How to Pick a Troop

1. Check the Troop's Activities Schedule - do the activities match your son's interests?

   Our activity schedule is on our website at http://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop417Thornton/index.htm A brief list of our upcoming activities include:

   • Bowling outing
   • Klondike (winter camping)
   • Winter Park Ski/Boarding Weekend
   • OKPIK (winter survival camping)
   • New Scout Campout at Pickle Gulch State Park
   • Scout Show
   • Fishing derby
   • Lock-Ins (sleep over at the church - the scout play (video) games until midnight lights out)
   • Various weekend campouts
   • Backpacking treks (usually older youth)
   • Summer Camp
   • Hikes for Hiking MB and 14ers!
   • Cycling outings (10 - 50 miles)
   • Fall Camporee
   • Shooting Sports Weekend
   • December Campout


2. Are the boys in the troop wearing the Scout Uniform?

   We request that the boys wear their Boy Scout issue Class 'A' Uniforms to all meetings during the winter months and their Troop Issued Red Class 'B' T-shirts in the summer. We have some 'experienced' uniforms for those scouts that don't have the funds to purchase a shirt. The scout should be in his Class 'A' uniform when addressing the Board of Review (summer or winter).



3. If your son is interested in camping, how often doees the troop go camping?

   The troop goes on camping trips 8 of the 12 months. The trips include winter camping in January, weekend trips to hone scouting skills (orienteering, fire building), Camporees, Summer Camp, a Family Campout and a High Adventure experience. The campouts usually have some advancement opportunities as well as a large dose of fun. The Shooting Sports weekend (Oct - Nov) is a favorite of the boys.

   The Troop schedules hikes for those interested in fitness and / or the Hiking Merit Badge. In past years we've had warm-up hikes of 5 to 10 miles then climbed one of the less strenuous Colorado Fourteeners (14ers) such as:

   • Grays & Torreys Peaks (14,270' & 14,267')
   • Mt. Sherman (14,036')
   • Quandary Peak (14,265')
   • Mt. Democrat (14,148')
   
   This coming year we'll have several cycling outings for the boys to earn Cycling Merit Badge.

   The High Adventure trip planned for this summer is a 30 Mile Backpacking trip on the Colorado Trail, south of Leadville. The trip will be planned in its entirety by scouts, including the route, menu and logistics of getting there and back. This 5 to 6 day trek will include a leisurely soak in the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and some of the best photography in the state of Colorado.

   In past years we've had High Adventure Trips at

   • Philmont Scout Ranch
   • Sea Base
   • Holy Cross Wilderness Area
   • Boundary Waters Canoe Area


4. What is the Troop's position on Adult Training?

   The troop is committed to having its adult leadership trained. We strictly adhere to the Boy Scouting mandate that all adults MUST take the Youth Protection Training (YPT) class.

   Committee Members - In addition to YPT, the Troop Committee members are requested to take the online course:

   • Committee Challenge

   (Asst) Scoutmasters - The Scoutmaster and many of the Assistant Scoutmasters have completed their Boy Scout Training by taking:

   • Boy Scout Specific Training
   • Intro To Outdoor Leadership

   The Troop invites parents and leaders to participates in other trainings, which the adults have an interest in:

   • CPR
   • First Aid (American Heart Association)
   • Wilderness First Aid
   • Climb On Safely
   • BSA Lifeguard
   • Safe Swim Defense
   • Wood Badge


5. Is the Troop going to summer camp? - Where, when, cost?

   Troop 417 has spent the past two summers at Camp Alexander, a full activity summer camp located west of Colorado Springs. The cost of the summer camp is around $200+ for the week which includes food and transportation. Our Troop earned nearly 80 merit badges while at summer camp last year. For scouts and their families that have difficulty affording summer camp, scholarship funds are available through the Troop and the Denver Area Council as well as various troop fundraisers throughout the year.



6. Boy run troop or leader run? - Is meeting pre-planned? - Is the plan followed?

   The Troop is a 'Boy Run' troop and activities are planned by the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The Scoutmaster offers advice and mentors the boys as they plan the next months activities to make sure the activities fit within the Scouting guidelines and can be performed in the Church Sanctuary. The Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders are voted in by the troop and patrols respectively every six months.



7. Troop Finances - weekly / monthly / yearly dues? - any fee to join? - Scholarship money available?

   The Troop Treasurer keeps track of the Troop's finances and each Scout's account. Monthly dues of $5 are collected at the first meeting of every month. The joining fee has increased to cover the increase of the National BSA membership, Boys Life magazine, Troop Neckerchief (which they receive when they advance to Tenderfoot) and troop Booney Hat. There is scholarship money available from both the Troop and the Denver Area Council for boys that can't afford the initial costs of Scouting. (More on the Scouts' accounts below).



8. What are the Troop's Fund Raising Activities
   • Elitch Gardens Amusement Park Fundraiser
   • Scout Show
   • BSA Popcorn Sales
   • Troop Silent Auction
   • Sprinkler Blowout

   The Troop participates in several fund raising activities throughout the year. The National Boy Scout Popcorn Sale is one of our largest fund raisers year in and year out. Our Troop also provides a 'Sprinkler System Blowout' in October over two consecutive weekends which has netted us over $3,000 each year over the last two years.

   The money is usually split between the Troop and the Scouts. The Troop money is used for Troop gear and Rank Advancement badges while the Scouts' money can be used for any Scout related activity or purchase. Many of our scouts use the money toward summer camp or the weekend campouts, merit badge books and uniform expenses. The boys who work at the various fund raisers can usually earn enough money to pay their way to summer camp.



9. Ask Scoutmaster about BSA Advancement program

   The Scoutmaster should know the Four Steps of Advancement:

   • The Boy Scout Learns.
   • The Boy Scout is Tested.
   • The Boy Scout is Reviewed.
   • The Boy Scout is Recognized.


10. How are new boys added to the troop?

    When new scouts join Troop 417, the scouts are assigned to one of the existing Patrols. Troop 417 has used this method for assigning new scouts for only 2 years, but we feel it allows the younger boys to learn from the older boys in their patrol, then grow into the 'instructor' position of the older boys as they advance. Our Duct Tape Patrol consists of scouts who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which is usually the oldest boys in the troop.



11. Parent Participation Opportunities

    The old scouting addage for the amount of time a volunteer spends supporting their troop is "One Hour a Week", though a few of the more experienced Scouters amend that saying with "per Scout"! The Troop leaders are constantly looking for assistance in organizing various activities for the boys, be it a couple hours a week or a couple hours a month. Whatever time you have to give to the scout troop will be worth every second as you will get more out of scouting as will your son. By joining scouts we are asking the boys to challenge themselves in learning new skills through rank advancement and merit badges. The Troop Leaders request that the parents 'challenge themselves' by becoming Troop Merit Badge Counselors, Committee Members or Asst. Scoutmasters.



12. Join Boy Scouts

    Although we wish you would consider joining our Boy Scout Troop, more importantly we want you to join Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America is the largest youth-oriented organization in the United States, with more than 4 million boys and leaders currently registered in the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting teaches leadership and community skills. Scouting also shows the boys how they can keep themselves strong and healthy and make the most of school. With hard work and dedication, your son will be able to serve as a leader in the Troop and advance in rank along the Trail to Eagle.

-- Adapted from a Powerpoint Presentation by:
Jim Boswll
Valley District