Troop 53
Miscellaneous Information

Semi-catalogued stuff

Most of this information was/is meant to be printed, either by a leader as a handout, or by the user for his/her own information. Unless otherwise specified, the files are PDF documents (even those that are "zipped") and require that you have Adobe Reader (at least version 4) installed on your computer.

Camping Information

• What personal equipment does my son need on his first campout?
• New Scout Patrol First Campout Plan (5.2 kb) — one way to do it.
• Cold Weather Camping (99 kb) — a guide on preparing for, and even enjoying, camping in winter conditions.
• Backpacking Equipment List (11 kb) — actually 2 lists: the "Philmont way", and the "Kevin way". Includes a little commentary on a few critical equipment items. Updated in March 2008 with items from the 2008 Philmont Guidebook to Adventure and a section on where to find/buy some of the items on the list.

Advancement

• First Year Scout Training Program (39kb) — A syllabus that ASM John Mackin developed to cover all the requirements from Scout to First Class (including the 2008 "personal safety" requirements) in the Scout's first year. Also contains the First Year Scout Summer Camp program below. An outstanding resource.
• First Year Scout Summer Camp Program (27kb) — John has come through again! We have run this program for a number of years but always kind of "winged it". A few notes would be made, a few assignments given, and a rough schedule of events was in somebody's mind. Now it's codified thanks to John. Not yet included in the First Year Scout Training file above. Updated with new requirements and handbook page numbers.
• Board of Review Questions (14 kb) — The form we use for Boards of Review. Has an extensive list of sample questions.
• Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (1.73 Mb, download from BSA website) — Eagle Scout Requirement 5 changed January 1, 2012! If you were not already working on an approved project, you must now use this workbook. This represents a huge change in the project process so you need to read (at least twice) and understand the new workbook before deciding on a project! This is a "writable" form, so you can type in all of your information and have it look "professional".
• Eagle Scout Application tutorial (1034 kb) — Troop 53 has a number of Life Scouts knocking on the Eagle door. This Flash presentation/tutorial was developed to help them enter the correct information on the application. However, it's generic enough for all Life Scouts, whatever Troop they're in. Make sure to read the enclosed readme.txt file!
• Editable Eagle Scout Application (746kb) — Make your application "professional looking" by typing all of your information directly onto the form and then printing it.

Lewis & Clark Council Orienteering Courses

Troop 53 has been instrumental in the development of orienteering courses at Camps Joy and Vandeventer. We are proud to now offer all units the opportunity to use these courses. Find out more about this exciting new program opportunity in Lewis & Clark Council.

Climbing Information

Because of our litigious society, I have hesitated to let the following information loose in the wild. But, in the belief that more knowledge makes for a safer climbing/rappelling experience, they are here for anyone to use. These links will open a new window containing a CYA statement with which you must agree before downloading.

• Participant Guide (47.9 kb) — contains information on safety guidelines, knots, and more.
• Instructor/Assistant Guide (74.5 kb) — information for those assisting in a climbing/rappelling session. Has a lot of information on safe setups, safe area management, management of "emergencies", equipment useage and much more, all packed into 20 pages.

Webelos & New Scout Ceremonies

• The Four Winds bridging ceremony
• Induction Ceremony

Training

• Fast Start Training for new adult leaders or interested parents
• Youth Protection Training is required for all BSA registered adults . However, all adults/parents are highly encouraged to take this course.
• Safe Swim Defense
• Safety Afloat
• Hazardous Weather

All of the above courses are pretty painless to go through. Each course only takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. Note that you will have to create an "account" with a Username and a Password. Part of the signup process is to have your "person ID number" (other than for Youth Protection). That number is available near the bottom of your BSA registration/membership card.

Etc.

• Welcome to Troop 53 (62 kb) — an online version of the "handbook" we give to each new Scout.
• Troop 53 Meeting Plan (4.4 kb) — Blank form that we use to plan our meetings.
• Troop 53 Honor Patrol Program AKA "Bead Program" (4.26 kb) — The guidelines we use...
• Are You Keeping the Promise? (120kb) — a 1993 BSA brochure produced from surveys and interviews of Scouts, Scout-age boys, and Scoutmasters. Its basic premise is "What makes a good troop?"
• World Conservation Award Application (34.1kb) — inspired by a similar form on the Chicago Council's website, this one is much "cleaner" since it is not a scan of a 3^rd generation photocopy. You can type your information directly onto the form, then print it.
• Scholarship information (274 kb) — Lindenwood University has set up a scholarship program for Boy Scouts. Now that they have a campus in Belleville this may be of interest.