• Joining the Troop

• Gear and Uniforms

• Dues

• Scout Accounts

• Payment for Troop Activities

• Fundraising

• Uniform Policy

• Court of Honor 

• Advancement 

• Troop Meetings - Locations

• Troop Meetings - Attendance

• Merit Badges

• Merit Badge Counselors

• Leadership Positions - Scout

• Leadership Positions - Adult

• Adult Training

• Summer Camp

• Patrols 

 

Joining the Troop

Join Troop 222 by completing and submitting the Boy Scouts of America Youth Application to a Troop 222 Adult Leader. Upon payment of dues and completion of BSA Youth Application you will receive:

• BSA Scout Handbook

• Troop 222 neckerchief, neckerchief slide, Troop number patch

 

Gear and Uniforms

Each Scout will need:

• BSA Scout uniform shirt, Class B shirt, Scout pants and/or shorts (olive green), BSA socks (The Troop does maintain a collection of used but good condition shirts and pants)

• Council shoulder emblem, World Crest emblem, patrol patch, green shoulder loops

• Hiking boots, rain gear, sleeping bag, backpack (Can be acquired over time) 

 

Dues

• Annual dues are $210 upon joining and billed in December thereafter. (Partial year memberships are prorated based on month joined)

  • National/Council Level $145 (not required when transferring from a Pack or another Troop)

  • $15 Scout Life Magazine Subscription​​

  • Troop Level $50 per year (includes awards, shared camping supplies, etc.)

• National/Council New Scout Fee $25 (one time fee for a new Scout or a lapse of 3+ years in membership)

• Multi-Scout Family Discount – $20 for each additional Scout (At recharter only, not prorated)

• Payments will be deposited into the Scout’s account with the Troop

• Checks should be made payable to BSA Troop 222

 

Scout Accounts 

Each Scout has a Scout Account, which is a ledger of all financial activity for that Scout including dues, payments for trips, summer camp, fundraising, etc. Money paid into the Scout Account by the Scout or the Scout’s family can be refunded upon leaving, transferring to another unit, or aging out. Money earmarked for the Scout from fundraising activities can only be used for Scouting activities related to the Troop. If any fundraising money is left when the Scout leaves,http://www.funtroop222.org/ transfers to another unit, or ages out, it stays with the Troop as part of the general fund. 

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Payment for Troop Activities

• Scout Account reports are emailed monthly to the Troop-wide email

• Outside of summer camp and high adventure, all activity charges are debited from their Scout Account following the event

• Summer camp or high adventure trips require prepayment

• Receipts for shared meals are submitted to the Troop Treasurer and applied to Scout Accounts

 

Fundraising 

Each of the fundraising events are voluntary – they provide opportunities to raise money for annual dues, summer camp, high adventure trips, and support the troop. 

• Mums Flower Sale – September (benefits Scout and Troop)

• Arasapha/Bates Motel Grounds Clean-Up – Sept-Nov (Scout & Troop)

• Captain Chucky’s Sale – February/March (Scout)

• Annual Father’s Day Car Show – June (Scout and Troop)

• RaiseRight.com Gift cards -- ongoing (Scout and Troop) 

 

Uniform Policy

• Class A - Uniform Shirt, neckerchief & slide, uniform pants/shorts, BSA socks, hiking boots

  • 1st Troop meeting of each month, Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review for rank advancement, other events as announced by Leadership

• Class B - Troop t-shirt or other Scouting t-shirt, uniform pants/shorts, BSA socks, hiking boots

  • Troop Meetings, Fundraisers, other events as announced by Leadership

 

Court of Honor 

Troop 222 holds three Courts of Honor (COH) celebrating the awards and honors that Scouts earn. The entire family is invited for the ceremony and a potluck social.

• Fall - Oakbourne Park Pavilion

• Winter - Advent Lutheran Church

• Spring - Oakbourne Park Pavilion

 

Advancement 

Scouts advance in rank in the Troop based on the guidelines contained within the BSA Guide to Advancement. 

