Responsibilities

The Boy Scouts of America is a values-based youth development organization that helps young people learn positive attributes of character, citizenship, and personal fitness. As a part of this organization, Scouts have certain responsibilities that they must follow.

All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Misbehavior by a single Scout may constitute a threat to the safety of the individual who misbehaves as well as to the safety of other Troop Members. Such misbehavior constitutes an unreasonable burden on the Troop and cannot be ignored. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the Troop. If confronted by threats of violence or other forms of bullying from other youth members, Scouts should seek help from their Adult Leaders or Parents.

We are reminded by the twelfth point of the Scout Law to always be reverent. As stated in The Boy Scout Handbook, "A Scout is reverent; he is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions and beliefs of others in matters of custom and religion." As a Christian Troop, we hold reverence to be our highest ideal and recognized that God's laws supercedes even the Scout Law.

Setting an example is more than staying out of trouble. It is showing the way. It is an active process that raises standards and goals. It is a great deal more than just avoiding the wrong things. Setting an example means doing the right things, and knowing why.

• Be respectful and responsive to both Adult and fellow Scout Leaders.
• Follow specific rules of conduct when on activities (e.g., no electronics at camp).
• Respect the personal and property rights of others at all times.
• Follow instructions. There's at least one right way to do everything, but there may be a dozen wrong ways to do each. The instructions will lead you to the right way.
• Follow safety requirements and avoid endangering themselves or others
• Take the initiative. Shakespeare wrote, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Don't wait for leadership to be thrust upon you. Find out what has to happen and make it happen.
• Try harder. If you'll settle for last place, so will your fellow Troop members.

The uniform is so important it is one of Scouting's eight methods. Throughout our society, only certain special people are entitled to wear a uniform. Just as a sports uniform proclaims one's membership on a team, the Scout uniform proclaims one's membership in the largest voluntary youth movement in the world. The Scout uniform tends to diminish the importance of an individual's financial, social, and ethnic background, while clearly showing his degree of accomplishment in Scouting. At the same time, the uniform maintains one's individuality since no two uniforms are completely alike, and they show off that individual's Scouting achievements.

The active Scout obtains maximum benefit and personal growth from the Scout program. Likewise, the Scout Program and the program of Troop 3:16 depend on each Scout’s participation to be successful. Each Patrol depends on the member Scouts to keep them going.

Rank Advancement also requires active participation. A Scout that attends all meetings, most outings, and summer camp can easily satisfy all the requirements to achieve the rank of First Class Scout within one year.

What constitutes an active Scout?

• Attend all Troop Meetings.*
• Attend all Patrol Meetings.*
• Participate in a minimum of 50% of Troop outings such as campouts, service projects, Camporee, etc. each year.
• Arrive at all activities on time, and be orderly and attentive.
• Perform the duties of his office when holding a leadership position.

(*We recognize and understand that a Scout will have an occasional conflict such as family commitments, sports, school, illness, etc.)

See Also

• Who We Are
• Troop Uniform
• Scouting Ideals
• Reverence
• Troop Meetings
• Youth Leadership
• Patrol Meetings
• Parent's Responsibilities