new parent FAQ

[Lisabob]

I'd like to ask for input from all of you who are "seasoned veterans" with troops. I'm working on a new parent FAQ for a troop and I'd like to know what the most commonly asked questions from new parents are, and/or common misconceptions that new parents hold regarding the troop and its program.

 

If you are a new(er) parent in the troop, what are some of the things you wish you'd been told or known when your boy first crossed over?

 

thanks for your input!

 

[CA_Scouter]

Some folks in these forums have 'Parent Handbooks' on their websites... I remember getting one some time back... but I can't remember who gave it to me...

 

How 'bout it fellers? Can someone guide this Scouter to a source?

 

[acco40]

When will my son earn Eagle?

 

Of course, the Scoutmaster should be asking that question to the Scout, not the parents to the Scoutmaster.

[Eamonn]

Not sure about FAQ,but stuff I would cover in a information type booklet: (Not in any real order)

1/ The Vision and Mission statement of the BSA. Along with the Scout Oath and Law.

2/ Who pays for Scouting. How much does it cost.

What money earning projects the unit does, why they are needed and where the money goes.

3/ Meeting times and locations.

4/ Dress code. What the uniform is. Where to get it and when it is to be worn.

5/ Contact information: Unit, CO, District and Council.Include phone number of Camp sites used.

6/ Health Forms.

7/Start up equipment list/ ideas. (Sleeping bag, pack and that good stuff)

8/ List of things not to be taken to Scouting events (Fireworks, guns, alcohol, cigarettes, large knives if the Council/ Unit has a policy)

9/ Parent talent survey.

10/ A brief history of the unit.

11/ Copy of the unit annual plan.

12/ Release to use photo on web site if you use one. (You might want to read the rules -I don't know that much about them.)

13/ Information about Boy's Life and the Boy Scout Handbook.( Point out the parent guide in the front of the Handbook)

14/ Unit policy on prepayment for events and refund policy.

15/ I would also add that the leaders are volunteers!! A lot of new parents with no Scouting background think we get paid.

 

Rather than a long list of rules and regulations I would keep it very upbeat stressing the information that can be found on page one of the Boy Scout Handbook.

Even with the best document in the world I would still visit the family at their home.

Eamonn.

[orennoah]

As a SM, I find that my biggest new parent education task to teach them the dual concepts of "boy led" and "patrol method."

 

In that regard, I wrote the "Grump Patrol Manual" as one of my Wood Badge ticket items. You can check it out at http://www.scouttroop14.org/PDFs/grumpmanual.PDF Constructive criticism welcome!

[szekany]

We have a "Parent Handbook" of sorts to answer most commonly asked questions.

 

Here's a link to a version on our web site:

 

http://www.troop8.org/Publications/pdffiles/PHB.pdf

 

It's a bit dated, but still quite good at answering basic questions.

[dluders]

My troop in Spokane has a 6-page document that answers many parent questions. Check it out at http://www.spokanetroop171.org./index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=14 . As the Scoutmaster, I wish I had this information BEFORE I took the reigns -- it would have saved me a lot of grief.