Troop Handbook

Welcome to BSA Troop 612 and 2612, San Lorenzo

When are the troop meetings?

  • Troop meetings are every Tuesday at 7:00-8:30 pm

How do I access the online calendar?

What does my scout bring to the meetings?

  • Scout book
  • Pen or pencil
  • Notebook/paper

What are the costs for meetings and events?

  • Monthly dues are $10
  • Monthly campouts are $15 for scouts and $10 for adults
  • Summer Camp runs about $400-500 depending on location, but there are Council Camperships available to help reduce cost when we attend an in-council camp.
  • Annual Council PAIA fees and National Registration fees during registration in November.

How do I know where the badges and insignia go on my scout’s uniform?

  • This can be found in the scout book
  • or online at Scouts BSA Insignia (page 1 and page 4)
  • Ask an experienced scout

How does my scout earn a rank or merit badges?

  • Scouts will go through the rank requirements found at the back of their scoutbook. These should be worked on with Scoutmaster. Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) adult or a scout who is Star or above rank.
  • Merit badges are not required for the Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class or First Class Ranks. However any Scout can choose to work on them.
  • Scouts can work on merit badges of their choice with a Merit Badge Counselor for the specific badge. Several will likely be worked on with the troop throughout the year. See the Scoutmaster to get started on a Merit Badge.

What is a “blue card” and how does my scout fill it out?

  • A blue card will be used with the merit badge counselor and signed off as each requirement is fulfilled. You will need to first speak with Scoutmaster to receive the card and initial instructions.

How can I access my scout’s advancements online in Scoutbook?

  • Scoutbook is an online component for parents and scouts to check what advancements they have earned and requirements still needed for completion.

Why should my scout go to summer camp?

  • Make stronger friendships with the scouts in your troop
  • Work on Scout skills and advancement in a focused and well trained environment.
  • Work on Merit Badges that might be harder to earn outside of the camp environment.
  • Build leadership skills, outdoor skills, and learn new things.
  • To have fun and develop self confidence

What does my scout need to bring to camp outs?

Do scouts have to attend every meeting?

  • They should try to attend all of them, but we understand that family and school come first.

What about parents?

  • Parents are encouraged to attend in order to meet other parents, find out about the upcoming events, see your scout interact with the other scouts/adults.
  • We also encourage parents to become an active part in this troop. It is run by volunteers, mostly the parents. The more volunteers we have, the lighter the loads of others.

What is 2 deep leadership and why is it important as a scout and adult?

  • 2 deep leadership means that a scout is never left alone with an adult. There should always be 2 scouts with one adult or 1 scout with 2 adults. This includes emails and texts.
  • It is important because we want all scouts to be and feel safe.
  • We want the adults to also be safe. We don’t want any confusion when attending a scouting event or with a scout – adult interaction.

Important people to know in the troop:

  • Scoutmaster Robert Lachenmyer for T612
  • Scoutmaster Grace Pehl for T2612
  • Committee Chair Shirley Calvert for both troops.
  • Treasurer Carl Webb for both troops.
  • Advancement Chair for Rank notification and Merit Badge work.
    Luke Shiras for Troop 612 and
    Alan Edelman for Troop 2612.
  • Scouts should know their Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader, and the troop Leadership Corp.

What should I do in the first month in the troop.

  • Fill out an application and turn it into the Treasurer. If you are crossing over from Webelos there is no fee, otherwise the Treasurer will let you know what the prorated yearly national fee is to join.
  • Complete a medical form and turn it into the Scoutmaster
  • Purchase a Scout Book (Handbook for Boys, or Handbook for Girls)
  • Purchase a khaki Scout Uniform and ensure the proper badges are sewn on.
  • Read through the Parent’s Guide on Youth Protection at the front of the Scout Handbook.
  • Do the exercises (page 19+) with your scout, and have you and your Scout sign the back page of the pamphlet.
  • Have your Scout read over the Scout Rank Requirements on page 441, this is where the advancement trail starts.