FAQ
 

This page is an effort to answer your most basic questions about Troop 806 and its program. If you have a question that is not answered here just e-mail us and we will get back to you with the information you need.

1. When and where are your meetings?
   Troop 806 meets every Monday night from 7:00 till 8:30 (unless otherwise indicated on the Troop Calendar) at Woodlake United Methodist Church in the Sanctuary. There are no meetings during the month of August.
    

2. Can we visit the troop?
   Yes, we would appreciate advance notice before you come so we can be sure to have someone available to answer your questions. Webelos Dens are welcome to come as groups. For group visits, we will need to look at our calendar and select a date for the visit. This will allow us the time to organize activities suitable for Webelos interaction with Troop members. If you are a Cubmaster, or Webelos Den leader and would like to receive monthly updates on the Troop and our activities, please e-mail us with your name, address, unit number of your Pack and the number of Webelos you serve. We will contact you as soon as possible. We always take interested Webelos dens on an overnight campout to the Shawondasse Camporee in the Fall.
    

3. Does my son have to wear a uniform?
   Yes, uniforms are worn to every troop meeting and on troop outings and campouts. The navy blue Cub Scout shirt may be worn until the scout purchases the khaki Boy Scout Shirt. The Class-A uniform for Troop 806 scouts would be; scout shirt, scout shorts or pants, scout socks and scout belt. Currently, the boys do not wear neckerchiefs (a decision made by the boy leadership some years ago.) The troop maintains a clothes box with scout uniforms that older scouts have out-grown. New scouts may wish to look in the clothes box for uniforms before making a new purchase. We also have Troop T-shirts and sweatshirts that are considered our Class-B uniform shirt. T-shirts and sweatshirts are sold in the early Fall of the year. Class-A uniform is required at all meetings and as travel attire. The Class-B uniform is worn on campouts.
    

4. Can my son be in a patrol with his buddies from Cub Scouting?
   Your son will most likely have some if not all his friends in his patrol. Every effort is made to help Webelos feel comfortable during the transition period. We have found that when 5th graders enter middle school that their circle of friends expands, new friendships form and that the patrols change as the boys advance through the program. The make up of patrols is the Scoutmaster’s and Senior Patrol Leader’s responsibility. Sometimes the units need to be adjusted to maintain the integrity of the patrols. It may become necessary to reorganize patrols from time to time but every effort will be made to keep harmony within the patrols. Boys may request a transfer from one patrol to another only after Troop elections. The final decision is a joint decision by the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader.
    

5. What is the difference between the Boy Scout Program and the Cub Scout Program?
   You will find that Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts are very different programs. In Boy Scouting more emphasis is placed on boy leadership. Troop, Patrol and Patrol Council meetings, camping trips and day trips are run by boy leaders, not by the adult leaders. Boys are required to take more responsibility for their own behavior as boy scouts. Boys will set their own goals for advancement and will progress through the program on an individual level. There are far more camping trips and day trips than at the Cub Scout level.
    

6. How many boys are in Troop 806?
   There are currently 80 boys on the roster but expect to rise to 95 after this year's Webelos Crossovers. The number of registered adult leaders is 67.
    

7. Is that why the meeting seem so noisy and chaotic?
   In Scouting we believe the best way to develop leadership is to let the boys have as much freedom as possible when it comes to running the troop program; the adults apply just enough authority to keep them safe and focused on the task at hand. As long as the boys are sincerely trying to accomplish the duties of their positions, they are learning the rudiments of leadership. Part of learning is being allowed to make mistakes. Sometimes meetings do not run as smoothly as the adults would wish but our boys learn what works and what does not.
    

8. With that number of registered adult leaders will you need my help?
   Yes, absolutely. Troop 806’s biggest strength is the commitment of the parents to the troop. We ask that the family of every scout registered in the troop get involved on some level. We can always use adult campers to help on campouts, and drivers to transport boys on outings. We can always use extra people on the committee to help support the troop's programs. Merit badge counseling is especially helpful. If you have a special interest or skill that you can share with the troop we would be interested in learn more about it... BUT... if you own a pick-up truck then you would be very near and dear to our hearts!
    

9. What do the uniformed adults do at the meetings?
   They are our Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. The uniformed adult leaders you see at the meetings act in an advisory role. They advise the boy leaders on leadership issues and programming; they advise and counsel the scouts on advancement; and when a serious disciplinary problem arises, they take the measures necessary to resolve the situation. Many of the rudimentary skills of Boy Scouting are taught by the older scouts in the troop but the Assistant Scoutmasters will assist in teaching skills.
    

10. What does the Scoutmaster do?
    Actual operation of the Troop is carried on by the Scoutmaster. His main responsibilities are the Scouts of the troop and all Assistant Scoutmasters. He makes sure the troop runs smoothly. He attends committee meetings where he reports on the operation of the troop and the annual program. He makes sure there is adequate parental support on outings and camping trips and coordinates the indoor and outdoor programs. He is overworked and underpaid!
     

11. Who is the final authority in the Troop?
    BSA policy is written in various official publications and is the final authority for resolving questions of policy. The Troop committee is the final authority for implementing BSA policy in Troop 806. The Committee Chairman is the officer who has the executive power of the Committee. The Committee is comprised of adults, generally parents of the Scouts, who support the troop. They insure that the troop's adult leadership is adequate, handle troop administration, provide various support functions, and insuresthat Troop 806 is adhering to and following official BSA policy. Currently the troop committee is comprised of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Advancement Coordinator, Merit Badge Coordinator, Fund-raising Coordinator, Religious Awards Coordinator, FOS Coordinator, Social Coordinator, Eagle Scout Mentor, and Publicity Coordinator.
     

12. Who selects the boy leaders?
    The troop scouts elect junior leaders for terms of office once every six months. Elections are held in September and March. Terms of office begin and end at the October Court of Honor and the April Court of Honor. Some offices on the Troop level have eligibility requirements but offices on the Patrol level do not. The Senior Patrol Leader is the leader of the Troop. He is responsible for setting the agenda and conducting the troop meetings and Patrol Leader Council meetings. He is assisted by 3 Assistant Senior Patrol leaders. Two are elected by troop members and the third is appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader. Other elected positions are Instructors, Guides, Chaplains, Scribes, Quartermasters, Grubmasters, Historians, Librarians, Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders. Older scouts who have served terms as Senior Patrol Leaders or Assistant Senior Patrol leaders become Junior Assistant Scoutmasters.
     

13. What is the expense of joining?
    For boys not registered as Cub Scouts: The troop fee includes Troop Dues, Membership in the BSA, BSA insurance, and Boys Life. The Committee Chairman can quote you the current fee. Send an e-mail if you want more information.
     

14. For boys registered as Cub Scouts:
    Webelos who will be earning the Arrow of Light must be registered as Cub Scouts in order to earn the award. The fees you pay to recharter as a second year Webelos in February are to maintain membership in Cub Scouting through the Arrow of Light and Graduation to Boy Scouting. There is a $1.00 transfer fee for your membership to be transferred to the Troop. In addition there are Troop dues which usually runs around $2.00 per month and then the BSA insurance. Your total fee for transferring from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting is about $40.00. For an exact quote please e-mail us.
     

15. How do I sign my son up?
    Your son must have completed the fifth grade, or earned the Arrow of Light Award in Cub Scouting, or be 11 years of age but not yet 18. If you come to a troop meeting and check at the back table in the Sanctuary (this is our advancement table) the gentlemen and ladies there can give you an application or you may send an e-mail message with your name and address and an application will be mailed to you. Please include your telephone number so our Committee Chairman can call you and welcome you to the troop.