For Families
Parent & Family Expectations
Scouting is a family program. The commitment of parents and guardians is essential to the success of every scout — and to the health of the troop as a whole.
Partnership Makes It Work
Troop 1887 is a volunteer-run organization. Everything we do — from weekly meetings to camping trips to Eagle Scout boards of review — depends on the active involvement of scout families. Our success in delivering the promise of scouting to the scouts in our troop is due to the involvement of parents. This may be membership on the committee, volunteering as a uniformed adult leader (assistant Scoutmaster), providing transportation from time to time. The troops success relies on parent involvement. We ask every family to understand and commit to the expectations below before joining the troop.
Meeting Attendance
- Scouts are expected to attend weekly troop meetings consistently. Regular attendance is required for rank advancement and troop participation.
- Parents are responsible for ensuring their scout arrives on time and is picked up promptly at the end of meetings.
- If a scout must miss a meeting, families should notify the Scoutmaster or Senior Patrol Leader in advance.
- Parents are welcome — and encouraged — to stay and observe meetings, especially when new to the troop.
Camping & Outings
- Scouts are expected to participate in the majority of troop camping trips and outings throughout the year.
- Parents must complete and submit all required BSA permission slips and health forms before each outing.
- Families are responsible for ensuring scouts have appropriate gear, clothing, and medications for each trip.
- Adult volunteers are needed on every campout. Families are asked to provide at least one adult volunteer per camping trip per year.
- All adult volunteers on overnight trips must have a current BSA Youth Protection Training (YPT) certification.
Adult Volunteering
- Every family is expected to contribute volunteer time to the troop. This may include driving to events, helping at meetings, serving on the troop committee, or leading merit badge workshops.
- The troop cannot function without adult volunteers. We ask each family to commit to a meaningful level of involvement each year.
- Adults who wish to serve in a registered leadership role must complete BSA adult leader training and Youth Protection Training.
- The Troop Committee meets monthly and welcomes parent participation. Committee members help with finances, advancement, equipment, and troop administration.
Financial Responsibilities
- Annual BSA registration fees and troop dues are required for all scouts. Fees help cover program costs, insurance, and council support.
- Families are responsible for the cost of camping trips, summer camp, and high-adventure expeditions. Costs vary by activity and are communicated in advance.
- Scouts are encouraged to participate in troop fundraisers to offset activity costs. Fundraiser participation helps keep program costs manageable for all families.
- Financial assistance is available for families who need it. Please speak confidentially with the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.
Communication
- Families are expected to stay current with troop communications. The troop uses scout book plus messaging platform to share schedules, announcements, and updates. Groupme is used for Leader/Parent contact during different events.
- Parents should ensure the troop has current contact information, including emergency contacts and any relevant medical information for their scout.
- Questions, concerns, or feedback should be directed to the Scoutmaster or a member of the Troop Committee — not addressed through scouts.
- The troop follows BSA's two-deep leadership and Youth Protection policies at all times. Families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these guidelines.
Scout Support at Home
- Parents play a critical role in supporting their scout's advancement. Encourage your scout to work on rank requirements, merit badges, and leadership responsibilities between meetings.
- Reinforce the Scout Oath and Scout Law at home. Scouting values — trustworthiness, helpfulness, kindness — should be lived, not just recited.
- Help your scout stay organized with their handbook, merit badge records, and advancement paperwork.
- Celebrate your scout's achievements. Rank advancements, merit badges, and leadership positions are meaningful milestones worth recognizing.
Youth Protection Training
BSA's Youth Protection Training (YPT) is required for all registered adult leaders and strongly recommended for all scout parents. YPT teaches adults how to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse — and how to create a safe environment for every scout. The training is free and available online at my.scouting.org.
Complete YPT at my.scouting.orgQuestions or Concerns?
We know that every family's situation is different. If you have questions about any of these expectations, or if there are circumstances that affect your family's ability to participate, please reach out to our Scoutmaster. We are here to work with you.