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Boy Scout Troop 146
(Knoxville, Tennessee)
 
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TROOP 146
Organization

Boy Scout Troop 146 is a member of the Toqua District of the Great Smoky Mountain Council of East Tennessee.

Troop 146's Goals and Objectives

Our primary goal is to exemplify the Scouting ideal of a “boy-led troop.” * A central principle of Boy Scouting is that a well-run troop is run for and by the young men who belong to it. The adult leaders assist the Scouts with activities, troop organization and advancement—but the Scouts themselves make these things happen.
* As with any learning process, we expect occasional inefficiencies and short-term difficulties… and are rewarded when we see our sons developing important life skills such as responsibility and leadership.
* In recent years, nearly every young man in our troop who has remained an active  Scout after entering high school has earned the Eagle rank.

Troop 146’s objectives are:

* To provide a wide range of opportunities for the Scouts to develop Scoutcraft skills, to enjoy outdoor activities and respect nature, and to challenge themselves physically and develop self-confidence; * to foster camaraderie and help Scouts understand the dynamics and value of teamwork; and * to provide opportunities for Scouts to plan, organize 
and run their own activities, to test and develop their leadership skills, and to take responsibility for their individual and group efforts.

Meetings and Outings

Troop 146 meets from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Monday evenings, at Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church. We do not meet on public or school (Knox County calendar)  holidays.
Our meetings typically consist of opening and closing ceremonies, patrol corners, work toward rank and merit badge advancements, and planning for upcoming outings. The specific agenda varies from week to week, and is planned by the boy leaders with adult guidance. Some Monday meetings (usually in those months having a fifth Monday) are designated “Fun Mondays” in which we try to schedule an activity such as bowling or going to a movie.

TROOP 146 FACT SHEET

Our Troop will typically plan monthly or bi-monthly outings in addition to our regular meetings. In the past, these outings have included winter ski trips, rafting, rock climbing, and overnight sleep-ins. In addition to regularly scheduled outings, our Troop participates in Toqua district camporees in the spring and fall and a week-long summer camp session, at a varity of Boy Scout locations.

How to Join

If you’ve (a) turned 11, (b) completed fifth grade, or (c) earned the Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouting, you can become a Boy Scout. Many of the Scouts in Troop 146 have been members of Pack 146, but others join from other packs or without having been Cub Scouts or Webelos. Some of our Scouts join from other troops.
We invite prospective Scouts and parents to get a better sense of Troop 146 by attending a meeting or two, and maybe joining us on one of our monthly outings.
To become a Boy Scout, you’ll need to complete an application form to register with the local council and national Scouting organizations. These application forms are available through our Troop Scoutmaster.
Our Troop also participates in various fundraisers to defray individual and troop expenses, including the district-wide popcorn sale conducted in the fall. Additionally,  scholarships are available to those Scouts unable to meet all the fees associated with Scouting with such requests handled on a confidential basis with the Scoutmaster and/or Parent Committee chair.

Ranks and Requirements

After joining the troop as a Scout, you’ll earn six ranks on your path to Eagle Scout. You can work on the first three—Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class Scout—at the same  time, and most of the Scouts in Troop 146 become First Class Scouts within 12-18 months of joining the troop. You’ll find that you can complete all of the requirements by attending troop meetings regularly, participating in the troop’s monthly outings, and joining us for our weeklong summer camp sessions.
As you earn each of these ranks, you’ll find yourself developing terrific outdoor skills, self-reliance, physical fitness and community service.
The next three ranks — Star, Life, and Eagle Scout — will sharpen the skills you’ve learned and help you develop new skills in different leadership positions within the troop. You’ll  earn merit badges in a variety of areas, pass on your Scoutcraft knowledge to younger Scouts, and organize and carry out service projects and adventure activities.

TROOP 146 FACT SHEET

Scouts can earn merit badges in 120 different areas. You’ll need to earn six to become a Star Scout, five more to become a Life Scout, and another ten—that is, at least 21  altogether—to become an Eagle Scout. Among those 21 merit badges, an Eagle Scout must earn 12 “required” merit badges. You will find that most of the members of Troop 146  who obtain the rank of Eagle earn much more than 21 merit badges during their Scouting career. Scouts who achieve ranks and earn merit badges and other honors are typically recognized at Courts of Honor held periodically by the Troop, usually in the Sanctuary of the meeting church.

The Scout Uniform

Boy Scouts and Scout leaders should proudly wear their Scout uniform for all Troop  meetings, travel while on a troop outing, fundraising and community service events, and Courts of Honor. At a minimum, at Troop meetings, the boys should have their Scout shirt neatly tucked in while also wearing acceptable pants and shoes. Merit badge sashes and  OA (Order of the Arrow) sashes are typically worn only on more formal occasions (such as Courts of Honors). Specific advice on the proper wearing of Scout uniforms, placement of patches and insignias on the Scout shirt can be obtained from The Boy Scout Handbook and the Troop Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster.  Sometimes you will hear the terms "Class A" and "Class B" uniform.  These are not actually official BSA designations, but most Scouts and adult leaders understand these military terms to mean the "official field uniform" and the "activity shirt.  Class B consist of wearing the Troop 146 t-shirt provided to all Scouts.