Troop Program Features

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The Troop Program Features include 36 Monthly Themes with Troop Meeting and Activity plans.
Using this program, a troop will explore dozens of merit badges and Scout Skills each year.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to choose from dozens of monthly plans that other troops have used and refined?

What if each monthly plan included sample meeting plans, activities, games, and PLC planning suggestions?

That's what the Troop Program Features are!

Contents Volume I
How to Plan
Aquatics
Athletics
Backpacking
Boating-Canoeing
Business
Camping
Citizenship
Communications
Cooking
Cultural
Awareness
Emergency
Preparedness
Engineering

Volume II
Environment
First Aid
Fishing
Forestry
Health Care
High Adventure
Hiking
Hobbies
Leadership
Pioneering 1
Nature
Orienteering

Volume III
Physical Fitness
Pioneering 2
Public Service
Safety
Science
Shooting
Dutch Oven
Sports
Tracking
Wilderness
Survival
Wildlife
Management
Winter Camping

Resources
Scoutmaster's Minute
Games
Ceremonies
Worship Service
Scouting Terms
Baden-Powell
Quotes
BSA Founders
Forms
Clip Art

Your Patrol Leaders Council can pick and choose the themes that interest them. Then for each theme they can tailor their own plan from a variety of resources in the chapter.

Each program is designed to let older Scouts teach newer Scouts the associated Scout Skills for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. Older Scouts are encouraged to continue to explore the related Merit Badges for each topic.

By using this three-year program rotation, every Scout Skill is reinforced and Scouts are introduced to almost every merit badge. Some programs such as Camping, First Aid, and Emergency Preparedness will probably be annual themes for new Scouts with older Scouts teaching and doing the related merit badges.

Although rarely mentioned in the Troop Program Features, the Guide to Safe Scouting must be with you on all activities and applies to every activity. Also note that the Table of Contents is sometimes out of order because the real subject name is used instead of the chapter name. Both names are shown in the chapter notes below.

Yearly Program Planning

The full introduction with much more information is here: Introduction - How to Plan

"A successful troop meeting begins with advance planning. In recent research, the Boy Scouts of America determined that inadequately planned and executed troop meetings were the number one cause of boys leaving Scouting."

"Troop meetings should focus on a monthly program feature, be fast-moving, and start and end on time. The program feature should be interwoven with the program at all experience levels: the new-Scout patrol, experienced patrols, and the Venture patrol."

"Planning a troop program on an annual and a monthly basis is a new task for many leaders. Good planning and execution depend on (1) a Scoutmaster who understands the process, (2) trained youth leaders who can plan meetings and successfully execute them, (3) sufficient personnel in the form of Assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee members, and (4) parents who are knowledgeable and informed."

"Your first step in planning is to utilize the resources available to set goals for the troop. The next step is to train your youth leaders in the planning process. Then give them the responsibility and authority to plan and implement the troop program. The final step is to get your troop committee and parents to “buy in” to support this “Scout-planned” program."

"The program planning guide in chapter 8 of the Scoutmaster Handbook will guide you through the basics of planning, from doing your homework to securing parental support for your program. The monthly troop program features found in Scouting magazine are the other principal resources needed to run the program planning workshop."

Troop Program Features Volume I

Source: Troop Program Features Vol. I (last downloaded 5/7/2009) - Vol I Printed

How to Plan Troop Programs

Introduction - How to Plan - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 5 - 14 Troop Meeting Plan Form p. 14

Aquatics

Aquatics - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 15 - 23

Advancement Opportunities: Swimming - Lifesaving - Small-Boat Sailing - Mile Swim BSA - Snorkeling BSA - BSA Lifeguard - Boardsailing BSA - 50-Miler - Safe Swim Defense - Safety Afloat
A Canoe Diagram is included
Although not mentioned, there are swimming requirements in Second Class and First Class. In addition, Canoeing, Rowing, Water Sports, and Whitewater are Aquatics Advancement Opportunities.
See Swimming Skills for many resources including lesson videos.

Athletics

Athletics - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 25 - 34

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Athletics - Personal Fitness - Skating - Cycling - Hiking - Sports - Swimming - Water Sports
Note that although this chapter suggests earning your Skiing merit badge, Skiing was replaced in the 1990's with Snow Sports.
See Personal Fitness for many resources including lesson videos.

Backpacking

Backpacking - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 35 - 44

Advancement Opportunities: First Class - Backpacking - Hiking - Camping - Cooking - Orienteering - Wilderness Survival - Outdoor Code
See Backpacking for many resources including lesson videos.

