Troop 1201's Info for Transitioning Webelos Families

Choosing a Troop:

  • Visit several troops in your area.  Troops can be very different.  Without a question, the best thing you can do before joining a Boy Scout troop is to visit several Boy Scout Troops in your area.  Here are several things to look for:

    • Talk to the leaders.

      • As an adult would you feel comfortable taking on an active role in the troop?.

      • Look around and see how many adults are involved in and are taking on leadership roles in the troop.

        • Troops can never have enough adult leaders.

        • Too few adult leaders usually results in reduced activities and support for the boys.

    • Observe the size of the troop.

      • Some boys do better in large troops and some do better in small ones.

      • As of Jan 2008, Troop 1201 has 77 registered youth, qualifying it as a larger troop.

    • Who runs the meeting? Is the troop Adult-run or Boy-run?

      • One of the many goals of Boy Scouting is to build Boy Leaders.  Are the boys being given the leadership opportunity?

      • Running a troop the size of Troop 1201 would be a challenge for a team of talented adults.  Troop 1201 strives to be a Boy-lead troop which is evident by a certain degree of apparent disorganization at the Troop Meetings.  Contrary to appearances, this is the byproduct of a Boy-leader-in-training.  A great deal of effort and planning do go into each meeting (thanks mostly to our Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader), and it rarely comes off as planned.  This is how boys learn.

    • What kind of Outings and Activities does the Troop put on?

      • Some Troops are Tail-gate Camping troops,  others are Backpacking Troops.  Most troops strive for a variety of outings, but in the end, what the troop does depends on what the Adult Leaders can support.  Make sure that the type of troop you join participates in the type of activities that you are interested.

      • Troop 1201 is lucky enough to have a large variety of outings.  Examine the Outings section of our Website to see the outings that the troop has participated in during the last 12 months.  Historically, Troop 1201 puts on a good Backpack program (Mt Whitney, Mt Baden Powel, Mt San Jacinto, Philmont), several Tailgate-type outings (Joshua Tree, Anza Borrego),  a Canoe Trip down the Colorado River each year (Troop 1201 owns its own canoes),  trips to local attractions (Magic Mountain, Science Center, Windsurfing, USS Midway, Picnics, Speedway),  Bike Rides,  Rifles/ Shotgun Shooting,  Day Hikes, Service Projects...  and Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Don Roberts, Troop 1201 can boast many National and International activities including Kandersteg, Switzerland, Grand Canyon, Zion, two Philmont NM trips, World Jamboree in England, New Zealand  (December2008), and Mt Kilamanjaro, Africa, in 2009.  In short, if you can't find something you like to do in Troop 1201, Boy-scouting isn't for you.  All this is made possible by the desires of the boys and with the support of our parent/adult leaders.

  • I want to join Troop 1201.  What do I do now?

    • Either contact our Committee Chair at a Troop meeting or send an email to:  with your information including the time/place of your Bridging Ceremony if you know it.  We will contact you and make sure that Troop 1201 represents your boy(s) with a contingent at your bridging ceremony.  We will also provide you with the necessary forms and information for joining Troop 1201.

    • When joining Troop 1201, your membership fees will include a Troop 1201 Scarf, red epaulets, a "1201" shoulder patch, a Orange County Council Patch, and a "85" year patch.  You are responsible for purchasing a green Boy Scout Uniform and a Boy Scout Handbook.  Boy scout socks are required if wearing Boy Scout shorts but not required for long pants.  A Handbook Cover is highly recommended as well.

  • What to Expect after joining Troop 1201

    • Boys are more on their own in Boy Scouts

      • Unlike Cub Scouts, the boys plan the meetings and it is up to each boy to make sure they participate in activities that lead to rank advancement.

      • When a boy meets a requirement, that requirement is signed-off by another Boy Scout of First Class rank or Higher.

      • Parental encouragement is important to ensure that the boy advances.  Very few boys progress without parental support;  (however, those few that do, invariably become Eagle Scouts).  At least once a month review your son's progress and help him along if needed.

    • New Parent Orientation

      • Shortly after you join Troop 1201 we conduct a New Parent Orientation to personally answer your questions and explain how the troop is organized.

    • "Scout" Rank

      • Within the first month of joining a Troop, a boy should complete his "Scout" rank.  These requirements are in the first dozen or so pages of his Scout Handbook.  Webelos with the Arrow of Light should already know most of this.

      • Please review the Youth Protection Pamphlet that is in the front of your Boy Scout Book with your boy.  This is a requirement for Scout Rank and we cannot do this for you.  Initial the requirement in his book so that we know it was reviewed with him.

      • When your boy is ready for his Scout Rank, fill out an advancement form (located on the website).  For Scout rank, most of this form will be left mostly blank and only his name, date, and rank of "Scout" need to be filled in.  After filling out this form, the scout should present himself in full "Class A" uniform at one of the meetings to our Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster and request a "Scoutmaster Conference".  This is the procedure for any rank advancement except Eagle.  A scoutmaster will review the requirements with the boy and sign-off the form.  The form is then turned-in to our Advancement chairperson to be entered into the records.

    • Until they reach First Class Rank, Rank advancement is more important than Merit Badges.

      • Make sure they bring their Boy Scout Books to every meeting until they reach First Class.

      • Many requirements can only be met on outings.  Make sure that they participate.

    • Camporee

      • In April, Camporee is the first big outing for most new Boy Scouts.  Soon after joining the troop, there will be an emphasis on preparing for Camporee.  Our leaders will do their best to prepare the boys for Camporee.  Many advancement signoffs can be completed at Camporee.  Make sure your son gets sign-offs on those requirements he completes. (He can complete any requirement for Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class Rank in any order).  Help your son by reviewing the requirements in his book and pointing out to him the signoffs he should be able to obtain.

    • Summer Camp

      • This year, Troop 1201 is planning to visit Whitsett Summer Camp.  This is highly recommended for all new boys in the troop.

      • If you are an adult that would like to be involved as an Adult Leader, Summer Camp is a good opportunity to get started -- The camp keeps the boys busy and you have a lot of time to get to know the boys.

    • Equipment

      • Please do not purchase camping equipment until you talk with one of our Assistant Scoutmasters.  There are a couple of reasons for this

        • The troop has some equipment to loan the boys.  They grow a lot in the first couple of years and it often does not make sense to purchase boy-sized backpacks, etc

        • Equipment that you will buy (like sleeping bags) should be the "right kind" of equipment.

    • Parental Involvement

      • We always need help from any adult member.  If you are anxious or willing to either work directly with the boys (Assistant Scoutmaster) or provide much needed support behind the scenes (Committee Member), the best way to do this is to attend our Parent Meetings which are held the first Monday of each month.  At these meetings we discuss troop issues and solicit volunteers to handle all the important details, big and little, of running our troop.  When joining Troop 1201, we highly encourage at least one adult to register as either an Assistant Scoutmaster (SA) or Committee Member (CM).

      • Even if you aren't the volunteering type, attendance at the Parent Meetings is essential to understanding what is currently happening in the troop and will help you to help your son progress in Troop 1201's Boy Scouting program.

  • Photos:

    • I need photos.  Please take lots of photos at any Troop 1201 Scouting event.  Get them to me and they will be placed on the website.  I particularly need bridging photos.

  • Questions?

    • I would be glad to answer any question not covered here.  I have been with Troop 1201 since 2000 and would be happy to answer or redirect your inquiry.  Please email any questions to our Troop 1201 email address:    I should be able to return the query within a day.

 

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