Updated November 2006

 

Welcome to Boy Scouts with Troop 465!

 

We look forward to you joining Troop 465 and allowing us to share in the fun of the Boy Scout Program and the unlimited opportunities of outdoor adventure.

 

Troop 465 meets at our own Scout Hut at 5742 East Cherokee Road, near Thomas Road, on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  We participate in an outdoor outing (camping, backpacking, canoeing, snow skiing) at least once each month.  In addition to the outdoor activities, we participate in a number of community service projects and once a year we either attend or hold our own summer camp.  Visit our Web Site at www.troop465.org for updated information.

 

The following information will help you and your parents understand what is required to join, to participate, and to learn about the Boy Scout Program.

 

Joining Requirements

  1. Visit several Boy Scout Troops and decide which one is best for you.
  2. Meet with the Scoutmaster or his appointed assistant to review the joining requirements and have your questions answered.
  3. Read and fill out the Boy Scout Applications.  Have your parents read the applications and sign the form.
  4. Fill out the additional forms requested for the troop records.

a)      Boy Scout Information

                                                               i.      Scout General Information 

                                                             ii.      Personal Health and Medical Record

                                                            iii.      Release and Indemnification 

b)      Parent or Guardian Form

                                                               i.      Troop Resource Survey

                                                             ii.      Release and Indemnification 

                                                            iii.      Adult Leadership Forms (optional)

1.      Adult Registration Application

2.      Troop 465 Adult Leader Personal Data

3.      Merit Badge Counselor Information

4.      Personal Health and Medical Records

  1. Troop 465 Registration Fees

a)      Dues are prorated based on month boy/adult joins the Troop.

b)      First Boy Scout per family – 12 months - $48.00 /$4.00 per month (Fee includes BSA National Fees, Boy’s Life Magazine and Troop Dues)

c)      Second Boy Scout per family - 12 months - $36.00 / $3.00 per month (Fee includes BSA National Fees and Troop Dues)

d)      Adult Leader Registration – Committee Member – 12 month - $48.00

Scoutmaster  - No Fee

Assistant Scoutmaster - $48.00 (Active military No Fee)

Merit Badge Counselor – No Fee

(Fees are waived for all Adults who volunteer for a week at summer camp or high adventure camp!!!)

 

e)      Other expenses as a Boy Scout

                                                               i.      Boy Scout Uniform $15.00 - $80.00

(We have a trade-in “Uniform Closet” with gently worn items)

                                                             ii.      Scout Handbook - $10.00

                                                            iii.      Individual Outing Fees – (Typical $15.00 - $20.00)

                                                           iv.      Summer Camp Fees - $200.00 to $260.00

                                                             v.      Special Event Fees – varies.  For example, when we went snow skiing in January 2004, the lodging, lift tickets, and rentals were in the $120 to $150 range.  But when we went flying, the plane, fuel, and airport fees were donated so all the kids had to bring was spending money.  (If your family does not have the money available for any of the above expenses, Troop 465 and the Boy Scouts of America have special scholarship funds available.  Please talk to the Scoutmaster or the Committee Chairman privately about these scholarships. Scouts and their parents get “paid” through hourly credits when they help out at certain events, such as our Cagle Farm fund raiser, which can quickly offset any fees required)

 

What is Expected of Each Scout?

To do his best to live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law

To own and read his Scout Handbook

To wear his uniform at all meetings and Scouting events

To keep a pad and pencil at all times

To maintain regular attendance and to participate in all activities

To earn the Scout Rank within 30 days of joining Troop 465

To have fun and have a positive learning experience

 

About the Program

For over 90 years, the Boy Scouts of America have worked to develop the character, citizenship, and personal fitness of America’s young men.  This is spelled out through the three aims and eight methods of Scouting, detailed below:

 

The First Aim is to build character, the Boy Scouts work on four self-qualities.  These are: self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-respect.  Once a boy begins to develop these, he begins to develop character.

 

The Second Aim is the fostering of citizenship.  This is achieved through many activities that range from service projects such as: County or City meetings, visiting historical sites and much more.  In addition, they get to practice in the area of leadership by serving as troop and patrol officers.

