Congratulations on achieving a Troop 52 Leadership position!

Dear Scout:
Congratulations on achieving a Troop 52 Leadership position! All of Troop 52 is pleased to see your continued advancement and growth in scouting.

Your progress towards Eagle includes requirements for merit badges and time in grade, and both are important. But neither puts you in a position to lead the younger scouts, and in so doing learning how to lead. That learning process can only occur when you are physically present. And your physical presence and participation is as much a requirement for advancement as any other aspect of your rank requirements. Please let me make it clear that quality of time spent with helping younger scouts is more important then the quantity of time, however there are minimum requirements as a senior scout for you to "learn to lead".

So we start this newest part of your scouting journey with the most positive of reminders about what it takes to move higher. We need you wanting to be there, and the “there” is at Troop meetings (in proper uniform), at service commitments, assisting on Eagle projects, and joining us on campouts. Without you and the other senior scouts, it doesn’t work. So we look forward to your help in making it work, as others have tried to make it work for you, and as the young scouts you train will make it work for those who come after them. It’s all about passing it on.

Starting this year, attendance is being taken at each event, including Troop meetings. Attendance records, together with the status of a Scout’s merit badges and other advancement requirements, are always available for the asking. It is also important that you carefully read the requirements in each Troop 52 Leadership position contract. (This information, as well as, the participation requirements are posted on our web site, http://www.troop52campers.com .) When you and your parent/guardian sign this contract, the Troop will hold you accountable for completing the requirements you agree to preform during your leadership term. There will be reviews every three months for each scout who holds a leadership position conducted by adult uniform leaders and the Junior Leadership Corps (JLC). These will generally occur in November, February and May. If it has been determined that the requirements in your contract have been fulfilled, you will be awarded time in leadership for rank advancement. If you have completed some of the requirements, you may be given some credit for time, but corrective action should be done by the next review. If not, you may need to begin your leadership term again.

We are also always available to discuss any questions with a Scout or his parents, and any special circumstance will be addressed with the best interests of the scout in mind. This includes any issue, finances included, and all will be kept in the strictest confidence. No Troop 52 Scout will ever be held back because circumstances were such that he couldn’t participate, despite the desire. But for the majority of Scouts who can participate, the failure to do so will preclude advancement.

Enclosed is a list of what is expected in terms of attendance and uniforms – these requirements were proposed, debated and then adopted by the Junior Leadership Corps (JLC) of Troop 52. In keeping with the Troop’s commitment to teach leadership by providing experience and opportunity, the adult leaders will respect and enforce these standards.

Yours in Scouting,
Frank Skopowski
Scoutmaster Troop 52