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Tips For Selecting a Boy Scout Troop
Probably the single best thing you can do when choosing a Troop, is for you and your son (along with the Den if possible) to attend a typical Troop meeting. Most Troops meet once a week at the same time and location throughout the year. There may be exceptions for the Courts of Honor (awards ceremony) or the Boards of Review. Contact the Scoutmaster or one of the parents to schedule a good time to visit.
Some particular items to observe at the Troop meeting are:
- Boy led – Do the boys run the meeting, or are the adults in charge? Boy Scouting is intended to be boy led, and adult supported. It is the boy’s responsibility to plan and conduct the meetings.
- Uniforms – Older boys are naturally reluctant to wear their scout uniform, especially in public. Observe what the boys are wearing at the meeting, and see how many of them are properly attired. Wearing the uniform is important as an indicator of personal pride and respect for the scouting program and fellow scouts.
- Older boys – Watch the older scouts during the meeting to see if and how they interact with the younger guys. Do they organize by Patrol and communicate with the younger guys, or do they bunch together and ignore everyone else.
- Eagle Scouts – Find out if the Troop has a good record for producing Eagle Scouts. This is a significant undertaking requiring much effort on the part of the scout with the support of the adult leaders.
- Troop size – There is no optimal troop size, it depends on what works for you and your scout. The Troop should be large enough so that it is not dependent on any one person or couple of folks.
- Troop activities – Take a look at the Troop’s annual activity calendar. How often do they go camping? What about participation in Boy Scouting’s three high adventure camps - Philmont treks in New Mexico, Northern Tier adventures on the Boundary Waters, and Sea Base in Florida. Summer and winter camps are outstanding opportunities to earn merit badges.
- Parental involvement – This is a crucial element for the success of any Boy Scout Troop. The boys plan the activities, but the adults need to provide logistical support. Take a look during a Troop meeting and see how many adults are there, and if they are in uniform as well.
Boy Scouting is a lot different than Cub Scouting. Your son will experience significant growth and changes during these next years and Scouting provides leadership opportunities with an emphasis on fun. We hope you and your son consider joining us!