Troop 63 Scout Expectation & Financial Policy

Scouting America — Blue Grass Council — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Paris, KY

The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. To achieve this, Troop 63 maintains a safe, supportive, and active environment.

This document outlines the expectations for all youth members regarding behavior, actions, attendance, and the management of individual Scout financial accounts. Both the Scout and their parent/guardian are expected to read, understand, and sign this policy annually.

1. Behavioral Expectations

The foundation of all behavior in Troop 63 is the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Every Scout is expected to act in a manner that reflects these values at all times, whether at a weekly meeting, a weekend campout, a service project, or traveling to and from events.

A. Living the Scout Oath and Law

Kindness and Respect: Scouts will treat fellow Scouts, adult leaders, merit badge counselors, and members of the public with respect. Name-calling, exclusion, and practical jokes that mock or demean others have no place in Scouting.
Obedience to Leadership: Scouts will follow the reasonable directions of their youth leaders (Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader) and adult leaders.
Appropriate Language: Foul, abusive, or suggestive language and gestures are strictly prohibited.

B. Bullying, Hazing, and Harassment

In strict alignment with Scouting America’s Youth Protection Policies, Troop 63 has zero tolerance for bullying, hazing, or harassment of any kind. This includes physical, verbal, and cyber-bullying.

Any Scout who engages in, encourages, or ignores bullying will face immediate disciplinary action.
Scouts are expected to be “Upstanders,” not bystanders. If a Scout witnesses bullying, they must report it to a youth leader or adult leader immediately.

C. Electronic Device Usage Policy

To balance the benefits of modern technology with the core values of outdoor connection and face-to-face communication, Troop 63 maintains the following “Right Time, Right Place” expectations for personal electronic devices (smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, gaming systems, headphones, earbuds, and portable speakers):

Troop & Patrol Meetings: Upon arrival, all electronic devices must be silenced and placed in the designated storage area (e.g., the patrol phone box). Devices must remain in storage for the duration of the meeting unless a youth leader (SPL) or adult leader explicitly authorizes their retrieval for a specific, Scouting-related educational task (such as looking up a knot, checking advancement records in Scoutbook, or coordinating a patrol plan).
Campouts & Summer Camp: Electronic devices are permitted during travel to/from camp and during designated “free time” (at the discretion of the Scoutmaster). However, strict usage boundaries apply:
- Mealtimes: All devices must be completely turned off and put away during meal preparation, eating, and campsite clean-up. No devices are allowed at the dining tables or in patrol kitchens.
- Leader Instructions: A Scout must immediately silence and put away their device whenever a youth leader (SPL, ASPL, PL) or adult leader instructs them to do so.
- Quiet Hours (Sleep Aid Exception): Personal electronic devices may be used after “Taps” (lights out) if they are explicitly utilized as a sleeping or resting aid (e.g., listening to white noise, sleep stories, or calming music). To ensure quiet hours are fully respected, the Scout must use earbuds, headphones, or other personal listening devices so that no sound is audible to others in the tent or campsite.
Recharging Responsibility: Recharging electronic devices is the sole responsibility of the Scout. Scouts must bring their own portable power banks if they wish to keep their devices charged. Adult leaders will not provide vehicle charging or set up troop power stations on outings, unless a dedicated charge station has been officially established for long-term camps (like Summer Camp).
Consequences for Non-Compliance: If a Scout fails to comply with this policy:
1. First Offense: The Scout will receive a direct verbal warning from their Patrol Leader or Senior Patrol Leader.
2. Second Offense: The electronic device will be confiscated by an adult leader and safely stored. The device will only be returned directly to the Scout’s parent or guardian at the end of the meeting or outing.
Additional Safe-Scouting Guidelines:
- Privacy & Safety (YPT): No cameras or digital recording devices are ever permitted in restrooms, shower houses, changing areas, or tents. Taking photos or videos of anyone without their explicit consent is strictly prohibited.
- “Brave” Rule (Homesickness Protocol): If a Scout feels homesick or experiences an issue on a campout, they must speak with their Patrol Leader or Scoutmaster first. Scouts should not text or call home privately to be picked up without the knowledge of the adult leadership. This ensures leaders have an opportunity to resolve the issue and maintain proper unit safety.
- Loss & Damage Liability: Troop 63, its leaders, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church are not responsible for any electronic devices that are lost, stolen, damaged, or wet during troop activities. Scouts bring these items at their own risk.

