GENERAL PHILOSOPHY
Troop 100 is first and foremost a Scout run organization. We believe that the greatest growth and experience comes with opportunities in leadership and responsibility.
Adult participation is a necessity and is needed to ensure the program’s goals can be achieved.
The scout will get as much out of scouting as he or she puts into it. Family support and participation greatly contributes to a scout’s advancement and interest.
Troop 100 is a “less formal” troop. In Naperville and the surrounding communities, academics, sports, music and other personal achievement goals can at times conflict with Troop 100 activities. We want our scouts to take advantage of all opportunities. We encourage attendance at meetings and outings, but regular attendance is not mandatory in order to be a member.
As parents, scout leaders, active adults or committee members, we want our boys to be well-rounded young men.
We have been fortunate in maintaining the organization to approximately 40 scouts. This affords a higher degree of personal attention from adult leaders and in many cases, scouts form stronger bonds with their peers in a smaller setting.
NEW SCOUT PROGRAM
The transition from Cub to Scouts can be both exhilarating and unsettling. In Cub Scouts, activities are run by parents. Older Scout activities are run by the scouts with parent guidance and involvement.
Troop 100 provides troop guides (senior scouts) for the incoming scouts and parent teams for incoming parents. This provides dual coverage for a family joining our scouting program.
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Scouting ranks include:
- Scout
- Tenderfoot
- Second Class
- First Class
- Star
- Life
- Eagle
Each rank requires the scout to learn basic camping, safety and first aid skills. As the scout masters basic skills, merit badges are added to the requirements to allow the scout to focus on specific skills. Generally, most scouts reach First Class in one year.
Troop 100 has over 115 Scouts that have earned the rank of Eagle.
In addition to personal rank advancement, there are several Troop positions the boys can serve in, they include: Senior Patrol Leader, Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Patrol Leader, Asst. Patrol Leader, Librarian, Historian, etc. These positions allow the scout to gain experience in both leadership and responsibility. Some positions are elected or assigned by the Senior Patrol Leader.
REGULAR ACTIVITIES
Troop 100 is active year-round:
Troop Meetings on Monday Nights
(expect break from summer camp until school starts)
Day Activities – As Planned
Camp Outs – Monthly
Summer Camp – Owasippee (2nd or 3rd week in July in Whitehall, Michigan)
HIGH ADVENTURE
Troop 100 has traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, sailed the Florida Keys and the Bahamas from the Scout’s Florida Seabase, gone white water rafting in West Virginia and made back country canoe trips in the Canadian Boundary Waters region.
The High Adventure program is reserved for scouts over 13 and at least First Class. These are challenging activities for both scouts and adult leaders that generate memories for a lifetime.
VENTURE CREW
As the scout matures, Troop 100 has a Venture Crew that consists of high school age young adults. They meet on Mondays and plan activities directed toward older scout interests. This includes a High Adventure expedition in the summer.
ORDER OF THE ARROW
Each year, scouts nominate their peers who have shown exemplary “Scouting Spirit” to the Order of the Arrow. This is a Scouting Service Organization comprised of honor Scouts.
TROOP 100 EQUIPMENT
The troop has all the equipment necessary for campouts. The scout will need to have his own “personal gear.” Presently, we have the following equipment:
- Trailer (Earned from pancake sales!)
- Patrol Boxes
- Tents
- Cooking Gear
- Camping Tools
MEETING FACILITIES
Wesley United Methodist Church is our sponsoring organization. The Troop has the use of a spacious lower level meeting room. It is handicap accessible. We also have adjoining kitchen as well as a separate room for our equipment storage.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Troop 100 participates in several community service functions: marathons, Naper Settlement activities, food drives, clothing drives, Three Fires Council Scout Ranch improvements, and DuPage County Forest Preserve improvements.
AWARD CEREMONIES
Recognition of scouts and adults takes place four times a year. We believe it is important to provide positive feedback to our youth. It instills pride in the scout and encourages further advancement.
Eagle ceremonies are planned as needed. This is a special event for the scout, his family and the Troop.
Only 2% of scouts reach the rank of Eagle. It is an achievement that merits its own award ceremony!
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES – ADULTS
To provide effective support and planning Troop 100 Committee meets the first Monday of every month. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES–SCOUTS
The Scouts hold a “Greenbar” meeting once a month. This allows the scout leadership to plan activities.
In order to provide individual and team building exercises, the Troop is made up of several “Patrols.” Each Scout is given the opportunity during his scouting life to hold different positions in a patrol to gain leadership experience.
FUNDRAISERS
In order to pay for troop equipment, supplies and patches for advancement, the Troop holds various fundraisers during the year. They may include:
- Popcorn Sales
- Camping Tools
- Pancake Breakfast
- Wreath Sales
- Friends of Scouting
Scouts who participate in these events earn a percentage of the sale.
That percentage is applied to the scout’s individual reward account (IRA). The scout can use those funds for purchasing personal equipment or for activity fees.