F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does Troop 583 meet?
Every other Monday night at VT Ranch 30910 Sloan Canyon Road Castaic California 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
How old is Troop 583?
We just celebrated our 20th year as a Boy Scout troop.
Who is the Charter Organization?
We are chartered by the Newhall-Santa Clarita Valley Optimist Club.
How large is the troop?
We have 62 scouts are enrolled as of December 23, 2009
How many registered leaders are there?
Troop 583 has 46 registered leaders.
How often has the troop earned the National BSA Quality Unit award?
We’ve earned the Quality Unit award 10 straight years.
Does T583 have an active outdoor program?
Yes. We have a very active outdoor program and an Asst. Scoutmaster-Outings, to help the scouts manage it.
What are your summer camp plans?
BSA summer camp for 2010 is Camp Whitsett
What is the troop Uniform policy?
Class “A” uniforms are required attire at troop meetings and traveling to/from campouts.
Class “B” uniforms (troop or BSA t-shirts) are typically worn during games at troop meetings and during activities on campouts.
· Class “A” = BSA scout shirt (with proper patches), BSA shorts or pants, scout belt, scout socks and scout handbook. A merit badge sash is worn to complete the “Full Class A uniform” when a scout is going for a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review and at Courts of Honors.
How are new scouts handled? Mixed in with existing patrols or put in new patrols?
New boy patrols are formed in March. If the scout is older or a transfer scout then they would be placed into an age appropriate patrol.
What is the typical troop meeting like?
Although troop meetings will vary depending on preparation needs
for upcoming events, T583 meetings generally follow this guideline:
· 1/3: patrol meetings, awards & announcements
· 1/3: instructions (perhaps a monthly merit badge topic or a skill for an upcoming campout)
· 1/3: inter-patrol games to teach skills
What is the troop’s philosophy regarding advancements?
Generally, we like to encourage (though not push) new scouts to work towards First Class within their first 12 months; Star within 12 more months, Life within another 12 months and Eagle another 12 months. Although it is possible for scouts to progress more quickly, there is a certain maturity level desired to attain the rank of Eagle. Our approach is to provide the opportunities for scouts to advance, but not to push them.
Do you have a program for older scouts? How do you encourage older scouts to stay active?
We have a number of “cool” high adventure campouts each year to entice older scouts to stay in the troop. For example, a wilderness survival campout, rock climbing, snow skiing, whitewater rafting every year when possible and many shooting related sports.
We have an Asst. Scoutmaster assigned to the Life-to-Eagle program to support older scouts to continue their rank advancement.
What kind of fundraising do you have?
Scouts have multiple options to raise money to pay for their scouting activities if they desire. For example
Popcorn: We sell popcorn like many scout units in the fall. The scout keeps a percentage of troop profit in his camping fund to spend on dues, summer camp or other high adventure expenses.
What financial obligations does a scout have?
Dues are $80.00 per calendar year
Campouts, Food costs typically cost about $10-15 per campout. Ski trips, for example, cost more. Most campouts are designed to be inexpensive.
Summer Camp typically costs about $350.
Uniform: Class A uniform will cost $60-100.00
Does the troop pay for scout leadership training?
Yes. The troop pays for troop leadership training
Does Troop 583 have a limit on size?
Troop 583 is committed to fostering a positive scouting experience for its members. The troop depends on the active engagement of parents, scouts and especially, in the case of new scouts, the new scout leadership team. Historically, we have viewed a troop size of 60+ scouts as optimal for the troop resources and the scout’s experience. The troop does not impose a hard limit on total membership. However, in the unlikely situation where we believe that the scouting experience may be affected because of a large number of incoming scouts, we may limit in a given year the number of incoming scouts in order to keep the class size manageable for the new scout leadership team to manage well.
Do you have written policies?
Yes. We have written policies for all families to understand the troop’s expectations of its scouts, leaders and adult leaders. Ask our Committee Chair Luann Peterson for a copy.
Is Troop 583 “boy run” or “adult run”?
T583 is boy run. We follow the old saying, “Adult Led, Boy Run” and ask the scouts to run as much of the program as possible. That’s why our troop meetings may not always be the most organized; but they are providing the learning experiences that we put our own sons in scouting for.
Are troop meetings, campouts and activities planned?
By the boys? Yes, the boys plan the troop meetings, activities and a good part of the campouts.
For a full year? Yes, we have an annual planning conference with all registered leaders in the early fall each year. The PLC then adds their preferences and ideas to the troop calendar.
At a PLC (Patrol Leaders Council) meeting? Yes, the PLC plans all troop meetings for the coming month during each month’s PLC meeting on the first Wedensday of each month.
What kind of equipment do you have? Is it in good shape? Do you have enough equipment if a large number of Webelos join the troop?
12’ troop trailer, an off site storage unit, troop tents, lanterns, plus plenty of other troop gear.
The above equipment is in good shape. We have additional spare parts of tents and cooking gear.
We have plenty of gear for a 60-boy troop and enough in savings to purchase additional equipment should that become necessary.
Are the scouts in Troop 583 able to balance Boy Scouts with other activities such as sports, band & church?
Yes. Our scouts play football, soccer, hockey, track & baseball, are in the band and are very active in their churches or Synagogue. We emphasize that schoolwork comes first. We recognize that a balanced boy is our ultimate objective and that requires other activities in addition to scouts.
How active is Troop 583 at District and Council events?
T583 is very active at District and Council events. We attend the annual district camporee, Scout Expo, District Advancement clinics, district/ council training events, Wood badge, Roundtable, T 583 runs many district and council events and more.
We have other leaders who serve other district positions and are Unit Commissioners for other units. Our leaders held many roles within the Bill Hart District from the district chair man, district commissar’s, outing leaders for district Camporees, Council Wood badge course director and staff members, Chairman of the Cub Cup, Cub Day Camp, Merit Badge Midways and District Shooting Sports programs.
What are the expectations of parent participation in Troop 583?
At least one parent of each scout needs to contribute in some way to the functioning of the troop, be that a merit badge counselor, Asst Scoutmaster, Committee Member or in some other role.
How many leaders regularly attend Roundtable?
We average 2-4 adult leaders at Roundtable each month.
How do you feel about a Webelos or new scout (and parent) visiting a meeting unannounced?
We welcome visitors any time – announced or unannounced.
