Boy Scouts of America
Northern New Jersey Council # 333
Lenape Trail District #33
formerly Orange Mountains District#47
Northern New Jersey Council # 333
Lenape Trail District #33
formerly Orange Mountains District#47
Troop 16 (5216)
Chartered by St. Philomena's Church
Livingston, New Jersey
Chartered by St. Philomena's Church
Livingston, New Jersey
Order of the Arrow
Lenapehoking Lodge IX
Southwest Chapter
Northern New Jersey Council
Lenapehoking Lodge IX
Southwest Chapter
Northern New Jersey Council
Scouting 2
ACTIVITIES
CONTINUED...
Most councils, if not all, own and operate one or more permanent camps. These camps
host a variety of activities throughout the year, but are most heavily used during the summer.
Troops stay at these camps for a week at a time. Summer camps are important places for
the earning of merit badges, particularly those that require special facilities, such as archery
or canoeing. Purely recreational activities are also available, and most camps offer day-long
overnight side trips. Troops may choose to attend the summer camp operated by their own
council, or one in a more distant location.
Every four years (except between 2005 and 2010 to co-incide with the centennial of BSA)
the national council holds its National Scout Jamboree. These are usually held at Fort AP Hill
in Virginia and draw 30,000+ scouts from across the United states.
The national Scout organization also operates a number of high-adventure bases, including
Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.
Troops may choose to visit high-adventure bases instead of or in addition to the standard
summer camp.
Most councils, if not all, own and operate one or more permanent camps. These camps
host a variety of activities throughout the year, but are most heavily used during the summer.
Troops stay at these camps for a week at a time. Summer camps are important places for
the earning of merit badges, particularly those that require special facilities, such as archery
or canoeing. Purely recreational activities are also available, and most camps offer day-long
overnight side trips. Troops may choose to attend the summer camp operated by their own
council, or one in a more distant location.
Every four years (except between 2005 and 2010 to co-incide with the centennial of BSA)
the national council holds its National Scout Jamboree. These are usually held at Fort AP Hill
in Virginia and draw 30,000+ scouts from across the United states.
The national Scout organization also operates a number of high-adventure bases, including
Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.
Troops may choose to visit high-adventure bases instead of or in addition to the standard
summer camp.
________________
________________
UNIT ORGANIZATION
There are several adults which oversee a Boy Scout troop, the head of these being the
Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is the central adult responsible for the safety and continuity of the troop. Several trained and uniformed Assistant Scoutmasters assist
him in troop operations.
The Troop Committee, generally composed of any of the Scouts' parents who wish to participate, deals with troop business matters. The Committee often creates subcommittees and selects officers.
Troops are associated with Chartered Organizations, which often provide a meeting space and other assistance. The Chartered Organization Representative is the liaison handling the relations between a troop's Committee and its chartered organization.
Troops are divided into patrols of several boys, commonly between six and eight. Each patrol elects a Patrol Leader (PL), who may then appoint an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). The highest position of responsibility within the troop is that of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), elected by the troop at large, followed by his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). ASPLs are appointed by the SPL with the advice of the Scoutmaster. Larger troops may have multiple ASPLs serving simultaneously.
The SPL, ASPL, and Patrol Leaders make up the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC), the governing body of the troop. The SPL is the leader of the troop and the PLC. This group is responsible for organizing meetings, events, and outings. Some troops will include other positions (such as Scribe) on the Patrol Leader's Council. For any particular patrol, the Assistant Patrol Leader fills in when the Patrol Leader is absent.
Non-leadership positions of responsibility include:
Troops are grouped into districts covering a small geographical area. Districts are likewise organized into councils. There are over three hundred councils, organized into Regions, subsidiary to the National Council.
Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster is the central adult responsible for the safety and continuity of the troop. Several trained and uniformed Assistant Scoutmasters assist
him in troop operations.
The Troop Committee, generally composed of any of the Scouts' parents who wish to participate, deals with troop business matters. The Committee often creates subcommittees and selects officers.
