What is the deal with the Health Forms?
      Troop 250 requires the health form so that we have a current set of phone numbers to help us reach a parent in case of an emergency.  The health form is also used as a means of checking out from an activity.  A SCOUT SHOULD BRING A HEALTH FORM TO ALL ACTIVITIES AND PICK IT UP WHEN HE IS FINISHED.  The same is true for adults going on an outing.
      The same form can be used again by just changing a couple of items each time.


Is it okay for a parent go along on Scouting activities?
    Yes.  All parents may sign up for and attend our activities.  Parents do not have to have a uniform.  Parents pay for the outing just like the scouts.  Going along on the activities helps parents to see and understand the value of Troop 250's Scouting program.  We depend on parents to be willing to take the training to be an adult leader for our boys.  After "seeing how it works" you may decide that there is a way that you can help.


What is a "Boy Run Troop?"
     Troop 250 strives to let the boys have their say in what the troop does.  Parents form a committee that oversees the finances and guides the decisions made by the elected boy leaders.  Adults present some ideas, but it is the Senior Patrol Leader and his elected Patrol Leaders that decide what they want to do, when it will happen, and where they want to go.
     In the running of activities, boys are expected to take care of most of the things themselves.  They put up the campsite, cook stoves, mess fly, sleeping tents etc.  The scouts do the cooking and the clean-up.  Scouts follow duty rosters and share life's responsiblities when "Scouting."
    

For a camping activity, who buys the food?
     Patrols make menus and lists of food needed.  One of the patrol members needs to be responsible for buying the food and bringing it to the outing.  ALL SCOUTS SHOULD TAKE A TURN FOR THIS CHORE.  Usually, a patrol is buying food for (about) 8 people.  Most weekend outings will have 4 meals  for  about 8 people.   This costs a fair amount of money.
     The family buying the food turns in the cost slip to our Troop Treasurer. Reimbursement can be paid by check or by posting the amount into the Scout's Account.
     When it is your turn, take the economical route.  We do not let the guys make a menu with 8 T-Bones.  A roast will do, and the shopping parent has the power to adjust the menu when they are shopping.


My son has all of the Service Hours that he needs for his next rank advancement.  Should he do more?
     Yes!  Service Hours are a huge part of building good citizens.   Service to others is one of the points of pride handed down to the present scouts of  Troop 250 over the last 50+ years.  All of us are expected to reach beyond the minimum requirements in everything that we do.  Over the last several years our scouts have demonstrated the attitude that they will do all that they can, whenever they can. 


Scouting is another activity, how can my son do it all?
     Troop 250 offers so many opportunities, no one can do it all!  For example, Scouts that play football attend scout meetings less during that season.  Scouting in Troop 250 goes on year-round.  Weekly meetings stop for the summer months but there are chances to go on scouting trips in June, July and August.


Can our family afford the cost of Scouting?
     The outings are priced to cover the cost of an event.  Uniforms are needed.  We do have some uniforms available that have some "experience."  This can help hold down costs while a boy decides on his level of commitment.  Instead of investing in Boy Scout uniform pants, blue jeans are acceptable.  This saves some money too, while a boy decides if scouting is a pursuit that he wants to continue.   The troop does several fundraisers during the year as well.  A scout can build up a "Scout Account" by using some individual initiative during the fund raising activities. 
     Boys can also choose the events that they want to go on.  Scouting costs can be pretty tightly controlled by each family, while allowing plenty of opportunities for camping and outdoor adventures.
     No boy or family should feel that money prevents the chance of becoming an active member of our troop.  The Scoutmaster has the power to offer financial help to a scout that wants to attend a particular event, if the family needs a helping hand.


When is summer camp and how long does it last?  Are there special items needed for camp?
    For June 2007, Summer Camp will be July 8 to 14.  For years our troop has followed a pattern of going to camp just after the 4th of July.  Scouts report on a Sunday and are dismissed the next Saturday in the early afternoon.
     A boy needs to have a bicycle for camp.  It does not need to be fancy or new.  It just needs to run well.  Our campsite is a 10-15 minute ride from the main camp lodge on safe, sand trails that are shared by several other troops.  Otherwise the camping gear is pretty standard stuff.