Troop Structure
Troop 172 is in the Gila River District which is under the Grand Canyon Council BSA. The troop's organization is based on the structure found in the BSA Troop Committee Guidebook. The adult leadership of our troop is comprised of two groups.
The first is the Troop Committee, which is the governing body of the troop and meets on a monthly basis. This group establishes the policies, oversees and approves activities, and facilitates the outings of the troop. They are also responsible for handling most of the paperwork associated with advancement, merit badges, and awards. Committee members include the Chairperson, Outdoor Activities Chairman, Treasurers (with separation of banking and accounting responsibilities), Secretary/Newsletter Editor, Advancement Chairman, Membership Chairman, Service Project Coordinator, Fundraising Chairman, Eagle Scout Coordinator, Chartered Organization Representative, and members at large. The second group of adult leaders work directly with the scouts and include the Troop Scoutmaster and several Assistant Scoutmasters.
The patrols typically have no more than 8 scouts. Each patrol has a Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader who report to the Senior Patrol Leader and the Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders. The Troop also has a Quartermaster to keep track of equipment. Youth leaders are elected by their peers twice each year. The major emphasis is on the troop, not the patrol, and the scouts learn to interact with all the members of the troop. The patrol and the troop are run by the youth, who plan their own activities through the monthly Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Meeting. Adults do not plan activities, although they do supervise and make sure the activities are safe.
Scouting Program Objective
Scouts is a program designed to build leadership and responsibility through a structured program of activities with a strong outdoor component. In addition to the weekly evening meeting, there is a weekend outdoor activity once a month. In between there are District and Council activities, fund-raisers, and service projects. We try to make the scouts aware of all their options, but no one scout or adult is expected to do everything. The scouts are responsible for planning and running their own program.
To find out more about Scouting and if it's right for your son, visit https://beascout.scouting.org/
Uniforms
The Boy Scout uniform is worn for a purpose. It identifies us as scouts, something of which they should be proud. The full uniform is worn with the proper respect, i.e. shirt tucked in, at all meetings, while traveling, for Courts of Honor, and at District events. For more information on the official Boy Scout uniform and insignia placement, download the Boy Scouts of America uniform inspection sheet, found in the Forms and Documents section. Our troop also wears the black neckerchief to each scout meeting. We also have red troop designed T-Shirts that we typically wear on outings.
Outings
The Troop has an Outdoor Coordinator who takes care of medical forms, permission slips, arranging transportation, tour permits, and any required camping permits. The scouts are responsible for their own equipment and each patrol arranges their food, equipment, and sleeping arrangements for the patrol. Parents are welcome to join but do not have to. Adult leadership is always provided to maintain a safe environment. Check out the troop's active schedule posted in "Upcoming Events". The troop also offers an annual family car camp where everyone is invited to participate.
Advancement
Advancement is one of the ways a scout grows and become eligible for leadership positions. The ranks begin with the rank of Scout and continues to Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and finally Eagle. Advancement work is done in troop meetings, on outings, at District advancement days and at summer camp. It is desired that every scout reach the rank of First Class at the end of his first year. The requirements leading to First Class teach basic scout skills and we believe that it takes a year to master them.
After First Class, advancement to Eagle requires earning Merit Badges, Leadership, Service, and demonstration of Scout Spirit. The Scout must put forth the effort to make each rank with parental encouragement, as appropriate. Not every Scout makes Eagle and leaders do everything they can to encourage and help the scouts, but the program is structured so they earn the rank themselves, which is why the Eagle rank is so respected. The troop has an Eagle Scout Coordinator leader who works and mentors the scout once he reaches the rank of Life Scout.
Leadership
Membership Chair
Scott Hubley
Committee Chair
Brandon Eckerson
Advancement Chair
Jack Pereschuk
Treasurer / Payments
Paul Case
Eagle Scout Coordinator
Mike King
Scoutmaster
Eric Flottman
Outdoor Chair
Kent McVaugh
Chartered Org Delegate/Chaplain
Jason Mork
Treasurer / Scout Accounts
Paul Case