D. Safety and Property

Guide to Safe Scouting: All activities must comply with Scouting America’s Guide to Safe Scouting.
Tools and Fire: Scouts may only carry or use pocketknives, axes, saws, or matches/lighters if they have earned and possess their Totin’ Chip and/or Firem’n Chit, and only when authorized for a specific task.
Property Respect: Scouts must respect the property of the troop, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, other Scouts, and campsites. Vandalism, theft, or unauthorized use of equipment will result in financial liability and disciplinary action.

2. Attendance & Participation Expectations

Active participation is vital for the individual Scout’s development and for the strength of the Patrol Method.

A. Meeting and Outing Attendance

To maintain a high-functioning, youth-led troop, Scouts are expected to maintain the following minimum attendance:

Weekly Troop Meetings: Aim for at least 75% attendance per quarter.
Monthly Campouts/Outings: Aim to attend at least 50% of scheduled outdoor activities or overnight campouts per year.
Service Projects: Scouts are expected to participate in troop-sponsored service projects, including those supporting our Chartered Partner, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

B. Defining “Active” for Rank Advancement

In accordance with Scouting America’s Guide to Advancement (Section 4.2.3.1), to meet the requirement of being “active in your troop,” a Scout must be:

Registered with the unit.
In good standing (not currently undergoing disciplinary action).
Meeting the unit’s reasonable expectations for participation.

If a Scout cannot meet the attendance guidelines due to sports, school, or religious commitments, they must discuss an alternative participation plan with the Scoutmaster in advance. Continuous absence without communication may delay a Scout’s readiness for rank advancement or leadership positions.

C. Communication and RSVP Expectations

Absence Notification: If a Scout cannot attend a meeting or outing, they must notify their Patrol Leader (or Senior Patrol Leader) as early as possible. Learning to communicate absences is a core leadership skill.
RSVPs: Families must RSVP for campouts and events by the designated deadlines so the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) can plan food buy-ins and logistics.

3. Actions & Responsibility

A. The Patrol Method

Troop 63 operates on the Patrol Method. Scouts are assigned to a Patrol and are expected to:

Support their Patrol Leader and work collaboratively with their patrol members.
Fully participate in patrol duties during campouts (cooking, cleaning, gathering firewood, water duty) as outlined on the Duty Roster.
Never leave a patrol member behind or isolated during activities.

B. Uniforming (“Class A” vs. “Class B”)

Wearing the uniform properly encourages personal neatness, a sense of belonging, and troop pride.

Official Field Uniform (“Class A”): Required for all regular troop meetings, travel to/from campouts, Courts of Honor, Scoutmaster Conferences, Boards of Review, and public events. This includes the Scout shirt (tucked in), neckerchief, slide, Scout pants/shorts, and appropriate belt.
Activity Uniform (“Class B”): Consists of a Troop 63 t-shirt or another Scout-appropriate t-shirt and Scout pants/shorts. This is worn during active outdoor activities, service projects, and at campouts after arrival.

C. Leadership Positions (Positions of Responsibility)

Scouts holding a leadership position (SPL, ASPL, PL, APL, Quartermaster, Scribe, etc.) for rank advancement must:

Attend at least 80% of troop meetings and PLC meetings.
Fulfill the specific duties of their office as outlined in the Troop Leader Guidebook.
Actively mentor the Scouts under their charge.
If a youth leader cannot fulfill their duties, they must work with the Scoutmaster to step down or find a suitable assistant to cover their responsibilities.

