Boy Scout Troop 346

Parish of St Michael, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Troop 346 Handbook

Uniform Advancement Discipline Policy Troop Outings Youth Leadership Adult Leadership Finances Recruiting

Troop 346 is chartered by the Parish of St. Michael, a Roman Catholic Church located at 1600 S. Marion Road. Troop meetings are held on Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:30. A calendar of troop meeting and events is printed each fall. On an average there is one troop outing, 2 troop meetings and one Patrol Leaders Council Meeting each month. The Troop Committee meets once a month. We do our best to be an active troop with many opportunities for fun and adventure.

This handbook is intended to be a guide and as always it is impossible to include every possible situation that may arise. The Scoutmaster has the authority to suspend some of the rules when necessary. There are some policies that can not be altered as mandated by the Boy Scouts of America. Common sense in applying these rules should cover most situations. Any decision of the Scoutmaster may be appealed to the Troop Committee.

Troop 346 plans it program from September to August following the school year. Yearly planning usually takes place in August and an annual calendar is distributed to each family. We do our best to follow the calendar as printed but at times may have to make changes. We will try to give as much notice as possible when changes are made.

The Aims of Scouting
There are three aims of Scouting:
1. Character development
2. Citizenship training
3. Mental and physical fitness

The Methods of Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America uses 8 fundamental methods to achieve the 3 "Aims of Scouting".

1. The Ideals - the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan.
2. The patrol method - a smaller group within the larger troop that works together.
3. The outdoors - fun and adventure in the outdoors
4. Advancement - recognition of a boys achievement and a natural outcome of an active troop.
5. Association with adults - provide positive role models.
6. Personal growth - the opportunities to seek and find answers.
7. Leadership development - learning skills through learning to lead.
8. The uniform - develops a sense of belonging to their patrol and troop.

Mission Statment
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.