PV Packers

Troop 257

Palos Verdes Estates, California

Welcome to Troop 257, "The PV Packers". You are joining a group of boys who, like you, are interested and excited about the adventures and opportunities in Scouting. This notebook has been put together to help you. This Troop is dependent on the commitment of both the Scout and his parents. Together we have a program that is exciting and fun! Hopefully this book will answer many of the questions you and your parents may have about Troop 357 and about Boy Scouting. If any of your questions are not answered here, PLEASE ask your Patrol Leader or an adult member of the Troop.

Troop 257

Nickname: P.V. Packers

Pacifica District

Los Angeles Area Council

Sponsored by: The Neighborhood Church

Where: The Neighborhood Church, Dennis Smith Hall, First Floor, Room 10

(to the east and behind the church, near the east parking lot.)

415 Paseo Del Mar; Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA

(near Rolling Hills Prep - Malaga Cove School)

When: Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Who: All Scouts and Adult Leaders (in uniform).

Several forms must be completed and submitted for a boy to be registered as a Boy Scout. These may be obtained from the Scoutmaster, or copies from this website. Once the boy has submitted the forms and paid his dues he may continue to attend Troop activities while the processing is taking place at the Council headquarters. The forms are:

Dues are payable when a boy joins the Troop and upon renewal of registration each September at the beginning of the school year. (If there is a financial hardship with dues, uniforms, or other elated expenses a parent should speak to the Scoutmaster confidentially, and an effort will be made to obtain financial assistance or to spread out payment. No boy will be denied participation because of financial hardship.)

Dues cover the cost of running the Troop, and a portion of cost of Council and National. This includes, but is not limited to:

Dues do not cover:

Troop 257 provides an opportunity for boys to have fun, learn, have great experiences, demonstrate responsibility and leadership. We are grateful for wonderful support by Troop parents. Because many adults give a great deal of time to the program for your sons, we ask that every parent contribute to the success of the Troop by taking on some job, and assuming some responsibility. We have found that the Scouts who tend to be most successful are those whose parents participate most actively. We have a vast number of jobs that need to be done by adults, and surely there is one that will appeal to each parent, and fit each schedule. Each Scouting applicant should make sure that his parents complete the Parent Volunteer Form, and return it with the registration materials.

This troop is part of national organization that requires a uniform. A uniform is important because it is a visible symbol of the unity of the troop. A Scout should wear it to all Scout functions and meetings unless told otherwise. The uniform is explained in the Boy Scout Handbook on pages 566-567.

To start, you will need the following:

• Scout Shirt (short sleeve suggested) with the following patches;

left sleeve: LA Area Council

"257" (white numbers on red background)

right sleeve: U.S. Flag

(see the inside cover of the Boy Scout Handbook for correct placement)

• Scout Long Pants or Shorts
• Scout Belt
• Scout Socks
• Boy Scout Neckerchief Slide (troop will provide the neckerchief)

The troop will provide the following:

• Boy Scout Handbook
• Boy Scout Requirements (rank and merit badge information)
• Notebook for keeping all Scout Handouts and information
• Neckerchief
• Red troop hiking shirt (T-shirt)

Our troop has a "Uniform Closet" which contains uniforms that have been outgrown and are available to any Scout in our troop who needs one. You are welcome to check it first before buying your uniform. Likewise, we would appreciate it if when you outgrow your uniform, you would donate it to the uniform closet.

Uniforms can be purchased from the downtown Los Angeles BSA Headquarters or the Scout Shop at Cabrillo Marina (map enclosed). Most of our Scouts shop at Cabrillo since it is located in San Pedro and considerably closer than downtown. The personnel at Cabrillo are very knowledgeable and willing to help with any questions you may have. A map is enclosed for your convenience. A call ahead to see if they have a particular size, style, etc. is advisable. They are closed on Sunday and Monday.

The sporting goods store, Sport Chalet, also ahs a limited selection of Boy Scout uniforms. They do not carry the required patches so shop at Cabrillo first. Sport Chalet basically has shirts, shorts, and hats. It is located at 21305 Hawthorne Blvd. across from Del Amo Mall.

Troop meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Although the Troop Leadership Corps plans the troop meetings, there is a basic format that the meeting follows.

Meetings typically begin at 7:30 p.m. with a game. Games are held outdoors, provided the weather is good. Poor weather brings the game inside. Scouts may remove their uniform shirt and neckerchief during the game. In this case, the uniforms are left in the meeting room and the boys must put them on over their T-shirts before the meetings.

