Each Boy Scout Troop, while offering similar programs, is unique because of its members, size, activity focus, and overall “personality”. As you and your scout evaluate Troops, consider the type of Troop that is the best fit for your Scout and your Family. The result will be a much more successful Scouting Adventure for both your Scout and you. Below are some items to consider as you visit and evaluate the troops.


TROOP FOCUS:
Most troops have established a focus or theme, like Indian folklore, backpacking, kayaking, etc. Each troop sets its own activity calendar and decides on what activities to focus. Troop 626 does not focus on one theme but instead offers a wide variety of activities.

• Troop Meetings: When and where the Troop meets must fit with the overall family calendar. Some troops meet weekly, some less often. Some events may be mandatory, so it is important that your son’s schedule allows him to participate. Most troops have optional meetings which allow flexibility for homework, sports, etc. Troop 626 meets every Monday night from 7PM to 8:30PM at Windwood Presbyterian Church.

• Troop Size: The number of active scouts in the troop impacts the number of activities that can be offered, the level of “intimacy” of the troop, and the potential demands on parents to lead trips. Troop 626 maintains between 50 to 60 Scouts.

• Rank Advancements: Advancements are strongly emphasized in some troops. Troop 626 focuses on providing an active Troop calendar of activities which allows rank advancement along with fun and adventure.


TROOP LEADERSHIP:
Troops can be run by the Scouts, by the Adult leaders or some combination thereof.

• Troops that are run by Scouts develop strong leadership skills but can be somewhat chaotic at times while the boys are learning these skills.

• Adult run troops are more structured and predictable but offer less opportunity for Scouts to learn by leading.

• Areas where the leadership ownership must be determined within a troop may include running the weekly meetings, establishing the annual calendar, organizing outings, and conducting the rank advancement classes. Troop 626 is a Boy-Led Troop. Adults are active as advisors, coaches, and mentors.


TROOP OUTINGS:
Boy Scout Troops typically offer a wide range of outings; however each troop generally develops an activity profile that reflects the level and type of activities that the Scouts in the Troop prefer.

• High Adventure: These are trips that can be physically demanding and generally require substantial preparation. Examples include long (50 plus miles) backpacking trips and class 4 whitewater rafting. Troop 626 offers at least one High Adventure Trek each year during the summer. 2005 - Northern Teir Canada 125 mile canoe trip, 2005 - Backpacking in the Davis Mountains, 2004 - Backpacking the Appalachien Trail, 2003 - Whitewater rafting in the Arkansas river, 2002 - Philmont backpacking. Planned HA trips are 2006 - Seabase scuba. 2006 - Packard, white water rafting, 2007 - Philmont backpacking. 2008 - Northern Tier Canada conoeing.

• Outdoor Outings: Included here are such events as camping, shorter backpack trips, day hikes, caving and rappelling, submarine trips. Troop 626 has one campout each month and they include a variety of activities.

• Educational Activities: These tend to be activities that focus on the mental and skills development rather than on physical skills. Examples are CB Radioing, woodworking, tours of local businesses and museums. Troop 626 does a couple of Merit Badge classes for the entire Troop each year. Troop 626 has a Youth Leadership Conference twice a year.

• Service Projects: All Scout troops offer some level of service projects: they can range from Scouting for Food to Trail repair to visitations at senior centers.


PARENTAL PARTICIPATION:
There are two elements to research here. Note that Scouting can provide one of the best ways that parents can stay involved with their son and his friends as the boys reach teenage years.

• What level of involvement is expected from each family? Troops can vary from expecting every family to be actively involved to desiring but not requiring involvement.

• What parent opportunities are available within the troop? Typically the opportunities are leadership/committee, activity support, or general support roles (merit badge counselor, public relations, quartermaster)