Troops are associated with Chartered Organizations, which often provide a meeting space and other assistance. The Chartered Organization Representative is the liaison handling the relations between a troop's Committee and its chartered organization.
Troops are divided into patrols of several boys, commonly between six and eight. Each patrol elects a Patrol Leader (PL), who may then appoint an Assistant Patrol Leader (APL). The highest position of responsibility within the troop is that of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), elected by the troop at large, followed by his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL). ASPLs are appointed by the SPL with the advice of the Scoutmaster. Larger troops may have multiple ASPLs serving simultaneously.
The SPL, ASPL, and Patrol Leaders make up the Patrol Leader's Council (PLC), the governing body of the troop. The SPL is the leader of the troop and the PLC. This group is responsible for organizing meetings, events, and outings. Some troops will include other positions (such as Scribe) on the Patrol Leader's Council. For any particular patrol, the Assistant Patrol Leader fills in when the Patrol Leader is absent.
Non-leadership positions of responsibility include:
- One or more Quartermasters to keep track of troop-owned camping gear and other equipment
- Older Scouts may be assigned to patrols as Troop Guides, to instruct the younger boys
- A Historian to keep troop records
- A Librarian to keep the troop's library of merit badge handbooks and other official literature
- A Scribe, whose responsibilities may include taking attendance at meetings, collecting dues, keeping notes at patrol leaders' council meetings, and helping to write a troop newsletter
- A Bugler to play the troop bugle at flag ceremonies and other appropriate occasions
- One or two Chaplain's Aides to conduct Scout's Own nondenominational religious services whenever Scouts are at a Scout activity on a Sunday
- Any older Scout may work with a local Cub Scout Pack as a Den Chief
- Scouts may volunteer as Junior Assistant Scoutmasters to help the adult leaders with their various tasks.
- An Order of the Arrow Troop Representative to serve as a liaison between troop members and the local OA lodge.
Troops are grouped into districts covering a small geographical area. Districts are likewise organized into councils. There are over three hundred councils, organized into Regions, subsidiary to the National Council.
________________
AWARDS, HONORS AND SYMBOLISM
The BSA offers many awards and honors, such as:
20, 40, 60 and 100 Nights under the Stars awards (Nights under the Stars include all forms of
camping.);
50 Miler awards for hiking or watercraft trips of 50 miles, plus 10 hours of hiking-related community
service;
The Mile Swim award, for swimming one mile nonstop;
The Heroism Award, for heroic action such as saving a life;
The Honor Medal, for resourcefulness and skill in saving or trying to save a life.
Square Knot awards are given for significant good deeds. Patches may have different color
schemes according to the good deed done. Most Square Knot awards can be earned to adults
only, with the exception of the youth religious emblems.
The Totin' Chip card is given to Scouts who have learned how to safely use sharp-edged tools.
The Firem'n Chit card is given to Scouts who have learned how to safely build and light a campfire.
Religious emblems are granted in conjunction with various religious denominations.
Badges of rank:
The Scout rank badge has a brown fleur-de-lis on a greenish-yellow background. The fleur-de-lis
symbolizes a compass needle, pointing the Scout in the right direction, which is onward and upward.
The Tenderfoot rank badge has a yellow fleur-de-lis, with a star on each of the two lateral points,
an eagle on the center, and a shield on the eagle's chest colored somewhat like the American flag.
The stars symbolize truth and knowledge; the eagle and shield symbolize freedom and readiness
to defend that freedom.
The Second Class rank badge has a yellow horizontal scroll with the words of the Boy Scout
motto "Be Prepared," the ends turned up, and a knotted rope hanging from the bottom. The knot
symbolizes a reminder for each scout to remember the Scout slogan which is to "Do A Good Turn
Daily." This emblem represents service. The upturned ends of the scroll symbolize cheerfulness
in service.
The First Class rank badge combines the emblems for Tenderfoot and Second Class.
The Star rank badge has the First Class emblem on top of a yellow star.
The Life rank badge has the First Class emblem on top of a red heart, signifying that the ideals
of Scouting have become a part of the Scout's life and character.
