Springsignup

Thank you for visiting our website! This page is specifically to provide information for joining in the spring. For more details about our program (calendar, etc.), please click on the Main Page link at the left.

How much does it cost?

• Troop dues are $60 per calendar year, so this would be pro-rated to $40 if you join in May or $35 if in June.
• The Class A uniform will cost about $75 new and about $30 used. We offer some used shirts. It depends on what we are able to find. We are always looking for deals on eBay, etc.
• The Class B uniform (Troop T-shirt) is $10. Both A and B will last a few years.
• The weeklong Council summer camp, which includes meals and lodging, is about $300. It offers merit badge courses such as wilderness survival, canoeing, and pioneering, which have no additional cost. Some courses, such as pottery and rifle shooting, have a materials charge (from $5 to about $20).
• The weeklong backpacking trip will cost about $90. In 2009 we backpacked and fished at Mt. Lassen.
• Local campouts (one or two nights) cost about $15 per person.

How much parent participation is needed?

• All parents are not only welcome, but encouraged, to attend all Troop events.
• The success of the Program is directly proportional to the parent participation, but that doesn't mean your son cannot join if you are not a registered leader. Each family is able to contribute in different ways.
• Some parents like camping and backpacking and attend such outdoor events. Most parents "counsel" merit badges, which means teaching a skill or subject to small groups of boys. Other parents do administrative things like reviewing advancement and helping guide meeting breakouts.
• If your enroll your son in the Program and are unfamiliar with it, the best approach is to sit in on and observe all goings-on for about two months and then pick what you like best.

How is time managed between other (non-Scouting) activities?

• Scouting is year-round. But since we emphasize the outdoors, May through November are our busiest months.
• Some boys who play sports fit those in with their Scouting schedule. For example, a boy who plays football will not participate as much in Scouting in the fall.
• Our regular meetings are on three to four Tuesdays per month. We generally (but not always, depending on holidays and holiday weeks) take the second Tuesday off (allowing adults and members of the honor society known as The Order Of The Arrow to attend the District meeting).

How are events planned (and scheduled)?

• The boys elect leaders who plan the Program. Elections are held twice a year (May and December), followed by a "court of honor" and a planning meeting.
• During Troop meetings, these leaders ask their constituents for ideas and feedback.
• This (planning process) is overseen by the adults. (For example, the boys wanted to have an Airsoft "war" as part of a campout. While that is completely legal for willing particpants, shooting anything at each other is not permitted at Scouting events, so the adult leaders said no.)
• The Troop parents meet quarterly, concurrent with a Troop meeting. The Troop Committee oversees the Scoutmaster.

How do I know my son is safe if I'm not there?

• There is a certain degree of risk associated with outdoor events, be it a 50-mile bike ride or a backpacking trip or even a local orienteering course. We prepare for these events.
• Registered adult leaders must renew [Youth Protection] Training every two years. Said program reviews the rules, such as each outing (campout, etc.) requiring two registered (background-checked) adult leaders present.

What are the [joining requirements]?

• (Click on the link.)