Troop 728 - Get Started
What's on the calendar?
Check it out on our website and subscribe to the calendar to synchronize with your calendar automatically!
Who do I contact?
Scouting is boy-led. The boys are led by the “Senior Patrol Leader” and “Assistant Senior Patrol Leader”. All boys are then grouped into a “patrol” which is led by a “Patrol Leader.” The first point of contact to find out what is going on is for your son to contact his Patrol Leader. All of the positions are elected twice a year.
At the adult level, we have an email list that we will use to send announcements. The email subject will always start with [Troop 728 Boys] so you know this is important troop business. We don't send a lot of chatter.
We also have GroupMe for quick messaging. We have a GroupMe chat for the scouts and one for the adults.
CLICK HERE to reach our adult troop contacts and understand how we communicate
You can email us at info@troop728boys.org if you have direct questions!
Who are the Scouts and Scouters?
"Scouts" are the youth members of the troop and "Scouters" are the registered & trained adult volunteers
What paperwork do I need to turn in?
Membership application CLICK HERE
For adults who want to camp with the troop, please fill out an adult application. Everyone who camps with the troop will need to take the free Online Youth Protection Training course and turn in a PDF copy of the course to the Advancement Chair by email or in person.
Every member participating in scouting activities must turn in the BSA Medical Form' CLICK HERE TO PRINT
Part A & B must be completed for normal scouting activities
Part C must be completed by a doctor and is turned in before summer camp
Copy of the front and back of your health insurance card
Copy of your child's shot records. Ask the school nurse for a print-out
How much does it cost to participate in the troop?
First and foremost, let me say that COST should never be an issue for a scout to not participate in the program. If you have financial difficulties, please consult with the Committee Chair confidentially for assistance on everything from uniforms, dues, membership fees, etc. We have many ways to have costs covered to help families support their child in the Scouting program. PLEASE don't feel ashamed to ask. It will be 100% confidential and your child will be given an amazing opportunity. You should hear Tony Robbins talk about the impact of a donor who provided a thanksgiving meal when he was a child and what a difference that made for his family and for him!
Annual BSA Membership Fees (set by BSA) in December 2021 here are the fees: (this does change once in a while)
We will be collecting the membership fee in late October/early November to ensure that our recharter of our troop is able to be processed efficiently.
$72 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants
$45 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check)
Uniform - we will talk about that in more detail later, but it runs about $125 total and will last for several years!
Troop Dues - Annually, we collect $180 in troop dues that basically cover your child's meals and activities at the monthly camping trips. All scouts will be receiving an invoice for that amount usually in October. To make it easy on our (volunteer) treasurer we bill only once, but you can pay it all at once or you can pay it in pieces in whatever way fits your budget. Some people prefer to pay it monthly at $15 per month, some pay quarterly, and some pay in full at one time.
Summer Camp - The troop travels to a summer camp every year usually in late June. Summer camp is a CRITICAL part of advancement where they get lots of detailed scouting experience and earn needed merit badges that are harder to earn the rest of the year like Swimming. The cost of this camp is usually under $400 per scout each year, but if we go on a big trip, then the costs can be higher. The great news is that there are plenty of fundraising opportunities for your scout to earn their way to camp without breaking your bank.
AGAIN, if you have financial difficulties with all or any of these expenses, please ask the Committee Chair for confidential help!!!!!
What is the Troop Committee?
The way you will be helping your scout is by participating on the Troop Committee. The Scout Troop Committee is responsible for conducting the business of the troop, setting policy, and helping the Scoutmaster and Scouts with the outdoor program and other planned activities. The committee also has the responsibility to provide adults for boards of review. This is an important responsibility and is one area where help is always needed and appreciated. The committee consists of parent volunteers who fulfill various roles on the committee.
Our committee is special in that we have two scout troops at St. Paul. One for girls and one for boys and our committee is run together as one "linked" committee.
We'll go more into the Committee later!
What is a "Court of Honor"?
Check the calendar to see when the next Court of Honor will be held. This is a family event where we see what the boys have earned over the last few months since the last court of honor. They will be presented merit badges and rank advancements. We usually have one about 3 times per year. We have a potluck dinner which is coordinated by the volunteer host. Lots of food and it's a great time to meet the other families.
When you are getting started, there are questions that come up while you are learning the new system. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We'll talk about rank advancement and merit badges later, but for now, get your feet on the ground running.
Homework #1 - Parent Safety Guide
In the front of your Scout's handbook, that's part of their uniform, there is a booklet parent guide and you should review this immediately while getting started in the Troop. It is one of the requirements for the Scout Rank, which is the very first rank they are working towards.
Homework #2 - Cyber Chip requirement – Internet Safety
For the Scout Rank and the Star Rank.... one requirement is:
“With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parents Guide" and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade.”