MEMBER RESOURCES

Request a Scoutmaster Conference?

Email the Scoutmaster.

Request a Board of Review?

Email the Board of Review Chair.

Check on my Advancements?

Email the Advancement Chairs

Check my Scout Account balance?

Email the Treasurer.

Share my photos?

Upload them here.

Eagle Rank Information?

Click here

The PLC meets the last Thursday of each month. ALL Scouts in a leadership position are expected to attend in order to received leadership credit for rank advancement.

 If you have an idea or suggestion you would like to submit to the PLC, click here to send an email to the Senior Patrol Leader.

Welcome to Troop 299!

A Scout's first year or more will focus on the Trail to First Class. This helps them develop and master the skills they need to advance, and prepare them to move into leadership roles as they move through the ranks of Star and Life, and culminating in earning the rank of Eagle.

Getting Started

1. Registration
   If you haven't already, complete the BSA Youth Application. If your Scout was in Cub Scouts, you will need your Scout's BSA ID number, which can be found at  https://my.scouting.org/ .
   
   As a parent, if you plan to come a Troop Committee Member, Merit Badge Counselor, Assistant Scoutmaster, or attend overnight troop trips, you will need to complete and return the BSA Adult Application.
   
   
2. Records and Forms
   You will also need to fill out and return BSA Medical Forms A and B. Part C is required for summer camp and any trip longer than 72 hours. **Note: It must be signed by your pediatrician!
   
   You will also need to turn in a copy of your Scout's immunization records, and a copy (front and back) of your health insurance card.
   
   
3. Fees
   Fees are prorated depending on when your Scout joins, and covers his BSA registration, troop Class B shirt, troop number patch, and the troop neckerchief and slide. Please contact the Membership Chair or Treasurer for accurate fees.
   
   
4. Uniforms and Equipment
   Troop 299 requires a full Class A (or Field) Uniform for all meetings and formal events unless otherwise specified. This includes: Scouts BSA Switchback Pants (microfiber suggested), Short-Sleeved Uniform Shirt (microfiber suggested), Olive Uniform Belt, and Uniform Socks. On their shirt they need the Catalina Council Shoulder Patch and the World Crest Emblem Patch. The troop will provide a troop number patch. If your Scout earned the Arrow of Light, they can display that on their Scouts BSA uniform shirt.
   
   **TIP: The Scout Shop at Catalina Council sells shirts will all of the patches sewn on for an additional $5.
   
   The troop provides a Class B shirt and troop neckerchief and slide. Even when an event is designated "Class B," that only on the top - Scouts should still wear Scouts BSA pants, belt, and socks. Acceptable Class B shirts also include camp or other Scouts BSA shirts.
   
   A sash displaying merit badges should be worn at Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, and other public ceremonial events. It is up to the Scout how to display his merit badges on the sash. Popular methods include as earned, and/or keeping Eagle-required merit badge grouped together or in a row.**TIP: No matter how small your Scout is now, buy the large sash. It can be folded and pinned for now, but they will grow out of it faster than you think!
   
   All Scouts need a Scouts BSA Handbook.
   
   You can purchase all uniform items at  https://www.scoutshop.org/ , or at the Council Scout Shop:
   2250 E. Broadway Blvd.
   Tucson, AZ 85719
   
   
5. Scoutbook
   Once your Scout's registration is processed, you will received an invitation to join Scoutbook. Scoutbook is the troop's primary source of communication and RSVPs. It also allows parents and Scouts to track advancements in the troop.
   
   The troop HIGHLY recommends you make an account for yourself and then invite your Scout to join, enabling him to begin to manage his own Scouting journey.  This requires your Scout to have an email address, which of course can be exclusive to scouting if that's what you as a parent choose. You can find more information and instructions here.
   
   **NOTE: In accordance with Youth Protection Policies, when anyone sends an email to your Scout through Scoutbook, you will automatically be copied. There will never be one-on-one communication between your Scout and someone else.
   
   
6. Sign up your Scout for Camporee and summer camp! Camporee is a Council-wide campout held at Double V Scout Ranch each April. It is the perfect opportunity for Scouts to jump start their troop experience and go on one of the few campouts before summer camp. Summer camp is the highlight of the new-Scout experience, and will have them well on their way on the Trail to First Class!

Troop 299 Leadership
Troop 299 is a Scout-led troop that uses the Patrol Method. The Scouts are organized into groups of 8-10 Scouts, known as Patrols. Each Patrol elects its own Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

New Scouts are assigned to the Brownsea Island Patrol. Its Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader are older Scouts who serve as mentors. One or more Troop Guides are also assigned to the Brownsea Islands Patrol. Your Scout will remain in this patrol until he achieves the rank of Second Class or has been in the troop for one year, whichever comes first.

The troop is led by a Senior Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader, elected by the entire troop. They also oversee the Patrol Leaders' Council, which consists of all Patrol Leaders, Assistant Patrol Leaders, Troop Guides, and other youth leaders in the troop.

While Troop 299 is Scout-led, it would not succeed without parent support! The first Tuesday of the month is the Parent Committee Meeting, which all parents are encouraged to attend. 

The "Key 3" method ensures than no single person can make a decision affecting the overall direction of the troop. Troop 299's Key 3 consists of the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, and the Chartered Organization Representative.

Adult leaders work directly with the Scouts and consist of the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, and Merit Badge Counselors 

The Troop Committee aids the Scoutmaster in delivering a top-notch program and consists of:

1. Secretary
2. Treasurer
3. Membership Chair
4. Advancement Chair
5. Training Coordinator
6. Uniforms Coordinator
7. Medical Records Coordinator
8. Board of Review Coordinator
9. Merit Badge Coordinator
10. Court of Honor Coordinator
11. Fundraising Coordinator
12. Communications Coordinator

Often, multiple people share these roles. Many hands make light work!