The games end about 8:00 p.m. when the troop meets together in the meeting room. After opening ceremonies the program begins. This part of the meeting might include tent set up, know, camping skills, hike planning, patrol work, practicing for Scout Field Day, etc. The meeting ends by 9:00 p.m. after snacks have been served.

Although the meeting begins with a game, do not overlook its importance. The game is a time for all the boys to work and play together. If, for some reason, you are not able to make a meeting until 7:45 or 8:00, that's okay, still come. But try to come at 7:30, as that is when the meeting officially begins.

Pick up time is 9:00 p.m. sharp! Please ask your parents to be on time, as the adult leaders cannot leave until all the boys are picked up.

You must bring your scout notebook (given to you by the troop) to very meeting. You will be given information you will need as part of the troop and for every outing. It is your responsibility for sharing this information with your parents!

This is a special troop meeting, usually the first meeting in July. The meeting begins an hour earlier, 6:30 p.m. rather than 7:30 p.m. This is an evening of lots of games and competitions held for fun on the field at Malaga Cove School. There is no regular troop meeting this night. Scouts should wear their red troop T-shirts.

During the year, Scouts in our troop earn what is called "Scout bucks". These are earned primarily by performing service hours. The auction is held usually the first meeting in June. At this time, all the Scouts with "bucks" have an opportunity to bid on various times up for auction.

The purpose of this 3 times a year meeting is to recognize each Scout's achievement. Rank advancements, merit badges, hiking patches and other honors are handed out during this ceremony. It is a formal ceremony with color guards so be punctual, be in your full uniform (Scout shirt, shorts, neckerchief, belt and socks), and be sure parents and family members are there to support your achievements.

Boy Scouts sit quietly and courteously by patrol at the front of the room. Parents, family and friends sit behind the scout group.

Important announcements and sign ups are done at this meeting of scouts, parents and leaders.

Refreshments are served at the conclusion of the ceremony. Patrols take turns providing cookies and goodies (3 patrols per Court of Honor). The Troop Hospitality Chairman takes care of punch and paper goods.

When you join Boy Scouts you enter with the rank of "Scout" and advance as follows:

• Tenderfoot: page 14 in the Boy scout Handbook
• Second Class: page 15
• First Class: page 16
• Star: page 594
• Life: page 594-595
• Eagle: page 595-596

Skim the Boy Scout Handbook. Read the table of contents so you have an idea of what the book covers. Many questions you have may be answered by a quick check in you book. The index in the back of the book will also help you quickly locate the information you need. Remember, you can always ask your patrol leader.

Read Chapter 1, it will tell you haw you advance in Boy Scouts. Some of your classmates will quickly move through Tenderfoot, 2,d and 1st Class. Others will move more slowly. One of the great things about Boy Scouts is that it allows each boy to move through the ranks at his own pace.

You must earn your ranks in order, but you may work on Tenderfoot, 2nd, and 1st Class at the same time. For example, you may have four things signed off in Tenderfoot, three things signed off in 2nd Class, four things signed off in 1st Class while your rank is still "Scout". If you get everything signed off for 2nd Class and still have 12 things to do for Tenderfoot, you must do all the Tenderfoot requirements before you can receive the 2nd Class rank. Until you do that, you are still "Scout".

Rank advancements are presented at the Troop Court of Honor. If you are working hard and active in the troop, you might receive your Tenderfoot and 2nd Class at the same Court of Honor or perhaps your 2nd and 1st Class at the same Court of Honor. Remember you set the pace. For you to receive your rank advancement your parent(s) must come forward with you at the Court of Honor.

Advancing in rank requires that you take responsibility for your advancement. If you ask, your patrol leader will work with you to help you learn any of the requirements in this rank. You must work on them yourself and tell your patrol leader what help you need. Most everything you need to learn is explained in the Boy Scout Handbook. When you are ready to have something signed off, tell your patrol leader. It is your patrol leader or a member of the Leadership Corps, who will sign off your work. It may not be signed off by your parents or other adults as in Cub scouts. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to get things signed off, so ask, ask, ask.

It is important that you are comfortable in performing each of the skills required for a rank because your future ranks build on this base of knowledge. If you have any questions we like you to ask your Patrol leader first. If you do not understand something after asking him, please ask the Senior Patrol Leader or one of the adult scout leaders. We are here to help you learn and succeed.

You will hear people talking about showing "scout spirit". Scout spirit covers many things. Basically it means that you behave in a manner that reflects the Scout oath (page 5), the Scout Law (pages 7-8), and the Scout Slogan (page 9). In addition, it means that you are active in the troop by attending troop meetings and activities. This requirement can be signed off only by the Scoutmaster.

