Home

First Class Emphasis

To: FCE Scouts and Parents

Advancement is important to all Scouts. It is the philosophy of the Boy Scouts that all boys complete at least the requirements for First Class while in Scouting. This process is called First Class Emphasis or FCE. Much attention is directed to this program by Troop 642 with the older Scouts conducting the training for many parts of the program. There is a great deal of emphasis on First Aid, camping skills, cooking, and improving self reliance in the individual Scout.

The requirements for the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are included in FCE. Scouts can have requirements for First and Second Class signed off on while they are working on Tenderfoot. However, service hours for a rank can only be earned while working on that one rank

A significant part of our FCE program occurs during our annual summer camp program at El Rancho Cima. Attending summer camp is strongly encouraged as advancement opportunities are significantly enhanced for the individual scouts attending our summer camp program. FCE Scouts attending summer camp at El Ranch Cima will have the opportunity to complete three merit badges (Pioneering, Basketry and Swimming) and a significant number of there FCE program requirements. The dates for summer camp at El Rancho Cima this year, 2008, are Sunday, June 8th to Saturday, June 14th.

For those scouts who are hoping to advance one or even two ranks at summer camp, please note that areas that have held up advancement for individual scouts in past are:

  • Completion of the 30 day exercise program before attending summer camp (Tenderfoot requirement 10a - 10b)
  • FCE First Aid skills (Tenderfoot requirements 12a to 12c, Second Class requirements 6a to 6f and First Class requirements 8b1 to 8d),
  • 5 Troop Patrol Activities (Second Class requirement 2a)

Therefore, we recommend individual scouts start the Tenderfoot exercise program as soon as possible. Also please try to attend all troop activities including Scout Sunday (February 5th) and the monthly camp outs to ensure you meet the minimum level of 5 activities by time summer camp comes around. Note that attending summer camp counts as one activity and that during summer camp you will have opportunities to attend other troop activities including the Order of the Arrow (The Scouting honor society) calling out ceremony, etc.

To help with the FCE First Aid requirements we are planning to hold FCE First Aid classes from 7pm to 8pm at the MDPC Scouthouse on the following dates

February 7th, 14th, 21th and 28th
May 8th, 15th and 22nd

The FCE First Aid classes will cover the various FCE first aid skills needed for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class advancement. Various adult and youth instructors will be available on each of these dates to work with the boys on individual requirements. Refreshments will be provided.

The objectives of the FCE First Aid training sessions are:

  1. To allow the FCE scouts more time for fun activities on our monthly camp outs.
  2. To use more hands on class room style first aid training supported by audio visual presentations.
  3. To improve the level of fun and skill retention in learning these key first aid skills.
  4. To prepare our FCE scouts to succeed at the upcoming Mustang District Camporee.
  5. To complete a significant portion of the required FCE First Aid requirements ahead of summer camp.

Attending at least three of the FCE First Aid sessions is highly recommended. We recognize many of our scouts have other commitments or may want to sign up for merit badge classes that have meetings that conflict with these dates. If you can not attend at least three of these sessions note that we will continue to cover First Aid skills and other FCE requirements on our regular monthly camp outs and at Summer Camp. However, on campouts we generally focus most on the outdoor and camping FCE requirements.

Yours in Scouting

Bill Carr
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 642
FCE Advancement Coordinator