Annual Planning

todo - this is a stub page

Once a year, the Patrol Leaders’ Council holds an Annual Program Planning Conference (APPC) and lays out the troop’s calendar for the year ahead. The Senior Patrol Leader runs it. This page covers the troop-specific work of getting ready for it, running it, and turning its output into a published calendar.

BSA Annual Planning Conference Guide

Before the Conference

Prepare a Calendar Template

Start from a blank year with the recurring, non-negotiable items already filled in, so the PLC is deciding on program rather than on logistics. The template should include:

Troop meetings
Courts of Honor
The holiday party and the Halloween party
Fundraisers
Memorial Day
Committee meetings
Scoutmaster meetings
PLC meetings

Gather Important Dates

Collect the outside dates that constrain the calendar before the conference, not during it.

Council and district calendar — the Klondike, and the camporee options for the year
Federal, school, and religious holidays
Public school calendar — first and last day, major events such as dances, and midterm and final exam weeks
VFW and American Legion calendar — the VFW cleanup day and Wreaths Across America. Talk to the Post Commander
Pack 162 calendar — Talk to the Cubmaster / Committee Chair and obtain a copy of their calendar if possible
The Super Bowl
Scout Sunday / Scout Sabbath

Have the Scouts Prepare Program Ideas

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Set the Courts of Honor

Schedule the winter Court of Honor for the first troop meeting in February. That puts it at least four months after the new youth leaders take office in the fall, so they have a full term of work to be recognized for.

Consult the Advancement Coordinator on the dates for all of the Courts of Honor.

Running the Conference

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After the Conference

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Publishing the year to the troop calendar
Handing the outing list to the Activities Coordinator for booking
Committee review and budget
Creating the one-pager of the annual program (“program catalog”)