Star, Life and Eagle ranks require that you have service hours for advancement. You will also want service hours so that you can earn "scout bucks". Scout bucks are accumulated by the individual scout and can later be used at the "Scout Bucks Auction".

Service hours reflect the amount of time a scout works in service to others. The types of things a scout will earn service hours for varies a great deal. Service hours for advancement must be earned while working for the community, a church or school. Some examples of service hour projects include: working on a eagle project of another scout, working on a community project, helping a non-profit organization, etc. Scouts are informed at troop meetings of service hour opportunities. If you are involved in something outside of a troop event that you think is worth service hours, please, ask the Scoutmaster before you assume it will count as service hours in our troop.

All members of the troop are expected to work at the troop fund-raising activities, The Fourth of July Picnic and the Pancake Breakfast. Service hours for these activities are troop service hours and cannot be counted towards ranks advancement. You will earn scout bucks for your hours working on these activities.

After you have all the requirements for a rank signed off you must have a Scoutmaster Conference. Then you have a Board of Review. When these are completed you will receive you rank advancement at the next Court of Honor. Since we have only three Courts of Honor a year, plan head so that you aren’t trying to get two things signed off, your Scoutmaster conference and Board of Review done the week before the Court of Honor. It will not happen.

You should plan to have your Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review completed no less than two weeks prior to the Court of Honor. This is to allow the Advancement Chairman time to do the paperwork required and purchase the patches for the Court of Honor.

Each rank requires a Scoutmaster Conference. This is a meeting you have with the Scoutmaster after you have everything signed off (except Scout Spirit — remember, the Scoutmaster signs this off) for a particular rank. When you are ready, you must call the Scoutmaster and schedule your conference. Plan ahead and don’t let time creep up on you. After you have scheduled an appointment, be on time and be in full uniform.

This conference gives the Scoutmaster an opportunity to talk with you and get to know you better. This is not a test. At the Scoutmaster conference you will likely talk about the things in scouting you like best. Are you having any problems? What are your plans for advancing to the next rank? What other goals might you have? When appropriate, what your leadership goals are? You may discuss merit badges and which ones you might enjoy doing next, and which ones you should be doing next. Your Scoutmaster will check that you have completed all he requirements for the rank and prepare you for your Board of Review.

After your Scoutmaster conference you will have a Board of Review. For Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class, the "board" consists of older scouts in higher ranks and adult scout leader or committee member. For Star, Life, and Eagle, the Board of Review consists of Troop Committee members (adults).

Your Board of Review must be completed at least two weeks before the Court of Honor. Check the calendar so you can schedule and complete it by the deadline. For Tenderfoot, 2nd and 1st Class, the Scoutmaster will schedule your Board of Review once you have completed your Scoutmaster Conference. For Star, Life, and Eagle, you must call the Advancement Chairman once you have passed your Scoutmaster Conference and he/she will schedule your Board of Review.

The purpose of this review is to see that you have done what is needed to advance in rank. You may be asked questions about the requirements. For example, you might be asked how you are doing in scouts, how you are living the Scout Oath and Law in your everyday life or what your goals are both in general and in scouting. This should not be a problem. Remember, you studies, showed your knowledge or skill to your patrol leader, and had it reviewed by the Scoutmaster. If prepared, you will do just fine. Again, full uniform is a necessity for this interview.

Once you have passed your Board of Review, you will receive your new rank at the next Court of Honor. If you have passed Tenderfoot in November and the next Court of Honor is not until March, you may call yourself a Tenderfoot. You may also begin working on or finishing up your Second Class rank.

Parents please note: If you have particular talent, hobby or interest for which there may be a merit badge, please talk with our Advancement Chairman. We would like to have counselors for as many of the merit badges as possible. This is a great way to volunteer.

Merit Badges are badges that are earned in a specific area of interest. You may begin working on them at any rank. Merit Badges are not required for advancement to Tenderfoot, Second and First Class ranks. They are required to advance to Star, Life, and Eagle. There are specific merit badges that must be earned as part of the 21 merits badges required for Eagle. Merit badges allow you to increase your skills in areas you enjoy. They also allow you to learn and try new activities, interests, or hobbies.

