Troop Committee - A group of adults who are responsible for the welfare of the troop.

Parents are encouraged to work with their scout on skills and advancement; however, unlike Cub Scouts, parents generally cannot sign off a skill, this must be done by a scouter (adult leader). Scouts are to come prepared to demonstrate or show the skill to the adult leader in order to have it signed off. Older scouts are available for assistance in learning new skills. Older scouts will initial your book on the left margin, you can then have it signed off by an adult after you show the skill.

Scouts are encouraged to try to advance two ranks a year.

A book of all merit badges and requirements is available from the council office in Marquette or Supply Sergeant. A list of merit badge counselors is available from the troop.

1. A Court of Honor is held at least three times a year.
2. The February Court of Honor is usually held during Boy Scout Week.
3. The May Court of Honor welcomes the Webelo Scouts into the troop, recognizes new patrol leaders and any other new troop staff.
4. The October Court of Honor introduces to the parents the new troop leaders (SPL, ASPL, PL, APL and Troop Staff) and awards scout camp achievements.

• Other Court of Honors are planned around Eagle scouts, scout camp, etc.
• Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the Court of Honors.

At the center of scouting is the OUT-ING. This is what first attracts boys into the program.

There are two District camp-o-rees, spring and fall. They usually start on Friday evening and end at noon on Sunday. The district is currently made up of 10 troops: T400 Manistique, T408 Escanaba, T411 Escanaba, T414 Escanaba, T445 Bark River, T466 Gladstone, T470 Escanaba (LDS Church) T473 Flat Rock, T482 Rock/Perkins, T488 Rapid River.

The cost is normally $2.00 to $3.00, which includes a patch, food is approximately $1.00 per meal. The money is given to the troop treasurer one week in advance of the activity. The treasurer will then cut a check to the patrol grubmaster, in the name of his parents, for their budget of the food. It is recommended that the parents assist in the shopping. If a scout has said he will be going on the camping trip and cannot attend for any reason and food has been purchased for him, he still has to pay his share of the food bill. The scouts cook and eat as patrols.

Other district activities include:

• Klondike Derby in January
• YMCA Lock-in in January
• District Junior Leader Training

A duty roster is prepared so that all patrol members share the work load. All patrol members are expected to carry out their assigned duties.

The troop usually leaves and returns to the Dehlin Clinic on all camping trips. Parents are expected to help in transporting the troop members. Parents are always welcome to help out at any activity, especially campouts.

No scout is allowed to leave the campsite, barring an emergency, without approval by the scoutmaster.

Other camping trips include, but are not limited to; Scout Camp, Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp, Winter Overnight, Canoeing, Backpacking, Hiking, Ski Weekend, Wells State Park, Leadership Training Weekend.

Dues are $16.00 a year. They need to be paid by the end of January (our rechartering time). Dues can be taken out of your activity account.

Reregistrations cost the troop $7.00 and "Boys Life" is $9.00. Each scout is entitled to "Boys Life" after rechartering in January.

*** Registration fee is $1.00 for transferring scouts and Webelo Scouts plus $1.00 a month dues until the end of the year.

*** Registration fee is $7.00 for new scouts plus $1.00 a month dues until the end of the year. Boy's Life will be provided for you starting February after your registration.

Webelo scouts are inducted into the troop at the Bridging Ceremony in April.

When you turn in your Boy Scout application, you then join the troop. Be sure to fill in the back, Health History (please do not write through carbons).

You will be a member of a patrol of 4 to 8 scouts.

• PATROL LEADERS COUNCIL - The council is made up of the patrol leaders, the senior patrol leader and his assistants, the troop scribe, troop guides, venture crew chief, the scoutmaster and at least one other adult. They discuss and plan the weekly program for the troop and any other special activities for the next calendar quarter. They also talk over any concerns. It is through this council that the boy leaders assume their responsibilities of running the troop. Meetings are once a month and generally on the last Sunday of the month.
• SPL - Senior Patrol Leader He must be at least a Star Scout. He is appointed by the Scoutmaster. He presides at all troop meetings and special activities. He chairs the patrol leader council. He and his assistant appoints troop staff with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster. He assigns duties and responsibilities to other leaders. He serves for 1 year.
• ASPL/Troop Staff - Assistant Senior Patrol Leader He must be at least a First Class Scout and is appointed by the SPL. He takes over troop leadership in absence of the SPL. He trains troop staff. He serves for 1 year
• ASPL/Meetings - Assistant Senior Patrol Leader He must be at least a First Class Scout and is appointed by the SPL. He trains and guides the patrol leaders. He also helps to organize the troop meetings with the patrols. He serves for 1 year.
• PL - Patrol Leader He is the leader of a group of 4 to 8 scouts. He is in charge of patrol meetings and organizes the activities the patrol is in charge of. He is responsible for what happens in the patrol. He is elected for 6 months.
• JASM - Junior Assistant Scoutmaster He must be sixteen years old. He supervises and helps the staff of the troop including scribe, quartermaster, librarian, troop historian, chaplain aide, den chiefs.
• CREW CHIEF - He is the leader of the Venture Crew. This is a group (JASM) of older scouts. (14+) The crew does high adventure type activities, beyond the troop program. They also help plan the extra activities of the troop. The Venture Crew may elect a new Crew Chief after each activity.
• ACTIVITIES - He is the Junior Leader in charge of organizing the (JASM) troop outside activities. ie. campouts, special outings, etc. He works with the Troop Outdoor Chairman from the troop committee.
• OA FUNCTIONS-He helps to support the Order of the Arrow by (JASM) encouraging involvement from our troop in OA functions, ie. Conclaves, Conferences and special meetings. He also helps in unit elections.