Boating-Canoeing

Boating-Canoeing - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 45 - 54

Advancement Opportunities: Canoeing - Rowing - Small-Boat Sailing - Safety Afloat - Safe Swim Defense
Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Motorboating is also a boating merit badge and canoe trips can apply towards the 50-Miler award.
This topic does include good Canoe Paddle and Canoeing Strokes diagrams.

Business

Business - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 55 - 64. (Also see Citizenship)

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - American Business - American Labor - Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation
Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Entrepreneurship is how businesses are created. And the sales campaign activity is from the Salesmanship merit badge. Personal Management apllies these business skills to help manage your life.
The suggested "Business" campout instead features an Orienteering race and a nature hike.

Camping

Camping - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 65 - 74

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Leave No Trace - Camping - Cooking - Hiking - Orienteering - Wilderness Survival
See Scout Skills for many resources including lesson videos.

Citizenship

Citizenship - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 75 - 84. (Also see the Program Features for Public Service and Leadership)

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class #4 - First Class #5 - Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation - Citizenship in the World - American Cultures - American Heritage - Law
Although not mentioned, Family Life is about citizenship in the home.
The suggested "Citizenship" campout instead features an Orienteering race and a nature hike.
See Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World for many resources including lesson videos.

Communications

Communications - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 85 - 94

Advancement Opportunities: Communications - Computers
The Communications campout features semaphore flag signaling instruction!
Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Public Speaking is all about communications as well.
See Communications for many resources including lesson videos.

Cooking

Cooking - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 95 - 104. (Also see the Program Features for Dutch Oven Cooking)

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Cooking - Camping - Backpacking - Leave No Trace
This chapter includes: Cooking Recipes, Foil Cooking, and Dutch Oven Cooking
See Cooking for many resources including lesson videos.

Cultural Awareness

Cultural Awareness - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 105 - 112. (Also see Citizenship)

Advancement Opportunities: Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation - Citizenship in the World - - American Heritage - Indian Lore - Genealogy
Although not mentioned in this topic, since 1979, the BSA continues to offer a merit badge about "Cultural Awareness" called American Cultures.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 113 - 122

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - First Aid - Emergency Preparedness
Although not mentioned in this topic, the BSA does offer an emergency preparedness award called the Emergency Preparedness Award.
See Emergency Preparedness for many resources including lesson videos.

Engineering

Engineering - Troop Program Features Volume I pp. 123

Although called "Engineering," this chapter focuses on "Wilderness Engineering" lashings and pioneering projects. Also see Pioneering 1 and Pioneering 2
Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot #4 - First Class #7 - Engineering - Pioneering - Camping - Computers - Drafting - Electricity - Electronics.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.
Although not mentioned in the chapter, Energy and Nuclear Science are also engineering disciplines.
A drawing for Space Exploration is included but the merit badge is not mentioned.

Troop Program Features Volume II

Source: Troop Program Features Vol. II (last downloaded 5/7/2009) - Vol II Printed

Environment

Environment - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 15 - 24

Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Environmental Science - Insect Study - Reptile and Amphibian Study - Soil and Water Conservation - Mammal Study - Leave No Trace
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

First Aid

First Aid - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 25 - 33

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - First Aid - Emergency Preparedness
See First Aid Skills for many resources including lesson videos.

Fishing

Fishing - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 35 - 44

Advancement Opportunities: Fishing - Cooking
Although not mentioned in this chapter, since 2002, the BSA has offered a merit badge about "Fly-fishing" called Fly Fishing.
See Fishing and Fly Fishing for many resources including lesson videos.

Forestry

Forestry - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 45 - 54

Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - Forestry - Mammal Study - Geology - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Health Care

Health Care - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 55 - 63

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Public Health - Medicine - Citizenship in the Community

High Adventure

High Adventure - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 65 - 74

High Adventure typically means backpacking, canoeing, hiking, or cycling. To the Boy Scouts of America, it means Blindfold Soccer and Soccer Frisbee in this topic.
Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Backpacking - Hiking - Cycling - Wilderness Survival - Leave No Trace
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Hiking

Hiking - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 75 - 83

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Hiking - Camping - Backpacking - Leave No Trace
Although not mentioned in this chapter, the 50 Miler Award and Historic Trails are related topics.
See Hiking for many resources including lesson videos.

