Activities outside of meetings

[Chippewa29]

As we are all aware, in order to get First Class, a Scout needs to attend ten activities outside of troop meetings, including a certain number of overnight camping trips. My troop camps about ten times a year and the other two months, we'll do a day long activity. A Scout that is active should be able to make First Class in a year.

 

In preparation for our backpacking trip in September, we are holding weekly prep hikes (about 1 1/2-2 hours each). The purpose is for the Scouts to get some miles under their belts before taking on a long trip. We'll end up doing 7-8 of these hikes before the backpacking trip in September.

 

My question is this: should these prep hikes count toward the ten activities? I'm leaning both ways on this and would like some opinions on what people think. Thanks in advance.

[OldGreyEagle]

Will the hikes be "hosted" by a regisered troop adult who is over 21 and will at least one adult (over 18) also be in attendance? If so, I would count it as a troop activity.

 

I may be wrong with the leaders thing, can a 19 year old ASM go out with a 40 year old dad?

 

If so, I would count it

[boleta]

I would count each hike as a separate activity.

[ScouterPaul]

2nd Class requirement 2a

 

"Since joining have participated in five separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), two of which included camping overnight"

 

Yep they do. Sounds as if your program will provide the boys with tons of activities. Keep up the good work.

[Scoutmaster Ron]

It all counts

[EagleInKY]

Count 'em.

 

The only thing I don't count are things that aren't really troop activities. For example, the pack has a rocket derby and some of the boys will go and help them with it. We don't count it because it's not a formal troop or patrol event.

[ScouterPaul]

EagleInKy

That sounds like a borderline service project. Why wouldn't you count it? Do all the Scouts have the opportunity to attend? Are the Scout who do attend representing the Troop? I would personally want to give these boys credit for their efforts. They are performing a service to the pack and helping the Troops image at the same time. Win Win.

[EagleInKY]

Paul - We have counted some things like that as service projects or activities. That one came to mind because it's not really anything done officially. I would say that most (all?) of the scouts that go have brothers in Cubs. They mainly go to play and launch their own rockets, but usually get drafted to help.