Troop Program Features

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	*[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/Quotes.pdf Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes From Baden-Powell] - Troop Program Resources		*[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/Quotes.pdf Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes From Baden-Powell] - Troop Program Resources
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	*[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/Founders.pdf Founders of the BSA] - Troop Program Resources		*[http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/Founders.pdf Founders of the BSA] - Troop Program Resources

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Revision as of 17:51, May 8, 2009

The Troop Program Features include 36 Monthly Troop Programs with Troop Meeting and Activity plans.
Using this program, a troop will explore dozens of merit badges and Scout Skills each year.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to choose from dozens of monthly plans that other troops have used and refined?

What if each monthly plan included sample meeting plans, activities, games, and PLC planning suggestions?

That's what the Troop Program Features are!

Your Patrol Leaders Council can pick and choose the themes that interest them. Then for each topic they can tailor their own plan from a variety of resources.

Each program is designed to let older Scouts teach newer Scouts the associated Scout Skills for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. Older Scouts are encouraged to continue to explore the related Merit Badges for each topic.

By using this three-year program rotation, every Scout Skill is reinforced and Scouts are introduced to almost every merit badge. Some programs such as Camping and Emergency Preparedness will probably done every year to allow new Scouts the chance to learn and to allow older Scouts the chance to refresh their knowledge as they teach these basic Scout Skills.

Although not mentioned in the Troop Program Features, the Guide to Safe Scouting applies to each of these activities and must be with you on all activities.

Contents 1 Yearly Program Planning 2 Troop Program Features Volume I 2.1 How to Plan Troop Programs 2.2 Aquatics 2.3 Athletics 2.4 Backpacking 2.5 Boating-Canoeing 2.6 Business 2.7 Camping 2.8 Citizenship 2.9 Communications 2.10 Cooking 2.11 Cultural Awareness 2.12 Emergency Preparedness 2.13 Engineering 3 Troop Program Features Volume II 3.1 Environment 3.2 First Aid 3.3 Fishing 3.4 Forestry 3.5 Health Care 3.6 High Adventure 3.7 Hiking 3.8 Hobbies 3.9 Leadership 3.10 Mechanics 3.11 Nature 3.12 Orienteering 4 Troop Program Features Volume III 4.1 Physical Fitness 4.2 Pioneering 4.3 Public Service 4.4 Safety 4.5 Science 4.6 Shooting 4.7 Special Cooking 4.8 Sports 4.9 Tracking 4.10 Wilderness Survival 4.11 Wildlife Management 4.12 Winter Camping 5 Troop Program Resources 5.1 Scoutmaster's Minute 5.2 Games 5.3 Ceremonies 5.4 Interfaith Worship Service 5.5 Glossary of Scouting Terms 5.6 Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes From Baden-Powell 5.7 Founders of the BSA 5.8 Forms 5.9 Clip Art 6 See also 7 References

Yearly Program Planning

The full introduction with much more information is here: Introduction - How to Plan

"A successful troop meeting begins with advance planning. In recent research, the Boy Scouts of America determined that inadequately planned and executed troop meetings were the number one cause of boys leaving Scouting."

"Troop meetings should focus on a monthly program feature, be fast-moving, and start and end on time. The program feature should be interwoven with the program at all experience levels: the new-Scout patrol, experienced patrols, and the Venture patrol."

"Planning a troop program on an annual and a monthly basis is a new task for many leaders. Good planning and execution depend on (1) a Scoutmaster who understands the process, (2) trained youth leaders who can plan meetings and successfully execute them, (3) sufficient personnel in the form of Assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee members, and (4) parents who are knowledgeable and informed."

"Your first step in planning is to utilize the resources available to set goals for the troop. The next step is to train your youth leaders in the planning process. Then give them the responsibility and authority to plan and implement the troop program. The final step is to get your troop committee and parents to “buy in” to support this “Scout-planned” program."

"The program planning guide in chapter 8 of the Scoutmaster Handbook will guide you through the basics of planning, from doing your homework to securing parental support for your program. The monthly troop program features found in Scouting magazine are the other principal resources needed to run the program planning workshop."

Troop Program Features Volume I

Source: Troop Program Features Vol. I (last downloaded 5/7/2009) - Vol I Printed

How to Plan Troop Programs

Introduction - How to Plan - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 5 - 14 Troop Meeting Plan Form p. 14

Aquatics

Aquatics - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 15 - 23

• Advancement Opportunities: Swimming - Lifesaving - Canoeing - Rowing - Small-Boat Sailing - Mile Swim BSA - Snorkeling BSA - BSA Lifeguard - Boardsailing BSA - 50-Miler - Safe Swim Defense - Safety Afloat
• A Canoe Diagram is included
• See Swimming Skills for many resources including lesson videos.

Athletics

Athletics - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 25 - 34

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Athletics - Personal Fitness - Skating - Cycling - Hiking - Sports - Swimming - Water Sports
• Note that although the topic suggests earning your Skiing merit badge, Skiing was replaced in the 1990's with Snow Sports.
• See Personal Fitness for many resources including lesson videos.

