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Boy Scout Troop 4
(Geneva, New York)
 
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Welcome to Troop 4 Geneva, NY



A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent
About Troop 4

Troop 4 is one of the oldest chartered Boy Scout troops in the continuous existence in the Finger Lakes area, as well as in the United States! (The Boy Scout movement was brought from England to the United States in 1910.) We have been a Chartered Troop in the Boy Scouts of America since 1917. Troop 4 has been sponsored and supported by The Presbyterian Church in Geneva, New York since our beginning. We are a member of the Mohawk District within Seneca Waterways Council.
We consistently have over 20 scouts and 30 registered adult leaders. Since the beginning we have had more than 130 Eagle Scouts and believe that every boy has the potential of achieving Eagle rank.
Our troop objective is to support a Scouting environment that: 
- builds confidence
- develops leadership ability
- helps boys enjoy the outdoors
- makes better citizens
- provides fellowship and fun
- teaches new skills
Purpose of Scouting
The Boy Scouts of America is chartered by the Congress of the United States to build the character of the nation's youth. In Scouting, they will learn responsibility and self-sufficiency and gain self-confidence.
Fun is one of Scouting's methods of holding a Scout's interest. Fun with a purpose is Troop 4's method of developing character. We ask for the best from each Scout, and we do our best to help him achieve it. Our goal is to have the Scouts grow into fine men.
Each Scout is encouraged to advance in rank. He will learn skills he can take with him on his camping adventures. As he grows, he will be given leadership positions and learn to help and direct the Scouts in his group. He will develop leadership skills that will serve him, his family and his community in the future.
Sponsorship
The Boy Scouts of America charters an established community organization to sponsor the program of Scouting in their organization. The Presbyterian Church is our sponsor. It is responsible for providing us a place to meet and adult leadership in the form of a chartered organization representative. It is also responsible to assure the troop is a credit to them and the community.
Registration
The troop, each Scout, and each leader must be registered annually with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The registration fee covers the cost of BSA registration, insurance, and advancement materials (merit badges and cards).
Our Troop renews its charter and registrations at the end of December each year. Registration is due when a new Scout or leader joins the Troop and the first meeting in September thereafter.
Uniform and Equipment
Wearing the Scout uniform is a major part of being a Boy Scout. It signifies that a boy is a member of one of the largest and most worthwhile youth movements in the world. At certain Scouting events, the full "Class A" uniform is required and at other times the troop wears only the "Class B" uniform. Class A uniform is required at the following events: regular troop meetings, Boards of Review, Courts of Honor, travel to summer camp, and other activites as indicated. When wearing the Class A uniform the shirt is to remain tucked in at all times.
The Class A uniform consists of:
- Official Shirt (short of long sleeved) with United States flag, troop numeral (4), shoulder loops, & council patch
- Sash (for formal events)
- Scout pants (short or long), or blue jeans or shorts; tan chinos
The Class B uniform consists of the Troop 4 tee shirt, blue jeans, tan chinos, or shorts.
Each Scout need to have a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. The handbook is a basic source of information and the record of achievements. Bring the handbook to every Scout function, and protect it from damage by placing it in a zip lock bag. The Scout's name should be written in the book.
For campouts, the Scout will also need:
- Back Pack
- Quality Sleeping Bag
- Unbreakable Cup
- Flashlight
- Water bottle
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Clothes for the season
Each Scout is responsible for his own uniform and personal equipment. Uniforms are available at the Strong Scout Shop, located at the Scout Service Center, 2320 Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road, Rochester, NY. Personal equipment can be purchased at discount or sporting goods stores, flea markets, garage sales, etc.
The troop maintains camping equipment including tents, group cloths, cooking pots, eating utensils, etc.
Troop Meetings
Our Troop meets each Monday at 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Committee meeting night's dismissal is 8:00 p.m. Please have your son(s) there on time and pick them up on time.
The Scout meetings vary slightly but usually start with an opening ceremony, followed by a discussion of troop business and upcoming events. Patrols then work together or individually on advancement and/or merit badges. They may play a game, prepare for an outing, or conduct an activity of general interest. After activity time, additional announcements are given and a closing ceremony is conducted.
A Scout who is absent form a meeting misses knowledge of future activities, fails to progress with his buddies in advancement, and losses the sense of belonging to the troop. We cannot run a successful troop program if Scouts stay home.
Advancement
The Scout advancement program is at the heart of Scouting. The program provides a ladder of skills that each Scout climbs at his own pace. Within advancement a Scout accepts a small task and accomplishes that task. As an example, he tries to learn a little first aid and proves to an adult that he has learned it. He is now enabled to succeed in a new situation, and has gained a little more self assurance.

