Boy Scout Troop One is chartered to First Baptist Church, 1670 Shatto Avenue, Akron, OH 44313 (map)
in the Old Portage District of the Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America
Weekly meetings 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm every Tuesday

UPDATED DEC 22, 2008

Join us in January and Feburary to check us out and to have some fun.  
2009 Webelos Induction Ceremony and Campout - February 28, 2009 at Camp Manatoc.

We go camping every month. 
See What's Happening.
Specific Troop One information for New Scouts 2008-2009
      From the national website
      Use these forms to join in 2008 and 2009 >>>

 

Information for the new scout and his parents
Weekly meetings
Monthly activities
Troop Organization
Costs
Fund Raising		 What to bring to meetings
Uniform policy
Parental involvement
Merit badge counselors
Rules and regulations		 Quarterly activities
Annual activities
A word from the Scoutmaster
Contacts
      New prospects for membership in Troop One should receive this sheet and may receive
       
      • A current roster of members and leaders (keep for reference) and
      • A calendar of events or recent newsletter (please post at home) and
      • An application to join Boy Scouts (please return with proper fees) and
      • An adult application (for leadership and merit badge counseling) and
      • A Class I Health Form and
      • Troop Resource Survey (please return) and
      • A checklist of JOINING REQUIREMENTS.
Weekly meetings are held in Judson Hall of the First Baptist Church on Tuesdays from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Doors are opened about 7:00 pm. Scouts are expected to arive at 7:15 and may leave only after the closing ceremony and the church is cleaned. Meetings and outings are run by the boys. 

Monthly Activities generally mean the monthly campouts of two nights each. Most trips are local, within a few hours, but a few will be of longer distance. The monthly activities will also include day trips, hikes, swims, fund-raising, and service projects, but these will not be every month. Boy leaders will be required to attend a monthly Patrol Leaders Council and adult leaders meet monthly in Troop Committee meetings. 

Troop Organization: While adults are always present, the boys run their own meeting. The number one scout in this respect is the elected Senior Patrol Leader who is totally in charge. Every scout under 14 years old is a member of a patrol of no more than 8 boys who have an elected Patrol Leader who is in charge of his group of scouts. Boys 14 and over join a Venture Crew and operate like a patrol.  Other Troop and Patrol Offices are appointed by the elected boy leaders and most boys beyond the early ranks will have a job to do. The Troop is no better and no worse than how every scout fulfills their function and responsibility. The adults present at meetings and campouts are the Scoutmaster and his assistants. Parents and committee members provide an important support role without which the troop cannot operate. 

Costs:

(1) Joining Fee - The new scout must pay a one-time fee of $25.00 made out to Boy Scout Troop One ($15.00 if transferring from another unit or rejoining after an unregistered absence). In case of hardship this fee may be waived or adjusted. This fee will cover the Scout's registration, Boys Life magazine subscription, the Boy Scout Handbook, and Troop One neckerchief. Providing the Troop treasury remains healthy, no further annual fee will be charged.  Financial aid is available by contacting the scoutmaster.

(2) Dues - Dues is $40.00 yearly. This should not be paid by the parents directly, but earned and paid by the scouts. Dues payments are used to reregister the scout each year. If a scout falls behind, parents will receive a letter and the Scout is ineligible to camp and do other scouting activities.  The amount is prorated.  for example, a scout joining in March would pay a dues for that first year of only $20.00.    Financial aid is available by contacting the scoutmaster.  Scouts will also receive a dues account statement detailing what the Scout owes and has paid.

(3) Uniform - Uniform top (approx. $30.00 short sleeved shirt, shoulder loops, council patch, red one, patrol emblem, hat) Uniform bottom ($28.50 shorts, long socks, belt or $26.45 for long pants, socks and belt). Troop T-Shirts and Sweatshirts are available on a custom order basis from Troop One. (prices may vary- see scoutstuff.orgfor information).  The troop runs a uniform exchange and used uniform store, ask for details.  Often we have outfitted a new scout the night they join.  There is a new uniform starting in 2008 and some of this will change.

(4) Camping trips - approx. $15 to $20 each (monthly) to cover the cost of food, admissions and permits, if any, plus mileage. Summer camp at Manatoc ($180 approx. for one week). High Adventure trips and special weekend trips are higher in cost as are trips that use more expensive transportation. Trips are announced on our calendar in advance and up-to-date information is available on the troop one website on the front page and on the "what's happening" page.   Financial aid is available by contacting the scoutmaster.

(5) Adult registration - $10.00 or less, see below.  This is set by the national Council.