 

The Third Aim is the development of personal fitness.  The Boy Scouts recognized four kinds of fitness.  These are Physical (good general health and health habits), Mental (to be curious, stay alert, ask questions, get facts and make decisions), Emotional fitness (self-control and self-discipline) and Moral fitness (to have the knowledge of right and wrong and to have the courage to follow what is right).

 

These three aims are achieved through the eight methods of Scouting: Ideals, Patrol Method, Outdoor Activities, Advancement, Personal Growth, Adult Association, Leadership Development and Uniform.

 

The Ideals are the personal behavior guides and standards to which each boy commits himself when he becomes a Boy Scout:  The motto, “Be Prepared”, the slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily”, the Scout Oath:

On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country and

To obey the Scout Law:

To help other people at all times:

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

 

And the Scout Law:

A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

 

The Patrol Method:  All Boy Scout Troops are made up of Patrols.  Patrols are small groups of three to eight boys who work together as a team. Each patrol elects its own leader.  The Patrol Leaders, with an elected Senior Patrol Leader as their head, form the Patrol Leaders Council.  It is this council’s job, with the guidance of the Scoutmasters, to plan and run the Troop Program.

 

Each patrol leader represents his patrol on the council and communicates to his patrol in the plans and decisions the council makes.  Each patrol also has their own name, their own meeting, their own elected officers and plan and carryout their patrol activities.

 

The other six methods, although equally important, can be detailed in a discussion with the Scoutmaster or one of his assistants.

 

About Troop 465

Boy Scout Troop 465 is a well-honored troop in the Cherokee / Pickens District of the Atlanta Area Council.  The Troop is over 40 years old.  Mr. Gerald Dobson is the Troop Scoutmaster and Mr. George Lingefelt, Scoutmaster Emeritus & Chartered Organizational Representative, has over 40 years of experience in Scouting.

 

The Troop meets at the Scout Hut at 5742 East Cherokee Road, near Thomas Road, on Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  We have three Courts of Honor each year.  One in the spring, one Court of Honor is held after Summer Camp, and the other is in December in conjunction with our Annual Christmas Banquet.

 

Our Charter Organization is 465 Alumni, Inc.  Mr. Art Wick is our Charter Organizational Head and Mr. George Lingefelt is our Charter Organizational Representative.  It takes a large number of volunteer leaders to make the troop run.

 

Troop 465 is very active in both Outdoor Activities and Community Service.  Each month we participate in at least one outdoor activity.  These activities range from Camping, Backpacking, Canoeing, District Camporees, Family Camp Outs, Special Camp Outs, Summer Camp, Historical Trips and much more.  Each year there are a few events that the Troop obligates itself such as District Camporees and Webelos Woods.  The majority of the outings are chosen and planned by the Troop during the annual planning campout.  The Troop also has an active Service program.  Troop 465 cleans a portion of East Cherokee Drive four times each year.  We also collect cans of food for MUST ministries during our annual Scouting for Food drive.  In addition, the Troop may help in a variety of other service projects that may range from trail improvements to yard work.  Service projects are also an important part of rank advancement.

 

The Troop is also committed to the second point of the Scout Oath: To help other people at all times.  It has been documented that the lives of eight people have been saved through the actions of Troop 465 Scouts.  Many of these rescues have been water related.  Because of this, it is the policy of Troop 465 that all boys attaining the rank of Eagle Scout earn the Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges.

 

Another important part of the Scout Program is Advancement.  Troop 465 has had 55 Scouts obtain the Eagle Scout Rank.  That is approximately 8%, which is well over the 2% national average, demonstrating our personal growth.  We currently have chartered 40 adult leaders.  16 of these are Eagle Scouts, one has completed their Wood Badge Training, two are working their Wood Badge ‘ticket’ and many have earned their Training patch.  Why are these Adult Leader statistics so important to Advancement?  Because you will not find a more knowledgeable group of leaders in any other troop within the Cherokee Pickens District.  The opportunity is here.  The motivation and participation are up to each individual Scout.

 

Though the guidance of our Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters, through the support of our Committee and the leadership of the Scouts, Troop 465 will continue the Boy Scout Adventure and pursue a positive learning experience.  We hope to see you at the top of Eagle Peak!