Advancement Opportunities

Parent Participation

Patrol Leader's Council

The Big Event

One of the aims of Scouting is to develop young men into participating citizens. A participating citizen does more than what is expected of a good citizen, such as voting and obeying the law. He takes an active role in the community.

A participating citizen might be a Scouter or a volunteer with some other organization. Or, he or she might hold an elected or appointed office, lead a service club or church group, or serve as a firefighter, police officer, or health-care provider.

This program feature is designed to introduce Scouts to some of the people who help your community function. No matter how large or small your community is, there are many participating citizens Scouts can get to know.

The big event might be a historic tour, a community Good Turn, or a combination of the two.

This month’s patrol and troop activities should give your Scouts

• A greater understanding of their duty to country and to help other people
• Awareness of their rights and duties as citizens
• Some knowledge of their heritage as citizens of their community and country
• Increased self-confidence

• Outdoor—hiking, camping
• Citizenship—flag ceremonies
• Patrol/troop participation—patrol identification
• Personal development—Scout Oath and Law

• Outdoor—camping, cooking, hiking
• Citizenship—flag ceremonies
• Patrol/troop participation
• Personal development—Scout Oath and Law

• Outdoor—camping, hiking, cooking, nature
• Citizenship—flag ceremonies
• Patrol/troop participation
• Personal development—Scout Oath and Law

Experienced Scouts can concentrate on the citizenship merit badges this month. Depending on activities during the outing, they may also cover requirements for the Hiking, Public Health, American Cultures, and American Heritage merit badges.

The patrol leaders’ council can involve parents in the program feature this month by

• Asking qualified people to assist with instruction for citizenship skills
• Inviting families on the outing
• Asking parents to provide transportation for a visit to community meetings

The patrol leaders’ council should meet during the early part of the previous month to plan troop activities for this program feature. If you don’t complete all items on the following agenda, continue planning at patrol leaders council meetings after each troop meeting.

• Decide which public or private group the troop will visit this month, and make arrangements for the visit.
• Invite a community leader to a troop meeting to discuss his or her work and moderate a discussion of the rights and duties of a citizen.
• Plan special activities for community service.
• Plan details of troop meetings for the month. Assign patrol demonstrations covering skills that will be needed to complete advancement through First Class.
• Make a list of possible patrol Good Thins for the community.

This big event can be an experience that will not only expose the Scouts to your community, but let the community become aware that Scouting is alive and still working. The aim is to expose the Scouts to the inner workings of the community, the people who serve the public, and the responsibility of each citizen to support the community.

Public service for the Scouts may mean becoming involved in an ongoing community project or a series of Good Turn projects that Scouts can perform.

As you learn about the area you live in, find out about its history. Learn how it evolved to where it is today. Was your community once a boom town? Who were the community’s founders? What role did this area have in the development of this country?

In most states there are historic trails, already marked and waiting for your troop. More than 250 of them have been approved by the Boy Scouts of America for their historic significance and good trail conditions. You can get a list of the approved trails from the local council service center.

If there are no BSA-approved trails in your area, but you know of a historic site, your troop might consider establishing such a trail and at the same time earning the Historic Trails Award. Ask your council service center for a copy of the requirements.

The troop and patrols might consider one of the following for a Good Turn this month:

• Plan a community beautification project.
• Take part in a food drive.
• Support a program for firefighters or law enforcement officials.
• Participate in a patriotic parade.
• Help with meals-on-wheels.
• Lead a get-out-the-vote campaign.