• Complete rank requirements

• Complete Scoutmaster Conference

  • A meeting held with the Scout and the Troop 222 Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster

  • Held during the weekly Troop meeting or during a Troop event

  • Reviews advancement within the rank and the requirements contained within the BSA Guide to Advancement

  • Conference may cover a variety of topics

  • When approved, the Scout moves on to a Board of Review

  • Class A uniform must be worn

• Complete Board of Review 

The BOR is held by three adults and serves as an opportunity for the Troop adult leadership to speak 

with the Scout about his progress and the functioning of the Troop. In order to participate in a Board of review:

• Scout must be approved by the Troop Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster 

• Scout must be in full uniform (BSA uniform shirt, Troop neckerchief & slide, Scout Pants/Shorts, and boots). 

• Scout must inform the Troop’s Advancement Coordinator of their desire to participate in a BOR at the outset of the Troop meeting and the Advancement Coordinator will inform the Scout of the schedule and ability to complete the Board of Review at that meeting or another meeting. 

• Rank Badge is awarded at next Court of Honor

 

Troop Meetings – Location and times

Meetings held at Advent Lutheran Church multi-purpose room, 1601 Green Lane, West Chester on Mondays during the school year from 7:00 – 8:30pm. The Troop will not meet if the West Chester Area School District is not in session or is closed due to a snow day or other inclement weather.

 

Troop Meetings – Attendance Requirements

• 50% of all Troop 222 meetings

• 50% of all Troop activities and events

• Summer Camp is not required but suggested in order to advance through rank requirements

 

Merit Badges

Each Scout needs to complete merit badges in order to advance through the upper rank requirements while offering the opportunity to learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. There are more than 130 merit badges, and any Scout may earn any of these at any time. 

• Pick a Subject. 

• Talk to the Troop 222 Scoutmaster about your interests.

• The Troop 222 leader will provide the name of a person from a list of Merit Badge Counselors (MBC). These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects.

• Get a signed Application for the Merit Badge from the Troop leader

• Contact the merit badge counselor and explain that you want to earn the badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected and to start helping you meet the requirements. You should also discuss work you have already started or possibly completed. At the first meeting, you and your merit badge counselor will review and may start working on the requirements. In some cases, you may share the work you have already started or completed. 

• When the counselor is satisfied you have met each requirement, he or she will sign your application. 

• Give the signed application to your unit leader so your merit badge emblem can be secured for you. 

• If a Scout has already started working on a merit badge when a new edition of the pamphlet is introduced, he may continue to use the same pamphlet and fulfill the requirements therein to earn the badge. 

• There is no time limit for starting and completing a merit badge, but all work must be completed before a Scout turns 18.

 

Merit Badge Counselors 

The Troop maintains a list of all approved Merit Badge Counselors within the Troop and within the Council. Speak with the Troop Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster to obtain the list. Adults can become Merit Badge Counselors for the Troop and the Council and are actively encouraged to do so in order to facilitate advancement for the Scouts within the Troop. 

• Determine qualifications to teach all the material covered by the merit badge www.meritbadge.org

• Complete BSA application 

• Complete Merit badge counselor application http://www.cccbsa.org/images/pdfs/MBCApplication.pdf

• Complete Act 153 PA background checks http://www.cccbsa.org/PABackgroundChecks

 

Leadership Positions – Scouts

• Troop elections are held twice each year (March and September)

• Each Scout leader serves for the duration of the six month period unless circumstances prevent completion of the term. 

• If interested in becoming a leader within the Troop, speak with the SPL​​

 

Leadership position descriptions can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook. The following leadership positions count toward Scout advancement: 

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

• Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL)

• Bugler 

• Chaplain Aide

• Den Chief 

• Historian 

• Instructor

• Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

• Leave No Trace Trainer 

• Librarian

• Order of the Arrow Troop Representative (OA)

• Patrol Leader (PL)

• Quartermaster

• Scribe

• Troop Guide 

• Troop Webmaster

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Leadership Positions – Adult 

Troop 222 has very active adult volunteers who help the Troop Committee and Scoutmaster organize and manage the business of the Troop. If interested in one of the following positions, please contact the Troop Committee Chairman or the Scoutmaster. BSA Training including Youth Protection Training and background checks are required for all positions. The Troop 222 Committee meets the 1st Tuesday of each month from 7:15pm – 9:15pm during the WCASD Academic Year at Advent Lutheran Church

• Troop Committee

  • Chartered Organization Representative (COR) - The COR is the direct contact between the unit and the Chartered Organization. This individual is also the contact with the district committee and the Local Council. The COR may become a member of the district committee and is a voting member of the council. The COR appoints the unit committee chair.