Troop 466 meets every Tuesday night throughout the year. Meetings are usually held at the Dehlin Clinic. Summer meetings are more informal. Hours for the regular meetings are from 7:00PM to 8:30PM.

The Dehlin Clinic is located near the corner of Delta and 11th Street. We meet in the basement. Access through the alley.

A typical meeting is as follows:

1. Troop meets together at an opening ceremony done by one of the patrols.
2. Announcements are made by Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Leaders and adults.
3. Patrols meet separately for patrol business.
4. Patrol game or skill competition is held/or advancement is worked on.
5. Skill Demonstration for younger scouts. Venture Crew meetings for older scouts. (14+)
6. Closing announcements by junior leaders/adults.
7. Closing is done by one of the patrols.
8. Scoutmaster's Minute.
9. Troop in dismissed.

The dues only pay the cost of registration and Boy's Life. We need to raise additional monies to cover costs for awards, equipment and special needs.

Some money earning projects may include:

• Bottle & Can Drives
• 4th of July Booth
• Popcorn Sales
• Car Wash
• Local Shows

If you have any other ideas, please tell your Scoutmaster.

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is a National organization of honored campers. Qualifications for acceptance are:

• First Class scout
• 15 nights of camping in a 2 year period.
• elected by your peers.

Genuine interest and encouragement for your son in all troop activities.

Transportation to camping events.

Parents are welcome to join the troop committee, which meets for a 2 hour meeting every 6 weeks (usually on Sunday nights), to discuss troop activities and policies.

Parents are encouraged to assist at troop activities and/or meetings, including camping out.

There is a three part training called "Scoutmastership Fundamentals".

Parents are welcome to attend these trainings. Usually the first two parts are held in April and the outdoor session is held in May. This is an overview of how a troop is run and helps you to understand the big picture of scouting.

Presently there are three patrols: Liberty, Frog, and Wolverine.

Each patrol consists of a patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, scribe and quartermaster.

The election of patrol leaders are held in March and September.

• Patrol Leader - He is responsible for leading his patrol in all activities. He is expected to attend all meetings and troop activities. He is expected to attend the Patrol Leaders Council meetings. He may be relieved of his office if he fails to carry out his duties. Delegates to his assistant and other patrol members.
• Assistant Patrol Leader - He is to fill in when the Patrol Leader is not able to lead the patrol. He works directly with his patrol leader to obtain information.
• Patrol Scribe - Fills out troop meeting plans as discussed by patrol and records patrol information.
• Patrol Quartermaster - He keeps the records of the patrol equipment. He makes sure equipment is clean and ready for use. ie. first aid kit, cook kit, chef kit, etc.
• Patrol Grubmaster - He is in charge of getting the food for the patrol on campouts, etc. Parents are strongly encouraged to assist in this function.

Patrols are encouraged to meet for activities other than those planned for by the troop. ie. a hiking trip, fishing, overnight camping or biking, etc.   A written plan must be presented to the scoutmaster indicating where, when, why, for how long, how many participating and route taken. Remember, there must be at least 2 adults at each activity, unless your patrol is doing a separate activity on your own.

Patrols are encouraged to meet to finalize plans for troop trips and special meetings. Often there is not enough time in the troop meetings to answer all questions and to make ourselves "Be Prepared".

If you decide to leave the troop, you need to tell the scoutmaster of your decision. If you do not tell the scoutmaster, you have not officially quit.

Your troop activity account transfers to the troop general fund or transfers with you to a new troop.  Note: Your activity account was funded by your efforts as a scout, once you leave, you are no longer entitled to it.

Money earned by each scout at a fund raising event will be credited to each scouts' activity account. All money earned can be used to attend camp, buy scouting items, etc. (must be scout related)

As long as you remain a boy scout, the fund is active. However, if you decide to leave scouting, the monies remaining will be put into the troop's general fund.

Part of being a scout is giving service to others. Throughout the year, the troop will be involved in many service projects. ie. Adopt a Road, Planting Trees, Clean-ups, Eagle Projects, Mackinac Island, Elks Flag Day Celebration, etc.