TROOP 444
Sierra Vista, AZ

Parent Guide for Selecting a Boy Scout Troop

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 Overview:

• 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 what to focus on. 
• 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 allow him to participate.  Most troops have optional meetings which allow flexibility for homework, sports, etc. 
• 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.
• Rank advancements:  Advancements are be strongly emphasized in some troops. Other troops focus less on rank advancements, a good environment for boys less motivated by ranks and more interested in activities and doing.

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.

Type and Breadth of Activities Offered:

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 white water rafting.
• Outdoor Outings:  Included here are such events as camping, shorter backpack trips, day hikes, caving and rappelling, submarine trips.
• 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.
• 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)

Social Element

• Are any of your son’ friends or schoolmates involved in the Troop? It has been found that if your son has at least one friend in the Troop he is more likely to embrace Scouting and the Troop.
• Are there adults in the Troop that you know? This may or may not be important to you.

Troop Selection Checklist

Use the worksheet below to record information you gather on the Troops. Hopefully it will help you in evaluating the relative merits of each Troop as compared to your boy’s and your family’s interests. Additional spaces are provided for family specific requirements and comments.

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Last modified: 07/19/09