Backpacking

Backpacking - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 35 - 44

• First Class - Hiking - Camping - Cooking - Orienteering - Wilderness Survival - Outdoor Code
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Backpacking is also an Backpacking merit badges.
• See Backpacking for many resources including lesson videos.

Boating-Canoeing

Boating-Canoeing - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 45 - 54

• Advancement Opportunities: Canoeing - Rowing - Small-Boat Sailing - Safety Afloat - Safe Swim Defense
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Motorboating is also boating merit badge and canoe trips can apply towards the 50-Miler award.
• This topic does include good Canoe Paddle and Canoeing Strokes diagrams.

Business

Business - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 55 - 64

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - American Business - American Labor - Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Entrepreneurship is how businesses are createsd. And the sales campign activity is out of Salesmanship merit badge. Personal Management uses these business skill to help manage your life.
• The suggested "Business" campout instead features an Orienteering race and a nature hike.

Camping

Camping - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 65 - 74

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Leave No Trace - Camping - Cooking - Hiking - Orienteering - Wilderness Survival
• See Scout Skills for many resources including lesson videos.

Citizenship

Citizenship - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 75 - 84

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class #4 - First Class #5 - Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation - Citizenship in the World - American Cultures - American Heritage - Law
• The suggested "Citizenship" campout instead features an Orienteering race abnd a nature hike.
• See Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World for many resources including lesson videos.

Communications

Communications - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 85 - 94

• Advancement Opportunities: Communications - Computers
• The Communications campout features semaphore flag signaling instruction!
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Public Speaking is all about communications as well.
• See Communications for many resources including lesson videos.

Cooking

Cooking - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 95 - 104

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Cooking - Camping - Backpacking - Leave No Trace
• Cooking Recipes, Foil Cooking, Dutch Oven Cooking
• See Cooking for many resources including lesson videos.

Cultural Awareness

Cultural Awareness - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 105 - 112

• Advancement Opportunities: Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation - Citizenship in the World - - American Heritage - Indian Lore - Genealogy
• Although not mentioned in this topic, since 1979, the BSA continues to offer a merit badge about about "Cultural Awareness" called American Cultures.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 113 - 122

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - First Aid - Emergency Preparedness
• Although not mentioned in this topic, the BSA does offer an emergency preparedness award called the Emergency Preparedness Award.
• See Emergency Preparedness for many resources including lesson videos.

Engineering

Engineering - Troop Program Features Volume 1 pp. 123

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot #4 - First Class #7 - Engineering - Pioneering - Camping - Computers - Drafting - Electricity - Electronics.
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Troop Program Features Volume II

Source: Troop Program Features Vol. II (last downloaded 5/7/2009) - Vol II Printed

Environment

Environment - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 15 - 24

• Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Environmental Science - Insect Study - Reptile and Amphibian Study - Soil and Water Conservation - Mammal Study - Leave No Trace
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

First Aid

First Aid - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 25 - 33

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - First Aid - Emergency Preparedness
• See First Aid Skills for many resources including lesson videos.

Fishing

Fishing - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 35 - 44

• Advancement Opportunities: Fishing - Fly Fishing - Cooking
• See Fishing and Fly Fishing for many resources including lesson videos.

Forestry

Forestry - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 45 - 54

• Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - Forestry - Mammal Study - Geology - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Health Care

Health Care - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 55 - 63

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Public Health - Medicine - Citizenship in the Community

High Adventure

High Adventure - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 65 - 74

• High Adventure typically means backpacking, canoeing, hiking, or cycling. To the Boy Scouts of America, it means Blindfold Soccer and Soccer Frisbee in this topic.
• Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Backpacking - Hiking - Cycling - Wilderness Survival - Leave No Trace
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Hiking

Hiking - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 75 - 83

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Hiking - Camping - Backpacking - Leave No Trace
• Although not mentioned in this topic, the 50 Miler Award and Historic Trails are related topics.
• See Hiking for many resources including lesson videos.

Hobbies

Hobbies - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 85 - 94

• Advancement Opportunities: Collections
• The topic suggests these hobbies but does not reveal that they are merit badges: Archery, Camping, Coin Collecting, Computers, First Aid, Fishing, Indian Lore, Model Design and Building, Soil & Water Conservation, Pets, Pioneering, Stamp Collecting, and Woodcarving.
• The article does not use the BSA name or reveal that these are merit badges: Artwork (Art), Birding (Bird Study), Ceramics (Pottery), Fly tying (Fly Fishing), Gun safety (Rifle Shooting & Shotgun Shooting), Insect collections (Insect Study), Model trains (Railroading), Rock collections (Geology), Star study (Astronomy), Still photography (Photography), and Video photography (Cinematography), and Woodworking (Woodwork).
• Other hobby merit badges are not mentioned: Basketry, Leatherwork, Sculpture, Space Exploration, and Genealogy
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Leadership

Leadership - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 95 - 104 badge.

