptive items are not to be brought on campouts unless prior approval is given.  The scoutmaster can make exceptions on an individual basis such as card trading/playing tournaments, etc. If any of these rules are broken, the cards/objects will be confiscated. First offense, the cards/objects will be taken and returned to the Scout upon returning to Keystone UMC. Second offense, the cards/objects will be taken and returned only to the parent. Third offense, the boy will be asked to leave the camp and a parent will be called to retrieve their son from the outing, and he will not be permitted to participate in any further activities until he agrees to comply.

Leadership

All Scouts in leadership positions must demonstrate their Scout spirit by wearing the Scout uniform properly, their attendance at Troop and Council events, as well as the way they live the Scout Oath and Law in and out of Scouting. The junior leaders must set the example for the rest of the Scouts to follow. Attendance at the monthly Patrol Leaders Council is mandatory. Assistant leaders are also expected to attend. All Troop activity planning is done at these meetings, so it is imperative that all junior leaders attend.

Advancement

All Scouts are encouraged to advance in rank as well as their Scouting skills and knowledge. This doesn't mean each Scout will advance at the same pace. Each Scout is different and must be allowed to advance according to his own ability and ambition. NOTE: Parents, please do not set a timetable for your son to meet a certain rank. Instead, just encourage him along the Scouting trail by working at his own speed. Remember, Scouting is supposed to be a fun experience, too!

Requirements: Scouts must fulfill all the requirements for each rank as stated in the Boy Scout Handbook. This must be done to the Scoutmaster's satisfaction.

Rank Service Projects: All service projects needed for rank advancements must be approved by the Scoutmaster before it is done. This will create responsibility prevent the Scout from doing a project that may not fulfill the requirements for that rank.  It will also ensure the scout has the right mindset.

Scoutmaster Conference: All ranks require a Scoutmaster Conference to be held after all the other requirements for that rank have been completed. Scoutmaster Conferences are scheduled as required. Dues must be up-to-date prior to receiving a Scoutmaster's Conference.

Boards of Review: All ranks require a Board of Review after all the other requirements for that rank have been completed. The Scoutmaster recommends the Scout upon satisfactory completion of the Scoutmaster Conference. Boards of Review are scheduled as required, upon the availability of at least three members of the Troop Committee. The Scout must appear before the board of review in full uniform.

Eagle Board of Review: Eagle Boards of Review are done by a special District Advancement Committee Board of Review.

Merit Badges

No Merit Badges can be started without the approval of the Scoutmaster. The Scout needs to obtain a blue card signed by the Scoutmaster before he starts a Merit Badge. As the buddy system is employed in Scouting, the buddy (not necessarily a Scout) must be identified to the Scoutmaster before issuing the blue card. All Merit Badge Counselors must be approved by the Scoutmaster prior to starting the Merit Badge. Furthermore, Merit Badge Counselors must be approved by the Council Advancement Committee and registered with the Boy Scouts off America before they can counsel.

Medical Authorization

All Scouts must have on file with the Scoutmaster a medical authorization form before they can go on outings.

Summer Camp

Troop 68 encourages every Scout to attend summer camp. Camp scholarships sometimes are available to anyone needing financial assistance. The Scoutmaster can provide this information, and all inquiries are kept confidential. Partial payment is usually required.

Personal Equipment

As Boy Scouting depends heavily on the outdoor experience for advancement and personal development, Scouts must plan to attend the various scheduled activities. Participation in these events requires that each boy have or have access to a certain amount of equipment. The following is a suggested list of equipment necessary for a safe, fulfilling experience (Required items are noted in Bold):

Disciplinary Guidelines

Discipline is required of all members, youth and adult, participating in Scouting events. The guidelines outlined below have been developed through years of experience with fairness to all as the basic tenet. Principles used in developing the policy are as follows:

• We can only deal with the present and future problems - we cannot correct past injustices.
• Consistency will be required of all leaders dealing with the youth of the Troop as well as other adults.
• Idle threats are not acceptable forms of discipline.
• Belittling youth or adults will not be tolerated.
• Disciplinary actions required for individual Scouts will be conducted by two leaders in a private setting and will not be done in the presence of the Troop except in emergency situations.
• Disciplinary policies will be publicly reviewed for all youth and adult members at least annually.

A negative impact on the experience for the rest of the Troop. Disrupting the Troop program

Immediate action

• The offender will be counseled on the effects his behavior is having on the program for the rest of the Troop. He will be given an opportunity to explain his position. The leader will assess the problem and determine if any further action need be taken.
• If the problem persists, the offender will be isolated from the situation and will not be permitted to return until he agrees to comply.
• If he is totally unresponsive to corrective action, he will be removed from the site (parents will be called as required).

Follow-up

• If a Scout must be removed from an activity, he will not be permitted to attend any Troop meeting or activity until a parents meeting occurs.
• The leader in charge at the incident and the Scoutmaster will meet with the Scout and his parents. Both positions will be explained and conditions of reinstatement will be determined.

