This information provides a general overview of our scouting program, as
well as the general methods of the Boy Scouting movement.
Scouting is fun outdoor oriented activity for boys.
Scouting programs challenge each scout to work with other scouts, develop a
wide range of skills, and learn to be a leader.
Jery Stedinger, Scoutmaster
Troop 2 Adult Leaders* Jery Stedinger (257-8016), Scoutmaster* Mark Tate (266-9422), Assistant Scoutmaster * Ben Brown (347-4922), Senior Assistant SM * Tim Nord, Asst. SM * Tom Caswell, Asst. SM * Jeremy Tagliaferre, Asst. SM * Dan Ophardt, Asst. SM * Luke Landherr, Asst. SM * Robin Stedinger (257-8016) - Asst. SM, First-year scouts * David Kuckuk, Asst. SM * Phil Lutzi, Asst. SM * Alison Morris, Asst. SM |
Troop 2 Committee* Mike Thompson (273-4927), Chair, Advancement* Tony Brock, Treasurer, Webster * Terry Byrnes, Chartered Organization Representative * Rick Grossman, Merit badge coordinator * Teri Tate, Secretary and permits * Rick Grossman, Merit badge coordinator * Steve Lampke, Boards of review * Laura Andolina * Mark Ladd
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Troop 2 Scouting Program
Troop meetings are held at the First Congregational Church in Cayuga Heights
(download a map and
driving directions) on Monday evening 7:30 to 9:00, except after some
campouts. The Monday after a campout is often a Patrol Leaders Council
meeting for Troop officers and patrol leaders to organize future events;
most scouts have the evening off.
Troop 2 attends summer camp for a week every year, usually at
Camp Barton.
Scouts may go to Camp Barton during other weeks on a provisional basis.
Troop 2 attempts to have one campout or other outdoor event every month from
Sept. through June. This includes overnight backpacking trips, snow camping,
district camporees, Jan. Klondike Derby, a Feb. Ski trip, and rafting in
Pennsylvania. Sometimes weather requires that an event be rescheduled or
restructured. Recent year-end Memorial Weekend trips have included Niagara
Falls, Valley Forge-Philadelphia, Gettysburg, New York, Toronto and the
Boston Freedom Trail. We have hiked and canoed in the Adirondacks, on the
Finger Lakes Trail and along the Erie Canal. In 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2004
Troop contingents went to Philmont high adventure Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Joining the Troop
To join the Troop a scout needs to fill out a BSA registration form and the
attached BSA medical form. Special medical forms are required for summer
camp; permission slips are needed for out-of-council events.
Annual dues are $35 for scouts who participate in the annual fund raisers,
and are payable in September. This includes a subscription to Boys Life.
This covers only about half of our costs for each scout. (Costs include
National dues, Boys Life, insurance, some camping fees, and costs for
awards, training & equipment). To cover the remainder of its costs the Troop
participates in several fund raising activities during the year. Popcorn and
holiday wreath sales have been the most successful. Scouts who do not
participate in fundraising activities are asked to pay additional dues of
$35 in January. The cost of trips and equipment should not prevent scouts
from participating. We try to avoid costly activities. If costs or equipment
are a problem for your family, please talk to the troop treasurer or
scoutmaster. Scholarships are available.
Dues for registered cub scouts joining in the spring are $35 to reflect our
costs.
Dues for new scouts that join mid-year are $45 to reflect the annual
registration costs and their inability to participate in the fall fund
raisers.
Advancement
Troop 2 promotes the BSA advancement program. Participating Scouts generally
achieve first class rank within 18 months. Special merit badge and
first-year advancement classes are usually scheduled prior to the weekly
meeting from 7:00 - 7:30.
Scouts work toward the ranks of scout, tenderfoot, second class, first
class, and then star, life and eagle. Troop 2 has an exemplary first-year
scout program through which younger scouts work with older scouts and adults
to learn basic scouting skills (camping, hiking, cooking, first aid, knots,
and citizenship) and scouting values.
Parents do not sign advancement requirements as they may have in cub scouts,
although parents are encouraged to help their scouts learn the material. In
general, an older scout is responsible to teach and test younger scouts on
the skills and activities needed to earn the beginning ranks. This is part
of the older scouts responsibilities. The ranks of star, life and eagle
require that scouts earn merit badges, which requires that they work with
adult merit badge counselors. The Troop and the Council are always looking
for adults who are willing to serve as merit badge counselors; how about
you?
Troop 2 Web site policy
Troop 2 adheres to the principles established by Lord Baden Powell and maintained by the Boy Scouts of America. Content of this web site should not cause offence to, or infringe the individual rights of, any person who wishes to view our site. Any commercial links are not product endorsements; instead they are offered to increase the choices available to scouts and their families. To link to the troop intranet click here
BSA Scouting Methods
1. Scouting is a fun activity leading to personal growth.
2. Scouts work in patrols requiring cooperation, team work, and
organization.
