Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 49, Whitney United Methodist Church,

Boise, Idaho

Troop 49 has been continuously chartered with Whitney UMC (formerly Whitney Chapel) since 1953. Since that time, hundreds of boys and dozens of adults have enjoyed the Boy Scout program, learning and teaching each other in a positive, caring way.

Current Troop 49 leaders (adults)Mary and Tom Schmidt – Co-committee chairsLorrie Moore – TreasurerEd Mordhorst – Chartered Organization RepEric Owens – ScoutmasterMike Ryan – Assistant ScoutmasterMark Ralstin – Assistant ScoutmasterDave Hoffman – Assistant ScoutmasterMatt Owens – Assistant ScoutmasterKelly Campbell – Assistant Scoutmaster

Troop 49 fundamentals:Camping every monthBoy – run troop through the Patrol Leader’s CouncilActive committee (15-20 adults at committee meetings)Stable leadership Strong sponsorship from chartered organizationLeadership active in the district and councilPERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY (expected of all Scouts)

Troop calendar (monthly)

1st Saturday of the month – Saturday lunch1st Tuesday of the month – Board of ReviewLast Tuesday of the month – Patrol Leader’s Council meeting (for the boy leadership) @ 6 pmLast Tuesday of the month – Committee Meeting for the adults @ 7 pmLast Tuesday of each month – Fun night for the boys (at same time as committee meeting)1 weekend a month - campout

Summer camp program Our summer camp program is very strong. For many years, our troop has chosen to attend summer camp out of our own council. Rather than attending summer camp at Camp Morrison in McCall, we have traveled to camps such as: * Camp Fire Mountain, near Everett, Washington * Camp Baldwin, near the Dalles, Oregon * Camp Buffalo Bill, near Yellowstone Park * Camp Meriwether, near Tillamook, Oregon * Camp Cowles, northeast Washington * Camp Baker, near Florence, Oregon As a result of attending summer camp out of council, we can add an additional educational experience for our Scouts. We take side trips to national monuments, museums, tourist attractions, and various other sites that interest the Scouts. Plus we prevent boredom by not attending the same camp multiple times. Many of our older Scouts cite the rotating summer camp program as the main reason they are still going to summer camps even at 17 years old! It also allows Scouts to earn merit badges they may not normally be able to be exposed to in our local area. This is a choice our Scouts made many years ago, and it has benefits beyond the immediate.

Upon joining Troop 49, new Scouts are entered into a program called “First Year, First Class”. This program is geared towards giving the Scouts a chance to earn their first 3 ranks within the first year. Those ranks are Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. This allows the younger Scouts to learn the skills necessary to be great Scouts. Those skills include First Aid, Compass and Orienteering, Knots and Lashings, Citizenship, and Personal Fitness, among other skills they will learn, demonstrate, and master within their first year in the troop. Research has shown that Scouts who obtain their First Class rank within the first year, or shortly thereafter, have a much greater chance of attaining their goals in Scouting, whether that goal is to have fun, to become a better person, or ultimately to earn their Eagle Scout rank. This allows our older Scouts to concentrate on their leadership skills by teaching the younger Scouts, as well as continuing their own work on merit badges. Each rank has time, leadership, and merit badge requirements that each Scout must attain in order to advance beyond the First Class rank. The other three ranks, Star, Life and Eagle, require the boy leader to earn a specific number of merit badges, complete an active time in a leadership position, and live the Scouting principles in his everyday life. When he has done that successfully, he will participate in a Scoutmaster conference with the Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster, and then go before a Board of Review which will determine if he has successfully demonstrated his ability to take on additional leadership tasks, roles and responsibilities.

Let’s talk about costsRunning a troop, unfortunately, costs money. We try to keep the costs down by participating in fundraisers, but there are things that our fundraisers do not pay for.Monthly camps – Most monthly camps cost, on the average, about $20 per Scout. This covers the food, transportation, and activities. When extra costs are incurred, such as entry into a pool or park, we try to keep the cost at $25 per weekend camp.Troop dues – Dues are $50 per year. This covers a subscription to Boys Life, rank advancements, insurance and supplies for the entire year. Almost half of the $50 goes to the national headquarters for registration and Boys Life.Summer camps – Our summer camps generally cost between $175 and $225 for the basic camp fee. There are additional fees associated with certain merit badges that cost money, any items the boys wish to purchase at summer camp, and any costs associated with transportation or food on the way to and from camp. Those additional costs usually amount to about $50-75, depending on the merit badges they select at camp, purchases at the trading post at camp, or whether they wish to purchase a camp t-shirt, hat, belt buckle, etc.

How is all this paid for?

