As with any activity, the first year in Boy Scouting is pivotal for developing habits, lasting relationships, and building a solid foundation from which to start one's journey in scouting.
You will quickly realize that Boy Scouting is very different from Cub Scouting. Boy Scouting is boy lead and adult guided. Parents are no longer allowed to sign off on requirements. In order to complete rank advancements, the boy must attend campouts. While the Eagle Rank is most desired, achieving First Class Rank prepares your son with all the basic skills necessary for scouting and many would argue for life in general. Because of this, it is important for your son to participate in as many of the activities and meetings as possible in his first year.
Important Events for the First Year with Troop 46
February Campout - This is the FIRST campout your son will attend as a boy scout and we focus on Leadership Training at this campout. Introducing the boys to the leadership structure and style of the troop while being taught by older boys and Scoutmasters as well as deepening that understanding for older scouts.
First March Troop Meeting - At this troop meeting, all the first year scouts will form a new scout patrol and vote for their Patrol Leadership for the next six months. It will be your son's first opportunity to participate in this process within Troop 46.
April Survival Campout - This campout introduces the boys to the idea of wilderness survival camping. They will learn to build their own shelters from just a tarp and rope. They will bring their own food and be submersed in the scouting experience. Participation in this campout multiple years covers multiple requirements from merit badge work to rank advancement work.
May Council Volunteering Campout - Illowa Council provides a May Cub Scout campout event and Troop 46 has participated in supporting and volunteering at this event (MALT, STEALTH, etc.) since 2010. This is the first opportunity your son will have to develop the passion for serving others and creating an experience for Cub Scouts to meet and interact with boy scouts from Troop 46.
Summer Boy Scout Camp - Nothing will help your son reach his First Class Rank better or more thoroughly than attending Summer Boy Scout Camp his first year as a boy scout. Financially, our Troop helps subsidize summer camp for all scouts, regardless of when he has joined. We also have multiple opportunities each summer. If you cannot attend the week designated, ask a scoutmaster for assistance in reviewing the alternative opportunities available. Make it a point to find out the dates of summer camp and get it on your calendar right away.
Regular Monthly Campouts - By attending regular monthly campouts, your son is learning to pack his own gear. To be responsible for his own gear as well as the troop's equipment. He is learning how to work with others, and how to lead and even how not to lead. Your son has opportunities to work on rank advancement work at every single monthly campout and many of these rank advancement requirements can only be completed at a Troop Campout. He should have at least 20 nights of camping in a tent that he pitched himself in the first year. That is 7 weekend campouts and 1 week at summer camp. We regularly camp 9-10 months out of the year.
Senior Dinner - Each year in either November or December (depending on availability), Troop 46 provides a free lunch to LeClaire and Princeton area Seniors. The boys prepare the entire FULL holiday meal from scratch. They then serve it, sit with and interact with our community seniors, and then clean up afterwards. Your son will start to develop a love for serving other generations as well as accomplishing something he never dreamed he could - Serve over 150 people a full Turkey and Ham dinner complete with all the sides and desserts one would expect and not expect.
What about Merit Badges?
Notice that nothing in this page emphasizes the attendance of Merit Badge Universities or workshops. Troop 46 believes that your son should focus first on working on earning First Class Rank. Certainly, the troop works on Merit Badges during meetings as well all year long, and there are opportunities to attend Merit Badge Universities and workshops, but until First Class is attained, it should not be you or your son's primary focus. Not a Merit Badge is required for the first 4 ranks - Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.
As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to as a Scoutmaster, Committee Member, or Senior Patrol Leader for guidance.