Scouting America is open to anyone aged 11 to 17, as well as those who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or completed the fifth grade. Eligible scouts can send their applications directly to Troop 282.
Purpose of the Scouting America
It is the purpose of the Scouting America to provide an effective program designed to instill within youth desirable qualities of character, to train them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to help develop their personal fitness, providing this country with citizens who:
- Are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.
- Have a high degree of self-reliance as evidenced in such qualitiesas initiative, courage and resourcefulness.
- Have personal and stable values firmly based on religious concepts.
- Have a desire and the skills to help others.
- Understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems.
- Are knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and understand America’s role in the world.
- Have a keen respect for the basic rights of all people.
- Are prepared to fulfill the varied responsibilities of participating in and giving leadership to American society and in other forums of the world.
Troop meetings happen every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the Westside Presbyterian Church and are organized and led by the senior Scouts, with the senior patrol leader running the show. On the first Tuesday of each month, a Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) meets for senior Scouts to plan the rest of the month’s gatherings. Feel free to reach out to the senior Scouts for help—no need to be shy!
Come dressed in your Scout uniform, as the troop takes pride in everyone maintaining the Scout dress code. Your first neckerchief will be provided by the troop, and there’s also a selection of used items available to help you complete your uniform. During the summer, we often switch to the activity uniform (Class B), which includes a troop T-shirt, scout pants, socks, and more.
Bring your Scout Handbook to the meetings, and make sure your name is written inside since they all look alike. To have requirements signed off, show your knowledge of the requirement to any senior Scout, Assistant Scoutmaster, or the Scoutmaster.
Merit Badges are activities scouts can take part in to explore interests like sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and potential careers. There are more than 120 badges available to earn, and any Scout can work on any badge at any time. They don’t need to achieve a certain rank first to be eligible.
This is a reproduction of an article from Trailspace.com offering great tips on how to choose a backpack and what to look for. Not all scout campouts involve backpacking; we also do “car camping,” where the campsite is close to the parking lot, and gear can be carried in almost anything. However, for backpacking trips, it’s crucial that the scout has a sturdy pack.
Cold Weather Camping, Clothing, and Gear
When it comes to camping gear, having quality equipment is key—poor gear can quickly turn your trip into a miserable experience. The page link above comes from a great guide by Troop 166 from Longmont, CO, filled with helpful tips and recommendations, and it’s been adapted to highlight some of the best spots in our area to find camping gear.
Physicals (from Guide to Safe Scouting)
It is recommended that all members of the Scouting America have periodic medical evaluations by a licensed health-care practitioner. *In recent years, in an effort to provide better care to those who may become ill or injured and to provide youth members and adult leaders a better understanding of their physical capabilities, Scouting America established minimum standards for providing medical information prior to participating in various activities.
What Adults Do on Scout Campouts
Camping is at the core of Scouting and is a completely different experience from Cub Scouting or Webelos. While parents—and sometimes entire families—may join the Scouts on campouts, the Scouts pitch their tents and spend their time with their patrol, not with their parents or family members.