Troop Policies

Phone Policy (updated July 2026)

               Phones are largely discouraged. Leaders have phones in the event of an emergency or the desire to call home (e.g. summer camp). The goal is for the scouts to be present in their day, learn skills, make friends, and learn how to work as team. Phones are a distraction to all the scouts. Should the adult leaders chaperoning a trip deem phone usage to be a problem during a trip they may collect the phone(s) and store them in a separate watertight box until an appropriate time is reached.

Appropriate times for phone usage, all subject to leader approval:

• Transit in a car to or from a camp location.

• After a certain hour (generally after 8 pm on activity days) as stated by the Adult leader for that trip.

Inappropriate times for phones.

• During a meeting.

• During a merit badge class.

• Anytime the scout ought to be engaged in an activity or discussion.

• No headphones in ears when speaking or interacting with others.

To aid the scouts in breaking free from their electronics, all electronics should stay at home. The scout/parent is responsible for any damage to any personal device they choose to bring on a trip.

Troop Equipment Policy (updated July 2026)

Scouts may check out troop equipment (e.g. tents, totes with stoves, etc) for scouting trips. Scouts are responsible for the equipment and must return equipment clear and ready for storage until the next use. The Quartermaster will inspect gear as it is checked out and upon return. If the equipment is not returned in reasonable condition (recognizing, there is normal wear and tear) the scout account may be charged for repairs (in the event of gross negligence). If equipment is not returned in a clean and ready state the scout could be excluded from the next outing at the Scoutmaster’s and/or Committee Chair’s discretion.

Bottles and Cans Policy (updated July 2026)

               Redemption of bottles and cans provides at least two key benefits to the scouts. This is the bulk of our fundraising, thus keeping the program inexpensive. Most of the money collect goes directly to fund scout activities or equipment for activities (tents, stoves, etc.) Second, it is a service to the community. Every scout is responsible for collecting and redeeming bottles and cans per the schedule provided by the Committee. If a scout cannot meet their duty on their assigned day, it is the scout’s responsibility to find a replacement (i.e. swap days with another scout). Money collected should be deposited with the treasurer at the next meeting. The money collect is split 50:50 between the troop general fund and the scout’s account. The general fund is used by the committee to support troop activities (e.g. camp site fees, equipment purchases, etc.). The scout accounts can be used by the scout for any scout appropriate activity (e.g. subsidize a trip) or to purchase scout related equipment after obtaining Scoutmaster approval (e.g. a backpack, pair of boots, fishing pole, etc.).

               Subsidizes from the Committee are limited to whole troop expenses (e.g. site fees, equipment) and will be evaluated on a case-by-case request made during the monthly Committee meetings. Individual scouts may use scout account funds to pay for or partially pay for any trips they wish without seeking prior Scoutmaster approval. The Treasurer can update a scout as to the status of their scout account. If a scout does not pay for a trip on or prior to due date those funds will be deducted from the scout account.

               Should a scout neglect their bottles and cans responsibility on a repeated basis, as determined by both Scoutmaster and Committee Chair, that scout will not be allowed to participate in troop trips until they are reinstated by the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair. Should a scout neglect their duties to the extent that the Scout Master and Committee Chair deem this policy be enacted, the Scoutmaster and/or Committee Chair will meet with the scout (preferably with a parent) and provide a written document outlining the steps required to be met to be reinstated as a full member in troop trips.