General Questions
What IS the Scout age range?
Youth can join a Scout troop who have earned the Arrow of Light rank and are at least 10 years old, or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old.
What is the responsibility of a parent of a new Scout?
Scout patrol and troop meetings are intended to be an activity for youth. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parental involvement is not forbidden. If a parent or guardian would like to be present during a troop meeting, they should consult with the Scoutmaster in advance so a way can be arranged for them to observe. There also might be provision for them to register for a position on the troop committee or as an assistant Scoutmaster. There are always ways for your parent or guardian to be involved.
How do adults get involved?
All troops are chartered to a local organization. The chartered organization serves as a sponsor of Scouting and is essentially the owner/operator of the Scouting unit. In this role, the head of the organization approves all adult volunteer leaders. All leaders are required to take our child safety course called “Youth Protection,” and specific training for their role in Scouting is available either online or in a classroom setting. To help the organization maintain a quality program, there is a person assigned to be a liaison between the unit and the chartered organization. In addition, every unit has a committee (typically made up of Scouting parents) that oversees proper operation and ensures a safe and fun program.
What supplies and equipment does a Scout need?
The single most important piece of equipment a Scout needs is the Scout Handbook. A local Scout shop is the best place to buy a handbook, and the staff there can guide you to get exactly what you need. Find your local Scout shop.
The uniform is also very important as it plays an essential role in creating a sense of belonging, and it’s where a Scout gets to display his awards and rank achievements. Check out the interactive uniform builder at www.bsauniforms.org . Uniforms can be ordered online or in person at the local Scout shop.
Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the troop, will vary. Unit leaders will provide information about any required supplies at the beginning of each program year.
The uniform is also very important as it plays an essential role in creating a sense of belonging, and it’s where a Scout gets to display his awards and rank achievements. Check out the interactive uniform builder at www.bsauniforms.org . Uniforms can be ordered online or in person at the local Scout shop.
Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the troop, will vary. Unit leaders will provide information about any required supplies at the beginning of each program year.
How much does it cost to be a Scout?
Our Scoutmaster can explain all the details about the unit’s annual fee (monthly dues) and exactly what it includes and we can provide you with a welcome packet as well.
Is Scouting safe?
Yes. Programs are designed to follow a strict set of rules and policies that can be found in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Every registered adult in Scouting is required to complete a Youth Protection training course and a criminal background check. For more information, visit the Youth Protection page.
Who should be contacted if help is needed?
A Scout's patrol leader is the first resource if there are any questions. The senior patrol leader is the next source of information, and then finally the Scoutmaster.
What is a patrol?
A Scout patrol is a small team of normally six to eight Scouts where they learn skills together, share responsibilities and take on leadership roles. For more information, visit the Patrol Leader page.
Who runs the troop?
The senior patrol leader who is elected by the Scouts. For more information, visit TroopLeader.org .
Who plans the meetings and activities?
The Patrol Leaders' Council made up of the senior patrol leader , who presides over the meetings, the assistant senior patrol leader , all patrol leaders , and the troop guide .
How often does a troop meet?
Scouts meet once each week at their troop meeting. Beyond that, it depends on the patrol and troop. A troop may hold a special activity, such as a service project or outdoor experience, in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings.
First United Methodist Church - Charter Organization
Troop 502 meets every Tuesday evening from 7-8:30PM in the Parish Hall.
We follow Charleston County School Board Breaks and Holidays.
First United Methodist Church
21st Avenue at Palm Boulevard
(12 21st Avenue)
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
843-886-6610
Additional Questions
What to Expect
When you join Scouts BSA, Scouting is like an extension of your family: It follows your values, it sees to the overall care and well-being of your child, and it’s always there for you. It’s not an either/or choice you have to make for your child. It works with you to let you manage your time and other activities and will always be there when you return.
Maturity. Youth experience dramatic physical and emotional growth. Scouting offers them opportunities to channel much of that change into productive endeavors. Through service projects and Good Turns, Scouts can discover their place in the community. Many Scouting activities allow youth to associate with others from different backgrounds. The religious emblems program offers pathways for Scouts to more deeply understand their duty to God. The unit provides each Scout with an opportunity to explore, to try out new ideas, and to embark on adventures that sometimes have no design other than to have a good time with good people.