Merit badges are explained on page 598 of your Boy Scout Handbook. The Boy Scout Requirements handbook (which you were given when you joined the troop) lists all the merit badges and their requirements. Look through the handbook to find a badge that interests you. You may work on more than one at a time, however, we suggest that you do not start too many at once. Work on a couple, get them completed and then pick a couple more. Once you decide you are interested in earning a merit badge:

• Talk with the Scoutmaster. He will discuss the merit badge with you, guide you, and decide whether you are qualified to begin working on it. Some merit badges have pre-requisites or require additional knowledge and experience. The Scoutmaster will sign the front of a "blue card" to indicate that you are qualified and give the card to you. You must have the blue card signed by the Scoutmaster before you call a counselor and begin working on the merit badge. After you have completed the requirements, the merit badge counselor will sign this card to acknowledge that you have met the requirements and earned the merit badge.

• Get the merit badge book. There is a specific merit badge book related to each merit badge that you will need. It is a small booklet and you must read it entirely. Do not think that you only must do the requirements listed - read the book! You may purchase the book at the Cabrillo Scout Shop for a few dollars, borrow it from the troop library (call the troop librarian), or get it from your local library (but check to make sure it is the current edition since requirements change from time to time). The merit badge book is like the Boy Scout Handbook; it will tell you most of what you need to know about the badge.

• Check the merit badge counselor list (or get the name and phone number from the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster) and call the merit badge counselor. If you are interested in a merit badge for which our troop does not have a counselor, the Advancement Chairman or Scoutmaster will help you locate a counselor with another troop. Call and tell the counselor that you would like to begin on the badge. You must make the telephone call, not you parents! Do this before you start working on the merit badge! The counselor will guide you in getting started and may have specific instructions not covered in the merit badge book. Like the rank advancement, it is your responsibility to follow through and complete the necessary work.

• Meet with the merit badge counselor. When you go, you must go either with another scout (it is often fun to work on merit badges with someone else) or with a parent. If a parent attends the meeting, he / she will not be a part of the discussions. Your parent should sit quietly in another part of the room. It is important that you are in full uniform at each of the meetings with the merit badge counselor. Be on time for your appointment. Be sure to fill out your name, address, troop no., district, council, and merit badge name on the blue card before you go.

• When you have completed the merit badge, the merit badge counselor will complete his / her portion of all three sections of the blue card, and keep the "counselor's record" part. You must obtain the Scoutmaster's signature on the "applicant record" part, and turn the two parts in to the Advancement Chairman no later than two weeks before the Court of Honor. This is more than a courtesy; it is essential if you are to receive your merit badge at the Court of Honor. The applicant's part of the blue card will be returned to you at the Court of Honor. You must keep your merit badge cards in a safe place. You will need them later to become Eagle.

Summer Camp

Troop Merit Badge Days

Cabrillo Scout Center (in San Pedro; schedule available from them)

District Merit Badge Days (ours as well as other districts)

Troop 257 is known for its outstanding hiking program. We have day hikes, overnight backpacking, long-term hikes, and family camping. Our hiking program begins in February with a one-night backpack trip. This first outing is an easy hike held in the local mountains. The monthly hikes become progressively longer and more difficult. By August many of the more experienced scouts are prepared to take part in the troop long-term hike. This is 7 to 10 day backpack trip usually in the Sierras. Rarely do young, first year scouts go on the long-term. New scouts and their parents are encourages to actively participate in all the other hikes and overnights.

The troop calendar lists the scheduled hikes. Specific information on each hike is given out at the troop meeting before the hike, (see sample). You will be given an information sheet on the hike that includes what you will need to take. There is a deadline by which you must call your patrol leader and tell whether you are going on the hike. You must call by that date so that the Hike Leader and Patrol leaders can make the necessary plans for permits, food, number of cars, and drivers needed, etc. It is your responsibility to call!

If you drop out of a hike once you have committed to go, you are still responsible to pay your share of food and transportation money that have already been spent for you.

Our district (Pacifica) sponsors two Camporees each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. This is a car camping outing attended by many scouts through the district. Camporees provide new scouts an opportunity to learn man of the scout skills and work on rank advancements. The locations change each time so you get to see a variety of scout areas in Southern California. As with troop hikes, advance commitments must be made so the adults can secure permits, line up enough drivers, arrange for food, etc. A patch is awarded to each participant. The patch may be worn on your right pocket or sewn on your pack cover.

The troop traditionally has a family campout in the fall. Usually we go to Joshua Tree National Park. The families camp in a group campsite with the boys camping by patrol. The boys cook in patrols for the weekend except for Saturday night when everyone eats together at a potluck dinner provided by the parents. This is a fun weekend of camping, rock climbing, hiking or relaxing. Sunday morning there is a "Scout's Own" non-denominational service before everyone heads home.

