Home.2 March 2003
1) Membership Restrictions - Due to space limitations and the growing size of the Troop (currently over 50 active Scouts), we instituted membership restrictions approximately six years ago. In short, incoming Webelos Scouts are accepted in the following priority:
Past exceptions have been made on a case-by-case basis, but require significant justification. Note that disenchantment with a "Home Troop"is not considered in itself to be "significant justification." *We sincerely regret that we are unable to accommodate everyone who wishes to join the Troop.* If your son does not meet our membership restrictions, several nearby Units which you may wish to consider include:A) Graduating Webelos Scouts from Pack 111
B) Members of St. Agnes School
C) Members of St. Agnes Parish
D) Younger sibling of current Troop member
E) Close ("best") friend of current Troop member
2) Program Intensity - The Troop meets nearly every Monday night through the entire school year September - June, and sporadically during the summer. At least one major outing is held each month, and a variety of minor activities are also held throughout the year. Many new Scouts(and their Parents) are disagreeably surprised by this level of program intensity. You need to understand that Scouting represents a significant commitment on your entire family's part. If your son's enthusiasm for Scouting is only luke warm or rapidly waning, please do not enroll him in Troop 111. We (truly) only want Scouts who really want to be in Scouts.106 - Rock Springs Congregational Note: Also very large
149 - Cherrydale Methodist
162 - Westover Baptist
167 - Mt. Olivet UMC Note: Also very large
624 - St. Ann's Catholic Church
638 - Little Falls Presbyterian
647 - Church of the Covenant
648 - Arlington Forest United Methodist Church
3) Costs - The Troop registration fee is $125 per boy per year. This pays for basic BSA registration, BSA Insurance, Boy's Life or Outside Magazine subscription, a Scout Handbook, all Uniform patches, the "right" to purchase used Uniforms from the Troop Uniform Exchange, the "right" to purchase used equipment from the Troop equipment exchange, most advancement supplies, and all certificates and awards. Parents whoso desire are registered at no additional cost. This fee is due upon enrollment, and in February of each subsequent year.
In addition to the Registration Fee, summer camp deposits ($50) are due as soon as possible after enrollment. Last year, the Troop went to Camp Powhatan, the Blue Ridge Area Council summer camp south of Roanoke, Virginia. Dates are usually the last week in June through the first weekend in July, though dates can vary. The total cost is usually approximately $200 for the week. We strongly encourage new Scouts to attend summer camp.
4) Upcoming Schedule - The Troop posts the activity schedule on the web page's Calendar. For the participating Scout, there are a wide variety of activities to choose from. Except for the High Adventure Treks, the cost of these weekend events varies between $20 -$40 each. Skiing trips (held each December, January and February) run between $100 and $250 each, depending on their length, the age of the Scout, personally owned skiing equipment, and where we are going.
5) Religious Affiliation - Troop 111 is sponsored by St. Agnes Catholic Church, and must therefore abide by certain rules and regulations set forth by the Arlington Archdiocese (above and beyond Boy Scout regulations.) In essence, these concern faithful adherence to religious duties, and mandate attendance at Catholic Mass or (for non-CatholicScouts) comparable Protestant Services on those events where we will not be returning to Arlington in time for Scouts to easily attend the Church of their choice. Protestant Services may be held by Adult Volunteers, but must have a minimum of two Adults and two Scouts in attendance, in accordance with BSA Youth Protection Policies. When this is not possible, all Protestant Scouts must attend Catholic Mass with the Troop in order to maintain two-deep leadership.
At present, the Troop is approximately one fourth Protestant. Many Protestant Scouts (and their Parents) voluntarily attend Catholic Mass with the Troop in the interests of maintaining Troop unity and broadening their religious and cultural horizons. Others prefer to hold separate Protestant Services in accordance with the above specifications. We regret that if these options are unacceptable, you will need to look elsewhere for a Scouting program (and please understand that all Catholic Church-sponsored Troops in the Arlington Archdiocese operate under the same regulations, and that none of us have any discretion in this matter.)
6) Electronic Information - Troop 111 maintains a website, which contains a tremendous amount of additional information; the URL is: www.troop111.org. In general, most information is disseminated by mass email mailings, since an overwhelming majority of the Troop's Scout families and Leaders are currently "on-line."
7) Questions - May be directed to Dr. Bob (email drbob-at-troop111.org replace the -at- with @), Scoutmaster.
- Bob
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