Hobbies

Hobbies - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 85 - 94

Advancement Opportunities: Collections
This chapter suggests several other hobbies but does not reveal that they are merit badges: Archery, Camping, Coin Collecting, Computers, First Aid, Fishing, Indian Lore, Model Design and Building, Soil & Water Conservation, Pets, Pioneering, Stamp Collecting, and Wood Carving.
This chapter does not use the BSA name or reveal that these are merit badges: Artwork (Art), Birding (Bird Study), Ceramics (Pottery), Fly tying (Fly Fishing), Gun safety (Rifle Shooting & Shotgun Shooting), Insect collections (Insect Study), Model trains (Railroading), Rock collections (Geology), Star study (Astronomy), Still photography (Photography), and Video photography (Cinematography), and Woodworking (Woodwork).
Other merit badges are not mentioned that can make great hobbies: Aviation, Basketry, Genealogy, Golf, Horsemanship, Leatherwork, Music, Reading, Radio, Sculpture, and Space Exploration.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Leadership

Leadership - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 95 - 104 badge. (Also see Citizenship)

Advancement Opportunities: First Class #5 - Citizenship in the Community - American Cultures - American Heritage
This chapter includes an excellent group project "Stranded" where alone and then as a group you decide what survival items are important. Includes answer key and explainations. Good for a troop meeting.
P. 96 suggests that "Older Scouts can concentrate on the Citizenship merit badge this month." There is no such merit badge.
This chapter does not mention it but the BSA does have a youth leadership program: National Youth Leadership Training.

Mechanics

Mechanics - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 105 - 115

Although this chapter is called Mechanics, it is not about being a mechanic but does offer good Pioneering projects and COPE-type games.
Advancement Opportunities: First Class - Pioneering - Includes how to make a balloon launcher.

Nature

Nature - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 117 - 126

Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Nature - Mammal Study - Geology - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study - Leave No Trace
Although not mentioned, Soil and Water Conservation, Oceanography, and Reptile and Amphibian Study are Advancement Opportunities in Nature.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Orienteering

Orienteering - Troop Program Features Volume II pp. 127 - 136

Advancement Opportunities: Second Class - First Class - Orienteering
See Orienteering for many resources including lesson videos.

Troop Program Features Volume III

Source: Troop Program Features Vol. III (last downloaded 5/7/2009) - Vol III Printed

Physical Fitness

Physical Fitness - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 15 - 24

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Personal Fitness - Hiking - Camping - Athletics - Swimming - Sports - Skating - Cycling
See Personal Fitness for many resources including lesson videos.

Pioneering

Pioneering - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 25 - 34. (Also see the Troop Program Features for two other pioneering topics: Engineering and Mechanics)

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Pioneering
See Pioneering for many resources including lesson videos.

Public Service

Public Service - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 35 - 43. (Also see the Troop Program Feature for Citizenship.)

Advancement Opportunities: Second Class #4 - First Class #5 - Citizenship in the Community - Citizenship in the Nation - Citizenship in the World - Public Health - American Cultures - American Heritage - Historic Trails

Safety

Safety - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 45 - 54

Advancement Opportunities: Safety - Fire Safety
Although not mentioned as Advancement Opportunities, Crime Prevention, Traffic Safety, and Emergency Preparedness do focus on safety.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Science

Science - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 55 - 64

Advancement Opportunities: Weather
Although not mentioned as Advancement Opportunities, Chemistry, Astronomy, Computers, Electricity, Electronics, Energy, Environmental Science, Geology, and Nuclear Science are applied sciences just as Weather is.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Shooting

Shooting - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 65 - 74

Advancement Opportunities: Archery - Shotgun Shooting - Rifle Shooting
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Special Cooking

This topic is actually Dutch Oven Cooking and Reflector Oven Cooking.

Shortcut: Dutch Oven Cooking

Special Cooking - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 75 - 84

Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Cooking - Camping
You will use Dutch Oven Cooking and Reflector Oven Cooking and have a troop outdoor banquet.

MeritBadge.Org Resources:

Outdoor Cooking Videos: Food Selection - Food Quality - Stoves - Utensils - Water Purification - Leave No Trace
Cooking Gear: REI: Cookware - BSA Cooking Gear - REI: Stoves - Stove Safety
Dutch Oven Cooking: International Dutch Oven Society - USScouts.Org - MacScouter - dutchovencookware.com

Sports

Sports - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 85 - 94

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Sports - Personal Fitness - Hiking - Camping - Athletics - Swimming - Sports - Skating - Cycling
Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Climbing is a sport.
You can feature flag football, soccer, softball, and other sports on a campout.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Tracking

Tracking - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 95 - 104

While called Tracking, this program is more about Scout Skills.
Advancement Opportunities: First Class - Nature - Camping - Mammal Study - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study,
Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Reptile and Amphibian Study also includes tracking.

