MISSION AND PURPOSE
The mission of the Scouts BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. The purpose of the Scouts BSA is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. Scouting promises you the great outdoors, friendship, opportunities to work toward the Eagle Scout rank, the tools to help you make the most of your family, your community, and your nation, and experiences and duties that will help you mature into strong, wise adults. The mission of Boy Scout Troop 542 is to deliver this promise of adventure, learning, challenge, and responsibility
HOW THE TROOP WORKS
This two troops (boys and girls) are sponsored by the chartering organization, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. It arranges for our regular Troop meeting place and approves the adult leaders who administer the Troop's affairs. The adult leaders are the Scoutmaster and his assistants and members of the Troop Committee. All are unpaid volunteers; most are parents of boys in the Troop.
Our regular meeting night is Monday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
The PLC and the Troop Committee meets the first Monday of the month.
Troop meetings are planned and conducted by boy leaders under the guidance of the Scoutmaster. A typical Troop meeting includes work on outdoor skills, first aid, fitness, citizenship, or some other aspect of Scouting; a brief patrol meeting for advancement progress or planning a future patrol event; a game, competition, or other recreational activity; and ceremonies highlighting Scouting's ideals.
Every month the Troop conducts an outing or special event. It is usually an overnight camping trip and/or a visit to some location of special interest or significance.
Scouting requires family involvement. In order to encourage that, we encourage parents to attend the opening and closing of troop meeting. In addition a Court of Honor is held three times a year where rank and merit badges are awarded and other achievements earned by the Scouts are recognized. It is also a time for families to get to know each other and to share information about important Troop activities.
At Troop meetings, during Troop outings, and on his own, a boy will have a chance to earn many badges and awards. His goal is advancement through the ranks of Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, 1st Class, Star, Life, and, finally, to earn the most distinctive of all - the Eagle Scout Award.
THE ROLE OF A SCOUTMASTER
The Scoutmaster's single goal is that all of his Scouts succeed. Success is defined individually, not by a static standard of performance. When a youth leader is performing poorly, or not at all, it is the Scoutmaster's responsibility to mentor, cajole, exhort and encourage the Scout to succeed.
THE ROLE OF A SCOUT PARENT
The success of Troop 542 has been, and continues to be, dependent upon the full participation of the Scout parents. Every family is invited to participate in the Troop Committee, and we need and encourage parents to register as Adult Scouters.
As a parent, you will want your son to get the most out of Scouting. So you'll keep the dates of Troop activities on your calendar as a reminder, encourage him as he progresses in the advancement program, and perhaps help him master the skills of Scouting. But his success in Scouting depends in part on the success of our Troop. You can help keep the Troop strong with your support of talents and available time. Opportunities to help are many - serving on the Troop Committee; providing transportation for outings; helping organize and participating in Troop camping trips; helping maintain Troop equipment; serving as a merit badge counselor in a hobby or career field you are familiar with. Your participation in these activities, and your offers of help when the Troop has a need will show your son that you support him and want him to have the best experiences possible in Scouting.