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Boy Scout Troop 314

Troop 314 is a part of the Boy Scouts of America. It is a ministry of the New Horizon United Methodist Church and meets weekly on Thursday nights beginning at 6:30 PM.  The troop works closely with other ministries within New Horizon towards the overall mission of the church as well as the mission of scouting.

Boy Scouting works towards three aims:

  • growth in moral strength and character;
  • participating citizenship; and
  • development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. 

To accomplish these aims, Boy Scouting has developed its program using eight methods.

  • Ideals – The ideals of scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan. The Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve.
  • Patrols – Within the larger community of the troop, the patrol is a Scout's “family circle”. Within this small group setting, scouts gain an experience in group living and participating citizenship.
  • Outdoors – much of scouting is designed to take place outdoors in settings where boys can find real adventure.
  • Advancement – advancement is a natural outcome of the other methods and provides recognition of the achievements made by the boy.
  • Association with Adults – boys learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves.
  • Personal Growth – scout-age boys are experiencing dramatic physical and emotional growth.  Scouting offers them opportunities to channel much of that change into productive endeavors.
  • Leadership Development – Leadership is a skill that can be learned only by doing it. Every boy in a patrol and troop will find that he is filling leadership positions of increasing responsibility.
  • The Uniform – Wearing the uniform helps boys develop a sense of belonging to their patrol and troop.

What can I do to help?

Many adults think they can only help if they've been involved in scouting as a youth.  Nothing can be farther from the truth.  Many of the best leaders have started knowing little or nothing about the Scouting program.  Fast Start training is available to introduce the basics of the scouting program, as well as many other formal and informal training opportunities.

There are three general roles an adult, male or female, can play in the life of a troop.

  • The Troop Committee – The troop committee is the troop's board of directors. To ensure a quality program, members of the troop committee provide a support role by: recruiting quality adult leadership; assisting in reviewing individual Scout and overall troop progress;  and coordinating resources to aid in troop activities.  Specific roles can include the chair, secretary, treasurer, outdoor/activities coordinator, advancement coordinator, chaplain, training coordinator, equipment coordinator, and membership coordinator. 
  • Adult Leaders – The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop.  In order to fulfill the obligations to the troop, the Scoutmaster, with the assistance of the troop committee, recruits assistant Scoutmasters to help operate the troop.  The Scoutmaster and assistant Scoutmasters work directly with the Scouts as mentors and guides to bring Scouting to boys. Adult leaders  must be at least 21 years old.  Assistant Scoutmasters are often given specific areas of responsibility, such as working with the New-Scout patrol, or they may be called on to provide general assistance to the Scoutmaster or other Assistant Scoutmasters at weekly meetings or monthly campouts.
  • Merit Badge Counselors – Merit badges are awarded to Scouts for fulfilling requirements in specific fields of interest.  Each counselor must be a registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America with sufficient skills and education in the chosen subject, whether because it is their profession or hobby.

For more information about troop 314, visit our website at: http://www.prairienet.org/troop314 or contact the Scoutmaster, Martin Wolske.