Our Unit Description
BSA MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Boy Scouts of 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.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of 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.
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Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. |
Scout Law
A Scout is: Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous |
Kind
Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent |
BSA VISION STATEMENT
The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.
SSA TROOP 3 MISSION
Our mission and vision are identical to that of the BSA, which is an ecumenical organization recognizing duty to God, country, family, and self. SSA Troop 3 welcomes Roman Catholic boys of all races and cultures as well as those of other religious faiths. We serve our Catholic sponsor, Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth), by operating SSA Troop 3 as a youth ministry while promoting spiritual growth for non-Catholic members.
SSA TROOP 3 OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Boy Scout movements is to develop reverence, character, citizenship and personal fitness in the boy members. SSA Troop 3 is a traditional unit, using camping, hiking and other outdoor activities as the primary method of accomplishing this objective.
CATHOLIC-BASED PROGRAM
Troop 3’s program adds a religious dimension for boys growing into men while having overtly Catholic expressions built into meetings and activities. It supports our Catholic sponsor, Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth), through service projects and providing sports coaches (even when boys go onto high school). Troop 3 is a traditional Boy Scout troop that supports advancement in scout craft skills and rank but it is also youth ministry for Spiritus Sanctus Academy to support each boy’s faith -- which is the aim of an organization called the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (see NCCS website at http://nccs-bsa.org). Below are examples of Catholic-based activities we will interlace into our BSA troop program.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting views Scouting as an effective way to help Catholic youths to do their duty to God and to their country. Scouting builds character and teaches devotion to God in an environment that provides wholesome fun under the guidance of strong adult role models. Young people experience Scouting as a growth into personal maturity and social responsibility. They learn to assume their role in life with a high degree of commitment, and to care for others who are less fortunate. They develop a strong desire to build a culture of goodwill, respect for the environment and acceptance of duties.
MEMBERSHIP
All boys who are 11 years old, or are 10 ½ years old and who have completed the fifth grade up through 18 years of age are eligible for membership. To become a member, an application must be completed and signed by a parent and delivered to the Scoutmaster or other unit leader, together with the initial registration fee. The scoutmaster will then meet with the parents to discuss the involvement of the boy and the parents in the troop program.
TROOP ORGANIZATION
The Troop committee is a group of adults registered as members of the Boy Scouts of America who meet monthly to make decisions on the troop program. All parents are invited to attend committee meetings and are encouraged to register as committee members. Committee members include the Chartered Representative (John Yurko), Committee Chairman (Bill Boudreaux), Treasurer (Mike Schoenle); and other members having specific assignments, such as Advancement Chairman (MaryBeth Wilson) and Fundraising Chairman (Jeff Schubert).
The troop program and committee policies are carried out by the Scoutmaster (Kevin Wilson) and Assistant Scoutmasters (Jerry Schoenle, Paul Misiak, Frank Czech and others as the troop grows to have a one leader to eight scout ratio), who work with and through the boy leadership of the Troop, to accomplish the purposes of Scouting through the use of the methods described above.
SSA Troop 3 is sponsored by Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth) and chartered through the Great Sauk Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America and is affiliated for program support with the Council’s Huron Trails District.
The Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.
SSA TROOP 3 MISSION
Our mission and vision are identical to that of the BSA, which is an ecumenical organization recognizing duty to God, country, family, and self. SSA Troop 3 welcomes Roman Catholic boys of all races and cultures as well as those of other religious faiths. We serve our Catholic sponsor, Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth), by operating SSA Troop 3 as a youth ministry while promoting spiritual growth for non-Catholic members.
SSA TROOP 3 OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Boy Scout movements is to develop reverence, character, citizenship and personal fitness in the boy members. SSA Troop 3 is a traditional unit, using camping, hiking and other outdoor activities as the primary method of accomplishing this objective.
CATHOLIC-BASED PROGRAM
Troop 3’s program adds a religious dimension for boys growing into men while having overtly Catholic expressions built into meetings and activities. It supports our Catholic sponsor, Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth), through service projects and providing sports coaches (even when boys go onto high school). Troop 3 is a traditional Boy Scout troop that supports advancement in scout craft skills and rank but it is also youth ministry for Spiritus Sanctus Academy to support each boy’s faith -- which is the aim of an organization called the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (see NCCS website at http://nccs-bsa.org). Below are examples of Catholic-based activities we will interlace into our BSA troop program.
- Observing the feast day of St. George (patron saint of scouting) - April 26
- Promote the earning of up to 10 Saints patches in the NCCS “Footsteps of American Saints” program
- Conduct a rosary service on every monthly campout led by scouts
- Visit a seminary as a field trip to expose scouts to religious vocations.
- Conduct a day of reflection once a year during Lent.
- Promote earning of religious emblems (Ad Altare Dei)
- Conduct an annual retreat
- Honoring Priest Day – fourth Sunday in October
- Annually earn the National Catholic Quality Unit Award
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting views Scouting as an effective way to help Catholic youths to do their duty to God and to their country. Scouting builds character and teaches devotion to God in an environment that provides wholesome fun under the guidance of strong adult role models. Young people experience Scouting as a growth into personal maturity and social responsibility. They learn to assume their role in life with a high degree of commitment, and to care for others who are less fortunate. They develop a strong desire to build a culture of goodwill, respect for the environment and acceptance of duties.
MEMBERSHIP
All boys who are 11 years old, or are 10 ½ years old and who have completed the fifth grade up through 18 years of age are eligible for membership. To become a member, an application must be completed and signed by a parent and delivered to the Scoutmaster or other unit leader, together with the initial registration fee. The scoutmaster will then meet with the parents to discuss the involvement of the boy and the parents in the troop program.
