Who is Troop 100?
- Troop 100 is chartered by Wesley United Methodist Men’s Group. We meet Mondays 7-8:30 at the church when school is in session.
- Troop 100 is a scout-led troop. We believe that the greatest growth and experience comes with opportunities in leadership and responsibility.
- Troop 100 is an active troop. We have meetings nearly every Monday, monthly camp outs, Owasippe summer camp and high adventure (age 14+) camps, and service projects.
- Troop 100 has many trained leaders and many supportive adult volunteers.
- Troop 100 provides an excellent framework for rank advancement.
- Troop 100 is closely associated with Venture Crew 100. All Troop 100 scouts are added to the Venture Crew 100 roster when they turn 14, at no additional cost.
What are the fees and costs?
- The current annual fee for a single scout is $55, $60 for a new scout (comes with a class “B” t-shirt). Most of this fee is passed directly to Three Fires Council.
- Some of the troop expenses are covered by receipts from the annual pancake breakfast and annual wreath sale. We expect every scout to participate up to low level minimum sales.
- The regular fee for a campout is $30 per scout, occasionally more to cover special activities.
- Owasippe summer camp fees are $…
What might we need to buy?
- A class “A” uniform.
- Some basic camping equipment. The Troop has much of the equipment needed for campouts, including tents, tarps, gas grills, lanterns, and patrol boxes containing pots, pans, utensils and spices. The equipment is stored in the troop trailer and towed to each outing. Each camper will need to bring a mess kit, water bottle (clear, so we can see that the scouts are hydrating), sleeping bag & pad, headlamp and appropriate clothing.
How does Rank Advancement work?
The requirements for all ranks are in “The Boy Scout Handbook”. Up through the 1st Class rank, opportunities to fulfill requirements and advance will occur as the result of the regular troop activities including meetings, camp outs, and summer camp. Your Scout should have their SPL or an adult leader mark and date the requirements in their Scout Handbook as they complete them so you know what the status is. Please be aware that rank requirements up through 1st Class can be completed at any time, and they don’t need to be done in order. The Star, Life and Eagle ranks are more individual pursuits and there are time requirements involved.
How do Merit Badges work?
The Merit Badge process is now done online. Before work is started on a merit badge, the Scout should get approval from the Scoutmaster (SM) (the equivalent of getting a signed “Blue Card”), before the Scout begins work on the badge. To do this, the Scout should go to their Advancements page on Scoutbook and click “Start Another Merit Badge”. The SM will sign approval online. The merit badge counselor will check off requirements on Scoutbook. After the badge is complete, the counselor and SM will sign off on it. The advancement chair will complete the process by purchasing the patch. Note: Safeguard your copies of blue cards and any badges and ranks that were started before Scoutbook tracking began. That is the only official record that you earned them.
Where does Troop 100 camp?
- Recent camp outs have been far and near. Here are a few
- Cantigny in Wheaton ( Klondike Derby )
- Waterfall Glen ( conservation or orienteering )
- Devil’s Head , WI ( skiing )
- Maquoketa Caves State Park, IA ( spelunking )
- Roto-Kiwan Boy Scout Camp (Aviation Nerit Badge Kalamazoo Air Zoo)
- Van Buren State Park, MI (swimming)
- Rock Cut State Park, IL ( mountain biking)
- Underground Ziplining, Louisville Mega Cavern, Louisville, KY,
- Starved Rock, Oglesby, IL ( hiking)
- Morris, IL (kayaking)
- Owassippe Summer Camp
How is a campout organized?
- A signup sheet is posted a few weeks prior.
- Planning meals and other preparations are done during meeting prior to the camp out.
- Final roster for the camp out, scouts and adults and drivers is posted.
- We always must have a minimum of four adults, including trained leaders, for safety. All adults attending must have completed the BSA Youth Protection course (available online). We practice two-deep leadership at all times.
- One scout from each patrol will purchase food, costs up to $7 per scout are reimbursable.
- We meet at the church at 5:30 PM on Friday, load gear into trailer, pull health forms and depart.
- Scouts, upon arrival at the campsite, put phones and gaming equipment away for the duration.
- Sunday morning we break camp and drive home. An email with the expected arrival time at the church will go out. Scouts will also call home 30 minutes prior to arrival.
- Each scout will remain at the church until dismissed by the SPL.
- Each scout will be assigned a tent or a tarp to take home, dry out and clean.
What if my youth has a question or a problem at a meeting or campout?
The scout should first talk to his Patrol Leader (PL). If the issue can’t be resolved at that level he should check with an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) or the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). Only after he has gone through those steps should he ask an adult leader. If your scout asks you for help or an answer at a troop meeting or campout, please direct him to talk to the youth leadership. Urgent safety issues should always be brought to the attention of adult leaders immediately. If you son ever has an issue with bullying or other bad behavior on the part of a fellow Scout, and they are afraid to bring it up to the youth leadership, please let one of the Scoutmasters know as soon as possible.
How do we communicate?
- Troop Email group – All parents/guardians and scouts should join our Google Group “troop100naperville” to receive Troop 100 emails.
- Troop Website – The member area of https://troop100.net/ has our calendar, forms, newsletter, camp out sign ups and much more.
- Slack for troop and crew at bsatroop100naperville.slack.com
How do we plan?
- An annual parent planning meeting is held in spring to sketch out the next year’s activities and events.
- Committee meetings are held during the Troop meeting on the first Monday of every month. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. A good bit of the final detailed planning is done at these meetings.
Does Troop 100 have scout accounts and how do they work?
- Yes, Troop 100 has scout accounts called Individual Reward Account (IRA)s
- Funds in a Scout’s IRA can be used to “pay his own way”, paying for scouting related activities and equipment.
- A portion of each scout’s fund raising receipts are placed in his IRA.
- The portion allocated to IRAs varies by fund raising event. The formula is announced prior to each fund raiser.
What are the troop fundraisers?
- The Pancake Breakfast is our biggest fundraiser; everyone is expected to participate.
- Additional fundraisers may be offered to help scouts raise funds for scouting; these fundraisers are optional.
What if a scout is involved in other activities?
Many Troop 100 scouts are involved in music, sports and other youth groups. We understand that scouts cannot attend all meetings and activities, especially during the busy seasons for other activities. Troop 100 is active year round, so there is plenty of opportunity to be involved.
How can I help?
Glad you asked! Adult participation is a necessity and is needed to ensure the program’s goals can be achieved. Each parent, family or guardian is expected to participate fully in Troop 100 by accepting a Troop position or helping with scouting activities. Please find a parent role that suits you and also volunteer when needed.
- Sit on boards of review, the final step for a rank advancement.
- Attend campouts, we often need drivers for our caravan.
- Step up for open parent roles, or shadow and assist with a currently filled role.