One of the things that makes the Boy Scout program unique from other youth groups is that the boy membership (the Scouts) plan their own program, with the final approval being given by the troop committee.

The Patrol Leader Council of Troop 68 meets for one weekend each August to brainstorm, and then put together, a year long program for the Melrose Boy Scouts. This 'yearly program' lasts from September to August. Once the draft of the yearly program is drafted the Senior Patrol Leader presents the agenda to the committee at their next meeting. The committee will discuss the themes and events for each month, make any changes if needed (of which there has been very few over the years), and give final approval for the program.

The next step is to present the program to the Scouts and their parents. A copy of the yearly program is included in the troop's September newsletter. The Scouts will review the program at a troop meeting. The parents usually hold their own meeting to review the program and volunteer to be chairpeople for the various events and camping trips.

This method of program planning is recommended by the national office of the Boy Scouts of America. It has worked very well for our troop during the past 25 years. If your troop does not plan a yearly program we would highly recommend doing one. Not only does it help for the troop to run more smoothly, but it gives everyone a preview as to what is coming up for activities. Let's face it, it's the activities that most of us are in Scouting for in the first place, right?

By the way, not every year went exactly according to the yearly plan. Sometimes changes have to be made. If changes where made it was noted in the monthly newsletter.

Listed below are links to the troop's yearly program agendas for past years. Take a quick look at them. Maybe you will get an idea or two on something your own troop could do as a future event. 

We would like to know what you think of our programs. Please e-mail us to let us know. Thanks.