Welcome to Scouting with Troop 125

Troop 125 is committed to providing a boy led troop, under the guidance of trained adult leadership, in a Christ centered environment.

 

 Your son is standing at the doorway to the most exciting adventures you can imagine. The world of Scouting includes activities such as hiking through woods and over mountains, canoeing across lakes and down rivers, and lots of opportunities to camp under the stars.  He will have the privilege of smelling fresh rain in the forest and preparing his own meals over a campfire or on a camp stove.  As he progresses in the Scouting experience, he will travel back-country settings without leaving a trace, while living well with only what he carries in his pockets and pack.  Scouting will be an adventure he will remember the rest of his life. 

The door is open to a path teaching him new skills.  Your son will learn how to find his way with a map and compass, how to remain warm and dry in stormy weather, and how to give proper first aid or use other skills in an emergency.  He will learn by observing wildlife and nature.  He will master these new skills and then pass his knowledge on to others as a youth leader in the Troop. 

The door is open to a path of new friendships and fun.  He may already know some other boys who are already part of Troop 125, and he will certainly meet lots of other Scouts along the Trail to Eagle.  Scouting is a worldwide brotherhood with many millions participating.  Almost everywhere he travels, he will find other Scouts excited about the same things he is.

 

Troop 125 History 

Troop 125 was chartered in 1990 to provide a Christian Boy Scout Troop for the members and friends of Northwest Bible Church.  We desire that a boy be able to experience all of Scouting’s activities within the context of his Christian faith.  Northwest Bible Church is our chartering organization.  From a charter membership of eight young men, the Troop has grown to over 116 scouts and 55 registered Adult Leaders.  In ten years, Troop 125 has been the home of over 43 boys who completed the Trail to Eagle.  Just in the past year, 15 Scouts completed all of the requirements and were awarded the Eagle rank. 

Troop 125 is dedicated to the scouting goals of training youth in character, citizenship, and personal fitness.  Already the Troop has a legacy of making a positive difference.  Your son is the beneficiary of this legacy. 

 

MEET THE LEADERS

Senior Patrol Leader

The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the top boy leader in the Troop.  He also has the most challenging job in the Troop.  He got his job because his fellow Scouts elected him.  That means they believe he is the best qualified to run the Troop - which is exactly what he does.  Whenever the Troop comes together for a meeting or an activity, the SPL is in charge.  He also leads the Troop Leaders Council (TLC) and, in consultation and agreement with the Scoutmaster, appoints other boy leaders (ASPL’s).

In Troop 125, the SPL must be at least a First Class Scout.  He must have completed Oak Leaf and Golden Acorn Junior Leadership Training.  He must have served as a Patrol Leader.  Most importantly, he must have earned the respect of his fellow Scouts and must have committed himself to fulfilling the responsibilities of the Senior Patrol Leader. 

The Senior Patrol Leader is Robert Voelker.

The Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders are Joel Edgar, Paul Winker and Collin Huffines.

Patrol Leaders

Patrol Leaders are the foundation of Troop leadership.  Each Patrol elects its own Patrol Leader.  Patrol Leaders are elected twice each year.  Patrol Leaders should have attended Oak Leaf Junior Leadership Training and be at least First Class rank.

The responsibilities of a Patrol Leader include:

·          appointing Patrol members to Patrol jobs

·          taking the lead in planning and steering Patrol members and activities

·          representing his Patrol at the TLC and reporting to his Patrol the decisions of the TLC.

Troop 125 Patrol Leaders are elected by their Patrol members and must commit himself to fulfilling the responsibilities of a Patrol Leader. 

The Patrol Leaders of Troop 125 are the following:

Cobras “A” – Chas Clift

Cobras “B” – Andrew Mowrey

Cougars “Red” – Tate Mowrey

Cougars “White” – Sam Perkins

Hawks – Nate Rankin

Pedros – Carson Ashbaugh

Wolverines – Dakota Smith

Vikings – Cary Williams

Eagle – James Voelker

Troop Guide

Troop Guides are older Scouts, at least First Class Rank, who are appointed by the Scoutmaster as both a leader and “big brother” to younger Scouts.  They must have completed Oak Leaf.  They assist the Patrol Leaders in teaching leadership skills, scouting skills and helping with advancement for the scouts working towards First Class.  The Troop Guides present at campouts help with setting up the Patrol campsite, cooking, and teaching other Scout skills.

Other Scout Troop Leaders

Troop Quartermasters – Zac Cobb, Terence Huffines

Troop Scribe – Hunter Lockhart

Troop Librarian – Henry Bass

Troop Historian – Kyle Winker

Troop Chaplain Aide – Beau Williams

Troop Medic/Safety Officer – Jeff Moekel

Troop OA Representative – David French

Other Scout leadership positions include Den Chiefs, Patrol Quartermasters, and Troop Bugler.

Scoutmaster 

The Scoutmaster has been described as “the person who quietly but effectively pulls it all together to get the result he is after: helping boys grow into good men.”  He works by training his boy leaders to run the Troop, and by managing, training and supporting the Assistant Scoutmasters in their roles.  He is responsible to work with and through responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys, to help boys to grow by encouraging them to learn for themselves, to guide boys in planning the Troop program, to help the Troop Committee recruit Assistant Scoutmasters and to conduct Scoutmaster Conferences.

Troop 125 requires that the Scoutmaster will have completed North Trail District’s Basic Leader Training for Scoutmasters.  The normal term of office is two years. 

The Scoutmaster is Pat Hamner.

