Troop 317 strives to maintain a fun environment in which Scouts can learn new skills, practice old ones and take part in the brotherhood of Scouting. However, safety and security require the BSA and the Troop to have certain rules that must be followed. “A Scout is Obedient” and is expected to follow these rules. Where this does not occur, adult leaders may be required to discipline Scouts. Parents are asked to understand and support decisions of the adult leaders.

All Scouts are required to have their own copy of the Scout Handbook, which Troop 317 will provide when a Scout officially joins the Troop. The Scout Handbook should be brought to all Troop meetings, activities, summer camp and for Scoutmaster Conferences and Boards of Review. “A Scout is Clean” and is expected to keep his handbook in good condition.

Troop 317 strongly believes in building and developing a “boy led” troop. As such, all activities are planned by the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) and approved by the Scoutmaster. The PLC consists of:

• Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
• Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPLs)
• Patrol Leaders

Each of these positions is elected by the Troop. Patrols choose their own Patrol Leader and the SPL and ASPL are selected by all Scouts during a yearly election. Once elected to their positions, the boys will be responsible for performing these duties until the following year’s elections. If there is a tie in any position, the tied candidates will have another chance to address the patrol or troop and have a run off election. In the event of a “dead-lock” in any patrol, there will be a troop wide election to break the deadlock. If during the initial term period, a patrol leader leaves the troop, than the APL will step up to the position of PL and a new APL will be elected. The same will hold true for the SPL and the ASPL. A boy may be elected to the positions of PL, APL, SPL, and ASPL only twice. Stepping up and filling a vacant position as noted above will not count as one of those elected terms. In December any boys wishing to be considered for SPL should complete the “SPL Application form” and submit to Scoutmaster by January 1st.

In order to run for SPL or ASPL, the Scout must meet the following requirements:

• Be a minimum of 13 years old
• Have been an active member of the Troop for at least four months
• Obtained the rank of Star Scout
• Complete the “SPL Application form”
• The Scoutmaster Committee has the final approval on candidates to present to the Troop. Once approved, SPL Candidates must present themselves to the Troop and give a brief presentation on why they should be considered for SPL.
• Elections will be held by troop for the SPL position. In the event of a tie, the two or more tied candidates will be allowed to address the troop and a second vote will be taken. The ASPL will be chosen by the SPL from the remaining SPL candidate pool.

Troop 317 follows the “Patrol Method” of organization as developed by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the father of Scouting. A patrol consists of 5-12 Scouts under the leadership of a Patrol leader. Patrol members participate in all activities as a team.

Patrols are arranged whenever possible by age so that Scouts of similar age are members of the same patrol. Webelos bridging over will be formed into patrols and are typically not integrated into existing patrols. New Scouts joining the Troop will usually be placed into a patrol with Scouts of a similar age.

All Patrols elect their own Patrol Leader (PL) and Assistant Patrol Leader (APL), and design their own patrol name, flag, and yell. The Patrol Leader represents his patrol on the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) and is responsible for relaying information from the PLC to members of his patrol. Issues inside a patrol should be addressed first to the Patrol Leader, and if they cannot be addressed satisfactorily, to the Senior Patrol Leader of the Troop before being addressed to an Adult Leader. This is in keeping with being a “boy-led” Troop.

Once organized, patrols stay in existence unless a merger or restructuring is called for due to the patrol falling below five active scouts or if there is some kind of behavioral conflict necessitating a change. If patrols are combined, a special election will be held to determine the new patrol leader and assistant patrol leader

In addition to the elected positions, there are other positions of leadership that are available for other scouts to perform. The pool for these positions will be offered first to those boys who did not get elected SPL as well as any other boy who has expressed a desire for leadership. The Scout Master team will have final determination as to who is selected for each of these other positions.

The Troop will provide an annual “Basic Leader” training program following annual elections. Attendance is mandatory for all SPL, ASPL, PL and APL. If they fail to attend this training event they will not be able to attend the district wide formal training.

The Boy Scouts of America has always been a uniformed body. Uniforms help to create a sense of belonging and identify youth and adult Scouts, visible as a force for good in the community. The uniform shows the wearer’s activity, responsibility and achievement and is a constant reminder to all Scouts of their commitment to the ideals and purposes of Scouting.

There are several classes of uniforms worn by members of Troop 317. The official Boy Scout uniform (commonly referred to as the “Class A” or Field uniform) consists of the following components:

Troop 317 does not require Scouts to wear the complete official uniform to most troop functions. The exception to this are as follows:

• When appearing for a Scoutmaster Conference and/or Board of Review
• At Summer Camp, for flag ceremonies and evening meals
• When requested by the Scoutmaster

Troop 317 requires all Scouts to wear the official Boy Scout khaki shirt and Troop neckerchief or Scout Bolo to all Troop meetings. The uniform, when it is worn, should be fully-buttoned except for the top button and tucked into the pants.

Troop 317 does not supply uniform shirts to new Scouts. Scouts may purchase uniforms at any of the local Scout shops or at the Chalkboard store in Aurora. Troop 317 supplies the blue Troop 317 neckerchief and Troop 317 numerals to all new Scouts.

In August 2008, a new Scout shirt (the “Centennial Uniform”) was by Boy Scouts of America. Troop 317 encourages all Scouts to purchase and wear the new Centennial uniform, but understands cost considerations may make this impossible. At this time, Troop 317 has not decided upon a date or time after which the new Centennial Uniform will be required. The new uniform pants will be the current Switchback pants and older pants/shorts will be discontinued.

The Boy Scout Activity Uniform (commonly referred to as the “Class B” uniform) is defined by each Troop. For Troop 317, this uniform consists of a blue T-shirt with BSA insignia and Troop 317 Naperville identification on the front left and Troop 317 Eagle insignia on the back. Class B uniforms are required to be worn to ALL troop functions except those where Class A uniforms are required. At all campouts and summer camp, the Class B shirt is worn at all times in and out of the camp site except where Class A uniform is required.