15 Things You Should Know
Getting Started
Uniforms
Equipment
Troop Operations
What We Expect
Rank Advancement
Outdoor Program
Communication
Service to Others
What Is Boy Scouting?
Boy Scout Program Membership
Volunteer Scouters
Who Pays for It?
Conservation
Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program
. . . . . Ideals
. . . . . Patrols
. . . . . Associations With Adults
. . . . . Personal Growth
. . . . . Leadership Development
Rules

1. We meet from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the barn EVERY Tuesday (except when Christmas falls on a Tuesday).
2. The barn is cold during the winter (but not freezing). The boys should dress for outdoor activities year round.
3. There are no dues. We ask each person to pay for their registration each year and Boy's Life magazine.
4. The major source of income for Troop 137 is our Christmas Wreath and Christmas Tree sales.
6. We encourage the boys to sell wreaths, We ask that every Scout sell 5 wreaths. They earn $5.00 for each wreath sold (into their Scout Account). This money can be used to cover the cost of camp outs, Boxwell Summer Camp or other High Adventure activities. Also, we reduce the cost for Boxwell for all those boys who sell wreaths.
7. We require all boys and parents to work on the Christmas tree lots. We hope this limits the door-to-door selling and makes our scouting programs more affordable. We estimate that we would have to charge each scout and additional $200 to $300 each year without the Christmas wreath and tree program.
8. All members need to buy and read a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. They should bring it to all events. This book will serve as a record for the Scout's advancement through the Scouting Program.
9. We hold an overnight weekend outing at least once a month.
10. Any scout who joins will be given every opportunity to advance from Tenderfoot to the 1st Class Rank within one year.
11. We have a week of Summer Camp (at Boxwell Reservation, nearby) plus two High Adventure outings each year.
12. The Level I High Adventure outing is open to all boys in the troop.
13. The Level II High Adventure outing has age and rank requirements.
14. We also recycle newspaper for profit. Please save them up and turn them in to our recycling bin behind Mr. Green's business on 4th Street (in downtown Franklin).
15. Our Charter year runs from April1-March 31 each year and we will re-register all scouts and leaders during February/March time frame. Please respond to the request for information at re-registration.

We welcome young men of Scout age who are, or can become, vitally interested in the Scouting program. Eligibility rules are occasionally modified by the B.S.A., but currently boys can participate in Boy Scouting from age 11 until their 18th birthday. Currently, in order to join Boy Scouts, a boy must either be eleven or have completed the fifth grade, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award as a Webelos Cub Scout.

All boys who regularly participating in the activities of the Troop must be registered Boy Scouts.
The first item a new Scout needs is an official Boy Scout Handbook. Attached in the front of the Handbook is a Parents Guide, which you and your son are asked to read and discuss. This exercise is one of the joining requirements for your son. His advancements will be recorded in his Handbook as he progresses.
It is each Scout's responsibility to maintain all of his advancement records from Tenderfoot to Eagle. He must not rely on someone else to do it form him. While an individual Scout's records are maintained by Tom Denton on computer in our Troop, each Scout is expected to also carefully retain all of his rank and merit badge cards and emblems.

The Handbook can be purchased at the Jet Potter Center, on the corner of Woodmont and Hillsboro Road in Nashville, or at Chad's Camping Center in the Harding Mall area. Be sure your Scout's name is well displayed on his books.

In order to participate in larger scale scouting events, Medical Forms and Medical Releases will need to be filed with us.

The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals.

The uniform is not practical attire for Boy Scout outdoor activities; however, it provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished. The uniform is therefore only encouraged for meetings. We do require Scouts to wear their complete uniform (called "Class A") for these events:

1.Travel on High Adventure Trips
2.All Boards of Review
3.All Courts of Honor
4, Merit Badge Universities

"Class A" uniform includes: Scout khaki shirt, Scout olive green shorts/long pants, Scout socks, Scout belt, dark shoes/boots, and a Troop neckerchief (optional). There may be other events when the uniform is appropriate. If so, we will advise all Scouts and Parents.

Please be sure all of your son's uniform pieces, as well as his equipment, are labeled with his initials. Uniforms are expensive; don't lose them. Our Troop maintains a "Clothes Closet" where you can pick up used uniforms, socks, etc. We encourage you to use the Clothes Closet for both acquiring and donating uniforms.

