Troop Perfect Attendance and Participation Policies

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to set forth Troop policies regarding attendance at Troop meetings and campouts, to integrate campout attendance into the perfect attendance award, and to set standards with regard to satisfactory participation as it relates to attendance.

Effective Date

The policies set forth in this document shall be effective on June 1, 1998.

Attendance Expectations

Scouts are expected to attend all Troop meetings, campouts (unless optional), and summer camp (Wilderness Camp). Optional campouts will be so indicated on the Troop Activity Schedule.

Perfect Attendance

Perfect attendance is defined as having attended and participated in all Troop meetings and required campouts without having missed, in a consecutive 12-month period, more than three (3) "Troop Events".

Satisfactory Participation

Satisfactory participation is defined in terms of campout and Troop meetings, as follows:

1. Campouts: If a scout misses more than two (2) required Campout Days in a Term, his participation for such Term will be deemed unsatisfactory. A Term is January through May and September through November.

2. Troop Meetings: If a scout misses more than three (3) troop meetings during a Term, his participation for that Term will be unsatisfactory, unless alternative participation is arranged.

Effect of Unsatisfactory Participation on Advancement

Participation relates to development of skills and leadership and to scouting spirit, which are required to advance in rank. Therefore:

1. Scouts at the new scout, tenderfoot scout, and second class scout level, who normally advance after one (1) Term, will not be permitted to advance if their participation is unsatisfactory. Scouts at the first class and star level, who normally advance after two (2) Terms, will not be permitted to advance if their participation is unsatisfactory in both Terms.

2. Eagle Advancement: In order to be permitted to have an Eagle Application submitted to the Council, an Eagle Candidate must maintain satisfactory participation during the majority of the Terms before his application is submitted. Constructive alternative participation may be allowed in limited and prearranged cases.

Troop Event Defined

A Troop Event is a Troop Meeting or a Campout Day. A "Campout Day" is each day of a campout, i.e., Saturday is one (1) Campout Day; Sunday is one (1) Campout Day:

1. To earn credit for attending and participating on a Saturday, a late scout must arrive at the campsite no later than 1:00 p.m. and participate the remainder of the day and spend the night with the Troop.

2. To earn credit for attending and participating on a Sunday, a late scout must arrive at the campsite no later than 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and must spend the night (Saturday night) with the Troop and be present on Sunday morning until the Troop is dismissed to go home.

Late-Comers and Non-Attenders; Show-Up Rule

Unless impossible due to the nature of the cause for coming late to the campout or not attending the campout, late-comers and non-attendees will be expected to be in attendance at the Hut before the Troop departs for the campsite. This will aid in organization for the campout and provide vital data to the Transportation Chairman for purposes of planning take home transportation.

Attendance by Patrol Leaders, Staff and Leaders

Leadership is by example. Therefore, patrol leaders, staff, and leaders are expected to attend all campouts, except the Snow Ski Trip/Polar Bear campout, which is optional for all scouts and leaders. By accepting the patrol leader or staff position, the scout automatically commits to this level of commitment.

Special Provisions re Water Ski Campout

Attendance and participation for at least a substantial portion of either day and staying overnight will constitute satisfactory attendance for perfect attendance and participation purposes. Scouts who do not so attend the Campout will be charged with only one (1) day of absence.