Frequently Asked Questions

All new scouts receive:

• Scout book

• Neckerchief 

• Neckerchief slide

• Class B t-shirt

We recommend that new scouts take first-class adventure and leatherworking/basketry their first year at Many Point.  First-class adventure introduces scouts to the skills scouts will use.  Leatherworking/basketry is a good first merit badge because the requirements are easily understood and completed and scouts feel a real sense of accomplishment upon completing two merit badges at camp.

As an adult, you may attend any campout as a chaperone, be a member of the troop committee, merit badge counselor, or serve in a wide range of adult leadership positions.  

Talk to your scout about what they are doing and learning.  Scouts with active parents tend to become more involved and achieve more ranks; however, let your scout advance at their own rate.  It is not a race to the finish.  Your scout’s years in scouting should be something they will look back on with fond memories of the fun times they’ve had and the skills they have learned.

Adults do not run the troop.  The senior patrol leader is a youth elected by the troop to run the troop with the help of the patrol leaders council members.  The scoutmaster is there for safety and advice, sort of like a coach.  

There are many leadership roles a youth can hold, though not all leadership positions count towards rank advancement.  

Troop Positions | Troop Leader Resources (scouting.org)

• SPL (senior patrol leader) -- elected by the troop and must be at least 7th grade and 1st class

• ASPL (assistant senior patrol leader) -- elected by troop, must be at least 7th grade and 1st class 

• TG (troop guide) -- scoutmaster appointed and must be at least star rank and 8th grade

• PL (patrol leader) -- elected by the members of their patrol

• ASL (assistant patrol leader) --  elected by the members of their patrol, does not count for rank

• Scribe -- elected by the troop

• Den Chief -- scoutmaster appointed and must be at least first class and 7th grade

• QM (quartermaster) -- elected by the troop

• AQM (assistant quartermaster) -- elected by the troop, does not count for rank

• LIB (librarian) -- elected by the troop

• Historian -- elected by the troop

• Bugler -- elected by the troop, does not count for rank

• Chaplain’s Aide -- elected by the troop

• Webmaster -- scoutmaster appointed

• Instructor -- scoutmaster appointed

• JASM (junior assistant scoutmaster) -- scoutmaster appointed, must be at least 16 and life rank

• OA representative -- scoutmaster appointed

Scouts should own their own:

• Mess kit (plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon in a bag)

• Sleeping bag and mat (cot if desired)

• Backpack

• Flashlight

• Water bottle

• Pocket knife

• Rain gear

• Weather appropriate clothing

There are several ways to obtain financial assistance.  The first way is to apply for financial assistance with registration when you are filling out your scout’s yearly registration.  There is a link to apply for financial aid on the registration page.  

The other way to obtain financial assistance is by talking to your scoutmaster or to the committee chair and explaining your current need.  Financial assistance is given on a case by case basis.  

It is the goal of the troop that all scouts are able to participate fully in troop campouts and activities and that finances are never the reason for a scout not being able to participate.

A patrol is kind of like a scout’s family or team within the larger troop.  Made up of approximately 8 youth within a common age range, the patrol is led by an elected patrol leader.  The patrol plans and prepares campout meals together, plans activities together, and generally encourages each other in scouting.  The patrol leader assigns tasks to the other members of the patrol and brings the patrol’s ideas to the monthly patrol leaders council meetings.  Successful patrols learn to work together to achieve a common goal.

The Edge method is how scouts learn or teach new skills.  EDGE stands for:

E -- explain how it is done

D -- demonstrate the steps

G --  guide the learners as they practice

E -- enable them to succeed on their own

All skills in scouting should be taught using this method whether the skill is taught by a scout or by an adult.  Teaching a skill helps scouts become better at the skill, so scout taught is the preferred method of learning in the troop.

Troop 469 runs a wreath and a popcorn sale in the fall of each year.  These are the primary source of income for all scout activities and expenses for the year.  Without these sales, the troop would need to charge troop dues each year in addition to the National Scouts BSA dues.  

Wreaths and popcorn are fairly easy to sell door to door.  Popcorn can also be sold online.  There are incentive prizes for reaching certain levels.  Scouts sell wreaths and popcorn best when they are in full uniform and have practiced their sales pitch ahead of time.  Scouts learn salesmanship, finance and communication skills while selling door to door.

Scouts are encouraged to sell at least $500 in product a year to help keep the scout troop running.  Scouts are also eligible to earn a percentage of all sales into their scout account to help pay for scouting related expenses.  

A scout account is an account of money earned by the scout through wreath and popcorn fundraising.  Donations to the scout are also put into this account.  This account may be used for scout related expenses such as camping equipment, campout fees, scouting registration fees, scouting uniform purchase including hiking boots, eagle projects, or any other approved scouting expense.

Scouts may not take the scout account money with them when they leave the troop.  Scouts may use this money up until age 21 as long as they remain in the troop as an active member of the adult leadership team or the Order of the Arrow.