FundraisersOur fundraisers are very successful. We have a variety of fundraisers which will enable Scouts to fund their scouting activities. Christmas Wreaths – We sell wreaths from a local company beginning in October, for delivery in November. Each wreath nets the Scout $3-4, which gives each Scout about 75% of the profits from each wreath.Popcorn Sales – Our popcorn fundraiser is held from September to October. This fundraiser benefits each Scout for his camp and Scouting fees.Potato bars/Chili Feeds – Occasionally throughout the year, we will hold one or another of these quick and simple fundraisers for the troop. This fundraiser benefits the troop general fund.Mustang Car show – This fun fundraiser allows the troop to cook food for the Mustang Car show members at their annual car show. This fundraiser also benefits the troop general fund.Yard sale – This fundraiser, when held (usually every 2-3 years) benefits equally each Scout who helps out before, during and after the yard sale.Car Wash – We participate in the Mr. CarWash annual fundraiser by selling pledges for the number of cars washed during a 24-hour marathon. This benefits each Scout who participates. On a few occasions we have held our own car wash at a local business.We also hold simple, quick fundraisers for Scouts who need extra money for camp. Occasionally, someone will have odd jobs to be performed for cash. These jobs are done on a case-by-case basis.

Troop 49 has a long-standing policy of making sure that every Scout who wishes to attend our monthly camps or wishes to go to summer camp will be given that opportunity. To ensure that, we have a limited amount of scholarship money that can be applied to the remainder of a Scout’s camp fees, after he has paid all that he and his parents can pay through fundraising and personal contribution. One of the Scouting principles is that “A Scout pays his way”. This comes from the Scout law that says a Scout is “thrifty”. Whether a Scout mows lawns, walks dogs, baby-sits, shovels his neighbor’s driveway, or any other number of ways to pay for his Scouting activities, a Scout is expected to shoulder his share of the burden for his Scouting costs. We do not encourage any parent to just freely write a check for their son’s Scouting. We want each Scout to find a way to not overburden his parents with the costs. Each Scout has a troop account he can draw funds from for camping and outings. However, when the situation does arise where a Scout has done all he can to raise his own funds, and has participated in all the fundraising he possibly can, and still comes up short, a request can be made to the committee chair, Scoutmaster, or treasurer, and we will work to find the funds for him to attend camp. This will require more participation by both the parents and Scout in service projects and work days, but will enable him to attend summer and monthly camps.

Troop Committee

Troop 49 has a very active committee. Our committee meetings are held at 7 pm on the last Tuesday of each month. At the committee meetings, we discuss how best to help the Scouts run their troop. For example, we help with budget items, transportation, leadership and personnel issues, and any other topics and items the boys need help with. Our committee meets and sets policy and procedures on such varied items as fundraisers, meeting particulars, paperwork, and calendar items. The committee ensures that the troop, the committee, and the chartered organization all work together to maintain an excellent working relationship. The committee coordinates the flow of information between the church, the troop and the committee.

Typical troop meeting format

Troop meetings are held on the first 3 or 4 Tuesdays of each month. A typical troop meeting goes like this:

6:30-7 pm – Pre-gathering activity7-7:15 pm – Opening ceremony and announcements, along with

presentation of advancements and awards7:15 – 7:45 pm – Patrol meetings, boys work on advancement

from Tenderfoot to First Class

7:45 – 8:10 – Merit badge work (for those working on merit badges

8:10 – 8:25 – Games8:25 – 8:30 (or thereabouts) – Closing and Scoutmaster minute

Monthly Campouts

January – Winter Campout

February – Klondike Derby (winter competition)

March – Desert campout

April – Troop Campout

Monthly Campouts

May – Scout Show (campout) and Cub-o-ree (Webelos crossover) @ Camp Morrison in McCall

June – Troop campout

July – Summer camp (Camp Fife, Washington, summer 2006)

August – Church Family camp at Camp Sawtooth, Fairfield

Monthly Campouts

September – Troop campout

October – Troop campout

November – Troop campout

December – Snow-Capades (Cub Scout Snow Day in McCall)

Special Troop Activities

Troop 49 tries to do the following special activities during the year, in addition to our troop meetings and campouts, schedule permitting:

New Youth Leader Training – to train new youth leadersMerit Badge Clinic – to allow Scouts a special time to concentrate

on merit badgesTeam-building exercises – to allow Scouts a chance to work

together to accomplish a team goalBike rides – for those working on the Cycling merit badgeHikes – for those working on the Hiking merit badge

Service Project Opportunities

Troop 49 participates in service projects within the community throughout the year. Part of the Scout Oath is to provide a “duty to others”. Our philosophy is that we each have an obligation to our fellows and should provide service to those less fortunate. Some of the ways we have provided service to the community are as follows:

Saturday Lunch – through the church, providing lunches to the hungryReLeaf Boise – planting trees in the neighborhoodsRake Boise – raking leaves for those unable to do that task themselvesCommunity Supper – helping with the weekly meal for those less fortunateFlag ceremonies – for various organizations and groupsBuilding projects – for those in the church community who need light repairs

or light construction projects or other needsScouting for Food – annual food drive in October/NovemberChurch cleanup – 2nd Tuesday of the month is our chance to clean around

the church buildings

Adult opportunities

Troop 49 has been very successful over the last 50+ years. The largest factor contributing to the success of the troop is the number and quality of its adult leaders. Each adult is asked to contribute to the troop in ways they are comfortable with, and that are within their skills. Some adults participate in Boards of Review, others serve as merit badge counselors. Many help out with our fundraising, while others provide transportation to the monthly campouts and summer camps. Some adults choose to don the uniform and fill a position within the troop, such as Assistant Scoutmaster, Advancement Chair, Older Scout Mentor, Treasurer, Committee chairperson, Chartered Organization Representative, or other uniformed positions. Others choose to help the Scouts without having to purchase a uniform, such as merit badge counselors or members of the committee. Still others help whenever asked, such as helping with Boards of Review, planning for the fundraisers, or providing transportation. We have plenty of opportunities for adults to help out the Scouts and to help strengthen Troop 49. Training is provided through the district and within the troop.

Venture Crew 49

Whitney UMC also sponsors Venture Crew 49. Venture crews are a separate group within the Boy Scouts of America. It is co-ed, for boys and girls from the ages of 14-20. The Venture crew is composed of young men and women who are looking for a more high adventure experience within the scope of the BSA organization. Each month may find Venture Crew 49 going rock climbing, ice skating, participating in the Winter White-out, doing team-building exercises and games, or just camping in the great Idaho outdoors. Mike Ryan is the Venture crew advisor, and the assistant crew advisors are Laura Morris, Karen Hoffman, and Eric Owens.

Troop 49 Calendar of EventsSeptember 2005 – February 2006

September 2005 October 20056 - Troop Meeting/Board of Review 4 -- Troop Meeting/Board of Review3 -- Saturday Lunch 8 -- Saturday Lunch9-11 -- Campout in Placerville 11 -- Troop Meeting13 -- Troop Meeting 14-16 -- Campout to Bruneau17 – Mustang Car Show Concessions 18 – Troop Meeting20 -- Troop Meeting 25 – PLC/Comittee Meeting27 -- PLC/Committee meeting 29 - Scouting for Food Door Hanger

November 2005 December 20055 – Saturday Lunch/Scouting for Food Pickup 3 – Saturday Lunch8 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 6 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting11-13 – Campout to Givens 9-11 – Campout to Grimes Creek15 – Troop Meeting 13 – Troop Meeting22 – Troop Meeting 20 – PLC/Committee Meeting29 – PLC/Committee Meeting

January 2006 February 20063 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg 4 – Saturday Lunch7 – Saturday Lunch 7 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg10 – Troop Meeting 14 – Troop Meeting13-15 – Campout to Steamboat Gulch 17-19 – Klondike Derby17 – Troop Meeting 21 – Troop Meeting24 – Troop Meeting 28 – PLC/Committee Mtg28 – University of Scouting/POW-WOW

Calendar: March 2006 – August 2006March 2006 April 20064 – Saturday Lunch 1 – Saturday Lunch7 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 4 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg14 – Troop Meeting 7-9 – Troop campout17-19 – Campout to Celebration Park 11 – Troop Meeting21 – Troop Meeting 18 – Troop Meeting28 – PLC/Committee Mtg 25 – PLC/Committee Mtg

May 2006 June 20062 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 3 – Saturday Lunch/OA Ordeal6 – Saturday Lunch 6 – Board of Review/Troop Mtg9 – Troop Meeting 13 – Troop Meeting12-13 – Scout Fair 16-18 – Campout to Silver City16 – Troop Meeting 20 – Troop Meeting23 – Troop Meeting 27 – PLC/Committee Meeting26-28 Cub-o-ree30 – PLC/Committee meeting

July 2006 August 20061 – Saturday Lunch 1 – No meeting4 – Independence Day (No meeting) 5 – Saturday Lunch11 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting 8 – Board of Review/Troop Meeting18 – Troop Meeting 11-13 – OA Fall Ordeal21-29 – Summer Camp at Camp Fife 15 – Troop Meeting

18-20 – Family Camp at Camp Sawtooth

Troop 49 ContactsThanks for viewing our activities. To arrange a troop visit, or for

more information, contact the following persons:

Scoutmaster John Eric Owens 385-7651

Chartered Organization Representative Ed Mordhorst 345-5609