Troop 11

Troop 11, founded in September 2002, has around 30 active scouts in the troop. Troop 11 strives to be a “scout lead” troop, where our elected youth leaders organize weekly meetings and plan monthly outdoor activities. Every summer, we embark on a week-long summer camp adventure, striving to alternate between a closer camp and an out-of-state destination each year.

Troop 11 Youth Leadership is elected every six months, and Introduction to Youth Leadership Training is conducted after each election to prepare the Patrol Leaders Council to lead the troop. Youth leaders are encouraged to attend National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). In addition to training for youth leaders, most of our Adult Leadership are Woodbadge trained. This is the BSA Adult Leadership Training Program. Many of our adult leaders have also staffed these courses.

Troop 11 is part of the Sante Fe District of Longhorn Council.

Scouts BSA Aims and Methods

The Scouting program has three aims or purposes that shape the program: character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness. The eight methods it uses to achieve those aims make Scout’s BSA unique. Those eight methods define Scout’s BSA and show how it differs from other programs.

Ideals

The ideals of Scout’s BSA are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan. A scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve.

Patrol Method

Patrols are small groups of Scouts who camp together, cook together, play together, and learn together. Patrols are where Scouts learn citizenship at the most basic level. They also take on responsibilities within the patrol, and learn teamwork and leadership. Patrols elect their own leaders, and through these patrol leaders, Scouts have a voice in deciding what activities the troop will put on its calendar. Patrols are one component of what we call youth-run or youth-led troop.

Outdoor Programs

Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. We camp. We hike. We get dirty. Our program is largely built around outdoor activities.

Advancement

Scout’s BSA has a system of rank in which Scouts learn progressively more difficult skills and take on progressively greater responsibilities. The highest of these ranks is Eagle Scout. Becoming an Eagle Scout is an important achievement that your scout can be proud of his entire life. But turning out Eagle Scouts is not what the scouting program is all about. Advancement is probably the most visible of the scouting methods, and the easiest to understand, but it is only one of the eight methods. We strongly encourage advancement, but we never force it- advancement is the scout’s choice, and he sets his own pace. We don’t do “lock-step” advancement. And many great scouts, and great men, never became Eagle Scouts.

Associations With Adults

Scouts learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases, a Scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, or troop parent who is willing to listen to the boys, encourage them, and take sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives. Adult association is also part of what we call a youth-led troop. Adults understand that their role is to create a safe place where boys can learn, grow, explore, play, and take on responsibilities- and fail, get up, and try again. If you were involved with Cub Scouting, this is a very different role that can take some time to get used to.

Personal Growth

As scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method. Scouts grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably, no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn.

Leadership Development

The scouting program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every scout has the opportunity to lead in some way, whether as part of a team, as the leader of his patrol, or as the senior patrol leader of the troop. Leadership development is another component of the youth-led troop.

Uniform

Like most sports teams, scouts wear a uniform. And like most sports teams, we expect our scouts to wear the uniform when they are scouting and to wear it properly. It is a symbol of who we are and what we do.