Wilderness Survival

Wilderness Survival - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 105 - 114

Advancement Opportunities: Wilderness Survival - Camping - Cooking
The "Downed Plane" and "The Flood" scenarios are great learning exercises.
See Wilderness Survival for many resources including lesson videos.

Wildlife Management

Wildlife Management - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 115 - 124

Advancement Opportunities: Nature - Mammal Study - Fish and Wildlife Management - Insect Study
Although not mentioned as an Advancement Opportunity, Reptile and Amphibian Study also includes management requirements.
See the merit badge links above for many resources including lesson videos.

Winter Camping

Winter Camping - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 125 - 134

Advancement Opportunities: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class - Camping - Leave No Trace
Activities can feature Ice Rescue, Sledding, and Snow Sports
See Camping for many resources including lesson videos.

Troop Program Resources

Source: Troop Program Resources

Scoutmaster's Minute

The Scoutmaster’s Minute - Troop Program Resources

Games

Games - Troop Program Resources

Ceremonies

Ceremonies - Troop Program Resources

Founders of the BSA

Founders of the BSA - Troop Program Resources

Forms

The Troop Program Resources Forms are out of date. Here are the Current BSA Forms.

Clip Art

Clip Art - Troop Program Resources

References

36 BSA Monthly Troop Programs with Troop Meeting Plans (free & online), Printed: Vol I - Vol II - Vol III - Resources
Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) - Troop Meeting Planner - Campfire Planner - Resource Survey - Troop Committee Challenge
Senior Patrol Leaders Handbook - Patrol Leaders Handbook - Scoutmaster Handbook - BSA Nameplates

Training: New Leader Training - Scoutmaster Outdoor - Scoutmaster's Key - Wood Badge
Applications: New Unit - Adult Application
Fundraising, Popcorn, and the importance of Individual Youth Accounts
Advancement Policies - Advancement Report - First Class-First Year - Individual Boy Scout Record
Orientation for New Boy Scout Parents

Boy Scout Troop Committee
(Adult Leaders)

Troop Committee Chairman	Secretary	Treasurer	Advancement Chair
Equipment Coordinator	Activities Chair	Membership Chair	Training Chair
Fundraising Chair	Public Relations Chair	Friends of Scouting Chair	Scouting for Food Chair
ScoutParent Unit Coordinator	Chaplain	New Member Coordinator
Reports to: Chartered Organization Representative		Advisers: Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster(s)

Retrieved from "http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Troop_Program_Features"

Categories: Shortcuts | Troop committee | Boy Scouts | Groups

@@ Line 258: / Line 258: @@
 ===Pioneering===
-[[Media:Troop Program Features - Pioneering.pdf|Pioneering]] - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 25 - 34
+[[Media:Troop Program Features - Pioneering.pdf|Pioneering]] - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 25 - 34. (''Also see the Troop Program Features for two other pioneering topics: [[Troop Program Features#Engineering|Engineering]] and [[Troop Program Features#Mechanics|Mechanics]])<br>
 * '''Advancement Opportunities''': [[Tenderfoot]] - [[Second Class]] - [[First Class]] - [[Pioneering]]
 * See [[Pioneering]] for many resources including lesson videos.
 ===Public Service===
-[[Media:Troop Program Features - Public Service.pdf|Public Service]] - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 35 - 43. (''Also see [[Troop Program Features#Citizenship|Citizenship]])<br>
+[[Media:Troop Program Features - Public Service.pdf|Public Service]] - Troop Program Features Volume III pp. 35 - 43. (''Also see the Troop Program Feature for [[Troop Program Features#Citizenship|Citizenship]].)<br>
 *'''Advancement Opportunities''': [[Second Class]] #4 - [[First Class]] #5 - [[Citizenship in the Community]] - [[Citizenship in the Nation]] - [[Citizenship in the World]] - [[Public Health]] - [[American Cultures]] - [[American Heritage]] - [[Historic Trails]]

Senior Patrol Leader Asst.(s)	Quartermaster	Junior Asst. Scoutmaster(s)	Order of the Arrow Rep.
Patrol Leader(s), Venture Patrol Leader, Asst.(s)	Historian	Instructor(s) & Troop Guide(s) & Outdoor Ethics Guide	Chaplain Aide
Scribe	Librarian	Den Chief(s)	Bugler & Musician
Advisers: Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chair, Assistant Scoutmaster(s)