TROOP ORGANIZATION
The Troop committee is a group of adults registered as members of the Boy Scouts of America who meet monthly to make decisions on the troop program. All parents are invited to attend committee meetings and are encouraged to register as committee members. Committee members include the Chartered Representative (John Yurko), Committee Chairman (Bill Boudreaux), Treasurer (Mike Schoenle); and other members having specific assignments, such as Advancement Chairman (MaryBeth Wilson) and Fundraising Chairman (Jeff Schubert).
The troop program and committee policies are carried out by the Scoutmaster (Kevin Wilson) and Assistant Scoutmasters (Jerry Schoenle, Paul Misiak, Frank Czech and others as the troop grows to have a one leader to eight scout ratio), who work with and through the boy leadership of the Troop, to accomplish the purposes of Scouting through the use of the methods described above.
SSA Troop 3 is sponsored by Spiritus Sanctus Academy (Plymouth) and chartered through the Great Sauk Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America and is affiliated for program support with the Council’s Huron Trails District.
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METHODS
The key methods of scouting used by SSA Troop 3 are as follows: 1) Advancement and Recognition - Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them through the advancement method. The Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he overcomes each challenge. The Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a boy grow in self-reliance and the ability to help others. 2) Ideals - The ideals of Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them he has some control over what he becomes. 3) Patrols - The patrol method gives Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places a certain amount of responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to act in small groups where they easily can relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through their elected representatives. 4) Outdoors - Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoors that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with each other. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Scouts gain an appreciation for God's handiwork and mankind's place in it. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources. 5) Adult Association - Boys learn from the examples set by their adult leaders. Troop leadership may be male or female, and association with adults of high character is encouraged at this stage of a young man's development. 6) Personal Growth - As Scouts plan their activities, and progress towards their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. There probably is no device so successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program is also a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Scout to determine growth toward Scouting's aims. 7) Leadership Development - Boy Scouting encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership roles of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting. 8) Uniform - The uniform makes the Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Scout activities, and provides a way for Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished. 9) Reverence to God - The twelfth point of the Scout Law, and the foundation upon which the others stand. Troop 3 is a Catholic Troop holding faith in God because it is Truth and gives purpose and strength to life. We open and close all our activities with prayer. We place such an importances on scouts earning their religious recognitions of faith that we require it to be earned before the troop committee will approve an eagle application. |
ACTIVITIES
The troop normally schedules at least one outdoor activity (hiking, biking, camping) each month. Additionally, we schedule other activities such as tours, merit badge workshops, and game nights. We also plan to schedule a summer camp each year. As boys become 14 years of age, we’ll also offer a “high adventure” camp (50 mile hike through Michigan’s Pictured Rocks, Florida’s Sea Base, and 100 mile hiking at New Mexico’s Philmont Scout Ranch). Many other activities are available through the district and council (e.g. the annual Iditarod last weekend in January). We’ll try to list these on the web site, but don’t hesitate to ask if you’re interested in further information on a specific activity. COST OF SCOUTING SSA Troop 3 dues are $75/year (or $50 for the remainder of the Scout year for new Scouts transferring within GSTC after March 1). This covers basic troop costs (awards, insurance, national registration) and a subscription for each Scout to Boys’ Life, the official BSA magazine. Newly joining scouts are also assessed a $25 patrol box fee for the first year only upon joining. Additionally, each Scout is expected to pay registration fees, when required, for activities along with the cost of food during campouts. Anticipated costs for each event will be published in advance on the troop web site. Each Scout can also earn "Scout Bucks" – a troop program that returns a portion of a Scout's fundraising dollars to help defray that Scout's expenses. A Scout is also expected to have certain items of personal camping equipment. Suggested lists (what to get, and, just as importantly, what NOT to get) will be on the troop web site, and some gear will be available for checkout from the troop quartermaster. Do not feel compelled to rush out and buy anything – the needs of a first time camper are very modest and leaders are very willing to make recommendations. BOY OBLIGATIONS · Attendance at troop meetings · Support of troop activities · Participate in Annual Fundraiser PARENTS OBLIGATIONS · Payment of annual registration and program fees · Support of troop activities · Provide uniform, handbook and camping equipment · Attend Court of Honor held three times a year · Assist in providing transportation for campouts and other activities · Obtain necessary BSA and Virtus training if attending scout outings UNIFORM · Short sleeve uniform shirt with green shoulder tabs · Scout neckerchief (BSA stock item - Red with White Imprint) with slide (any type) · Scout web belt · Shoes (gym shoes acceptable at all actives, black/brown only at Court of Honor) · Long pants (Scout, kaki, or blue jeans), or shorts with Scout socks *Long pants (no blue jeans) required at all Court of Honor Ceremonies IMPORTANT REGULAR DATES · Troop meetings at SSA Plymouth gym – (except Monday following an outting) Monday 7 pm – 8:30 pm · PLC at Wilson’s home – third Monday 7:00-8:00 pm · Scoutmaster Conferences – by appointment during troop meeting · Board of Review – fourth Monday at end of troop meeting by appointment WHAT TO WEAR - WHEN? · Troop & Council Camporee meetings – Class A (for our troop, kaki or blue jeans acceptable) · Weekend Campout, Summer Camp – Class B (troop tee shirt or tee with any Scout reference) · Court of Honor – Class A (black/brown shoes & kaki or Scout pants only) |
