Troop POLICies
The following Behavior Guidelines, Member, and Unit Responsibilities are an excerpt from the Guide to Safe Scouting
Youth Member Behavior Guidelines
The Boy Scouts of America is a values-based youth development organization that helps young people learn positive attributes of character, citizenship, and personal fitness. The BSA has the expectation that all participants in the Scouting program will relate to each other in accord with the principles embodied in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
One of the developmental tasks of childhood is to learn appropriate behavior. Children are not born with an innate sense of propriety and they need guidance and direction. The example set by positive adult role models is a powerful tool for shaping behavior and a tool that is stressed in Scouting.
Misbehavior by a single youth member in a Scouting unit may constitute a threat to the safety of the individual who misbehaves as well as to the safety of other unit members. Such misbehavior constitutes an unreasonable burden on a Scout unit and cannot be ignored.
Member Responsibilities
All members of Scouts BSA and Troop 136 are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout’s membership in the unit.
If confronted by threats of violence or other forms of bullying from other youth members, Scouts should seek help from their unit leaders or parents.
Unit Responsibilities
Adult leaders of Scouting units are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance.
The BSA does not permit the use of corporal punishment by unit leaders when disciplining youth members.
The unit committee should review repetitive or serious incidents of misbehavior in consultation with the parents of the child to determine a course of corrective action including possible revocation of the youth’s membership in the unit.
If problem behavior persists, units may revoke a Scout’s membership in that unit. When a unit revokes a Scout’s membership, it should promptly notify the council of the action.
ELECTRONICS POLICIES
Phones and electronic devices have become standard items for most adults and some of Scout-age youth. They can be both a useful tool and a distraction to scouting events.
Usage
Scouts with their own devices can come in handy. It gives the Scout the ability to look up educational items online, plus track their own advancement, RSVP to events, and more within the Scoutbook app.
However, we ask that Scouts (and adults) keep smartphone use to an absolute minimum during Scouting meetings and outings and keep their use related to scouting topics.
Scouts' use of smartphones, cell phones, and all other electronics must comply with all BSA policies, other Troop policies, and the Scout Law.
Scouts shall not use personal electronic devices on any scouting activity to access and/or view internet websites that are otherwise blocked to their use at home or school.
At most scouting events there is limited or no access to outlets for charging electronic devices. It is the responsibility of the scout to make sure that they conserve battery power in their devices. If charging areas or outlets are present, all rules regarding their use must be followed.
Confiscation
In cases of excessive use or inappropriate use, leaders may confiscate the device for the remainder of the activity.
Communication
The Scoutmaster(s) must be aware of any communication between the Scout and his parents, family, friends, or others and only when necessary.
All calls to parents or guardians to pick up a scout early from a scouting event will come directly from the camp itself, a Scoutmaster, or another adult leader at the event. These calls will never come from a scout. If parents/guardians have a question concerning pickup, they should contact the adult leader in charge before driving to the event.