There are four basic steps in advancement that occur at every rank. They are:
Learn- Learning comes from other boys in the patrol or troop and by participation in the troop program.
Demonstrate- A Scout demonstrates skills learned.
Review- A review (Board of Review) is conducted to ensure all requirements for advancement have been met.
Recognition- Involves presentation of the advancement, usually at a ceremony before the entire troop.
Scouting through First Class
When a Scout begins with in the troop he will work for his Scout badge. Here he learns to be a Scout. This first recognition is earned by applying and memorizing some important Scouting basics.
After a boy has earned the Scout badge he immediately begins to work rank for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. The requirements for these ranks involve learning basic camping and outdoor survival skills, along with nature observations, first aid, and swimming. Individual requirement items may be worked simultaneously, but the ranks must be earned in the proper sequence.
Merit Badges
Merit badges give a Scout the opportunity to investigate different areas of knowledge and skills. A merit badge is earned by completing a set of requirements about a special subject to the satisfaction of a counselor certified to be knowledgeable in the subject.
There are more than one hundred merit badges that can be selected. A Scout may earn merit badges at summer camp before he is a First Class Scout. They will count toward his advanced ranks of Star, Life and Eagle.
Star & Life
After First Class, the advancement trail becomes much different. He now moves from being a learner to being a leader. The Star rank is attained with participation, leadership, service and self-directed advancement through merit badges. The Life Scout rank is earned by fulfilling additional leadership positions, service hours, and merit badges. A Life Scout is expected to be a role model and leader in the troop, providing guidance to new Scouts and helping the troop however he can.
The Eagle Rank
We hope each Scout develops the fortitude to stay with the advancement program and earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Scouts are rare and special. The leaders of the world recognize that the Eagle Scout is a young man who has developed the skills to accomplish a difficult job and has the perseverance to get that job done. The Eagle Scout is recognized as a valuable commodity.
Courts of Honor
A Court of Honor (CoH) is a Scout ceremony where each Scout is individually recognized for his successful achievement, be it rank advancement and/or merit badge completion. We schedule quarterly Courts of Honor each scout year: (September/October, December, March and June) The CoH is typically conducted upstairs, in the dining hall, at our meeting place. The June CoH is a picnic celebration and is held off site.
Formal recognition for achievement provides incentive for other Scouts to advance. Courts of Honors are important occasions which all parents should be sure to attend. We encourage all family members to be there.
Monthly Activities - Campouts
The BSA program is designed for fun in the outdoors. The troop committee, in supports of the Scoutmaster, will make every attempt to have at least one outdoor activity per month. These activities include service projects, District and Council activities, and other over-night outings. The cost of these activities is small; usually involving only the cost of food, and sometimes a registration fee.
For most overnight camp outs, departure is on Friday evenings, between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.,  from the parking lot of The Presbyterian Church. Scouts need to eat dinner prior to departure or pack something to eat in the car. Return is Sunday morning at the same location, between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m.
Activity sign-up sheets are available at the troop meetings.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp is the singular activity that sets Scouting apart from most other youth programs. National statistics show that Scouts who attend Summer Camp are more likely to remain in Scouting and advance to higher ranks than non-attendees.
Our Troop participates in a week-long Summer Camp adventure at Babcock-Hovey in Ovid, New York. Scouts have the opportunity to improve their Scout skills, earn advancement, meet new friends, and enjoy good wholesome fun. Camp offers the fun of obtaining merit badges, hiking through the woods, learning to handle a canoe, swimming, and sharing with their brother Scouts the inspiration of an evening campfire program, all in one setting.
Fundraising
Fundraising is necessary to cover expenses for troop earned gear, camping facilities, leadership training, as well as badges and other supplies needed to run the troop. Part of the responsibility of the Scouts and their parents/guardians is to share in these fundraising efforts.

Troop 4 participates annually in the Trails End Popcorn sale which is run Council-wide each September-November. Additional troop fundraisers, such as pancake breakfast, pizza sales, ziti dinner, and aluminum can drives may be offered to offset troop and Scout expenses.
Monies earned by fundraising may sometimes be split between the troop's general account and the Scouts' individual accounts according to the Scouts' level of participation. The percentage recorded in the Scouts' individual accounts is at the discretion of the Troop Committee. All funds in these accounts are used for Scouting purposes only.

In addition to Troop fundraising, the opportunity for Scouts to earn money for his account is offered by participating in the annual American Legion cleanup.
We are open to any fundraising event that a parent is willing to lead.
Parent Participation
Our success in delivering the promise of Scouting to the boys of our troop is due to the involvement of parents. The troop expects parents to be involved in some way in making the troop work. Without your assistance, the troop and, therefore, your son, will not be as successful as can be. We realize there are considerable demands on your time. One cannot, however, make a better investment of this time than into the operation of your sons' troop and the greater community it serves.
Some ways to help:
- Be a member of our committee
- Volunteer as a uniformed adult leader
- Be a merit badge counselor
- Provide rides to and from campouts
- Provide equipment transportation for campouts
- Be the extra adult on a campout
- Supervise a fundraising activity
- Help organize refreshments for courts of honor
Permission Slips and Medical Forms
Both permission slips and medical forms are provided by the troop. Medical forms can also be downloaded from the council website: https://www.senecawaterways.org
Permission Slips: A permission slip is required for all troop events which do not occur at our meeting place whether a parent accompanies the Scout on an event function or not. Our troop utilizes a "blanket" permission slip which is given to each parent to fill out when their Scout joins Troop 4. The permission slip covers all troop activities and field trip during the September-August time period.

Medical Form: All Scouts must have a medical form on file to participate in troop outings and summer camp. The form must be renewed annually. The Boy Scouts of America will only accept the new Annual Health Form and Medical Record. This new form replaces the Class 1, 2, and 3 Medical Forms previously accepted.
"An organization succeeds, not because it is long-established, but because there are people in it who live it, sleep it, dream it, and build future plans for it."
Boy Scout Oath or Promise
On my honor, I will do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country,
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake and morally straight.
Boy Scout Law
A Scout is Trustworthy,
A Scout is Loyal,
A Scout is Helpful,
A Scout is Friendly,
A Scout is Courteous,
A Scout is Kind,
A Scout is Obedient,
A Scout is Cheerful,
A Scout is Thrifty,
A Scout is Brave,
A Scout is Clean,
A Scout is Reverent
Boy Scout Motto
Be Prepared!
Boy Scout Slogan
Do a Good Turn Daily!
The Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors,
And be conservation minded.