The troop has good quality patrol equipment for the scout's use. This equipment includes tents (sleeps two), water filters, stoves, and cooking utensils. After you to tell him whether you are going, the Patrol Leaders must make arrangements for use of the equipment before each hike by calling the Troop Quartermaster at the same time as calling the Senior Patrol leader. The individual scout must provide packs, sleeping bags, and personal backpack items.

Pack fit is very important. New scouts often borrow or rent packs to try them out (adults too). Both REI and Sport Chalet have packs and sleeping bags for rent.

There are a number of opportunities throughout the year for you and your parents to see and hear from the Hikemaster what it is that you need. Do not run out and buy what you think you need. Take advantage of the knowledge of our leaders and learn what you really need. Remember, ask, ask, ask.

When we hike, all hikers wear the troop T-shirt which has the P. V. Packers logo on the back. You will get one of these for your first hike. Be sure you tell your patrol leader that you need one when you sign up for your first hike.

The troop keeps very complete and accurate records on each scout's hiking and camping participation. Colorful patches are awarded for almost all hikes and campouts. The patches may be displayed on your pack cover (see below).

After you have been on three overnight backpack trips with the troop you will receive pack over at the next Court of Honor. A pack cover is a special piece of materiel that can be used as a top cover for your pack. Scouts sew all the patches they have earned onto the pack cover. It is a nice display of your accomplishments and activities in the troop.

This event is sponsored by Scout Parents Inc., and is held the 4^th Saturday in February. This is a day of learning and practicing scout skills. It is open to all boys in the troop. The morning is spent practicing different skills such as knot tying, nature, and orienteering. In the afternoon scouts compete to complete different activities and may earn a "Block E" patch which may be worn on their scout uniform.

This is also sponsored by Scout Parents Inc. The pancake breakfast is the first Saturday in May and is held at Ernie Howlett Park. Scouts from different troops take shifts cooking pancakes outdoors for the families and friends of scouting that have purchased breakfast tickets. Scout service hours are earned at this activity. This is a fund riser; the troop earns $1 for each ticket our troop sells. Scouts also earn scout bucks for selling tickets.

Scout Parents Inc. sponsors this meet each September. It is usually held at Chadwick or Miraleste School on a Sunday. Scouts, regardless of their speed or skill in a particular stroke (you must be able to swim), may enter the competition. Both individual and relay races are held.

Summer camp is always a highlight of the scouting program for many scouts. It is a time for you to get away and camp for a week and enjoy the comradeship of your friends. All members of the troop (new scouts too) are encouraged to go. Our troop traditionally goes the first week in August to Emerald Bay on Catalina Island.

There are many fun activities in which to participate at Emerald Bay. It is also a good opportunity to work on rank advancement and merit badges. In order to participate in the water activities, each scout must have already earned the Swimming Merit Badge. The troop will provide an opportunity for new scouts to earn this badge prior to going to Emerald Bay.

Before joining to camp there is a parents information meeting to inform any new parents about the details of Emerald Bay. At this time all boys going to camp can sign up for activities and merit badges they would like to do at camp.

We leave by boat on Sunday and return the following Saturday. All scouts are to be in full uniform of the trip to camp. The troop camps together sleeping in platform tents. Depending on the number of scouts going, two to four adult leaders also attend.

In the spring, out troop schedules a Sunday afternoon for a potluck picnic at a local park. This is at time for the scouts to play, participate in some organized activities, and have some free time. The picnic is an opportunity for a boy and his family who are thinking about joining our troop to come and visit. It is a good time for new scouts and their parents to get better acquainted with the troop families.

Order of the Arrow (OA) is an organization within Scouting to promote camping and serve. Membership in the Order of the Arrow is an honor bestowed on a Scout by members of his troop. To be eligible for nomination, a Scout must be at least First Class in rank, have spent 15 nights camping, and be approved by the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster's recommendation is based on many things including maturity, Scout Spirit, participation in the Troop, etc. Follow Scouts elect candidates for Order of the Arrow from among nominated Scout in the spring at a regular troop meeting under the supervision of the council's OA lodge.

Those elected are tapped out at the Spring Camporee in April. Initiation involves an ordeal weekend or hard work in mid to late May.

This is the troop's major fund-raiser. On the 4^th of July we cook and serve barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs at the Palos Verdes Estates 4^th of July Family Picnic at Malaga Cove School. Each family and scout are expected to help with this fund-raiser in some way - planning, serving, cooking, etc. It is great fun and financially rewarding to our troop.

Any parent who has particular outdoor interests such as skiing, rocketry, boating, canoeing, cycling, or rappelling is welcome to coordinate with the Outdoor Activities Chairman to organize and carry out such activities with the Troop.