  • Troop Adult Quartermaster & Equipment Coordinator – The Quartermaster & Equipment Coordinator is appointed by the CC to work with the youth Quartermaster and is responsible inventory, storage, and maintenance of unit equipment.

  • Troop Advancement Chair – The Troop advancement chair is appointed by the CC to ensure that the unit has at least monthly boards of review, quarterly courts of honor, and that the unit has goals of helping each Scout advance a rank each year and for new Scouts to reach First Class rank during their first year. The advancement coordinator is also responsible for record keeping and submitting advancement reports.

  • Troop Committee Chairman (CC) - The Troop committee chair is appointed by the chartered organization and registered as an adult leader of the BSA. The Troop committee chairman appoints and supervises the unit committee and unit leaders.

  • Troop Controller – The Troop controller is appointed by the CC and is responsible for the accounting operations of the Troop, to include the production of financial reports, maintenance of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls and budgeting designed to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the Troop’s reported financial results.

  • Troop Friends of Scouting (FOS) Chair – The Troop’s FOS chair is appointed by the CC to work closely with the unit committee on public relations for FOS; conducts annual FOS campaign to enroll family members and adult leaders in FOS; gives recognition to contributors and enrollees.

  • Troop Fundraising Chair – The Troop’s Fundraising Chair is appointed by the CC to supervise Fundraising activities.

  • Troop New Member Coordinator (NMC) - The NMC is appointed by the CC to help ensure a smooth transition of new Scouts into the unit and orientation for new parents.

  • Troop Outdoor/Activities Chair – The Troop’s Outdoor/Activities Chair is is appointed by the CC to secure tour permits and permission to use camping site, serve as transportation coordinator, ensure a monthly outdoor program.Troop Secretary - The Troop secretary is appointed by the committee chairman to keep minutes and records, send notices, and handle publicity.

  • Troop Scouting for Food Chair – The Troop’s Scouting for Food chair is appointed by the committee chairman to coordinate an annual food drive for the unit and reports the result to the district.

  • Troop Training Coordinator – The Troop Training Coordinator is appointed by the CC to ensure training opportunities are available, maintain training records and materials, and is responsible for BSA Youth Protection training compliance.

  • Troop Treasurer - The Troop treasurer is appointed by the CC to handle unit funds, pay bills, maintain accounts, coordinate the annual Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign, and supervise fundraising.

 

• Direct Youth Contact Leaders:

  • Scoutmaster (SM) - The SM is the adult responsible for working directly with the Scouts to help them create the program for the troop. The Scoutmaster trains youth leaders to run the troop by providing direction, coaching, and support.

  • Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) - An ASM is one of the adult leaders age 18 or over who assist the Scoutmaster in delivering the troop program.

  • Troop Chaplain - The Troop Chaplain is appointed by the CC to provide spiritual tone, guide the chaplain aide, give spiritual counseling, and promote the regular religious participation of each member.

 

Training - Adults

Any adult who will have direct contact with Scouts is required to complete training. This includes adults attending Troop 222 camping trips, Summer Camp, Merit Badge Counselors and any Troop Leader.

• BSA Youth Protection Training http://www.cccbsa.org/youthprotection

• Background checks: http://www.cccbsa.org/PABackgroundChecks 

 

Summer Camp

Troop 222 attends Summer Camp each year at Horseshoe Scout Reservation – the 3rd Week of July – every year from Sunday to Sunday. With over 40+ merit badge choices, a stellar first-year program, computer lab, STEM offerings, a multitude of special interest programs, as well as older-Scout program opportunities including COPE, mountain biking, and Independent Merit Badge Studies, Camp Horseshoe has something for every Scout! While not required, Camp provides an opportunity for each Scout to stand on his own two feet, and for parents - it’s an expression of confidence, of trust in his abilities. He’ll be challenged to expand his abilities, to accept and offer help, and to function cooperatively in everyday tasks. 

 

Patrols

The Troop assigns Scouts based on age and development and the Scouts typically stay in that patrol for the duration of their time in the Troop. If a Scout wishes to change patrols, he should speak with the Senior Patrol Leader or an Adult Leader. Working together as a team, patrol members share the responsibility for the patrol's success. 

 

 

Note: If you have suggestions for additional items to be added to the FAQs, please contact any adult leader within the Troop.