A threat to the physical or emotional well-being of someone else. Taunting and hazing

Immediate action

• If a leader witnesses such an incident, the offender will be asked to stop immediately and counseled on the effects his behavior is having on the victim(s). If the leader receives a report that such an incident has happened, but he has not witnessed it, he will investigate the situation beginning with those who may have been close to the incident, and then expanding outward. Once positively identified, the offender will be treated as though the leader had witnessed the action.
• If the problem persists, the offender will be isolated, and not be permitted to return until he agrees to comply.
• If he is totally unresponsive to corrective action, he will be removed from the site (parents will be called as required).

Follow-up

• If a Scout must be removed from an activity, he will not be permitted to attend any Troop meeting or activity until a parents meeting occurs.
• The leader in charge at the incident and the Scoutmaster will first meet with the victim and his parents to determine what harm has been done and to inform them of possible corrective actions.
• The leader in charge at the incident and the Scoutmaster will meet with the offender and his parents. Both positions will be explained and conditions of reinstatement will be determined.

No one should have to worry about their personal property while on a Scouting event. Destruction or loss of property (This includes the property of our charter organization.)

Immediate action

• If a piece of property is reported lost or damaged, the leader will investigate the situation beginning with those who may have been close to the incident, and then expanding outward. Once positively identified, the offender will be treated as though the leader had witnessed the action.
• If the incident is personally witnessed or an offender positively identified through investigation, the offender is counseled and informed he will be required to make restitution.
• Continued violation will require that he be removed from the site (parents will be called as required).

Follow-up

• Replacement of the damaged or lost article will be done.
• If the property is of substantial value or there is a chronic problem, parents will be contacted to make restitution, and conditions of reinstatement will be determined.

Authority is necessary to ensure the safety of the Troop. Disrespect for authority

Immediate action

• The offender will be counseled on the need to respect authority except if asked to perform something indecent, immoral, unlawful, or dangerous.
• Continued disrespect will result in additional counseling with other leaders and possible isolation.
• Total disregard for authority can seriously affect the enjoyment and safety of others, and thus the offender will be removed from the premises (the parents will be called as required). Under certain circumstances, such as high adventure trips, the event may have to be canceled completely at that point in order to stabilize the situation. This will be at the leader's discretion.
• Hostility toward anyone will result in the immediate removal of the offending parties.

Follow-up

• If a Scout must be removed from an activity, he will not be permitted to attend any Troop meeting or activity until a parents meeting occurs.
• The leader in charge at the incident and the Scoutmaster will meet with the offender and his parents. Both views will be discussed and conditions of reinstatement will be determined.

Whenever a person's physical well-being is placed in danger. Unsafe actions

Immediate action

• Upon identification of an unsafe condition, the leader will require the offender to cease and desist immediately. The offender will then be counseled on the need for safety.
• Continued violation will result in the removal from the site, and parents will be called as required.

Follow-up

If removed from the site, the leader in charge at the incident and the Scoutmaster will meet with the offender and his parents to explain the reasons for removal and determine the conditions of reinstatement.

Training Requirements

The Scouting program employs many activities familiar to most people, so most people feel they can jump right in and be effective. While this may be true in many cases, the Scouting methods have been tested over 80 years with millions of participants. It has developed into a safe, rewarding program, and must be followed if we are to offer a consistent, quality program to our boys. In order for all our leaders to be operating from the same base of information, training requirements have been established according to the following:

Additionally, advanced leader training is available by invitation for those who have completed Scoutmaster Fundamentals. Known as Wood Badge, this training usually requires a week-long dedicated commitment followed by additional activities over a period of several months. In order for adults to lead Scouts at long-term camps, they must first have completed Scoutmaster Fundamentals, Youth Protection Training, and served as assistant leaders in prior long-term camps.

Having made the proper arrangements, parents are always welcome to attend campouts with their son(s).  They should however realize that the scouting aim is to teach leadership, morals, and responsibility and therefore, try not to interfere with the normal patrol/troop activities. 

Note to parents:
- Please be aware that the boys are expected to learn to be self sufficient and also learn to work as a team member in their patrol.  We have had some problems with boys being lazy when their parents are present and relying on the parent to prepare their patrol meals, buy them snacks, or even sometimes full meals (like McDonald Meals), etc.  Please don’t do this.  It leaves no incentive for the boys to learn.
- We discourage snacks as we have found that at times the boys bring large amounts to campouts, eat snacks, and then become too lazy to prepare their patrol meals.  If they must bring snacks we suggest celery sticks, carrot sticks, etc.  Like most athletic teams we also suggest no sodas.

Special Contact Information

• Gulf Ridge Council’s web site:  www.BoyScouting.com
  
  
• Gulf Ridge Council Office/Store
  13228 N. Central Avenue
  Tampa, Florida 33612
  Phone: 813-872-2691
  Fax: 813-875-5890
  
  
• District Executive
  Jan Garber
  Phone: 813-872-2691