 Fund Raising is an important part of operating the Troop and every scout is expected to participate in and will benefit from fund raisers. All fund raising is controlled by the Troop Committee. Scout accounts are maintained with the troop and boys get half of most funds raised. Fund raisers include Crown Hill Cemetery during Memorial day weekend, Spaghetti Dinners, as well as selling Boy Scout popcorn, Poinsettas in the late Fall and flowers in the Spring.  Plenty of opportunity exists for you to earn your way, but no scout is turned down on the basis of need. 

What to Bring to meetings: Scouts are to wear the uniform and bring scout handbook, notebook and pen, and anything else they were asked to bring to a particular meeting. Scouts are expected to write down their assignments for the next week and to record all important announcements such as dates of events. Parents should always ask whether calendars or newsletters were sent home. Always post the most recent calendar as slight changes are made from time to time. An annual calendar is always available. That calendar will list the dates permission slips and money are due for the regular trips.

Uniform policy: Scouts are to wear the entire dress uniform to every meeting or function. Scouts must have a valid excuse not to be in at least a scout uniform shirt at every meeting or function. Scouts travel to and from events in uniform according to BSA insurance policy. Part of the official uniform is the scout membership card which the scout will receive at a troop meeting. Neckerchiefs are custom made and can be purchased from the troop. One neckerchief is given when a boy reaches the level of Scout. Troop T-shirts and sweatshirts are available as well. Ask the Scoutmaster. 

Parental involvement: PARENTS MUST PARTICIPATE! We always need drivers and campers, but there is more.  Participation is a must, but all can contribute in different ways. There is a troop committee that provides direct support to the Scoutmaster and his assistants. Parents are always invited to attend committee meetings and to register as an Adult committee member for a pro-rated fee of up to $10.00 per year (for registration and required insurance). The committee also deals with the dates of future events, the financing of the troop, advancement of the boys, and many other functions. Parents are ALWAYS welcomed at committee meetings (usually held the second Tuesday of the month during the Troop Meeting time) and are invited to get involved. Even if parents do not join the committee, they are expected to help out during the year. Please say yes when called, please volunteer your talents. 

Merit Badge Counselors are always needed and parents and family can help the troop by offering their expertise and service as a counselor. A list of subjects are on the back of the Troop Resource Survey. There is no charge to registering as a Merit Badge counselor. But there is an application form.

Rules and Regulations: While there may evolve a few specific rules, every scout and scouter are required to always live by the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Slogan, Scout Motto, and the Outdoor Code. These can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook. Violators are brought to the attention of the Scout led Patrol Leader's Council. A specific code of discipline is followed and can be explained at any time. We follow a policy created by the boys. 

Quarterly Activities: Every three months the Troop holds a Court of Honor for the purpose of recognizing the scouts' progress. Often this will follow a pot-luck dinner and all family members are invited. A honor scout and honor patrol is named every quarter and a Scout of the Year honor is bestowed at one of these gatherings. 

Annual Activities: One week of summer camp in July and one or two other big events. In 1992-93 we visited the Dolly Sods National Wilderness, Seneca Rocks and Niagara Falls. In 1994 we spent 4 days on the New River and strolled through the mountains of eastern West Virginia. In 1995 we visited the National Air Force Museum, Gettysburg and Kelly's Island. In 1996 to 1998 we went to Mammoth Cave, and Disney World, Wright Patterson AFB,  and Virginia Beach. In 2001 we visited the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn Michigan and took a bus to South Carolina for a week to sleep on the Yorktown, an aircraft carrier.  In 2002 our big trip was to Niagara Falls Canada.  Philmont, Gettysburg, PA, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base were visited in 2003.  Highlights for the troop year can be obtained from the Scoutmaster (or see what's happening in Troop One). 

Scoutmaster Minute: I hold the Scout Oath and Scout Law as ideals to be actually achieved and practiced by the scouts. Every scout is expected to constantly strive to live by the Scout Law and to fulfill his obligations made in the Scout Oath. Scouts should know that they are held to a higher standard than non-scouts. Scout leaders  such as senior patrol leaders and patrol leaders are held to even higher standards.  Scouts promise on their honor to do their best, to do their duty, to God and Country, to help others, to obey the scout law, and to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. The Scout Law requires them to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. This is no easy task, for scout or leader, but should tell you why scouting is so important in this day and age. Achievement requirements of Scout Spirit will only be signed when the scout lives up to his potential. 

Contacts:
Scoutmaster: Steve Myers (330) 315-3570 home myers@uakron.edu
Senior Patrol Leader: Brian W.
Committee Chair: John Martin jfmartin@bmdllc.com
The Troop has an electronic presence for information on their webpage and privately through the email discussion group, troopone@yahoogroups.com.

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