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Troop 5, Wilmette, il |
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Boy Scouts of America |
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Trailblazers: Overview |
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The Trailblazer Program is Troop 5’s program for first year Boy Scouts. Here is an overview of the key participants and goals of the program. Trailblazers. The term that Troop 5 uses for boys who have recently joined is "Trailblazers." Patrols. In a short while, we will organize the Trailblazers into “patrols,” which are smaller groups of Scouts, all in the same grade. Patrols are quite analogous to Cub Scout dens - they are smaller groupings of Scouts who work together, in troop meetings, on patrol nights and on campouts. We expect to organize the Trailblazers into three different patrols. Troop Guides. There are several older Scouts whose responsibility it will be to work directly with the Trailblazers. These Scouts are referred to as "Troop Guides." The Troop Guides this year are Nick B, Michael F and Nick H. Their contact information is on the Trailblazer Contact List. The Troop Guides will enlist the help of many other Scouts to provide instruction and guidance in the Trailblazer Program. Assistant Scoutmasters. Assistant Scoutmasters are adults -- mostly parents of current Scouts, and some parents of former Troop 5 Scouts -- who work directly with the Scouts. We have many active Assistant Scoutmasters, or “ASMs,” in Troop 5, and are eager to recruit several new ASMs from among the new Trailblazer parents. We will have one or more “Patrol ASMs” for each Trailblazer patrol. If you are interested in being an ASM, we would be delighted to have you. Please contact Ken Morrison or Rich Hill to indicate your interest. Activities for Trailblazers. Trailblazers are welcomed and encouraged to participate in all of the activities in which the Troop is involved, which include: · troop meetings and patrol nights (Monday nights at 7:30 pm) · campouts (one per month) · Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan—our summer camp. Click here to open the brochure · Courts of Honor · service activities · merit badge classes The Troop 5 Handbook provides more detail on these activities. Advancement for Trailblazers. In the Boy Scouts, a Scout’s advancement is his own responsibility. Troop 5 encourages, but does not require, each Trailblazer to set a personal goal of advancing to the rank of First Class Scout by the end of the summer after his 6th grade year. Through the Trailblazer Program, the Troop provides ample advancement opportunities to aid each Scout in meeting his personal goals. Trailblazers start by earning the rank of Scout. The requirements for this and all other ranks can be found in the Boy Scout Handbook. Each Trailblazer must demonstrate the skills necessary to be awarded the rank of Scout to a Troop Guide, other designated Scouts, the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster, who will then initial and date the Scout’s handbook. Most Trailblazers, especially those who have earned the Arrow of Light as a Webelos Cub Scout, can complete the requirements for the rank of Scout within the first few meetings. The ranks of Tenderfoot Scout, Second Class Scout, and First Class Scout require skills learned at campouts, hikes, and Troop meetings. As with all rank advancement, a Troop Guide, other designated Scouts, the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster must sign off on the requirements for these ranks. A Scout may work on the requirements for all three ranks in any order, but must complete and will receive the ranks in order (i.e., Tenderfoot before Second Class, Second Class before First Class). Contacts. Rich Hill is the Assistant Scoutmaster who will be coordinating the Trailblazer Program for the Scouts. Jim Mann is the Troop 5 Trailblazer Administrative Chair, who will be coordinating administrative and parent matters, such as registration, forms and the like.
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Trailblazer Guide on the Troop 5 Website |
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