• Advancement Opportunities: First Class #5 - Citizenship in the Community - American Cultures - American Heritage
• P. 96 suggests that "Older Scouts can concentrate on the Citizenship merit badge this month." There is no such merit
• The topic does not mention it but the BSA does have a youth leadership program: National Youth Leadership Training

Mechanics

Mechanics - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 105 - 115

• Mechanics in this topic has nothing to do with being a mechanic. This topic instead refers to Pioneering and COPE-type games.
• Advancement Opportunities: First Class - Pioneering - Includes how to make a balloon launcher.

Nature

Nature - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 117 - 126

• Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Nature - Soil and Water Conservation -Mammal Study - Geology - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study - Leave No Trace
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Orienteering

Orienteering - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 127 - 136

• Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Orienteering
• See Orienteering for many resources including lesson videos.

Troop Program Features Volume III

• Source: Troop Program Features Vol. III (last downloaded 5/7/2009) - Vol III Printed

Physical Fitness

Physical Fitness - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 15 - 24

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Personal Fitness - Hiking - Camping - Athletics - Swimming - Sports - Skating - Cycling
• See Personal Fitness for many resources including lesson videos.

Pioneering

Pioneering - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 25 - 34

• Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Pioneering
• See Pioneering for many resources including lesson videos.

Public Service

Public Service - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 35 - 43

• Advancement Opportunities: Second Class #4 - First Class #5 - Public Health - American Cultures - American Heritage - Historic Trails

Safety

Safety - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 45 - 54

• Advancement Opportunities: Safety - Fire Safety
• Although not mentioned as Advancement Opportunities, Crime Prevention, Traffic Safety, and Emergency Preparedness focus on safety as well.
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Science

Science - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 55 - 64

• Advancement Opportunities: Weather
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Chemistry, Astronomy, Computers, Electricity, Electronics, Energy, Environmental Science, Geology, and Nuclear Science are applied sciences just as Weather is.
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Shooting

Shooting - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 65 - 74

• Advancement Opportunities: Archery - Shotgun Shooting - Rifle Shooting
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Special Cooking

Shortcut: Dutch Oven Cooking

Special Cooking - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 75 - 84

• Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Cooking - Camping
• You will use Dutch Oven Cooking and Reflector Oven Cooking and have a troop outdoor banquet.

MeritBadge.Org Resources:

• Outdoor Cooking Videos: Food Selection - Food Quality - Stoves - Utensils - Water Purification - Leave No Trace
• Cooking Gear: REI: Cookware - BSA Cooking Gear - REI: Stoves - Stove Safety
• Dutch Oven Cooking: International Dutch Oven Society - USScouts.Org - MacScouter - dutchovencookware.com

Sports

Sports - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 85 - 94

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Sports - Personal Fitness - Hiking - Camping - Athletics - Swimming - Sports - Skating - Cycling
• You can feature flag football, soccer, softball, and other sports on a campout.
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Tracking

Tracking - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 95 - 104

• Advancement Opportunities: First Class - Nature - Camping - Mammal Study - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study,
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Reptile and Amphibian Study also includes tracking.
• While called Tracking, this program is more about Scout Skills.

Wilderness Survival

Wilderness Survival - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 105 - 114

• Advancement Opportunities: Wilderness Survival - Camping - Cooking
• The "Downed Plane" and "The Flood" scenarios are great learning exercises.
• See Wilderness Survival for many resources including lesson videos.

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 115 - 124

• Advancement Opportunities: Nature - Mammal Study - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study
• Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Reptile and Amphibian Study also includes management requirements.
• See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Winter Camping

Winter Camping - Troop Program Features Volume 2 pp. 125 - 134

• Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Camping - Leave No Trace
• Activities can feature Ice Rescue, Sledding, and Snow Sports
• See Camping for many resources including lesson videos.

Troop Program Resources

• Source: Troop Program Resources - ===The Scoutmaster’s Minute===

Scoutmaster's Minute

• The Scoutmaster’s Minute - Troop Program Resources

Games

• Games - Troop Program Resources

Ceremonies

• Ceremonies - Troop Program Resources

Interfaith Worship Service

• Interfaith Worship Service - Troop Program Resources

Glossary of Scouting Terms

• Glossary of Scouting Terms - Troop Program Resources

Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes From Baden-Powell

• Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes From Baden-Powell - Troop Program Resources

Founders of the BSA

• Founders of the BSA - Troop Program Resources

Forms

• Forms - Troop Program Resources

Clip Art

• Clip Art - Troop Program Resources

See also

Boy Scout portal

• National Youth Leadership Training

References

• 36 BSA Monthly Troop Programs with Troop Meeting Plans (free & online), Printed: Vol I - Vol II - Vol III - Resources
• Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) - Troop Meeting Planner - Campfire Planner - Resource Survey - Troop Committee Challenge
• Senior Patrol Leaders Handbook - Patrol Leaders Handbook - Scoutmaster Handbook - BSA Nameplates

• Training: New Leader Training - Scoutmaster Outdoor - Scoutmaster's Key - Wood Badge
• Applications: New Unit - Adult Application
• Fundraising, Popcorn, and the importance of Individual Youth Accounts
• Advancement Policies - Advancement Report - First Class-First Year - Individual Boy Scout Record
• Orientation for New Boy Scout Parents