MEMBERSHIP

Question: How many registered Scouts in Troop 538?
Answer: Our Troop typically has 45 scouts registered although the number fluctuates depending upon boys ‘aging out’ of the program (turn 18) and new boys Crossing Over.

Question: How many youth are active?
Answer: As with most Boy Scout troops we have about 25 youth active on a weekly basis. The scouts who are not at a meeting typically have another event such as sports/band competition, play/other practice session, work, etc. but are still completing advancement work.

Question: How many registered adults in Troop 538?
Answer: We have 28 registered adults made up of ASMs, a group who work with the boys at weekly meetings, and another group, the Troop Committee, which handles finances, policy, tour permits, and other elements of troop business enabling the youth leaders to actualize their annual program plan.

Question: How many adults are active?
Answer: Everyone is active to the extent that their schedule accommodates- many hands make light work! We typically have 6-7 leaders present at troop meetings; can function on less and would welcome more. The same is true for our Troop Committee.

Question: What is the age distribution within the troop?
Answer: Boy Scouting is for young men between the ages of 11 and 18. The distribution of boys in the troop is trapezoidal- generally a few more on the lower end, less on the upper end. And, although less in number, these ‘older’ guys typically represent the best of the best often having leadership skills that are noteworthy.

FUNDING

Question: How are troop expenses funded?
Answer: We are funded in several ways. While a very small amount of funding comes through annual dues from each scout, and 5% of the total popcorn sales goes to the troop fund, our primary income is from our annual Spaghetti Dinner. We also successfully applied for and were awarded a generous grant to enhance our programming and equipment.

Question: Earning (at least a portion of) their own way is a very important part of the scouting program. How do boys earn money toward their personal scouting expenses?
Answer: Fees for campouts, summer camp and even uniforms/equipment can be earned by the Scout. We offer two fund raising opportunities for the youth. The first is selling popcorn during the Council's annual popcorn sale in the Fall. With this fundraiser the scout keeps about 30% of his total sales (85% of the realized profit). The other opportunity is through additional fundraising events the scouts brainstorm & implement such as food stands at local events, Krispy Kreme donut sales, etc.

MEETINGS

Question: When, where and how often?
Answer: We hold troop meetings every Wednesday evening 7:30-8:45pm. Meetings are held at Faith Lutheran church on Rt. 45 near the intersection of Reitz Blvd. Troop meetings are held during the months of June, July, and August.

Question: What is done at the meetings?
Answer: We work on all business related to participating in outings and in fulfilling advancement criteria- leadership, scout skills, merit badges, advancement recognition, etc.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

Although your son is leaving elementary school and continuing to grow up, he still needs parental presence, just not in the same way he did when his perception and judgment were newly developing. Instead of ‘don’t run into the street’ and ‘don’t talk to strangers’, now he needs to hear parents encouraging him to try new things, to approach new people and experiences (especially when it seems difficult to him), and most importantly, to finish what he starts?. Although they do the work themselves, few boys make it to Eagle rank without parental support and guidance.

Question: What involvement is expected of the parent?
Answer: Many hands make light work! Each family is expected to contribute to the running of the troop. Depending upon your skills, you will be asked to choose from a variety of roles in which to volunteer your time and/or talents. You might mentor a scout, oversee training, track contact information, help update and manage health forms, attend campouts, teach a skill or hobby, record & distribute notes, help manage and handle money, organize the annual spaghetti dinner, take a boy shopping, coordinate advancement, manage equipment, fill out paperwork, coordinate transportation, etc. Equally important is the home front. Help him improve his accountability. Let your son hear regularly how much you admire his growth in his handling of personal responsibility and his sticking to what he starts until he successfully completes it!

COMMUNICATION

Question: How do Scouts get information about troop activities & opportunities?
Answer: The boys’ primary method of communication is in person at Troop meetings. Patrol leaders will convey information during Patrol meetings. Announcements will also be made at Opening and Closing by the Sr. Patrol Leader and his staff. Scouts should make notes on these announcements and check the weekly emails to confirm expectations.

Question: How do the parents get information?
Answer: Ask your son. (This will encourage him to remember facts.) Secondly, read the weekly email which the Patrol Leaders Council sends out on Monday or Tuesday. This email to scouts & families contains a heads-up about the meeting and any equipment, deadlines, down payments, etc. that are relevant to that week. Third, the scouts maintain a great website (troop538.org) which has a thorough listing of events, successes, general knowledge information and leadership contact points. Fourth, come to the Closing at 8:35 and listen to the SPL’s announcements; you will be better prepared to support (nudge) your son!

We believe highly in two-way communication. We publicize the phone numbers and email addresses of adult volunteers and encourage you to communicate any questions or concerns you have. You are always welcome to schedule a meeting with an adult leader. Periodic Parent Meetings are also a time to share/get information.

CAMPING

Question: How often and where?
Answer: The boys plan campouts every month at camping facilities all around the area and sometimes out of state! We also attend a full week at Boy Scout Summer Camp, typically at Camp Karoondinha (Camp “K”) in Millmont, PA. There are also high adventure trips that are taken in the summer or during extended school vacations.