The troop is always in need of adult support. To be an adult leader or a committee member, you must fill out a BSA Adult Application, complete Youth Protection Training, and complete any position-specific training (which is primarily online).

FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR SCOUTS, ALL PARENTS ARE ASKED TO COMPLETE YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING.

ANY ADULT WHO PLANS TO DRIVE SCOUTS OR CHAPERONE OUTINGS **MUST**  COMPLETE YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING PROVIDE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.

Advancement

A Scout learns. A Scout is tested. A Scout is reviewed.

An essential part of Scouting, the advancement process is designed to teach Scouts essential skills in areas such as outdoor survival, cooking, the environment, aquatics, hiking and camping, first aid, and citizenship. As part of troop activities, a Scout works with older Scouts to learn scouting skills. Generally, a Scout should prepare 2-3 rank requirements to go over at each meeting with the Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster then tests and signs off on those skills. Once all the rank requirements are met, the Scout must request a Scoutmaster Conference, which is usually held at the following meeting. After the Scoutmaster Conference, a Scout must request a Board of Review for the following week. The Board of Review is comprised of parents who will not re-test the Scout, but will inquire about his experiences. Once a Scout passes his Board of Review, he will present his signed handbook to the Advancement Coordinators, who will record his new rank in Scoutbook. The Scout will be recognized at the next Court of Honor, which happens 3-4 times throughout the year. This is an important celebration which friends and family are invited to attend!

**TIP: Only Advancement Coordinators are permitted to mark off rank advancements in Scoutbook!

Merit Badges

Many Scouts' first question is, "When can I start earning merit badges?!" The answer is ... right away! But, until a Scout reaches the rank of First  Class, rank advancement is the focus.

There are 133 merit badges from which to choose that will introduce Scouts to wide array of skills, hobbies, and potential careers. The rank of Eagle requires a Scout to earn 21 merit badges. Thirteen of those are required, with 8 electives. 

Many merit badge workshops are offered at the troop and Council level, and at summer camp. To begin a merit badge:

1. Pick a topic.
2. Consult with the Scoutmaster and obtain a "blue card."
3. Contact the Merit Badge Counselor and set up an initial meeting to discuss a plan to complete the merit badge.
4. Work through the requirements.
5. Meet with the Merit Badge Counselor again to demonstrate you have completed all the requirements. You may be asked for evidence or documentation.
6. If they are satisfied the requirements are complete, your Merit Badge Counselor will sign the blue card.
7. Ask the Scoutmaster to sign the blue card.
8. Present the blue card to the Advancement Coordinators, who will record it in Scoutbook.
9. Scouts will receive earned merit badges at the following Court of Honor.

Physical merit badge booklets are available online or at the Scout Shop. However, the requirements can be found online and the troop has a library of merit badge booklets that may be checked out.

Events

Each August the troop hosts a lock-in at which the Scouts vote on their activities and summer camps for the upcoming year. The Scoutmaster then prepares a preliminary calendar. At the September Parent Committee Meeting, the Scoutmaster seeks adult leaders and parents to volunteer to chaperone each activity before publishing a final schedule.

Favorite annual events include:

1. Bear Down Under the Stars (Sept.)
2. El Tour de Tucson (Nov.)
3. Scouting for Food (Dec.)
4. Sunrise Ski Trip (Jan.)
5. Winter Cabin Camping (Feb.)
6. Spring Camporee (Apr.)
7. Memorial Day Flags (May)
8. Troop service days in which Scouts have the opportunity to assist other Scouts with their Eagle projects 
9. Plus various monthly hikes, car camping trips, backpacking trips, whitewater rafting, ziplining, and more!

Unless other arrangements are made,  Scouts are dropped off at RLC and transported to events by adult leaders. A parent must sign their child in and out in the activity binder.

Summer and High Adventure Camps

Each summer, Troop 299 generally offers three summer camp opportunities, subject to the Scouts' wishes:

1. Camp Geronimo
   Outside of Payson, Arizona, Camp Geronimo offers an excellent summer camp experience for both new and older Scouts. First-year Scouts participate in the Brownsea Island Program, specifically designed to guide them on the Trail to First Class, while participating in traditional camp activities such as swimming, riflery, archery, and more. Older Scouts can focus on earning merit badges and participating in high adventure activities. This camp is for all ages.
   Cost: Varies. ~$450.
   
   
2. Out-of-State Camp
   Past camps include Camp Fiesta Island in San Deigo, Black Range Cavalcade in New Mexico, and Camp Chris Dobbins in Colorado. Most are suitable for second-year Scouts, but some require Scouts to be 12 years old.
   Cost: Varies. ~$450-$600
   
   
3. High Adventure
   Troop 299 rotates through three High Adventure Camps each summer:
        Philmont Scout Ranch (2020)
        Seabase (2021)
        Northern Tier (2022)
   These camps are for experienced Scouts who are 14+.
   Cost: Varies. Payment plans available.

Fundraising
Scouts are encouraged to "earn their way." They have the opportunity to participate each fall in the Trail's End Popcorn Sale by selling to friends and family, door-to-door, online, and at Show & Sells (booths outside businesses). Scouts earn between 30-35% of their sales which are held in their Scout account to use toward registration, trips, and summer camp. Other fundraisers can include:

1. Wreath Sales
2. Holiday Gift Wrapping
3. Restaurant Fundraisers

Order of the Arrow

Order of the Arrow is Scouting's national honor society.  It recognizes those campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives and by such recognition, cause other campers to conduct themselves in such manner as to warrant similar recognition, to promote camping, and to crystallize the habit of helpfulness as a life purpose.  Each spring, Troop 299 elects Scouts to represent the troop as Order of the Arrow members.