4. Troop Funds Transfer & Scout Account Policy

To help Scouts practice thriftiness and learn to earn their own way, Troop 63 utilizes a “Scout Account” system. In accordance with Scouting America national fiscal guidelines and IRS tax-exempt laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations, the following rules apply to all troop-managed funds:

A. Ownership and Purpose of Funds

Legal Ownership: Legally, all funds raised under the name of Scouting America and Troop 63 belong to our Chartered Organization, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Nature of Scout Accounts: A “Scout Account” is an individual bookkeeping credit system maintained by the Troop Treasurer. It is not a private bank account.
Tax Exempt Compliance: Because funds are raised under the tax-exempt status of our Chartered Organization, fundraising earnings must only benefit the Scout’s participation in Scouting-related program activities and cannot be used for personal enrichment.

B. Eligible Uses of Scout Account Funds

Scout Account balances may be used to pay for the following approved Scouting expenses:

National, Council, and Troop registration dues or recharter fees.
Summer camps, winter camps, and council-sponsored events.
High-adventure base trips (e.g., Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, Summit Bechtel Reserve).
Weekend campout fees, food costs, and activity fees.
Official uniform items, Scout handbooks, or troop gear purchased through the troop.

C. Fund Transfers to Other Units

If a Scout decides to transfer to another active Scouting America unit (e.g., another Scouts BSA Troop, a Cub Scout Pack, or a Venturing Crew):

The parent/guardian must submit a written transfer request to the Troop Treasurer.
Upon verification of registration in the new unit, Troop 63 will issue a check for the remaining Scout Account balance directly to the treasury of the new unit.
No funds will be distributed directly to the Scout, parent, or guardian.

D. Transfers to Siblings

A Scout may request in writing to transfer all or a portion of their Scout Account balance to a sibling who is currently registered and active in Troop 63.

E. Account Termination & Forfeiture

Inactivity Period: If a Scout drops from the active roster (does not reregister at annual recharter) or becomes inactive without transferring, their account will be held on “active hold” for six (6) months.
Forfeiture of Fundraising Credits: If the Scout does not return to the troop or transfer to another unit within that six-month period, all remaining fundraising-derived credits in their Scout Account will be forfeited and transferred to the Troop 63 General Fund (or Troop Campership Fund) to help other youth participate in camp.
No Cash Refunds: Fundraising credits can never be refunded as cash, checks, or gift cards to the Scout or their family.

5. Progressive Discipline and Resolution Process

When a Scout’s behavior falls short of the Scout Oath and Law, Troop 63 utilizes a progressive, youth-led discipline process designed to guide the Scout back to positive behavior.

Step 1: Peer-to-Peer / Youth Leadership InterventionIf a Scout is disruptive or behaving inappropriately, their Patrol Leader or the Senior Patrol Leader will pull them aside, identify the issue, and ask them to correct it in accordance with the Scout Law.
Step 2: Adult Leader Intervention (Scoutmaster Conference)If the behavior continues, or if the initial behavior is severe, the Scoutmaster (or an Assistant Scoutmaster) will conduct a formal discussion with the Scout to review the Scout Oath and Law, establish a plan for improvement, and log the incident.
Step 3: Parent Contact & Temporary SuspensionIf the behavior persists or compromises safety, the Scout’s parent/guardian will be contacted. The Scout may be asked to leave the meeting or outing immediately. For campouts, the parent may be required to drive to the site and pick up their Scout at their own expense.
Step 4: Troop Committee ReviewFor repeated, severe violations of policy (such as physical violence, substance violation, or continuous bullying), the Scout and their parents will meet with the Troop Committee and Scoutmaster to determine if the Scout may remain registered with the troop, and under what probationary terms.

6. Agreement and Sign-Off

We have read, discussed, and agree to abide by the Troop 63 Scout Expectation & Financial Policy. We understand that participating in Scouting is a privilege, and we commit to maintaining the high standards of Scouting America.

Scout Name (Printed): __________________________________________________

Scout Signature: _____________________________ Date: __

Parent/Guardian Name (Printed): _______________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________ Date: __

Troop 63 Policy and Expectations Download