Question: What equipment is provided?
Answer: The troop has a generous inventory of current camping equipment that is used at each outing. We provide all tents, stoves and cooking items, axes and saws, ropes, lanterns, dining flys and anything else needed by the general troop. The youth only need to bring their personal gear such as sleeping bag, clothes and mess kit.

Question: How are the Scouts transported?
Answer: Parents and adult volunteers take turns, using their personal vehicle, driving the participants. Often the drivers also stay as a chaperone for the event thus eliminating two 2-way trips.

HIGH ADVENTURE

Question: Does the troop participate in National High Adventure events?
Answer: Absolutely! T538 has sent scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch and the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, VA. We have also gone whitewater rafting in West Virginia at Ace Adventure. For the future, our troop is looking at a rotation of various high adventure destinations such as Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Ely, MN, boating, scuba & ocean adventures at Sea Base in the Florida Keys, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, National & World Jamborees, and BSA’s future whitewater & climbing adventure center that is being designed along with the new National Jamboree center.

Question: How is participation in high adventure outings funded?
Answer: Some pay for this entirely with the funds they have earned through fundraising events and others have a portion or most paid by their parents. Advance notice of these big trips helps scouts & families plan ahead for the financial requirement. In some events there is a possibility of a financially-based need scholarship.

ADVANCEMENT

Question: Is there a plan to help the Scout earn the requirements for the lower ranks?
Answer: In Boy Scouting, unlike Cub Scouts, advancement is at the initiative of each individual scout. Ideally scouts assist each other and then seek ASMs in order to demonstrate their skill thereby earning a signature in their Scout Handbook. A primary goal of the troop adults is to encourage and support youths’ efforts to advance, especially to focus on 1st Class first year. Adult advisors of the troop are committed to seeing boys achieve and are willing to help scouts in a variety of settings, not just troop meetings.

Question: Is there a plan to help the Scout obtain merit badges for the upper ranks?
Answer: We work on merit badges throughout the year regardless of what rank a scout is. The PLC chooses a theme for each month and usually a corresponding Merit Badge. Not every badge is complete-able within the available work time of 4 meetings; time/effort outside of a meeting may also be required. This is not a flaw but a natural part of the process. There is no time limit for completing a specific Merit Badge, only the requirement of completing all advancement work before their 18th birthday.

Question: Is advancement done at troop meetings, extra meetings, campouts etc.?
Answer: The PLC schedules opportunities for youth to work on advancement up to 1st class at our monthly campouts and in troop meetings. If a scout will accomplish one requirement per week for 40 weeks and attend about 50% of the outings, he should have no trouble earning his First Class rank within the year.

Advancement for Star, Life and Eagle are also supported during troop meetings as this is where these older boys practice their leadership (mentoring younger scouts and running the troop) and can work on Merit Badges. Outside of troop meetings scouts can do their Service Hours and also work on Merit Badge requirements.

Boards of Review are typically held before and/or during a weekly troop meeting.

SERVICE

Question: Does the Troop do service for the community?
Answer: Service is one of the core values of scouting and is a requirement in nearly every rank. We do a yearly service project of refreshing the hiking trails on the Dale/Engle/Walker property. We also regularly execute the Flag Ceremonies for Relay for Life, the Lewisburg 4th of July parade and other community events. T538 takes part in the Scouting for Food event where we collect food for the local food bank each Spring. Troop members also help ‘man’ the annual Public Library Book Sale and the Faith Lutheran semi-annual Yard Sales. Eagle projects, several each year, also benefit area entities and residents.

LEADERSHIP

Question: Who makes the decisions?
Answer: This Boy Scout troop is run by the peer-elected youth leaders. These youth leaders make up what is called a PLC (Patrol Leaders Council). The heads of this Council are the Senior Patrol Leader and his right hand man, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. These two run the meetings and all activities at campouts. They convene the other members of the PLC (a Patrol Leader from each patrol, the Troop Guide and the Scribe) once a month for a planning meeting where they decide what to do during troop meetings and where to go/what to do at the monthly campouts. All of these members are elected by their fellow scouts and serve six month terms.

Question: Since 7 boys cannot be expected to run a group of 45 kids, who helps them?
Answer: Surprisingly, it’s not supposed to be adults. Adults directly mentor the PLC members but do not execute the PLC designed program. To run the Troop, the PLC oversees a group of junior leaders who serve in support positions, help carry-out the plans of the PLC, and keep the troop relatively organized and running smoothly (or occasionally not). This group of youth leaders includes the Quartermaster, Webmaster, Den Chief(s), Chaplain’s Aid, Librarian, Historian, OA Representative, Instructor(s), and Musician/Bugler. Some of these youth leaders, such as the Webmaster, Quartermaster, Chaplain’s Aid, SPL, PLs, etc., are also mentored by adults. But the bottom line is: BOY LED.

Welcome to the world of Boy Scouts - where outdoor adventure, leadership opportunities, and projects will give you experiences and responsibilities that help you become the man you want to be. The knowledge and attitudes you develop as a Scout will flow over into the rest of your life and all of this is accomplished through fun and friendship in Troop 538, Lewisburg, PA.

To learn more about the Boy Scouting program, please read the “All About Scouts” section of our website.