In addition to his uniform, handbook, etc., a Scout needs a modest amount of camping and accessory equipment. While there are many expensive camping items, few of these are required for the beginning Scout. A Scout does need a form of rain gear (poncho, rain suit, etc.), sleeping gear, canteen and cooking/eating gear. Synthetic long underwear (polypropylene) is also frequently required for camp outs. This will get him started and will be needed throughout his Scouting career. He is to be encouraged to earn and buy his own equipment as the need arises. For outings where special gear is needed, we will advise you. The leaders can advise you on gear, good places to buy gear and what kind of gear to by. Most new scouts are not demanding in terms of their activities. So, lower priced gear from Walmart, Kmart, Academy Sports, works okay. As the scouts get older, they usually need better quality gear. The older scouts often take care of the expensive gear better than the boys.

A checklist of the items he needs for various sorts of outdoor experiences is included in the Boy Scout Handbook. We have check lists posted on our Web site. He can use these lists again and again as a reminder of necessities he will need. He can customize this list for items of convenience to make camping more enjoyable.

The driving force behind our Troop is the Scoutmaster, Mr. Green. He is a source of inspiration and wisdom. Beneath Mr. Green are the Senior Patrol Leaders, his assistants and the patrols. Our goal is for the patrols to be able to function independently as tightly knit groups within the Troop. Each patrol designs and makes its own Patrol flag and wears the medallion (patch) of his patrol on his upper right sleeve.

Group and individual competitions are held from time-to-time to encourage such group spirit. Your son will need to be active in the special activities his Patrol develops outside of Scout meetings. Please encourage him to do so.

The Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC), led by the Senior Patrol Leader, plans meetings, camp outs, and other functions on a monthly basis, usually on the first Tuesday meeting each month. The council, meets with the adult leaders to fine-tune plans for the month. The PLC is comprised of all Troop Junior Leaders and informed adults. Decisions are normally made by consensus, however, if an issue must come to a vote, it will be addressed by the Senior Patrol Leader, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Quartermaster, and all Patrol Leaders. All decisions recommended by the PLC must be approved and reviewed by the Scoutmaster.

Every Scout needs help from home. It is almost axiomatic that the more involved his parents are, the more a scout will get out of the program and the longer he will stay in Scouting. I have known very few Eagle Scouts who did not have parents actively involved in Scouting. Every parent is encouraged to be a registered member of the troop or serve as a uniformed Assistant Scoutmaster or Committee Member. Adults who wish to participate on at Troop meetings, camp outs, or as merit badge counselors are encouraged to do so. Tom Denton keeps track of adult registration, training and merit badge counselors.

Those parents who are unable to participate on a regular basis often involve themselves by helping, with our fundraising efforts, formal Courts of Honor, providing transportation for regular outings or special events, and in countless other ways. There is room and a place for everyone. For an idea of the current roles adults are playing in the Troop, see the Adult Leader chart--it is updated each fall. There is a place for you, too. call or e-mail the Committee Chairman to help.

Of course, we would love if you or your Scout would be able to participate in every activity. Yet, we have yet to find anyone who has been able to do so. So, we'll "keep the light on for you" or anyone else who needs time-out for the baseball season, soccer camp, grueling semester or whatever demands you must meet. Any Scout who is trying his best will find us more than willing to meet him half way. We still expect him to meet or delegate his duties, but if he can't attend every event...so be it. No one will say a word. Just make sure if we are counting on him to conduct this week's "game" or "instruction" that he has found a suitable substitute so that the "show can go on!"

On the other hand, Scouting is not for every boy. If boys discover that our Scouting program is not exactly what they had in mind, they are encouraged to find other ways to pursue their interests and goals. No boy should be made to participate in Boy Scouting.. We consider Scouting as the best program available for helping boys grow into responsible, dependable men during this most volatile period in their lives. In Scouting a boy never loses. Every aspect of the program is a positive influence for growth in stature and wisdom.
If you and your son decide to leave the Troop, please have a talk with the Scoutmaster. We want to be absolutely sure we have done all we could to make each Scout feel welcomed, supported, challenged, and encouraged.

Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Unlike many other Boy Scout Troops, we do not work on Merit Badges or rank advancement during the Tuesday night meetings. We do have skill demonstrations, interesting programs, fun games and announcements.