Flexibility. The Scouting programs are flexible and accommodate the need to balance the work and life requirements of a busy family. It’s easy to plan for meetings and activities, and if something unexpected comes up, just let your leader know—it’s expected in the lives we live today.
Adaptability. Your child can work on achievements at his or her own pace. For example, if your child is in a spring soccer league and has to miss several meetings and activities, he or she still can complete and sign off on Scout activities to work toward the next level.
Transferability. The skills and values your child learns through Scouting can be applied in any non-Scouting activity he or she participates in. As your child builds character, this can be an especially valuable defense to the peer pressure all youth experience when growing up.
Maturity. Youth experience dramatic physical and emotional growth. Scouting offers them opportunities to channel much of that change into productive endeavors. Through service projects and Good Turns, Scouts can discover their place in the community. Many Scouting activities allow youth to associate with others from different backgrounds. The religious emblems program offers pathways for Scouts to more deeply understand their duty to God. The unit provides each Scout with an opportunity to explore, to try out new ideas, and to embark on adventures that sometimes have no design other than to have a good time with good people.
Flexibility. The Scouting programs are flexible and accommodate the need to balance the work and life requirements of a busy family. It’s easy to plan for meetings and activities, and if something unexpected comes up, just let your leader know—it’s expected in the lives we live today.
Adaptability. Your child can work on achievements at his or her own pace. For example, if your child is in a spring soccer league and has to miss several meetings and activities, he or she still can complete and sign off on Scout activities to work toward the next level.
Transferability. The skills and values your child learns through Scouting can be applied in any non-Scouting activity he or she participates in. As your child builds character, this can be an especially valuable defense to the peer pressure all youth experience when growing up.
Types of Outdoor Activities
What are typical outdoor Scouting activities?
Camping--Learn to live in the outdoors. Camping takes you on exciting adventures into the natural world.
Camporees--Councils and districts plan camporees and other outings during the year that give Scouts an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in competitive events with other troops and patrols.
Council high adventure—A high-adventure experience includes at least five nights and six days of trekking in wilderness and other rugged, remote locations. Trekking may include backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, horse packing, mountain climbing, ski touring, rafting, kayaking, and a host of other outdoor adventures.
Day hikes—Reasonably short hikes (3 to 10 miles) in terrain without a lot of elevation gain or loss.
Jamborees—Every four or five years, the Scouts BSA hosts a national Scout jamboree. More than 40,000 Scouts and leaders from across the country participate in this 10-day event filled with the most popular and highest quality outdoor activities Scouts enjoy.
National high adventure—The BSA operates national high-adventure bases and programs. With two locations in the Florida Keys, the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers a variety of aquatic and boating programs. The Northern Tier National High Adventure Program, based in northern Minnesota with two satellite bases in Canada, provides a variety of canoe treks and programs. Philmont Scout Ranch and the Double H Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico provide excellent backpacking treks.
Patrol activities—A Scout patrol may hike or camp with other patrols or squads in the unit or, with the permission of the Scoutmaster and parents or guardians, the patrol may hike or camp on its own.
Service projects—Doing service projects is one way for Scouts to keep their promise "to help other people." These daylong projects may be related to conservation, food collection, building shelter, or healthy living activities.
Summer camp—Summer camp is what many Scouts enjoy most. Camp programs provide numerous opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Resident Scout camping includes at least five nights and six days of fun outdoor activities.
Unit high adventure—The highest level of challenge for a troop or team is to plan and carry out its own high-adventure experience. These activities for more experienced Scouts are planned and implemented by youth members with coaching from their adult leaders.
Weekend overnights—Troops that plan and carry out outings once a month attract and retain Scouts at a much higher level than those that have fewer outings during the year.
Camping--Learn to live in the outdoors. Camping takes you on exciting adventures into the natural world.
Camporees--Councils and districts plan camporees and other outings during the year that give Scouts an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in competitive events with other troops and patrols.
