Boy Scout Troup 86

Boy Scout Troop 86 has been a part of the Grace family for many years, beginning in 1931.  

Troop meetings are held on Monday nights at the Center of Grace, 520 S. Harrison from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Troop 86 conducts a monthly Troop Campout, as well as participating in both our HOAC Council and Trails West District functions. In addition, each Patrol is encouraged to conduct their own Patrol hikes and camp outings. Each summer, the Troop attends long-term camp sessions at the H. Roe Bartle and Naish camps. Troop 86 regularly schedules high-adventure camps in Colorado, Minnesota, and at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

For additional information about Scouting opportunities contact:

Scoutmaster                                                 Committee Chairman
Rick Miller                                                       Rick Gudenkauf           
(913) 393-1474                                             (913) 764-5176

             trailswestpr@yahoo.com                            rbgudenkauf@comcast.net

The Purposes of Boy Scouts
Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys age 11-17. Boys who are 10 may join if they have received the Arrow of Light Award or have finished the fifth grade. Boy Scouting is a program of fun outdoor activities, peer group leadership opportunities, and a personal exploration of career, hobby and special interests, all designed to achieve the BSA's objectives of strengthening character, citizenship, and personal fitness training for youth.

Specifically, the BSA endeavors to develop American citizens who are:

• physically, mentally, and emotionally fit;
• have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualities as initiative, courage, and resourcefulness;
• have personal values based on religious concepts;
• have the desire and skills to help others;
• understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems;
• are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand our nation's role in the world;
• have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people;
• and are prepared to participate in and give leadership to American society.  

Troop Organization
Troop 86 is composed of Patrols. Each Scout is assigned to a Patrol of between 8 to 12 boys. Each Patrol has two Patrol Advisors that have sons in the Patrol to help oversee the functions of the Patrol. Each Patrol maintains its own internal leadership via the Scouts who hold the positions of Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster and a Troop Guide. Through his involvement in the Patrol, each Scout will experience accepting and carrying out responsibility in a way that he could in a larger group.

The Troop has a leadership structure via the Scouts who hold the positions of Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Scribe, Troop Quartermaster and other leadership positions. The Patrol Leaders Council comprised of the Patrol Leaders and the Troop leadership is the decision making body for the Troop. The PLC and Troop leadership are advised by the Scoutmaster.

Volunteer Leadership
Volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Boy Scouting program. They serve in a variety of jobs-everything from unit leaders; Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmasters, Patrol Advisors; to Chairmen of Troop Committees, Committee Members, Merit Badge Counselors, and Chartered Organization Representative.

Church Affiliation
Regardless of church affiliation, boys are welcome to attend Grace UMC church functions and participate in Troop 86 programs. Your family is welcome to attend services and join us at Grace UMC if you don't have a church home or if you're looking for a new place to serve and worship.

Like other phases of the Scouting program, a Boy Scouting Troop belongs to a Chartering Organization with interests similar to those of BSA. Troop 86’s Charter Organization, Grace United Methodist Church, is chartered by the local BSA Council to use the Scouting program. Grace UMC provides meeting places, adult leadership, supervision, and opportunities for a healthy Scouting life for the boys under its care. Grace UMC appoints one of its members, the Scouting Coordinator, as the Troop’s Chartered Organization Representative. Grace, through the Troop Committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for Troop activities.  

Aims and Methods of the Scouting Program
The Scouting program has three specific objectives, commonly referred to as the "Aims of Scouting." They are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The methods by which the aims are achieved are listed below in random order to emphasize the equal importance of each.

Ideals of Boy Scouts
The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Motto, and the Scout Slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes. (LISTED BELOW)

Outdoor Programs 
Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Advancement 
Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Associations With Adults 
Boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to boys, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

Personal Growth 
As Boy Scouts plan their activities and progress toward their goals, they experience personal growth. The Good Turn concept is a major part of the personal growth method of Boy Scouting. Boys grow as they participate in community service projects and do Good Turns for others. Probably no device is as successful in developing a basis for personal growth as the daily Good Turn. The religious emblems program also is a large part of the personal growth method. Frequent personal conferences with his Scoutmaster help each Boy Scout to determine his growth toward Scouting's aims.

Leadership Development
The Boy Scout program encourages boys to learn and practice leadership skills. Every Boy Scout has the opportunity to participate in both shared and total leadership situations. Understanding the concepts of leadership helps a boy accept the leadership role of others and guides him toward the citizenship aim of Scouting.

Uniform
The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.

The SCOUT LAW
A Scout is...
TRUSTWORTHY A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
LOYAL A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
HELPFUL A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward. 
FRIENDLY A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
COURTEOUS A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
KIND A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle.  He treats others as he wants to be treated.  He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
OBEDIENT  A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
CHEERFUL A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
THRIFTY A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
BRAVE A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
CLEAN A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
REVERENT A Scout is reverent toward God.  He is faithful in his religious duties.  He respects the beliefs of others. 

SCOUT OATH OR PROMISE
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

Patrols 
The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.