Boy Scouting offers young men many opportunities to learn new skills, have new adventures, and work with lots of individuals (both adults and older youth leaders) with a variety of talents. As boys gain new outdoor and life skills, they are awarded with a badge of rank. These badges are earned as boys move along the Trail to the Eagle.

There are 6 ranks in Boy Scouting. Each rank is more challenging than the one before it. The first three ranks, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, offer boys a chance to learn some of the basic skills that will be needed to be a better camper, hiker, and citizen. Many scouts earn these awards during the first year of scouting. Parents be patient. It usually takes a full year for the boy to mature and fit into the Scouting Program. The Star and Life rank provide opportunities for the scout to practice what he knows, learn additional leadership skills and learn new skills through the merit badge program. As the boys progress through these ranks, they show their dedication, hard work, and leadership skills and desire to become an Eagle Scout. The Eagle is the highest rank possible in the Boy Scouts of America. Receiving this rank says much about the man that the Scout is becoming. Seldom does a boy under 14 or 15 earn the rank of Eagle. The average age to earn Eagle rank in Troop 137 is probably 17 years old.

Our Troop has a strong record of rank advancement. There are multiple opportunities for scouts to work on advancement on Saturday afternoons at the barn, monthly outings, and during high adventure activities.
Advancement up through his First Class Rank, a Scout learns and advances primarily by attending Patrol and Troop meetings and by participating in the Troop's outdoor activities and coming to the barn on Saturday afternoons. The acquisition of basic outdoor skills comprises the bulk of the requirements for the Tenderfoot through First Class requirements.

Later, through Merit Badges, Scouts are given a path through which they expand their knowledge of the many hobbies, and careers available to them. Individual merit badge training and study pamphlets are always necessary for study. The Troop library contains many pamphlets that may be checked out through the Troop Librarian. Pictures of the current merit badges are in the official Boy Scout handbook. Complete requirements for he badges that must be earned for the Eagle are listed in the official Boy Scout handbook. All other merit badge requirements are explained in the Boy Scout Requirements book.

To earn a merit badge, each Scout must study the appropriate pamphlet and then satisfy the requirements before a Merit Badge Counselor, a qualified adult examiner. Working with a Merit Badge Counselor gives a Scout contact with an adult with whom he may not be acquainted. This also a valuable experience. A Scout is encouraged to contact outside approved merit badge examiners on his own. A list of Merit Badge Counselors is located in the Troop Library.

Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

One of the major aspects of "Scouting" is the outdoor program, which of course, attracts and keeps boys interested. A great deal of the fun of Scouting is in learning, polishing, and retaining outdoor living skills.

We attempt to spend one weekend every month out-of-doors. Ordinarily, for weekend camp outs/outings we assemble at the barn. Transportation to our camping location is provided by parents and adult leaders. Drivers of vehicles transporting boys must be at least 21 years old, and have filed their insurance form with us.

Meals are cooked by patrol, individually or in groups of two or three. Any adult attending a camp out should provide his own food (either individually or with other adults). We strongly discourage the leaders from eating with the boys. The official Boy Scout method is to cook in patrols. Mr. Green has pushed individual cooking (so that all boys learn to cook and clean-up). It took me a while to realize that Mr. Green probably has the better method. As the boys grow older and camp with friends, they will cook individually or in groups of two. Hikers on the Appalachian Trail cook individually. Individual cooking works well for us.
On a backpacking outing we nearly always cook as buddies (2 scouts) using a backpacking stove and meals planned by those two scouts. Backpacking and camping menus are available on the Troop Web Site. Camping cookbooks and Dutch Oven Cookbooks are available in the Troop Library.

Outings are announced in the Weekly Bulletin. We try to give all the necessary details--announcements are usually read by two or three people before they are distributed. We ALWAYS list the a point of contact. Someone you can call about questions and concerns. If in doubt, call. We would all prefer to answer a stupid question instead of trying to help a Scout cope who did not bring the right stuff.

Our Troop spends one full week long-term camping under adult leadership at Camp Boxwell, a Scout reservation operated by the Middle Tennessee Council, each summer. During these long term camping sessions, a boy will often earn about half his total year's advancement goals, especially in merit badges. Specific details regarding long-term camping opportunities and High Adventure Programs are published separately. Check the Troop Calendar and Troop website for dates and details.

The National Council operates high-adventure areas at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program in Minnesota and Canada, and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys. About 70 councils also operate high-adventure programs. The BSA conducts a national Scout jamboree every four years and participates in world Scout jamborees (also held at four-year intervals). Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, was the site of the 1997 National Scout Jamboree.