The Eagle Scout badge has a grey eagle, and a grey scroll like that on the Second Class emblem.
They are on a tricolor background ringed with the words "Eagle Scout: Boy Scouts of America."
Merit badges may be earned in any of more than one hundred different subjects. Some merit
badges relate to personal development and adult living; others represent Scout skills; many are
handicrafts or hobbies; most are potential career options.
20, 40, 60 and 100 Nights under the Stars awards (Nights under the Stars include all forms of
camping.);
50 Miler awards for hiking or watercraft trips of 50 miles, plus 10 hours of hiking-related community
service;
The Mile Swim award, for swimming one mile nonstop;
The Heroism Award, for heroic action such as saving a life;
The Honor Medal, for resourcefulness and skill in saving or trying to save a life.
Square Knot awards are given for significant good deeds. Patches may have different color
schemes according to the good deed done. Most Square Knot awards can be earned to adults
only, with the exception of the youth religious emblems.
The Totin' Chip card is given to Scouts who have learned how to safely use sharp-edged tools.
The Firem'n Chit card is given to Scouts who have learned how to safely build and light a campfire.
Religious emblems are granted in conjunction with various religious denominations.
Badges of rank:
The Scout rank badge has a brown fleur-de-lis on a greenish-yellow background. The fleur-de-lis
symbolizes a compass needle, pointing the Scout in the right direction, which is onward and upward.
The Tenderfoot rank badge has a yellow fleur-de-lis, with a star on each of the two lateral points,
an eagle on the center, and a shield on the eagle's chest colored somewhat like the American flag.
The stars symbolize truth and knowledge; the eagle and shield symbolize freedom and readiness
to defend that freedom.
The Second Class rank badge has a yellow horizontal scroll with the words of the Boy Scout
motto "Be Prepared," the ends turned up, and a knotted rope hanging from the bottom. The knot
symbolizes a reminder for each scout to remember the Scout slogan which is to "Do A Good Turn
Daily." This emblem represents service. The upturned ends of the scroll symbolize cheerfulness
in service.
The First Class rank badge combines the emblems for Tenderfoot and Second Class.
The Star rank badge has the First Class emblem on top of a yellow star.
The Life rank badge has the First Class emblem on top of a red heart, signifying that the ideals
of Scouting have become a part of the Scout's life and character.
The Eagle Scout badge has a grey eagle, and a grey scroll like that on the Second Class emblem.
They are on a tricolor background ringed with the words "Eagle Scout: Boy Scouts of America."
Merit badges may be earned in any of more than one hundred different subjects. Some merit
badges relate to personal development and adult living; others represent Scout skills; many are
handicrafts or hobbies; most are potential career options.
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA
The standard Scout uniform, worn by Scouts and adult leaders, includes:
A beige button-up shirt, with two front pockets. Most Scouts opt for the short-sleeve version.
Green pants or shorts with multiple pockets, made of a material similar to that of blue jeans
A cloth, webbed belt with a brass buckle. The end of the belt has a brass tab. When worn the
brass tab should be aligned in contact with the brass buckle so that there is no gap between the
buckle and end of the belt.
A neckerchief. Neckerchief designs are unique to every troop.
Green socks with two red bands near the top are worn with shorts and at one time were the
only type of approved socks to be worn with the uniform. Shorter, all-green socks without red
bands may now be worn with long pants.
An optional green baseball cap with red brim and Scouting insignia on the forehead is one of
the approved forms of headgear. There are many other styles (beret, etc.) that a troop may adopt.
Some troops institute coup beads. These vary between troops, but the basic principle is this:
A thick piece of leather is worn on the belt, with leather thongs hanging from it. For every Scout
activity in which he participates, a Scout is awarded a special bead (or sometimes a pair, for
symmetry) that is slipped onto the thong.
Many patches are worn at specific places on the uniform shirt:
On the left sleeve, from the top down: a pentagonal patch representing the council to with the
Scout belongs, an optional strip listing the age of the troop, the number of the troop, a patch
representing any position of responsibility he may hold, and a patch signifying that the Scout
(or adult leader) has undergone leadership training.
