The Troop Fair allows youth to meet with troops, crews, and ships in the district. Scouts in 4th- and 5th grade, Scouts BSA youth (ages 10-17), and their parents are invited to the Texas Skies Troop Fair.
Arrow of Light Scouts must make a decision that will impact their Scouting career: the choice of which troop to join. Arrow of Light Scouts are then encouraged to visit several different troop meetings before selecting a troop to join. A list of troops in our area and their typical meeting night and location is available:
Arrow of Light dens are also encouraged to plan a joint camping trip with a troop. Parents and leaders can contact the unit directly (go to shacbsa.org/join-troop, search for Texas Skies troops, click on the troop number for troop contact) to inquire about additional opportunities for Scouts to learn more about specific troops. Find area troops at shacbsa.org/join-troop.
Here is some information to help you assist the Scout as he makes the important decision on which troop to join including questions you and the Scout might want to ask each troop during visits.
Remember: The choice of a troop is a personal decision.
Do I need to join the troop my den leader joins? No, all members of a den need not join the same troop. Nor is there a designated troop that an Arrow of Light Scout must join, although some packs have a close affiliation with a troop. Most troops welcome any new Scout that would like to join them.
What about the Arrow of Light Requirements? The Arrow of Light rank requires Scouts to visit at least one troop and complete an application to join. It is recommended that they visit several troops to see how different troops do things. Every troop has its own traditions, activities, and level of adventure. Each Scout needs to find one that is right for them. If possible, a parent/guardian and Arrow of Light Scout should attend an overnight campout as a guest of a troop. Contact the troop(s) you are interested in setting up a visit and go with your Scout to help them assess the troop.
What should I ask when I visit? During your visit, there are things to ask and observe. There is no “right” answer to these questions, but you want a troop you and the Scout will feel comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to ask about the troop. They will be proud to tell you about themselves.
Here are some questions that you should ask when visiting a troop:
How many registered Scouts are in the troop? How many registered leaders? While troops will vary in size, there should be a cadre of leadership appropriate to the number of youth in the troop. Do the youth tend to stick with the program year to year?
What is the age range of the Scouts? Is the troop currently able to hold the interest of the older and younger Scouts? Do they offer (or plan to offer) any high adventure activities? Younger Scouts traditionally work on their rank requirements so they can advance through Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Ranks in their first year in Scouting. Much of their attention in meetings and on campouts is devoted to their basic Scout skills for these requirements. As the Scouts get into their teens, it is necessary to challenge them to hold their interest. Scouting has established high adventure programs for Scouts who are 13 years of age or older. They may begin high-level canoeing, rock climbing, or sailing. Troops may travel to Philmont Scout Ranch for rugged mountain backpacking or to a national or international Jamboree or to other high adventure sites. At 14 youth are also able to join a crew or ship. crews and ships tend to have more challenging outdoor activities.
Who are the troop's Scout leaders? Are the Scoutmaster, assistant Scoutmasters, and committee chairman trained? What training have they attended and when? This is a very important part of your consideration of a troop. A trained leader should know Scouting America policies on programs, safety, and youth protection. To be considered “Trained,” leaders must have taken training courses offered by the district and council. High levels of training are desired.
Is the troop “youth run”? What is their feeling about youth leadership? In Scouting, most troops aim to train their youth for leadership. Each troop has a senior patrol leader (SPL), elected by all the youth in the troop, who, with their assistant senior patrol leader, takes the helm for leadership within the troop. The troop will also be organized into patrols, units of 5 to 8 Scouts who function together, similar to a Cub Scout den. They will have an elected patrol leader and assistant patrol leader. In a young troop, the youth will need more adult assistance in running meetings, etc., but in an established troop with older Scouts, you should see evidence of “youth leading youth”, not adults running the program.
What is their activity program like? Ask to see a copy of their yearly program schedule. You’ll want to see how often they camp out. The outdoor program recommends 9-12 campouts annually, including summer camp. Do they camp in the winter? Do they participate in the district and council activities such as the district camporee, council Scouting for Food, Order of the Arrow, or staff (volunteer) at camps such as day camp, NYLT or summer camp? Do they offer special activities at meetings? Do they invite speakers on certain topics?
What is a “typical” meeting like? Is it “youth run”? Is it upbeat? Are the Scouts kept busy? Is it fun? Do they show respect to the flag ceremony, to the program, to the adults, to each other? Is good discipline evident within the program?
What are their uniform requirements?
Does the troop attend summer camp? What percentage of the troop attended last year? Where do they go? Do they always go to the same camp? How many leaders attend camp with the Scouts? Are the leaders trained? Summer camp offers a tremendous opportunity for Scouts to experience the fun and excitement of camping while affording the chance to achieve rank advancements and merit badges.
How do they utilize the advancement and merit badge program? Some troops use the advancement and merit badge program as the cornerstone of their program. Their campouts and meetings center on helping the youth advance within the format outlined by Scouting America. Some focus meetings on merit badge work. Other troops may feel that the advancements and merit badges are secondary and plan activities independent of them. Their Scouts earn all merit badges on their own. Either system can function well, and youth can work with either one to advance all the way to Eagle Scout.
What can a parent expect in terms of fees? Fees vary from troop to troop. Most troops have an annual fee, which covers membership and basic materials, including badges and awards. It usually does not include uniform, camping fees, meals, travel or other special activity costs. You’ll want to know what additional fees will likely be charged during the course of the year.
Observe how the youth interact. How do they treat visitors? You’ll want to join a troop where the Scout feels comfortable. Does your child need a group where they already know some of the youth? If they do not know other Scouts initially, do they seem like a group that will treat a newcomer well?
What can I do to help? Troops require lots of adult support. There are many different levels of involvement in a troop, from leadership roles, to serving on the troop committee, to helping with campouts, to driving to events, etc. We hope you can get involved with your child as he continues on in Scouting. It’s been our experience that successful Scouts and successful troops have parents who can make time to be involved.
Arrow of Light Transition Resources
It should be the goal of the Cubmaster and Arrow of LIght den leaders to graduate every Arrow of Light Scout into a troop. The key to accomplishing this is to begin promoting Scouting when Cub Scouts are still in their Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos dens, and to sell the sizzle of the great outdoors. A seamless transition requires the cooperation of many people and is a cooperative effort between the pack and the troop.
Contact
For more information, contact the Troop Fair chair or district membership chair.