About Troop 720

General Information

Boy Led

• Elected troop leaders: Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant SPLs, Scribe, Librarian, Chaplain's aide,
  Historian, Quartermaster, Troop Guide, Troop Instructor, etc.
• Patrol method: Boys placed in patrols of about 10. Boys elect their own Patrol Leader, Assistant
  Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Quartermaster.
• Meetings: Boys run the weekly meetings: opening, planning, skill, game, and closing.
• Patrol leaders conference: Boy leaders plan activities and discuss details about the troop.
• Boys camp together: Do their own cooking, camp set-up and breakdown, and sleep in tents together.

Camping

• We camp 11 to 12 months of the year. Sample trips in the past years: Quantico Marine base,
  Gettysburg, canoeing at Dutch Gap, hiking Old Rag, Klondike Derby, 400th Encampment, summer
  camp, biking at Holliday Lake, skiing, climbing wall at Peak Experiences, Pumpkin Chunkin, Norfolk
  Naval Station, hiking AT, biking C&O canal, backpacking through Camp Albright, Rafting New River.
• Summer camp is usually the 2nd or 3rd week of July. We go out of council on odd numbered years.
• Special trips may occur for older boys: Philmont, Sea Base, Venture patrol
• Campouts usually cost $20 - $35 per person to cover food and activity fees. Bigger trips will cost
  more. Fundraising profits above target shared with the boys to pay for camps.
• Boys need certain gear: Ground pad, 15 degree sleeping bag, mess kit, flashlight, boots, water bottle,
  first aid kit, small day pack, synthetic fiber based clothes (socks, shirts, pants), rain gear, etc. (list to
  be provided at time they join troop).
• Order of Arrow (OA): Honor society of camping. Nominated by Scoutmaster and elected by peers.

Advancement

• Boys advance in rank by demonstrating Scout spirit and certain Scout skills, being active in troop,
  earning service time as leaders, earning community service time and earning Merit Badges.
• Scoutmaster conference is held to confirm the boy has satisfied the requirements.
• A Board of Review is held with the committee to discuss troop matters and pass final confirmation.
• Advancement documentation presented during quarterly Courts of Honor.
• Special training required to use knives, axes and matches.

Requirements of Boys

• Actively participate in troop meetings, camping, service projects, fundraising.
• Have proper Scout spirit - according to the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
• Wear Field uniform at meetings, during travel and other designated times: Scout shirt (with proper
  patches), neckerchief (or bolo as allowed) currently optional, Scout pants/shorts, Scout socks, Scout
  belt, Scout hat, and have Scout book.
• Pay dues: Typically about $85-$100 the first year, then about $50 per year there after. Fees subject
  to change.
• Fundraising: Must make $50 of profit for troop through planned fundraisers (popcorn in fall,
  Christmas wreaths, mulch in spring, others possible). $50 amount subject to change.

Requirements of Adults

• BSA requires all registered adult volunteers to take Youth Protection Training (available online).
• Must register with the troop in order to go camping. If transferring from a Pack with whom you just
  rechartered, there is no cost the first year. Thereafter, it costs the rechartering fee each year (about $17).
  If you did not recharter with the Pack, then it costs $17.
• Attend monthly Adult Leaders meeting and Troop Committee meeting.
• Need adults to serve on Troop Committee: Secretary, Fundraising, Assistant Treasurer, Advancement
  Chairperson, Board of Review Coordinator, etc.
• Need adults to serve as merit badge counselors.
• Assistant Scoutmasters are enlisted on an as-needed basis.

How to Join

• Meet the joining requirements: 11 years old. If only 10, must either complete 5th grade or earn
  Arrow of Light Award. Scouts typically cross over between February and April.
• Recharter with Pack (paying the recharter fee with the Pack; this assumes you cross over after
  rechartering; buy Boys Life with pack, too (optional)). It costs $1 to transfer from the Pack to the
  Troop, which the Troop will pay.
• Turn in application, current medical form (Parts A, B, and C), Scout data collection sheet, Scout
  participation agreement/waiver and joining fee (above) to Troop 720.
• Get uniform (Scout shop). Troop provides troop numbers for shirt, troop neckerchief and slide,
  troop hat, and green shoulder loops. Parents buy shirt, pants/shorts, socks, belt,
  World Crest patch and council patch.
• For adults to join, they must fill out an adult application, current medical form,
  participation agreement/waiver, complete Youth Protection Training and pay joining fee (if did not
  recharter with the Pack).
• Talk to our recruiting coordinator for more information - recruiting@troop720.org