New Arrival Guide

What to do when potential Scouts arrive at the meeting

This is intended to be a standard procedure for all to follow when a potential Scout arrives at his very first Troop Meeting. Ideally, this procedure would be handled by the ASM-New Scouts, but any Assistant Scoutmaster should do.

IMPORTANT

Under no circumstances shall any boy who has not completed the Joining Requirements (Scout rank) nor had it signed off in his handbook:

• Vote in any Troop election.
• Be assigned to a patrol.
• Have any requirement signed off in his book.
• Attend any campout (besides the allowed one "trial" campout).
• Attend Summer Camp.
• Have his application submitted to the council office.

A Scout's First Meeting

• The ASM should greet the scout(s) and his parents. Answer any questions he might have and briefly explain the troop program. Ask the parents to stay for this meeting.
• Ensure that he meets Requirement #1 (Eligibility): in 6^th grade, age 11, or earned AOL.
• Collect his application and fees (registration & dues), if he has this. Make sure the health history is completely filled out on the back. If he needs an application, give one to him and show the parents what needs to be filled out.
• Explain that if he does not have one already, he should obtain a Boy Scout Handbook.
• Go over the following requirements:
• • Requirement #3 (Pledge): Ask him to recite the pledge of allegiance. This may be signed off if the Scout knows it by heart. If not, explain to him that he should study this for next week (found in the handbook).
  • Requirement #4 (Symbols): Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handclasp. If he can do this (likely only a Webelos Scout could), sign it off. If not, teach it to him and ask him to study it for next week (found in the handbook).
  • Requirement #5 (Square Knot): If the Scout knows it already, sign it off. Otherwise, see above.
  • Requirement #6 (Ideals): Go over each one and make sure the Scout agrees to live by these. Note: The Scout does not need to have these memorized.
  • Requirement #7: (Scout Badge): See comments under Requirement #4.
• Explain to him that in the front of the handbook, there is an abuse pamphlet. Ask him to go over this with his parents for next week. Ask the parents to initial the pamphlet on the front cover when this is done and have the Scout bring it next week.
• If time allows and the Scoutmaster is available, he can conduct the Scoutmaster Conference. Otherwise, this can wait until next week.

Week 2

• Collect the application and money from the Scout, if this has not been done.
• Make sure the Scout has gone over the abuse pamphlet with his parents and sign this off.
• Go over any left over requirements not signed off.
• Have the SM conduct a Scoutmaster Conference with each boy and sign off the completed Scout Rank. The boy is now officially a Scout and should have his application turned into council and Scout badge purchased ASAP. He should give the unit copy of the application to the Advancement Chairman so it can be entered in TroopMaster.
• The SM will assign the boy to a patrol and take him to meet his new Patrol Leader.
• At the end of the meeting, during announcements, the Scoutmaster should introduce the new Scouts to all the troop members.

Week after earning Scout rank

The Scout is presented Scout Rank.

At Court of Honor (suggested)

The Scout is presented the Scout Rank card.