Joining Troop 1518 is simple! Just complete the requirements as listed below:
"Meet age requirements. Be a boy who either has completed the fifth grade or is at least 11 years old or has earned the Arrow of Light award. All Scouts must be under 18 years old "
Review Troop 1518’s calendar and policies to determine if this is the right troop for you. Then make an appointment to meet the Troop either by visiting a meeting or arranging a special meeting by calling our Troop Guide CJ (714) 731-3242.
Next, complete a Boy Scout application and health history, a troop information form and sign the last page of Troop Polices. You will then need to arrange to pay your annual dues. If you are transferring from a Cub Pack or another Troop, you must also complete a Transfer form. All forms are available from the Troop Committee Chairperson. Troop dues are $125 per year. A subscription to Boys Life magazine is included as is one parent membership and a custom Troop 1518 hat and neckerchief. A monthly payment plan is available if necessary. Please make all checks payable to "Troop 1518."
Within your first month of joining the Troop, you must be able to:
o Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance
o Demonstrate the Scout Sign, Salute, and Handshake.
o Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot).
o Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Law, Motto, and Slogan, and the outdoor code.
o Describe the Scout Badge.
o Complete the pamphlet exercises. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide that is contained in the front of the Boy Scout Handbook.
When you’ve completed these requirements, you will participate in a Scoutmaster conference. If the Scoutmaster agrees you are ready, you’ll be awarded the "Scout" badge to wear on your uniform. Congratulations, you are now on the road to First Class Scout.
SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR WEBELOS SCOUTS
Crossing Over From A Cub Scout Pack? If you’re a Webelos Scout in a local pack and a plan on joining our troop, we would be more than happy to attend your pack’s crossover ceremony. The Cub Scout Pack leader responsible for the ceremony should contact our Scoutmaster as early as possible to let us know when your ceremony will take place. We’ll send a Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster along with some scouts from the troop to participate and present you with our troop neckerchief in a fun ceremony.
Webelos Integration Into The Troop. As soon as you’ve crossed over or earned your Arrow of Light Award, you may begin attending our troop meetings. When you’ve completed the requirements listed above, we’ll conduct an informal ceremony at a troop meeting officially recognizing you as a Scout in Troop 1518. At that time, you’ll also be given your Troop 1518 class B T-shirt (free). After we’ve gathered all our new Webelos, we’ll assign you to a Patrol.
New Leaders Are a Must. With new scouts, we expect to gain new leaders as well. Parent volunteers are a must in order to support the new scouts. At least two parents of new scouts will need to volunteer to become Assistant Scoutmasters to help with the new patrol. Double that if there are enough new scouts for more than one patrol. There are additional volunteer opportunities on the troop committee. We always need drivers and frequently need parents to serve on Boards of Review as well.
AFTER CROSS-OVER AND THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR
The first months of a scout’s career are important as they make the transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts. All "new guys" are put into patrols with other "new guys," and old guys as well. The first few months are always an adjustment but we believe incorporating new scouts into existing patrols with older scouts shortens the learning curve dramatically.
Under the supervision of the Assistant Scoutmasters (ASMs), Troop Guide, SPL and PL new scouts will embark on the road to First Class. During the first full year, new scouts will be focused on learning the basics of scouting and advancing from Tenderfoot, to Second Class, to First Class scout. The goal is to have all new scouts to First Class rank by the end of the first full year. To help them focus on basics, scouts are encouraged to attend summer camp and participate in the scout skills offerings there. Troop 1518 has four scout instructors who teach these skills at specific times set-aside during troop meetings. This year we plan to hold a special event for first years to focus on scout skills.