3. Patrols and the troop are led by youth leaders (scouts).
4. The scoutmaster and his assistants provide guidance and a positive adult
example.
5. Outdoor activities are fun and give scouts an opportunity to develop and
test new skills, to learn about the outdoors, and to work as patrols.
6. The advancement program challenges scouts to learn new skills, and to
gain self-confidence and recognition for their achievements.
7. The scout uniform allows the scout to identify with the scouting movement
and to have a positive self image. It reflects his commitment to scouting
and its aims.
8. The ideals of scouting are exemplified by the scout oath, law, slogan,
and motto.
Scout Law -
A Scout is
BSA Troop 2 Policies
Adopted by Troop Committee March 13, 2001
Knife Policy
Folding pocket knives with a max blade length 3" are the only knives (other than mess kit knives) allowed in Troop 2. Sheath knives are prohibited.
Two-Deep Adult Leadership, tenting and Transportation Policy
At least two adult leaders, or one leader and a parent of a participating Scout, must be at all scouting events. At least one adult must be 21 years old or older. An adult cannot sleep alone with a scout who is not his/her son. We also avoid situations where an adult is alone with a scout who is not his or her son, such as the end of troop meetings.
The Troop needs car license plate information for all vehicles transporting scouts. Troop 2 requires that drivers be at least 25 years old. As a rule a Scout should not be alone in a car with only one unrelated adult. Transportation to and from campouts should generally be arranged so that an adult leader does not travel alone in a vehicle with just one unrelated scout.
Troop 2 Electronics Policy
Troop 2 permits no use of cell phones, music players or game machines unless specifically pre-authorized by the scoutmaster/adult leader responsible. On all occasions, cellular communications will be available to at least one of the responsible leaders for the event and the regular phone line is available during summer camp at Barton. Troop 2 obviously cannot guarantee coverage in any given area.
Discipline Policy
Troop 2 strives to teach Scouts to live by the principles exemplified in the Scout Oath and Law. Scouting should be fun and challenging while providing a safe and supportive environment in which Scouts can learn and grow without unnecessary roughness, physical or verbal intimidation, foul or offensive language or disrespectful behavior. All Scouts should help build Troop unity and an effective, enjoyable program.
Examples of unacceptable behavior include:
1) failure to follow reasonable directives from an adult or junior leader
2) unnecessary or inappropriate physical roughness
3) threatening or intimidating another person by word or action
4) foul language, as well as negative or derogatory banter
5) offensive behavior or language regarding race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation
6) behavior that displays disrespect for other persons, personal property or the environment
7) smoking
8) possession or use of fireworks
9) unauthorized use or possession of firearms or other weapons
10) use or possession of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances (except medication of which the adult leadership is aware)
11) use or possession of axes, hatchets or sheath knives or any knife except a folding pocket knife (max blade length 3" without permission of the Scoutmaster or other adult leader
When discipline problems occur that need more than a friendly reminder from a Scout's peers or supervising adults, the following steps are taken:
Step 1) A Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, or other designated adult asks the Scout to stop the inappropriate behavior. The adult makes sure the Scout understands the nature of the offense, discusses appropriate behaviors, and, with the Scout, seeks ways to correct damage that resulted from the Scouts action.
Step 2) If the problem persists an official warning is issued to the Scout and reported to the Scoutmaster, who maintains a log of such incidents.
Step 3) If the Scout continues to misbehave, the Scout's parent(s) or guardian(s) are contacted. The Scoutmaster, at least one Assistant Scoutmaster, and the Scout's parent/guardian(s) should devise a plan to resolve the problem and for the Scout to compensate for his inappropriate behavior. The Scoutmaster informs the Troop Committee Chair.
Step 4) If the problem continues to persist, the Scoutmaster should call a conference attended by the Scoutmaster and at least one Assistant Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee Chair, the offending Scout and the Scout's parent(s) or guardian(s). The problem(s) is/ are discussed, positive goals are formulated and a plan is devised to resolve the situation. The Scoutmaster and at least one Assistant Scoutmaster may temporarily suspend the Scout from troop meetings and activities until such a conference occurs. Junior leaders are not permitted to expel other Scouts from troop meetings or events.
Step 5) If inappropriate behavior continues, or there is disagreement among the parties involved, the matter is taken to the Troop Committee. The Committee listens to all interested parties, gathers information and decides the matter. Possible resolutions include, but are not restricted to: negotiating an agreement with the Scout and his parent(s) or guardian(s) about acceptable behavior, requiring that a parent or guardian attend all scouting activities in which the Scout participates, or expelling the Scout from the troop.
Fortunately serious problems rarely arise due to the good character of our Scouts. When there are problems, cooperation among Scouts, Scoutmasters and parents often turn problems into opportunities for growth and character development.
