BASIC INFORMATION
Troop 299 meets on Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30 at Epiphany Lutheran Church, Austin Campus. Our Scoutmaster is Skip Hume. Our committee Chairman is Ms. Kaye Keays, and we are chartered by Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville, OH.
HISTORY:
Active since 1983, the Troop received the Quality Unit Award for 2013 and has received this award or its predecessor each year. Typically, all new scouts have the opportunity to achieve Basic, Tenderfoot, and Second Class Ranks in their first year, with First Class an option for some.
ADULT LEADERSHIP
With over a century of combined of scout leader experience, there is ample adult leadership to provide individual assistance on merit badges, enabling Troop 299 scouts to explore a variety of areas as well as advance in their rank. All adult leaders maintain current BSA Youth Protection training, and many have completed the Wood Badge Course, BSA’s highest adult leader training program. Additionally, most have completed additional training courses covering the entire spectrum of Scouting Activities, advanced CPR/first aid, and outdoor safety.
RESOURCES
The Troop maintains equipment to support up to 30 active members. This includes tents and stocked patrol boxes, which contain general camping supplies such as cooking equipment.
ACTIVITIES
Troop 299 Scouts have in the last three years participated in BSA Summer Camps, trips to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park and surrounding attractions, Rock mining, Spelunking (cave exploration), camps in the local area, canoeing on the Little Miami River. Most recently our scouts have participated in higher adventure camps as well, such as canoe expeditions to the Boundry Waters wilderness, National Jamborees at the Bechtel Summit in West Virginia, and Sea Base in the Florida Keys. Our Camp outs may be in tents, Adirondacks, cabins, or even improvised shelters.
The Troop plans for at least one activity per month. Historically, the Troop incentive program allows scouts to go on special camp outs at a minimal charge.
ACTIVITY CONFLICTS
Most of our Scouts are involved in other activities, such as sports, music, or faith related programs. Troop 299 holds that these programs are vital to our scouts’ development, and that they are mutually beneficial, with values/skills gained in one being reinforced by the other. As a result, Troop 299 strives to accommodate scouts who are active in such programs.
COST
Initial registration is $65.00, with quarterly dues of $15.00.
Upon joining the Troop, your scout will receive a neckerchief, Boy Scout Handbook, Boy’s Life subscription, and Troop 299 numerals. Upon being assigned to a patrol, he will receive the patrol emblem. Typically at his first Troop Court of Honor, he will receive the scout shoulder loops. Further advancement patches, merit badges, and awards are also furnished by the troop.
Troop 299 maintains that no youth is ever left behind due to finances, however, and money should not bar any boy from a Troop 299 event. If this is an issue for your family, please discuss with the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair.
ADDITIONAL COSTS-UNIFORMS AND MISC
The Scout will purchase any other insignia not mentioned above. Patches for hikes and camp-outs are often included in the cost of the activity. Troop 299 requires each scout to have an Official BSA shirt ($25-30) with proper insignia. Pants and other clothing are encouraged but not required.
Parents may also register as volunteers at a cost of $25.00. This enables them to serve as merit badge counselors and/or assist on hikes and camping trips.
While subsidized by troop funds, there is typically a small cost for campouts, usually $5-$12 depending on the number of meals, the distance to and the cost of the site. Cost for summer camp is dependent on the camp the troop will attend, and typically costs ~$280.
FUND RAISING
About a third of the annual popcorn sales amount comes back to the Troop, and each Scout is credited (in his account) with the portion they earned for the troop. The troop is supported by additional fund raising opportunities and donations from parent organizations.
A Few Notes on the Benefits of a Small Troop
· Flexibility and Individual Attention: The flexibility granted by a smaller troop size allows our program to match activities to best meet each scout’s needs. For example, this allows campouts and troop meetings to be tailored to provide the best opportunity for advancement.
· Leadership Opportunities: Troop 299’s small size means leadership opportunities come fast, often before the scout has reached first class. Troop 299 is a scout-led troop, with the scouts making the decisions on which camp to attend, and what activities to plan.
· Participation: Troop 299 believes that all Troop events should be open to all its scouts. Except where prohibited by BSA rules, every troop activity is open to every troop scout.
...and in case you were wondering:
Troop 299 meets
Tuesday nights, 7:00 to 8:30pm.
Webelos scouts are welcome to visit, but please contact the troop in advance, as we may modify our time/location for Troop events.
