Adult Information

Welcome parents and congratulations! Your son has decided to join in the fun and adventure of Scouting and you are going along for the ride. The first thing you will notice is that you're not in Cub Scouts anymore. In Boy Scouts, the scouts take the lead and the parents provide support. This makes some new parents feel uncertain and all parents go through an adjustment period. Don't worry if you are not exactly sure what is supposed to happen at scout meetings; the scouts have it covered! This page should help you to understand Troop 62's Boy Scout program.

Other than going to meetings, the two best sources of information regarding troop activities are email and the Troop 62 calendar. As soon as your son joins the troop, send your email address to 62info@gmail.com to subscribe to troop emails. Visit the Troop 62 calendar for updates; click on a calendar event, then "more details" to see all of the information on an event. Calendar events are updated frequently.

Each registered member of the troop has a TroopMaster Web account; this is an online database that is used to track advancement, troop activities, leadership contact information, troop rosters and more. All scouts and adults should know the basics of logging on and navigating TroopMaster Web so you can monitor your son's official advancement records. Contact the Advancement Coordinator for details.

Each parent is asked to consider taking an active role in supporting the troop's activities. To participate in troop camping trips, adults must be registered with BSA, but not every dad has to become an Assistant Scoutmaster. There are countless behind-the-scenes activities that keep a troop functioning and there are many different ways for dads and moms to contribute their talents in small or large roles. You are invited to attend the Troop Committee meetings to see the great work that is being done to provide a terrific Scouting experience for your son.

Another big difference between Cubs Scouts and Boy Scouts is how advancement requirements are handled. Parents do not sign off on their son's requirements. Scouts complete advancement requirements with other scouts during scout activities. Please help your scout to preserve all of the documentation for his advancement and merit badges, in case he needs it for his Eagle Scout application. More information on advancement is provided on the Scout Information page.

Youth Protection
Adults need to complete the Participation Requirements below before participating in Troop 62 activities. Because St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church sponsors Troop 62, participants have to comply with Diocese of Orlando volunteer requirements including fingerprinting and safe environment training, in addition to BSA requirements. There are no fees for these requirements. Furthermore, parents and scouts must review the youth protection booklet included in the front of the Boy Scout Handbook as a requirement for becoming a Boy Scout.

Adult Participation Requirements (Contact: Troop Committee Chairman)
-Submit a BSA membership application.
-Provide fingerprints for a Diocese of Orlando background check.
-Complete the following online training courses:
--Youth Protection
--Fast Start for your position
--This is Scouting

--Catholic Diocese Safe Environment* - The Diocese of Orlando follows certain guidelines with regard to safe environment training. In order to fulfill the training obligation, watch the video (approximately 20 minutes) and successfully complete an online quiz.

Medical Records
Before participating in outdoor troop activities, scouts and parents must have a current Annual BSA Health and Medical Record on file with the troop. If you have any significant allergies or medical conditions, tell the troop leadership in addition to putting it on the form. Always notify trip leaders of medical concerns before departing on an outing. The Annual BSA Health and Medical Record can be downloaded from the BSA National Council Forms Page. Instructions are included on the form.

BSA Adult Leader Training

The Boy Scouts of America requires that all Direct Contact leaders be basic leader trained for their positions. All Direct Contact leaders in Central Florida Council have to be fully trained in their position in order for for the troop to be rechartered each year. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters are identified as Direct Contact leaders.

All registered adult leaders must complete the following on-line training:
• Youth Protection for your program level
• Fast Start for your position
• This is Scouting

Access online training here: https://myscouting.scouting.org

In addition to online training, Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must also complete the following training which is provided at various times and locations within the council, at Camporees, and at summer camps.
• Scoutmaster position specific training
• IOLS (Intro to outdoor leadership skills)

Safety Training
In order for the troop to conduct outdoor activities and overnight backpacking trips, at least one adult on the trip has to be qualified in CPR and first aid. BSA also stipulates requirements Hazardous Weather training, plus activity specific training for swimming, canoeing, marksmanship, wilderness trekking and rock climbing.and other "high adventure" activities. It is important that enough adult leaders stay current in these requirements to support the outdoor program.

Outdoor activity and safety courses are offered during summer camps, at camporees and through commercial providers. Course descriptions and schedules are published through a variety of sources including the BSA Central Florida Council (CFC) training webpage and CFC Calendar the BSA National Council safety webpage and the Online Learning Center. Troop 62 may also independently schedule First aid and CPR classes when there is sufficient demand. Check with the Troop Committee Chairman about potential reimbursement for essential troop training requirements.

Merit Badge Counselors
The troop is always recruiting merit badge counselors for the hundreds of merit badges offered through Scouting. Your hands-on involvement could inspire a scout to develop a lifelong hobby, pursue a particular career, or become an independent, self-supporting adult. There are no specific requirements for teaching most merit badges; however, counselors must register with BSA for the badges they teach. Merit badge counselors will also want to review the USScouts.org Merit Badge Center ands the BSA National Council Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for tips on teaching merit badges.

Advanced Training
There is practically no limit to the training available through BSA organizations. University of Scouting is an annual weekend training event which offers an incredible variety of scouting-related classes for adults and scouts. Wood Badge classes are held twice a year and represent the pinnacle of Boy Scout leadership training. Adults are eligible to attend Wood Badge after qualifying as a “Trained” leader. The BSA National Council has an ever-growing list of courses and resources on the Supplemental Training webpage with topics ranging from disk golf to chainsaw safety.