Frequently Asked Questions

To earn each of Boy Scouting’s top three ranks — Star, Life, Eagle — a Scout must “be active” in his troop and patrol for a specified number of months and “serve actively” in a position of responsibility. Troop 199 believes that Scouts will best achieve the aims of Scouting (character development, citizenship training, and personal and mental fitness) when they regularly participate in meetings, outings, and service projects, and hold positions of responsibility.

To meet the requirement of active participation, a Scout must be registered and be in good standing (meaning he hasn’t been dismissed for disciplinary reasons). In addition, Troop 199 expects him to participate in at least 20 to 40 Troop activities during the twelve months. The nature and quality of participation will be used to determine the actual number of required events. Qualifying events include:

• Troop meetings
• Monthly campouts
• Summer camp
• Eagle Projects and other service projects
• Courts of honor
• High Adventure treks

Troop 199, however, recognizes that there are many worthwhile opportunities beyond Troop activities. A Scout who falls short of the above expectations will be given an opportunity to demonstrate how he has achieved the aims of Scouting through participation and leadership in district, council, or national scouting activities and/or other community activities.

Troop 199 further recognizes that medical, educational, family, and other issues may prevent higher levels of participation. A Scout that would have been more active if he could have been, will be deemed active.

Scouts who want to earn a Merit Badge need to follow these easy steps:

1. Decide which Merit Badge you want to start working on.
2. See Mr. Baker (Advancement Chair) for a BLUE CARD. He will then assign you a Merit Badge Counselor.
3. Ask Mr. Friedman (Scoutmaster) to sign your Blue Card before you start working on the merit badge.
4. Contact your Merit Badge Counselor and get started!

There is no time limit on taking a Merit Badge, as long as you finish it up before your 18th birthday.

This policy applies to merit badge classes you sign up for at Merit Badge University or other Scouting events and classes you might attend.

Official Merit Badge Requirements →

In order to complete your Eagle Project you must do the following:

1. Meet with the Life-to-Eagle Coordinator (Mr. Witte) for your Life-to-Eagle Binder.
2. Develop ideas for your Eagle Project and discuss them with the Life-to-Eagle Coordinator.
3. Complete the Eagle Project Proposal section in your Eagle Project Workbook.
4. Receive final beneficiary approval and ask them to sign the section in your proposal titled Beneficiary Approval.
5. Meet with the Life-to-Eagle Coordinator to verify your readiness to present your project to the Troop Committee.
6. Coordinate the presentation of your Eagle Project Proposal to the Troop Committee with the Committee Chair (Mr. Heckly).
7. Upon successful presentation, the Committee Chair and Scoutmaster will approve and sign your Eagle Project Proposal.
8. Present your Eagle Project Proposal to the Monon District Eagle Coordinator — the Life-to-Eagle Coordinator can provide this information.

A good Eagle Book tells your story. The Eagle Board does not know you — Troop 199 has a leg up with a good Eagle Book.

• First, you will need a 3-ring binder and some page protectors to put the sheets in.
• On the front put in a Cover Sheet with your name, Troop 199, Monon District, and the words EAGLE BOOK.

Then you should put the following in order:

1. Eagle Application
2. Life’s Ambition letter (Requirement 6)
3. Eagle Project Workbook, complete with all signatures
4. Additional info from your Eagle Project (photos, plans, flyers and so on)
5. COPIES of all your Merit Badge Cards
6. COPIES of all your Rank Cards
7. Your Individual Scouting History Report
8. Your Activity Report
9. COPIES of any other Scout training or accomplishments you would like the Board to know about (Totin’ Chip, NYLT, TLT, Philmont, Polar Bear, Mile Swim, OA, Firecrafter and so on)

Once your Eagle Book is completed you need to get it checked by the Life-to-Eagle Coordinator. Once approved you may set up your Eagle Scoutmaster Conference.

Troop Leader Training (TLT) is mandatory training that the new Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) must take, after Troop Elections. This weekend-long training program helps build the new team, teaches leadership and coping skills for our newly elected leaders. The PLC will learn about the Leading EDGE, Teaching EDGE, Servant Leadership, the 8 Methods of Scouting and many other life skills that will help them in Scouting, School and at home. Whether it's their 1st time or 10th time Scouts learn about leadership and themselves.

The following Patrol Leader Council members are required to attend TLT. If a Scout cannot attend TLT, then the Scout cannot be selected for any of these positions during that term:

• Senior Patrol Leader
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
• Patrol Leader
• Troop Guide
• Scribe
• Senior Chaplains Aide
• Senior Quartermaster

Troop Elections are held in February and August each year. The PLC term is 6 months.

