ANNUAL PROGRAM
Troop 35 maintains a 12-month program year, which runs from September through the following August. Scouts plan and develop the program with adult advice and guidance at an annual program planning meetings. The plan is reviewed by the Scoutmaster and approved by the Troop Committee. The overall program consists of weekly Troop meetings, monthly outdoor events such a weekend campouts, formal awards ceremonies, service projects, fundraisers, and various other activities. In July, the Troop attends week-long summer camps. The Troop also has some annual, recurring campouts. They include an Antietam Battlefield service project in December, a family ski trip at Timberline, West Virginia in January, and a parent-son campout in early spring to give new Scouts their first camping experience with the Troop. Details of Troop events and activities for the current program year may be found on the Troop 's websites.
SUMMER CAMP
Every year, Troop 35 attends a week long summer camp, usually during July. Summer camp is an excellent opportunity to have fun and complete merit badges. Many camps also offer optional high-adventure programs for those Scouts that seek more physically- challenging activities. We typically go to a different location each year, usually within an eight hour drive. Planning for summer camp begins in the previous Fall. Reservations and collection of initial payments begin in January. Spaces are often limited so we recommend making a commitment as soon as possible for your Scout to attend. Spaces for adults are limited, as well. Because Scouts will receive priority over adults, initial adult reservations are considered tentative. Final reservations will be confirmed for Scouts and adults with adequate time to plan work and family schedules. In unusual situations when a Scout does not request to go to camp until very late in the process, a request may be made to adults for a volunteer to give up his or her slot to the Scout. Due to vacations, school, and camp availability, the week chosen by the Troop may not accommodate every Scout. When this occurs, a Scout may elect to attend another summer camp on an individual basis, but the Scout needs to identify the summer camp and dates, then request approval from the Scoutmaster before making a reservation.
VENTURE PROGRAM
Troop 35 Scouts 13 years of age and older who have earned the rank of First Class or above are eligible to participate in the Venture Program. In addition to his regular rank advancement program, Troop activities, and leadership responsibilities. the Scout becomes part of Venture Crew. The program offers high-adventure activities for older Scouts who are mentally and physically mature enough to participate in tough physical challenges. Typical Venture activities include snow camping, caving, rock climbing, rappelling, long distance backpacking or cycling, and whitewater. Troop 35 also schedules summer camps for Scouts that desire more challenging outdoor activities, such as the extended backpacking treks at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. Note: The Venture Program supplements the Troop's normal Scout Program. Scouts that want to attend Venture activities must continue their regular participation in other Troop events.
FIRST CLASS EMPHASIS
During the first year a new Boy Scout is with Troop 35, he will be encouraged to focus on advancement to First Class. From the time the Scout enters the Troop through the time he advances to First Class rank, he is learning basic Scouting skills to enable him to camp, hike, swim, cook, tie knots, administer first aid, and perform other tasks in the outdoors and to work as a member of a team. With those first steps the Scout begins to develop himself physically, mentally, and morally. He will start to live with the Scout Oath and Law. A goal of Troop 35 is for every new Scout to achieve First Class within one year. An Assistant Scoutmaster maintains a program that presents multiple opportunities for your Scout to complete all requirements necessary to reach First Class within a year. For their first year, all new Scouts are assigned to their own patrol, which allows them to dedicate time at meetings and Troop outings to learn basic skills and complete requirements. One or more Troop Guides (typically older, experienced Scouts) will serve as their Patrol Leader, teacher, and role model. First Year Scouts that attend resident summer camp with the Troop are more likely to remain in Scouting and advance toward the rank of Eagle.
ORDER OF THE ARROW
Order of the Arrow (OA) is a national honor society for Scouting. The purpose of the Order of the Arrow is to recognize those Scouts and Adult Leaders who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives, and by such recognition cause other campers to conduct themselves in such a manner. It develops and maintains camping traditions and spirit. It promotes Scout camping. And it reinforces the practice of helpfulness through cheerful service to others. Scouts are selected by their peers through secret ballot.
RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS
A Scout is Reverent. All Scouts show this by being faithful in their duty to God. Some go further and give special service. This can qualify them for a religious emblem which can be worn on the official uniform. Such an emblem is not a Scouting award. It is conferred on a Scout by his religious leader. Each faith has its own requirements for earning its emblem. Troop 35 supports religious emblem programs that may lead to opportunities for scouts to earn scholarships.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Troop 35 practices the principles of Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is an national and international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with their decisions about how to reduce their impacts when they hike, camp, picnic, snowshoe, run, bike, hunt, paddle, ride horses, fish, ski or climb. The program strives to educate all those who enjoy the outdoors about the nature of their recreational impacts as well as techniques to prevent and minimize such impacts. Leave No Trace is best understood as an educational and ethical program, not as a set of rules and regulations. Troop 35 has a Scout leadership position that teaches and promotes Leave No Trace.
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