Troop 629 Overview

Welcomes interested boys and their parents to any Monday night troop meeting.  Meetings begin at 7:15 pm and usually end by 8:45 pm.

Is a "boy-run" troop with guidance from trained adults.

Celebrates it's 17th year as a unit chartered by Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church.

Has earned the National Quality Unit for 13 Years.

Participated in four high adventure camps in 2004 through 2006; Sea Base--Key West, Sea Base--Abaco Bahamas, Northern Tier Canoeing and Philmont backpacking.

Places new Scouts into patrols led by trained patrol leaders with each patrol averaging eight scouts.

Structures troop meetings as follows: flag ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Law, announcements, patrol time, troop skills, games, merit badge study or rank advancement, closing remarks, special recognition and the Scoutmaster's Minute.

Expects appropriate Scout uniforms to be worn.

Conducts monthly outings over a weekend.

Averages one adult for every six boys at campouts.

Participates in a summer camp selected annually by Patrol Leaders.

Encourages all new Scouts to advance at their own pace but to aim for achieving the rank of First Class by the end of their first full year of Scouting.

Offers older Scouts (over 14) opportunities to attend Junior Leadership Training, High Adventure trips (such as sailing in the Florida Keys, canoeing in the Minnesota and Canadian Boundary waters, backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico), jamborees, camp staff as well as the co-ed scouting unit, Venture Crew 9999, sponsored by Mount Pisgah.

Holds a variety of fundraisers in which Scouts can earn personal money for their trips.

Collects a $25.00 one-time joining fee as well as a $75.00 annual membership fee for each scout and $25.00 for each registered adult (each September).

Requires an activity payment (amount varies) for participants one week prior to each activity.

Provides need-based scholarships to Scouts for scouting activities.

Assists in paying for some Scout leadership training.

Issues a written discipline policy and High Adventure policy.

Plans troop activities through the Patrol Leaders Council.

Is well equipped for camp outs and can assist new Scouts in acquiring personal gear.

Encourages all Scouts to be well-rounded boys, recognizing that they will be involved with other extracurricular activities.

Has district and council trained adult volunteers including one Scoutmaster with 37 years scouting experience, Assistant Scoutmasters and 34 committee members (10 are Wood Badge trained).

Requests parents to volunteer in any of the following capacities: Assistant Scoutmaster, committee member, special event chair person, driver, special event worker, or merit badge councilor and many other roles.

Pays annual membership fees for adults.

Has several adults servicing at the district and council levels.

Furnishes an excellent web site at www.troop629.org.

Is proud of the following Troop statistics:

1. Eagle Scouts: 72 as of August 2010

2. Religious Medal Recipients: 2

3. Order of the Arrow members: 35

4. National Junior Leadership Instructor Course staff members: 3

5. National Junior Leadership Course participants: 18

6. Council Junior Leadership Course Staff Members: 15

7. Council Junior Leader Course participants: 25

8. Summer Camp staff members: 4

9. Philmont Ranger staff: 3

10. Triple Crown Award (Scouts and adults who have participated in BSA's three high adventure bases): 13

11. Has the highest participation in the district of Den Chief trained boys.