What to Expect at your First Visit
- What to bring: All you need to bring is your son(s) with an expectant heart for fun and friendship.
- What to wear: Please don’t feel obligated to have a uniform on the first few visits. Please have your boy wear something comfortable and closed-toe shoes.
- Check-In Process: When you arrive, please look for Stephen Stewart (Onboarding Chairman) or Austin Godfrey (Troop Master) at the front counter. We'll help you get a visitor badge and answer any questions you may have. Your son will not need a badge on your first few visits. After our initial greeting, your son can go directly to their group. During the troop meeting, the leaders will conduct a roll call, so if we don’t get your son’s name upon arrival, our leaders will take care of your son during roll call. We also want to make sure we have your correct contact info to keep in touch with you. If we don’t get your name written down when you arrive, please have the leader taking roll call have you write your information down on their sign-in sheet (please write your info clearly).
- Opening Ceremony: Our troop leaders will be in the front to guide you to the room down the hall where we'll have our opening ceremony. It's a great way for your son to feel the camaraderie of the whole troop while we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the troop pledge and scripture, and the troop motto, “Walk Worthy.” The Chaplain will give a quick bible study to the whole troop, and the patrols will be taken to separate areas of the building for their gatherings.
- Late Arrival: If you arrive late and find the door locked, text Stephen or a Leader and we will open the door for you. We do lock up the front doors at 6:50 pm for security.
- Restroom: Restrooms designated for adults are at the far center-back of the building, while restrooms for the boys are near their classrooms. Our leaders will ensure their safety by having two Registered Adults escort them to the restroom door, and while you are with your boy, you can direct them to the restroom. Find a Dad to show you how to get to the adult restrooms as they are in the far back portion of the building.
- The only rule we want to mention for the boys to follow is to be quiet while the leaders are talking to the group. After a kind reminder, then he will stand with you.
The boys will be reciting the following during the opening ceremonies (it will be on the screen, no need to memorize yet):
• Their troop pledge: “On my honor, I will do my best to serve God and my country. To respect authority, to be a good steward of creation, and to treat others as I want to be treated.”
• Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
• Troop Motto: “Walk Worthy”
• Their troop pledge: “On my honor, I will do my best to serve God and my country. To respect authority, to be a good steward of creation, and to treat others as I want to be treated.”
• Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
• Troop Motto: “Walk Worthy”
How Does Trail Life USA Handle Child Safety?
The safety of the young Trailmen in our care is of utmost importance. To help protect boys, Trail Life has put into place extensive policies and guidelines that our members must follow. The most prominent of these policies is that every registered adult in Trail Life must successfully complete a Child Safety and Youth Protection training and Criminal Background Check. Registered Adults are required to wear a Member ID.
Trail Life has also developed the 1-2-3 Youth Protection Essentials that are easy to learn, teach, and practice by all Trailmen, both youth and adult:
• No 1-on-One: The “no one-on-one” rule is in place for youth protection so no boy is ever alone with an adult. This is for both the protection of the boy and the adult. This extends to electronic communications such as email, texting, and online communications, as well as transportation to and from Trail Life activities.
• 2-Deep Leadership: The “two-deep” rule is in place for safety so there is always a minimum of two Registered Adults in proximity to provide backup and oversight. Although parents’ participation is welcome, a parent who is not a Registered Adult member (thereby trained and screened) is not considered part of this two-deep leadership requirement.
• Buddy System of 3: The “buddy system of three” is suggested to keep youth safe when out of sight of adult leadership. Buddies must be of the same program level. The buddy system also applies to tenting. Three or more boys of the same program level should share a tent, rather than only two (unless they are siblings, with parental knowledge).
The safety of the young Trailmen in our care is of utmost importance. To help protect boys, Trail Life has put into place extensive policies and guidelines that our members must follow. The most prominent of these policies is that every registered adult in Trail Life must successfully complete a Child Safety and Youth Protection training and Criminal Background Check. Registered Adults are required to wear a Member ID.
Trail Life has also developed the 1-2-3 Youth Protection Essentials that are easy to learn, teach, and practice by all Trailmen, both youth and adult:
• No 1-on-One: The “no one-on-one” rule is in place for youth protection so no boy is ever alone with an adult. This is for both the protection of the boy and the adult. This extends to electronic communications such as email, texting, and online communications, as well as transportation to and from Trail Life activities.
• 2-Deep Leadership: The “two-deep” rule is in place for safety so there is always a minimum of two Registered Adults in proximity to provide backup and oversight. Although parents’ participation is welcome, a parent who is not a Registered Adult member (thereby trained and screened) is not considered part of this two-deep leadership requirement.
• Buddy System of 3: The “buddy system of three” is suggested to keep youth safe when out of sight of adult leadership. Buddies must be of the same program level. The buddy system also applies to tenting. Three or more boys of the same program level should share a tent, rather than only two (unless they are siblings, with parental knowledge).