Joining Us

Activities and Organization:

Weekly meetings are held in Fellowship Hall of McDonaldsville St. Paul United Methodist Church on Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Scouts are expected to arrive by 6:50 and may leave only after the closing and the Hall is left better than we found it. If you would like to attend a meeting contact any of our Committee members or Leaders and come on out! Be sure to check our Calendar as there are occasions throughout the year when we will meet elsewhere.
Monthly Activities generally mean the monthly campouts of typically two overnights each. Most trips are local, within a few hours, but a few per year may be of longer distance. The monthly activities also include day trips, hikes, swims, fund-raising, and service projects. Boy leaders will be required to attend a monthly Patrol Leaders Council and adult leaders meet monthly in Troop Committee meetings. The Service Patrol is a rotating assignment that requires one patrol each week take responsbility of preparing the Hall before meetings and cleaning it up afterwards. The Service Partol also turns in their books to the Troop Advancement Chair to document latest advancement of the Patrol members.
Troop Organization: Troop 935 is a boy-lead troop. While more than one adult is always present, the Scouts run their own meeting. The number one scout in this respect is the elected Senior Patrol Leader who is in charge of this unit. Every Scout is a member of a patrol, even the senior youth leadership and adult leaders. The elected boy leaders appoint other Troop and Patrol positions of leadership and most boys beyond the early ranks will have a job to do. The Troop is no better and no worse than how every Scout fulfills their function and responsibilities. The adults present at meetings and campouts are the Scoutmaster and his assistants. Parents and committee members provide an important support role without which the Troop cannot operate. We operate under a simple motto: "An adult should NEVER do anything a Scout can."

Costs:

Joining: The new Scout must pay a first-year fee of $11.00 made out to ‘Troop 935’ (this amount will be pro-rated when joining after the Troop recharter date). Boys Life Magazine is an extra optional fee of $9. While this subscription is optional, we strongly recommend each family receive Boys Life Magazine to expose the Scout to many different aspects of the world of Scouting. This fee will cover the Scout's registration, Secondary Accident Insurance, and a once per-lifetime Troop 935 neckerchief and copy of The Boy Scout Handbook. Providing the Troop treasury remains healthy, no further annual fee will be charged. Annual registration fees will be announced prior to the end of each charter year. Adult registration is $11.00 per year, also pro-rated depending upon date of registration. All adult Scout leaders will have to provide their social security number for background check performed by Boy Scouts of America.
Dues: Troop 935 has never collected weekly meeting dues from Scouts. While this is a normal activity of many Boy Scout Troops, Troop 935 would like for the Scouts to not have to contribute money in this manner. Unit fundraisers are the preferred way to cover annual expenses.

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Uniform:
Class A: The Class A uniform is the uniform worn for winter meetings and any public activity. It consists of BSA official uniform long or short sleeved shirt, hat, long or short pants, belt, socks, neckerchief, and boots or shoes (other than tennis shoes). The uniform shirt and hat will cost about $35.00 for a short sleeved shirt, red shoulder loops, council patch, 935 unit numerals, and hat. Uniform bottom runs about $40.00 for shorts, socks, and belt or about $43.00 for long pants, socks and belt. Prices and availability may vary. Uniforms are available at the Buckeye Council Service Center located at 2301 13th St., N W, Canton, call 330-580-4272 for hours; Kames Sporting Center located at 8516 Cleveland Ave. North, North Canton, 330-499-4558; or view uniform information at www.scoutstuff.org
Class B: The Class B Uniform is the uniform worn at specified times, which includes most summer meetings, warm weather outdoor activities, and campouts. The only difference from the Class A uniform is that the shirt to be worn is a Troop 935 Scout t-shirt, or any other Scout oriented t-shirt. Troop 935 shirts, hats, and hoodies are typically ordered each spring.
Patches: The only awards allowed on the Boy Scout uniform shirt that were earned when a boy was a Cub Scout are the Arrow of Light, World Crest, and knot badges for religious awards. All patch locations are identified on the inside of the front and back cover of the Boy Scout Handbook. Proper wearing of the uniform is part of the evaluation of 'Scout Spirit' as required for rank advancement

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Uniform policy: Scouts are to wear the entire Class A uniform to every meeting or function, unless otherwise specified. Scouts must have a valid excuse not to be in at least a Scout uniform shirt at every meeting or function. Part of the official uniform is the Scout Membership Card which the Scout will receive after registering. Neckerchiefs are custom made and can be purchased from the Troop (one neckerchief is given when a boy reaches the rank of Scout). HOWEVER, while it is important for each Scout to always wear the uniform in the proper manner, we understand that these costs can be difficult for a family. Scout uniforms are not inexpensive, but they are very durable and well made. There are also things that can be done to reduce the costs, such as turning in your Scout’s outgrown uniform shirts, pants, and belts to the Troop. Check to see if other clothing items that older Scouts have outgrown will fit now your Scout. The Scout may use funds from his Troop account to purchase needed uniform pieces. Save money by postponing things like Scout long pants, belt, merit badge sash, or other pieces that are expensive while a boy is still growing. Have the Scout use birthday or Christmas lists to identify needed Scout equipment. If it comes down to it, we would rather have a boy active in Scouting without any part of a uniform present, rather than not have him in Scouting at all.