In Troop 137, we participate in all of these camps. We also develop our own high adventure programs. These adventures have included Africa, Alaska, the Adirondacks, the Alamo, Arkansas and Alabama (that just covers the A's).

The Troop prides itself on the effective communication we've been able to establish with parents.

Our primary vehicle is our Weekly Bulletin. This is printed at each meeting and handed to all the Scouts. It is also sent to all the E-mail addresses and it is put into the Web site every week. . Read it carefully and insist that your scout does too. Without the information listed in it, your son will have a very hard time being at the right place at the right time!

We also publish rosters, phone lists, calendars, and periodic letters from the Scoutmaster or Committee Chairman. The Calendar is guide for future events. It is also available on the Web site. The Calendar on the Web is constantly updated with the new events. The roster and phone numbers on the Web can only be accessed with the username and the password. This is for your protection.

A major aspect of the Scouting program is Service to others. In order to advance, each Scout must participate in a number of service projects such as the planting of trees, cleaning up roadsides, conservation projects and the collection of food for needy families. From time-to-time your son will be asked to help in a worthwhile service project.

A major requirement for the Eagle rank is the creation, planning and execution of a large scale service project. These projects are led by the Eagle Candidate, but can involve countless hours of accumulated work on the part of many, many people. Your son will have many opportunities to help with such service efforts. He, too, will need help with his Eagle project someday.

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated to provide a program for community organizations that offers effective character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit; have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness; have personal values based on religious concepts; have the desire and skills to help others; understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems; are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world; have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people; and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.

Boy Scouting, one of the membership divisions of the BSA, is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11 through 17 years old. The program achieves the BSA's objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities among youth by focusing on a vigorous program of outdoor activities.

As of December 31, 1998, the Boy Scout program membership was:
1,023,149 Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts 53,184 troops/teams 508,459 adult volunteers

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs - everything from unit leaders to chairmen of troop committees, committee members, merit badge counselors, and chartered organization representatives. In Troop 137, every parent is encouraged to be a registered leader. Each one of us has skills to teach the Scouts. Each one of us should be able to find the time to dedicate to your son and this cause.

Like other phases of the program, Boy Scouting is made available to community organizations having similar interests and goals. Chartered organizations include professional organizations; governmental bodies; and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. Each organization appoints one of its members as the chartered organization representative. The organization is responsible for leadership, the meeting place, and support for troop activities.

Several groups are responsible for supporting Boy Scouting: the boy and his parents, the troop, the chartered organization, and the community. Boys are encouraged to earn money whenever possible to pay their own expenses. Troops obtain additional income by working on approved money-earning projects. The community, including parents, supports Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting campaigns, bequests, and special contributions to the BSA local council. This income provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units. The major source of income for Troop 137 is our Christmas Wreath and Christmas Tree sales. We encourage the boys to sell wreaths, and they earn money in their scout account and attend Boxwell at a reduced rate when they sell wreaths. We require all boys and parents to work on the Christmas tree lots. We hope this limits the door-to-door selling and makes our scouting programs more affordable. We estimate that we would have to charge each scout and additional $200 to $300 each year without the Christmas wreath and tree program.

Conservation activities supplement the program of Boy Scout advancement, summer camp, and outdoor activities and teaches young people to better understand their interdependence with the environment. In Troop 137 we are attempting to increase the awareness on conservation and to teach higher level camping skills (no-impact camping and the leave-no-trace program).

The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups help to determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Associations With Adults Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

Leadership Development The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Because we let the Scout Oath and Law govern our Scouts activity inside and outside of scouting, we operate with a minimum of stated regulations. However a few should be reiterated.

1.No hazing--New Scouts are helped, welcomed, and encouraged by older boys, never physically or mentally mistreated.

2.Sheath knives are unacceptable--folding, lock blade knives, are permitted, but Scouts are required to earn their Tote n' Chit (safety certification) before using any knives, saws, hatchets, and axes.

3.Scouts are asked not to bring radios, tape players, and other electronic devices to any meeting or camp out. The outdoors and its sound cannot be enjoyed with headphones in their ears. They are sometimes allowed in the vans on long trips. The Adult Trip Leader decides of electronic devices can be brought along and used during the long car rids.