Information for Parents and New or Prospective Scouts
Boy Scout Troop 9
<www.t9ch.org/>
February 2007

Welcome to Boy Scout Troop 9, sponsored by The Chapel of the Cross, under charter from the Boy Scouts of America.  We are pleased that you are considering or have joined us in the Scouting adventure.
 
When you become a Boy Scout... you belong to a group of friends that wants to go places and do things.  As a Scout, you will hike and camp, learn how to live in the out-of-doors, and discover many ways to care for the land.  You can cook your meals over a camp stove and identify all kinds of plants and animals that are part of our environment.
- Ben H. Love
Chief Scout Executive
 
Troop 9 is boy led, with guidance from the adult leaders and oversight from the Troop committee and the sponsoring institution, The Chapel of the Cross.  For this year, officers include Scoutmaster Gregg Gerdau (919 932-5202, home, or sm@t9ch.org); Dave Filpus, Committee Chair, and Dave Scocca, Institutional Representative.
 
If you have questions, either before or after you join, please let us help you.  Further detail on the Troop is available in the Troop Overview, Committee Officers and Voting documents, available on the web site or in hard copy by request.
 
Schedule
 
The Troop meets weekly on Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the basement of the Chapel of the Cross, next to the Morehead Planetarium.  We have twelve outdoor program events each year, ranging from overnight camping trips to high adventure outings and a week-long Summer Camp.
 
Our program year runs September to August.  The annual Troop calendar is proposed in May and finalized at the September parents meeting.  Outing and calendar suggestions are always welcome.

The Troop Committee, the governing parent body of the Troop, meets from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in the basement of the Chapel of the Cross to address issues related to the planning and operation of the Troop.  
 
Fees & Equipment
 
Dues are ninety dollars a year for the September to August Troop year.  This fee covers registration, Boys Life, badges and Troop equipment.  Scholarships are available.  Dues are due by the second Troop outing of the year.
 
A transfer of current registration is available for incoming Cub Scouts to cover the period up to the beginning of the Troop's program year.
 
Summer Camp is at Camp Cherokee, west of Yanceyville, NC.  This year's camp fee will be about two hundred sixty dollars.  A current physical examination is required; copies of the Scout medical form are available.
 
With the exception of Summer Camp (and certain high adventure trips), there are generally no outing fees other than the cost of food.  The Scouts on a patrol basis, with parental support, handle food.  Transportation is handled on a voluntary basis, coordinated by the Transportation Chair.
 
For outings, each Scout will need a pack, sleeping bag, ground pad and other personal equipment.  The Troop has an equipment list and will go over equipment needs prior to outings.  Troop tents are available, although many Scouts have their own.

Uniforms
 
For weekly meetings, a Scout handbook, uniform, note book or pad, pencil, and lots of enthusiasm are sufficient.  Uniforms and Scout handbooks can be purchased from the national Scout Store at the Scout office in Raleigh, at Goodling’s in Hillsborough, or online at https://Scoutnet.Scouting.org/BSASupply/.  The Troop has a supply of uniforms and parts available as a backup.  The uniform should be as complete as possible, including shirt, pants, belt, socks and bolo.

Troop 9 wears a bolo instead of a neckerchief.  The bolo is part of the Class A uniform.  The metal slide is the Troop logo.  The cord for the tie comes in different colors, which designates the type of bolo.  Scouts wear their bolos to meetings and especially to Courts of Honor and other events where the Troop is out in public.  If a Scout does not have his bolo at a dress event, he may borrow a purple bolo for that event only.  For long term events, the Troop will provide navy bolos for the duration of the trip for Troop uniformity.  Replacement and extra bolos are available at $8 each.

Scouts receive their first (black) bolo at the Court of Honor after their first Troop outing.  Then, as the Scout goes on Troop outings and summer camp, he will get credit toward each successive bolo.  Weekend outings count for one trip each.  Summer camp and other week long events count for two trips.  Any outings in Boy Scouting outside of the Troop counts for up to five trips total.  This includes Order of the Arrow, second weeks at summer camp, outings with other Troops, etc.