Weekend Functions: Registration fees typically range from $10 to $25 each outing to cover the cost of food, admissions, permits, and travel. Sometimes extra fees do apply for special activities. Each activity will have a detailed explanation of all fees in the ‘Permission Slip’ that will be available on-line or at Scout meetings for each function. Unless specific arrangements have been made in advance, all registration paperwork for upcoming activities must be turned in and paid for at the meeting prior to the function. The fees for summer camp at 7 Ranges Scout Reservation will be announced and collected seperately. Historically, Troop 935 always attends summer camp the last week of June each year.

Fund Raising is an important part of operating the Troop and every scout is expected to participate. The Troop Committee controls all fund raising. While individual Scout accounts are maintained by the Troop, Scouts can use thier funds raised for Scouting related gear, summer camp, or other Scouting functions. Annual fundraisers include selling Boy Scout popcorn in the fall and spring, among other functions. Plenty of opportunity exists for a Scout to earn his own way.

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What is expected of the Parents?

Make sure your Scout gets to the meetings prepared: Scouts are to wear the uniform and bring knot rope, scout handbook, notebook and working pen/pencil, and anything else they were asked to bring to a particular meeting. Scouts are expected to write down their assignments for the next week and to record all announcements such as dates of events. Parents should always ask their Scout about calendars and fliers handed out at the meeting. Check the website regularly for changes and announcements of upcoming activities.
Get Involved: PARENTS MUST PARTICIPATE! While it is a requirement that all parents participate in some way, there are many different ways to contribute. The troop committee provides direct support to the Scoutmaster and his assistants. Parents are always invited to attend committee meetings and to register as an adult committee member for a pro-rated fee of up to $11.00 per year (for registration and required insurance). The committee also deals with planning future events, the financing of the troop, advancement of the boys, and many other functions. Parents are ALWAYS welcome at committee meetings and are invited to get involved (committee meeting dates and times are identified on the Troop calendar). Even if parents do not join the committee, they are expected to help out during the year; there is always a need for help. As is BSA policy, Troop 935 does not pay anyone for his or her time and efforts to help this Troop function. We are here for the betterment of your boys, as well as our own. While some people volunteer to help more, others may not be able to contribute as much - but there is always something that everyone can do. It is not fair to continually count on a handful of people to always do all of the work required to keep this Troop functioning. If everyone pitches in even a little bit, it will make everything a little easier on us all. So when the need arises, or you see where you can contribute something to the Troop, please say ‘yes’ and speak up to volunteer your talents. You’ll be amazed what a difference you can make.
Support your Scout: Be a good parent by being supportive and constructive in encouragement of your Scout to succeed. Remind him to follow through on his committments and deadlines. But never do the work for him. While we can't 'want' a boy to progress in Scouting, he ultimately must want it himself. But like most teenagers, he may need some reminders and 'encouragment' from his parents (sometimes a size 11 can be pretty encouraging!). Between your support and the unit's program, hopefully we will make it fun enough for him to want to. A Boy-Lead Unit at times is an ugly scene. But keep in mind we dealing with teaching all of the Scouting Methods and Aims to a large group of young men ranging from 11 to 18 years old. The 'controlled chaos' and adventure is what makes Scouting so unique and yet greatly beneficial when compared to any youth organization out there. So please be patient with the process, it is a slow but very worthwhile one.
Rules and Regulations: Our customs, traditions, and routines determine how we do things in Troop 935. The Scoutmaster and his assistants make operational decisions within the guidelines determined by the Unit Committee and BSA. The Committee will make ultimate decisions within the Troop when needed. Every Scout and Scouter are required to always live by the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Slogan, Scout Motto, and the Outdoor Code. These can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook. We can't think of a better set of rules to follow.
Courts of Honor: At least three times per year the Troop holds a Court of Honor for the purpose of recognizing all Scouts' progress. Often this will include some cake or refreshments. Bring out the family, the grandparents, the neighbors, and join us to celebrate the accomplishments of these boys.
Annual Activities: Each year we try to schedule one or more adventure trips. Trips in the past and future include Gettysburg, Florida Sea-Base, Philmont Scout Reservation, 2010 National Scout Jamboree, Buffalo Naval & Military Park, Henry Ford Museum, Put in Bay Camporee, Whitewater Rafting, Caving, among many, many other possibilities. See the Troop Calendar and the Troop Committee for more details.