Troop Policies
Advancement Request Policy
Beginning September 2003, all Scouts wishing to advance in rank must submit an Advancement Review form to the Scoutmaster in order to be considered for a Scoutmaster Conference.
Camp Fund Policy
“A Scout is thrifty. A Scout works to pay his
way and to help others. He saves for the future. … Paying your way with money
you have earned gives you independence and pride.”
[Source: Boy Scout Handbook,
pg. 52]
A Camp Fund is an account that is set up on the troop’s books for an individual Scout. It is similar to a savings account, but with some important exceptions.
Camp Fund credits are posted to each Scout’s account based on his participation in certain troop fundraisers. Each credit is worth one dollar. Scouts may save up credits and then use them, like money, to help pay for elective Scouting activities. Elective activities are in addition to the core troop program and include summer camp, high adventure trips, whitewater canoeing, the annual troop trip, jamborees, etc.
Camp Fund credits belong to Troop 75 and may not be redeemed for cash; to purchase gear; or to pay the annual troop activity fee, dues, or any other expense associated with core troop activities.
Camp Fund credits reward an individual Scout’s participation and may not be transferred to another Scout, even within the same family. The Scout himself must authorize the use of his Camp Fund credits.
Camp Fund credits will be available to the Scout so long as he remains an actively participating member of this troop. They allow him to participate more fully in Scouting, but may be forfeited if he leaves Troop 75 before taking full advantage of this opportunity. Unused Camp Fund credits revert to the troop’s equipment fund a) after the Scout has been off the troop charter for a year, or b) if the Scout does not register as an adult leader with Troop 75 following his eighteenth birthday.
A Scout who has a positive balance in his Camp Fund on his eighteenth birthday may use his remaining credits so long as he registers as an adult leader with Troop 75 and remains active in that capacity. Camp Fund credits may not be earned by anyone past their eighteenth birthday.
If a Scout transfers to another unit of the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 75 will forward his remaining Camp Fund balance to the new unit provided that an officer of that unit makes a written request for the funds within a few months of the Scout leaving Troop 75. The credits will be forwarded in the form of a check made payable to the new unit. Use of the funds will then be governed by the policies of the unit to which the Scout transferred. No funds will be transferred out of the troop once the Scout has reached the age of 18 and is now considered an Adult leader.
Participation Policy for Rank Advancement
It is a requirement for each rank beyond Tenderfoot that the candidate “demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in [his] everyday life.” The Scoutmaster, or a designated Assistant, signs off on this spirit requirement at the Scoutmaster conference for rank advancement.
In practice, the Scoutmaster and his Assistants may have little opportunity to observe a Scout outside of troop activities. So, they must rely significantly on what they observe within Scouting. In order to demonstrate his Scout spirit adequately, the candidate must participate in troop activities. Important too, Troop 75 has long considered enthusiasm for Scouting to be implicit in the notion of Scout spirit.
Successful candidates for rank advancement will generally participate in, or be excused by the Scoutmaster from, at least 75% of the number of each type of core troop activity conducted since the date of his last rank or one year, whichever is shortest.
Troop 75 hopes that Scouts will set a 100% participation goal for themselves. Junior leaders are reminded that they chose to serve in a role that requires participation at a level well above the minimum.
Activity types include meetings, campouts, day hikes, fundraisers, community and service projects, etc.
Those who are excused by the Scoutmaster will report their absence to their leader (usually Patrol Leader) in advance and be unable to participate due to illness or because of a conflict with family plans or another activity for which the Scout would suffer a clear penalty for non-participation. In order for the group to function properly, it is important to know who will be participating and who will not. Scouting involves making choices and managing time. Scouts who often do not choose Scouting or cannot manage to get their schoolwork done are not strong candidates for rank advancement.
Lack of participation in elective activities will not weaken a Scout’s candidacy for rank advancement.
