Our Troop Meetings are normally once a week. We gather for a flag ceremony, perform patrol activities, plan campouts, have training, etc. Parents are encouraged to attend the final announcements and recognitions at the end. Scouts should attend each week if able, and notify their patrol leader if they can’t. note: the first week of the month is normally a Patrol Leader's Council Meeting
Patrol Leaders’ Council or “PLC” is a monthly meeting to allow our youth leaders to plan troop activities. Youth in positions of responsibility (patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, troop guide, and others) should attend.
Trailhead Tuesday is once a month on a Tuesday. Scouts who have not yet reached First Class rank are encouraged to attend. Our Troop Guides will help scouts learn the skills they need to sign off rank advancement and earn ranks. Troop Guides are required to attend.
A Parent/Committee Meeting is held monthly to share troop operational, financial, and other news, and to coordinate volunteer roles. One parent from each family should attend.
Campouts are held monthly as a weekend overnight activity. Planned by scouts assisted by adults. This is the main reason we are scouts. Sign-up at least two weeks in advance to help our volunteers plan. Attendance by youth is highly encouraged. Adults are required to be registered in the BSA and current in youth protection training to attend.
Goshen/Bowman/Marriott: The Goshen Scout Reservation in western-central Virginia is home to five BSA Summer Camps. Camp Bowman and Camp Marriott are two of them. This one-week summer camp experience features aquatics, shooting sports, handicrafts, scoutcraft, etc. Patrols cook their own meals and camp in platform canvas tents. All scouts are encouraged to attend. Held each summer in late June/early July.
Court of Honor: A gathering where scout and adult accomplishments like merit badges or ranks are recognized. In Troop 162 this is usually a cookout/potluck. Everyone is invited to attend.
Eagle Court of Honor: A court of honor gathering to recognize a single scout or handful of scouts that have earned the Eagle rank. A great honor for a scout. Organized by the family with help from the troop. All scouts are encouraged to attend.
QM Workday/Quartermaster Workday: A monthly gathering where the scouts clean and organize our equipment in the troop shed. At least one representative from each patrol should attend.
Eagle Project: A service project which requires the help of others and a scout plans and executes to earn the Eagle rank. All scouts are encouraged to attend and help. Participation in service projects is required for advancement, and is part of the scout oath and law (“help other people at all times”, “A scout is Helpful”)
Service Project: A service project organized by the troop. All scouts are encouraged to attend.
Swim Test: Everyone who wants to participate in BSA aquatics activities is required to take a swim test annually regardless of participation in aquatics activities outside of BSA (e.g., Swim Team). The troop holds swim tests to help meet this requirement. This includes adult participants
Scoutmaster Meeting: Held monthly among the registered scoutmaster and assistants to go over troop operations and how we can better mentor our youth leaders. Registered adult leaders in the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster roles should attend.
High Adventure: These are multi-day remote treks reserved for older scouts. Multiple months of preparation are required. Examples are Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, Seabase and Summit Bechtel Reserve. Don’t worry about these until you’re about 13 years old, then start planning to go on one.