First, of course, is your son's interest and desire to become a Boy Scout. Hopefully, he has visited several Troops in the area, is interested in Scouting, and has decided that Troop 209 offers the program in which he is most interested.

The logistics are fairly easy. First, attend one our meetings and get a New Scout Application Form from the Membership Chairman, or download the application, here. At the same time, ask for a "new Scout package." The new Scout package contains information on dues, charter fees, medical forms, and other information that helps us administer the Troop and communicate efficiently with you.

Meetings are held every Monday night from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Your son may stay as late as 9:00 if he has a Board of Review (for advancement). Meetings are held at the Deren-Huff Scout House on the St. Peter's UMC campus. (Click here for map)

Scouting is a boy-lead activity. That is probably the biggest difference you will see between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. A major transition for new Scouts and parents advancing from Webelos is the feeling that they don't know what's going on or what they should be doing. Throughout Cub Scouts and Webelos, adult leaders planned every aspect of Pack activities and advancement. In Boy Scouts, however, the boys are responsible for almost everything, including communicating with parents. We encourage you to have your Scout ask the troop leadership, following the "chain of command" beginning with his Patrol Leader, for guidance in any questions he or you might have. This is a very important part of building self confidence and teamwork!

Books:

Camping Equipment (not needed immediately, but by first campout)

Generally, the Scout is responsible for the costs associated with any Troop activity. Troop dues do not pay for these activities, but instead are used to maintain Troop equipment (stoves, lanterns, climbing gear, etc.). The Troop does offer various fundraisers for Scouts that can accumulate funds to be used for Troop activities, personal equipment and even Summer Camp.

Each Scout has an individual Scout Account established by the Troop Treasurer where funds may be credited and deducted. The Troop's main fundraisers are our fall firewood sale and yearly Flags Across America program. We also participate in the Scout Popcorn program.

Some of you may hear some of these names used, but not know what they are.

What is expected of me as a New Scout Parent?

Most Scouts can attain the rank of First Class within their first year if they attend summer camp, troop meetings and troop campouts. It is possible to earn the rank of Eagle within 3 years. However, Scouts are encouraged to learn skills and to achieve rank advancements at their own pace, not simply because they have been pushed to do so. A key benefit of Scouting is a boy learning that he has to take responsibility for his success. When this occurs, the Scouting movement has achieved its first aim - to build character. Some of our most skilled Eagle Scouts have taken significantly longer than three years to earn that rank, but truly learned what it means to take their destiny in their own hands and to learn something on their own. The skills and lessons learned will help them mature to be successful, good citizens.

Though many older Scouts aren't rushing through rank because they enjoy the Scouting experience, younger Scouts often get discouraged if not advancing in rank. So we suggest that you encourage your new Scout to achieve First Class rank at approximately their first anniversary in the troop. When a Scout does this, he stays in Scouting! For older Scouts, be concerned about stagnation if your Scout remains at the same rank for more than a year.

Generally, Scouts are awarded the patch for rank  earned at the end of the scheduled troop meeting in which they earn the rank. Exceptions include the meetings just prior to Courts of Honor where badges may be held for the Court of Honor. The rank advancement card and merit badge patch and card are passed out at the Courts of Honor which are held 3 times per year.

The Court of Honor is a ceremony where the advancement and accomplishments made by the Scouts and Scouters can be recognized.

With more than four million youth members, the Boy Scouts of America is one of America's most popular youth organizations. Boys join Scouting for one primary reason: to have fun!

A key to Scouting's ongoing success is constantly changing. In response, the Scouting program has expanded through the years to continuously offer activities and programs that challenge boys both physically and intellectually.

For Scouts today, the Scouting difference is that these boys get the opportunity to experience and explore life to its fullest. Perhaps more importantly, while boys have great experiences in Scouting, they gain much more than fun.

Scouts learn lessons about life, and the value of being a person of character and integrity. These lessons come through spending significant time and sharing experiences with families, Scout leaders, and fellow Scouts.

Did you know?

Of the 294 pilots and scientists selected as astronauts since 1959, more than 180 were Scouts or have been active in Scouting: 40 Eagle Scouts, 25 Life Scouts, 13 Star Scouts, 27 First Class Scouts, 16 Second Class Scouts, 13 Tenderfoot Scouts, three Explorers, 29 Cub Scouts, 16 Webelos Scouts, and eight with unknown ranks. Of the 12 men to physically walk on the moon's surface, 11 were involved in Scouting.

More than 50 percent of congressional members participated in Scouting.

Hank Aaron (Baseball player), Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg News), Gerald Ford (US President), Willard Marriott Jr. (Marriott Resorts), H. Ross Perot (Founder EDS), Donald Rumsfeld (Secretary of Defense), William Sessions (FBI Director), Steven Spielberg (Film Producer), Sam Walton (Wal-Mart) are all Eagle Scouts.

Richard Dean Anderson (Actor), Jimmy Buffett (musician and singer), George W. Bush (President of the United States), Bill Clinton (President of the United States), Walter Cronkite (Newsman), Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft Corp.), Richard Gere (Actor), Dan Jansen (Olympic Gold Medalist), Bruce Jenner (Olympic Gold Medalist), John F Kennedy (President of the United States), Jim Morrison (Musician), Merlin Olson (Pro football player and sportscaster), Eddie Rabbitt (Country & Western singer), Nolan Ryan (Pro baseball player), Mark Spitz (winner of 7 Olympic Gold Medals in swimming), James Stewart (actor, USAF Brig. General, B-17 pilot in WWII), Joe Theisman (former QB, Washington Redskins) were all Boy Scouts.

Only 1.2 million boys have reached Eagle in over 80 years (15,000 a year, roughly). Only 4 in 100 that join Scouts make Eagle--that's <1% of the male population.

Statistics show that over the long term boys and young men who have experienced Scouting’s programs are more likely to have success in school, career and family, as well as stronger ethics and better relationships with others. For example:

Boys with 5 or more years in Scouting (98%) are more likely to graduate from high school than those who never were Scouts (83%).