Assistant Scoutmasters

Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) are the chief aides to the Scoutmaster.  Troop 125 currently has ASMs responsible for different areas of the Troop program.  All ASMs must have completed Basic Leader Training for Assistant Scoutmasters.   The usual term of office is one year. 

The ASM’s for Troop 125 include: Bill Ashbaugh, Scott Davis, Mike Edgar, Don Huffines, Phil Huffines, Gerald James, David Kilgore, Chuck Lundberg, Thomas Miller, Tom Passmore, Lawson Pedigo, Tom Renard, Al Smith, Royce Smith, Sid Theis,  Alan Goodgame, Austin Smith, and Jordan Dinardo.

Troop Committee

The Troop Committee consists of dads whose main job is to support the Scoutmaster and help him run a good Troop.  They help with advancement and the outdoor program, handle Troop finances, work with parents, coordinate the fund-raiser, keep the advancement records, recruit other adult leaders, conduct the scout Boards of Review and Courts of Honor, and oversee Troop communications.  In short, the Troop Committee and its Chairman have three primary responsibilities - supporting the Scoutmaster, running the Troop program and handling Troop administration. 

Troop sub-committees have the following areas of responsibility:

Camping, Advancement, Equipment, Finances, Special Projects

In Troop 125, every registered adult Scouter is a voting member of the Troop Committee.

The Troop Committee Chairman is Jeff Winker. 

The Treasurer is Mitch Voelker. 

The Camping Chairmen is Chuck Lundberg.  

Advancement Chairman

The Advancement Committee maintains records of Scout’s achievements, sets up Boards of Review, arranges Courts of Honor and Eagle Court of Honor, secures badges and awards for each boy, sets up merit badge clinics, and maintains a list of merit badge counselors.

The Advancement Chairman is Craig Johnson.

Troop Organization 

Patrols

Every Boy Scout Troop is made up of Patrols who work together as a team.  Each Patrol elects its own leader.  The Patrol Leaders, with an elected Senior Patrol Leader at its head, make up the Troop Leaders Council (TLC).  It is this Council’s job to decide on the Troop activities and run the Troop program.  Patrols may have their own meetings and carry out their own Patrol Activities. 

Venture Scouting

Venture Scouting is for Scouts who have completed the ninth grade and who are interested in more challenging outdoor experiences. Our Venture Scouting Patrol participates fully in all Troop Activities.  In addition to coming on all Troop campouts, Venture also may go on several other outdoor activities each year.  Some of these activities may include:  kayaking, canoeing, indoor rock climbing, rappelling, camping and hiking. 

Troop Meetings

Troop meetings are held Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Northwest Bible Church.  We meet in the CE Auditorium.  The Troop does not meet for several weeks after Summer Camp and does not meet on holidays when the church is closed.  The August to August calendar will indicate meeting dates for the entire year for both Scouts and Adults (Scouters).

Troop Meetings always begin with the presentation of the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.  The SPL and Scoutmaster make announcements concerning upcoming events and advancement.  There may be a demonstration of a Scouting skill by one of the Patrols, an adult leader, or an outside authority.  The Trail to First Class Scouts may break out for a portion of the meeting to work on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Rank advancement and camping skills.  Some meetings will also include Merit Badge classes taught over several consecutive weeks.  The Troop comes back together for a game or a skit, and the Meeting is closed with the Scoutmaster’s Minute and Retrieval of the Colors.  Be sure to pick up your son at 8:30 p.m. 

You are encouraged to attend troop meeting, but remember we are trying to let the scouts run the program.  This can be a source of consternation for most parents.  Scouting should be a “game with a purpose.”  We endeavor to let the scouts have the opportunities to lead and serve and not run the program for them. 

Troop Leaders’ Council Meetings

Troop Leadership Council (TLC) Meetings are held monthly prior to the Troop Meeting, usually at 6:00 till 6:45.  TLC Meetings review the execution of campout planning, refine planning for the next month’s Troop Activities and provide a forum to discuss the Scouts ideas for improving their Troop.  The Meeting is chaired by the SPL and includes every Scout in a leadership position.  The Scoutmaster is present as a guide.

Troop Elections

Elections for the Boy Leadership of the Troop are held twice per year, usually in August and February. 

 Troop Committee Meetings

The Troop Committee meets every four to six weeks from 6:00 p.m. until about 7:15 p.m.  Every dad of a 125 Scout is asked to attend.  Every registered dad (a “Scouter”) is a member of the Troop Committee and should plan on attending regularly.  At Troop Committee Meetings, the business of the Troop is conducted and reports are heard from sub-committee chairs. 

Courts of Honor

Courts of Honor are held approximately four to six times per year.  At a Court of Honor, your son will be recognized for any rank advancement he has earned since the last Court.  He will be awarded Merit Badge patches.  There may be other special awards.  Plan on attending every Court of Honor with your son to support and encourage him in Scouting.  Parents are always on stage with their son when he is awarded a rank advancement.  Mothers will get a miniature “Mother’s Pin” signifying your son’s rank, and may be worn on the “Mother’s Pin Ribbon.”  It is a special time for your son, and he wants you to be a part of it. 

Eagle Courts of Honor

Eagle Courts of Honor are held for each Eagle candidate when he has completed his Trail to Eagle.  Eagle Courts may be separate from the regular Troop Courts of Honor or may follow immediately after a Troop Court of Honor.  Eagle Courts of Honor are impressive ceremony that emphasizes the lessons learned on the Trail to Eagle.  We hope you will   support the Scouts of Troop 125 who have achieved this highest rank in Scouting by being present at their Eagle Courts.

Families are encouraged to take an active role in the planning of the ceremony are provided with an information packet to help them plan their son’s Eagle Court of Honor along with the Troop.