On the right sleeve, from the top down: a U.S. flag, and an optional patch representing the name
of the patrol to which the Scout belongs, and a "Quality Unit" patch at the bottom, which is awarded
annually to troops that meet certain criteria.
Shoulder loops on buttoned epaulets. The shoulder loops are colored bands that signify the
organization which the scout is active in. Cub Scouts wear blue, Boy Scouts wear red, Varsity
Scouts wear blaze, and Venturers wear green. At the higher levels of organization, adult employees
and representatives of the Council wear silver and national employees and representatives wear gold.
On the left pocket, a badge of rank.
Below the left pocket, a Scout may wear the "Arrow of Light Award," signifying that the Scout earned
the highest award in Cub Scouting when he was a Cub Scout. This is the only insignia that may be
transitioned between these two membership divisions.
Above the left pocket, centered between the pocket and the epaulet, any scout may wear the
World Scout Emblem.
On the right pocket, a patch awarded at a summer camp or other activity, a Nights under the Stars
award, or any other temporary insignia.
Above the right pocket some Scouts wear a name badge or pin and sometimes an interpreter strip,
signifying the ability to speak another language fluently. The space above that is reserved for a
National Jamboree patch.
On the right pocket flap, a patch signifying membership in the Order of the Arrow.
A beige button-up shirt, with two front pockets. Most Scouts opt for the short-sleeve version.
Green pants or shorts with multiple pockets, made of a material similar to that of blue jeans
A cloth, webbed belt with a brass buckle. The end of the belt has a brass tab. When worn the
brass tab should be aligned in contact with the brass buckle so that there is no gap between the
buckle and end of the belt.
A neckerchief. Neckerchief designs are unique to every troop.
Green socks with two red bands near the top are worn with shorts and at one time were the
only type of approved socks to be worn with the uniform. Shorter, all-green socks without red
bands may now be worn with long pants.
An optional green baseball cap with red brim and Scouting insignia on the forehead is one of
the approved forms of headgear. There are many other styles (beret, etc.) that a troop may adopt.
Some troops institute coup beads. These vary between troops, but the basic principle is this:
A thick piece of leather is worn on the belt, with leather thongs hanging from it. For every Scout
activity in which he participates, a Scout is awarded a special bead (or sometimes a pair, for
symmetry) that is slipped onto the thong.
Many patches are worn at specific places on the uniform shirt:
On the left sleeve, from the top down: a pentagonal patch representing the council to with the
Scout belongs, an optional strip listing the age of the troop, the number of the troop, a patch
representing any position of responsibility he may hold, and a patch signifying that the Scout
(or adult leader) has undergone leadership training.
On the right sleeve, from the top down: a U.S. flag, and an optional patch representing the name
of the patrol to which the Scout belongs, and a "Quality Unit" patch at the bottom, which is awarded
annually to troops that meet certain criteria.
Shoulder loops on buttoned epaulets. The shoulder loops are colored bands that signify the
organization which the scout is active in. Cub Scouts wear blue, Boy Scouts wear red, Varsity
Scouts wear blaze, and Venturers wear green. At the higher levels of organization, adult employees
and representatives of the Council wear silver and national employees and representatives wear gold.
On the left pocket, a badge of rank.
Below the left pocket, a Scout may wear the "Arrow of Light Award," signifying that the Scout earned
the highest award in Cub Scouting when he was a Cub Scout. This is the only insignia that may be
transitioned between these two membership divisions.
Above the left pocket, centered between the pocket and the epaulet, any scout may wear the
World Scout Emblem.
On the right pocket, a patch awarded at a summer camp or other activity, a Nights under the Stars
award, or any other temporary insignia.
Above the right pocket some Scouts wear a name badge or pin and sometimes an interpreter strip,
signifying the ability to speak another language fluently. The space above that is reserved for a
National Jamboree patch.
On the right pocket flap, a patch signifying membership in the Order of the Arrow.
The Official Cub Scout and Boy Scout Internet site of Aidan Romualdo
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