TLT Weekend is traditionally held the weekend AFTER the February and August Campouts.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) is an action-packed program designed to provide Scouts with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home units and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others. This program is the centerpiece of the council's youth training opportunities, providing local units with outstanding youth leaders and giving those participants the tools and leadership ideals that will serve them well in whatever they do.

To attend Scouts must be First Class rank and at least 13 years old. They must have completed Troop Leader Training as well (called ILS for Troops on the NYLT Website).

Crossroads of America offers three opportunities to take NYLT locally.

CLICK HERE for more information and sign up for any of the CAC Courses.

First, you must create a My.Scouting.org login account.

Here is the official BSA Training For Adults website. Once training is completed please email a copy of your completed YPT training certificate to the Committee Chair.

As of August 1, 2023, all adults attending an overnight Scouting event must be a registered adult and have successfully completed Youth Protection Training (YPT). If you need to register as an adult with Troop 199, please use this link.

Troop 199 encourages our adults to also consider taking WOOD BADGE. Wood Badge is an incredible training course that is available to all registered leaders. Follow the link below — or better yet, ask any adult with multiple “wooden beads” hanging around their neck. Take that next step and attend a Wood Badge course!

Adult training resources

• Youth Protection Training (YPT) and all position-specific training
• Guide to Safe Scouting
• Wood Badge leader training
• University of Scouting

Additional resources

• Scout & adult campout packing tips (video)

Our Medication Protocol's goal is to ensure the safe, responsible, and secure: PROCUREMENT, DOCUMENTATION, STORAGE, DISPENSING and VERIFICATION back to parents of medications taken on campouts and Scouting events.

For Scouts with lifesaving medications (i.e.: EpiPens, Inhalers), they may continue to carry and be responsible for these types of medications.

The process for all other medications (prescribed or over the counter) is as follows:

1. Medication doses will be prepared prior to the campout by the parents/guardians using manila envelopes (2.5" x 4.25") and labels provided by the Troop during weekly meetings.
2. There are 6 possible dosing times for any given weekend campout:
   • Friday: Bedtime
   • Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Bedtime
   • Sunday: Breakfast
3. A single envelope provided by Troop 199 should be used to contain medicine(s) for each dosing time.
4. Each envelope will have a LABEL that will need to be filled out by the parent/guardian PRIOR to the campout with the following information:
   • Fri___ Sat___ Sun___
   • Breakfast___ Lunch___ Dinner___ Bedtime___
   • Scout Name
   • Special Instructions
   • Number of Pills
   • Parent/Guardian Name(s)
   • Parent/Guardian Phone Number
   • 2nd Emergency Phone Number
   • Parent/Guardian Signature
5. These envelopes will be opened and administered by the Adult Medical Officer during the campout at the proscribed time.

Examples:

• Scout takes 1 medication every night. This would require 2 envelopes: Friday Bedtime (1 pill) and Saturday Bedtime (1 pill).
• A Scout takes 2 medications every morning and 1 medication at bedtime. This would require 4 envelopes: Friday Bedtime (1 pill), Saturday Breakfast (2 pills), Saturday Bedtime (1 pill), and Sunday Breakfast (2 pills).
• A Scout takes 3 medications every morning, 2 medicines at lunchtime, and 4 medications at night. This would require 5 envelopes: Friday Bedtime (4 pills), Saturday Breakfast (3 pills), Saturday Lunch (2 pills), Saturday Bedtime (4 pills), and Sunday Breakfast (3 pills).

If a Scout requires a medication that does not fit into the envelope (inhaler, elixir, etc), then the medication may be put into a sealed plastic bag with an (empty) envelope filled out with appropriate dosing information and placed in the bag.

Any "as needed" medications, may be placed into an envelope and under "Special Instructions", specify medication and under what circumstances it should be administered.

If a Scout requires an additive to take the medicine (applesauce or yogurt to swallow pill), the family MUST provide the additive and individual containers (applesauce, etc) will be required for EACH dosing period to maintain sanitary and safe dosing.

A Medication List form (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF) must be completed by each parent/guardian detailing the medication(s) taken and the time of dosing. This includes "as needed" medications. The Medication List form along with medication envelopes should be placed in a gallon bag (or larger, if needed) with the Scout's name clearly written in Sharpie on the bag. These will be given to the adult Medical Officer during drop off for the campout. All medications will be kept in a secure lockbox during the campout. At the time that medications are designated to be given, the adult Medical Officer along with an adult assistant will dispense the appropriate medication envelope to each Scout and initial on a Medication Reconciliation sheet to ensure double verification. This process may also be used for longer Scout outings such as Summer Camp or High Adventure trips.

Thank you for your attention. Any further questions may be directed to the Troop Medical officer or Scoutmaster.