Council high adventure—A high-adventure experience includes at least five nights and six days of trekking in wilderness and other rugged, remote locations. Trekking may include backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, horse packing, mountain climbing, ski touring, rafting, kayaking, and a host of other outdoor adventures.
Day hikes—Reasonably short hikes (3 to 10 miles) in terrain without a lot of elevation gain or loss.
Jamborees—Every four or five years, the Scouts BSA hosts a national Scout jamboree. More than 40,000 Scouts and leaders from across the country participate in this 10-day event filled with the most popular and highest quality outdoor activities Scouts enjoy.
National high adventure—The BSA operates national high-adventure bases and programs. With two locations in the Florida Keys, the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers a variety of aquatic and boating programs. The Northern Tier National High Adventure Program, based in northern Minnesota with two satellite bases in Canada, provides a variety of canoe treks and programs. Philmont Scout Ranch and the Double H Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico provide excellent backpacking treks.
Patrol activities—A Scout patrol may hike or camp with other patrols or squads in the unit or, with the permission of the Scoutmaster and parents or guardians, the patrol may hike or camp on its own.
Service projects—Doing service projects is one way for Scouts to keep their promise "to help other people." These daylong projects may be related to conservation, food collection, building shelter, or healthy living activities.
Summer camp—Summer camp is what many Scouts enjoy most. Camp programs provide numerous opportunities for Scouts to earn merit badges along their advancement trail. Resident Scout camping includes at least five nights and six days of fun outdoor activities.
Unit high adventure—The highest level of challenge for a troop or team is to plan and carry out its own high-adventure experience. These activities for more experienced Scouts are planned and implemented by youth members with coaching from their adult leaders.
Weekend overnights—Troops that plan and carry out outings once a month attract and retain Scouts at a much higher level than those that have fewer outings during the year.
How You Can Help
There are many ways that you can help Scouting in your area. Whether you are volunteering directly with Scouts or helping out behind the scenes, you can make an impact on the lives of Scouts by volunteering your time.
How can you help? Here are a few ideas:
Assisting directly with the Scouts on an ongoing basis
Helping directly with the Scouts in specific events or activities
Support: Administrative Role
Support: Other
How can you help? Here are a few ideas:
Assisting directly with the Scouts on an ongoing basis
- Leader (Scoutmaster, Venturing crew Advisor)
- Assistant leader
- Board of review coordinator/member
- Court of honor coordinator/member
Helping directly with the Scouts in specific events or activities
- Event coordinator/event committee member
- Service project coordinator/committee member
- Camping trip participant
- Banquet coordinator/committee member
- Summer camp coordinator/participant/promotion
- Merit badge counselor
Support: Administrative Role
- Advancement committee chair/member
- Communications committee chair/committee member (Webmaster, PR, newsletter)
- Secretary: recordkeeping, activity permits, meeting minutes, annual recharter activities
- Treasurer/assistant treasurer
- Youth Protection training coordinator
- Life to Eagle coordinator
- Merit badge coordinator
Support: Other
- Chartered organization representative
- Friends of Scouting coordinator (fund-raising)
- Unit committee chair/member
- Unit youth recruiter
- Product sales committee coordinator/member
- Promoter of district/council events to parents
- Religious award committee coordinator/member
- Trainer
- District/council committee member
- Transportation coordinator
- Historian
- Quartermaster (supplies)
How do you define BEING ACTIVE?
A Scout is considered to be active in the unit if:
The Scouts BSA will welcome Scouts back after periods of inactivity. However, all time-oriented requirements must still be met. Scouts reactivating too late to complete time-related requirements will not be granted extensions, nor will those who remained active but simply did not focus on advancement.
- Is registered in the unit (registration fees are current).
- Has not been dismissed from the unit for disciplinary reasons.
- Is engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (Scoutmaster conference, informs the Scout of upcoming unit activities, through personal contact, and so on).
The Scouts BSA will welcome Scouts back after periods of inactivity. However, all time-oriented requirements must still be met. Scouts reactivating too late to complete time-related requirements will not be granted extensions, nor will those who remained active but simply did not focus on advancement.
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