Troop 57 New Scout Guide

We get it, joining a troop can feel a bit overwhelming at first. There is a lot to information you’ll need to know and things you’ll need to do in order to successfully join our troop. We put together this guide to cover most of the things you need to know right away.

Cub Scouts Crossing Over

Most new scouts to troop 57 are currently participating in Cub Scouts.

At the end of the Cub Scout journey scouts will celebrate earning their Arrow of Light award with a Crossover ceremony. It often involves a symbolic crossing of a bridge, signifying the passage from Cub Scouts to Scouts.

Members of Troop 57 will attend the Crossover to welcome your scout into troop 57. As soon as your scout crosses over they officially a member of Troop 57. They can attend troop meetings, campouts, service projects, ect.

New to Scouting

Not currently a cub scout and want to join troop 57 anyways? Not a problem. The requirements to join a BSA troop are simple:

  • Any youth at least 11 years old may join the troop

  • Any youth that are 10 years old may join the troop if they are currently in 5th grade and register on or after March

You can click here to register your youth directly with our troop.

BSA Membership

In order to be a member of Troop 57 you will need to have an active BSA Membership. This must be renewed annually. Memberships can be renewed by visiting https://my.scouting.org/

For scouts crossing over from Cub Scouts the membership fees paid to join Cub Scouts will carry forward into Scouts BSA. Since most Cub Scout programs start in September and Cross Overs are held in March you likely won’t need to renew your membership for the first six months.

Troop Communication

There are several ways in which the troop will communicate to it’s members. Our primary methods are:

  1. The Troop has a calendar of events that can be found in ScoutBook Plus.

  2. The Troop has an email address that will send out regular updates about upcoming events and deadlines.

And don’t’ forget to follow us on Instagram!

Scout Calendar

The troop’s calendar is in Scout Book (see below). You can also view the troop’s calendar here on the troop website.

Most personal calendar applications will allow you to integrate the scout calendar directly into your personal calendar. For example you can find instructions here for how to “Use a Link to Add a Public Calendar” in Google Calendars. In the URL configuration you’ll need to provide this link: https://api.scouting.org/advancements/events/calendar/71327

ScoutBook

Scoutbook is a resource provided by Scouts BSA that facilitates the troop in organizing events and track scout advancement. You’ll use Scoutbook for a variety of activities but the most important activity will be to RSVP to campouts. We all wish Scout Book was more intuitive to use but all need to make due with the available tools.

We have created a page to show members how to use scout book to RSVP to a campout.

Scout Uniform

For most scout events a Class A uniform will be required. On the scout uniform new scouts will need:

  • The American Flag Patch

  • Shoulder Loops

  • 57 Troop Numerals

  • North East Illinois Council patch

Other patches such as a patrol and rank patches will be earned by participating in scouts and can wait for later.

You can purchase a uniform but going to the scout shop located at 850 Forest Edge Dr, Vernon Hills IL. We recommend using the scout shop as they are very helpful making sure you get exactly what you need. Alternatively uniforms can be purchased online at the ScoutShop.org.

Troop Meetings

Troop meetings are held at in the Scout Room at OLPH on most Sundays from 7:00 to 8:30. Meetings will be canceled on holidays and campout weekends. Scouts should wear their class A uniform at Troop meetings unless otherwise noted (like when we meet at the pool).

OLPH is a big place and finding the scout room the first time can be a bit daunting. You can get to OLPH from Glenview Rd and park in main parking lot (black). Follow the sidewalk to the North (red) until you reach a stairway heading down. On nights when we meet at the pool or gymnasium you’ll find the door just behind the playground on the west side of the parking lot (yellow).

Troop Campouts

Troop 57 will organize a campout about once per month. Campouts are chosen by the youth leadership at the Senior patrol meeting. You can view the Troop calendar of events too see the upcoming schedule of campouts which is typically planned out about 4-6 months in advance. Troop emails will typically promote the next campout.

To join a campout we require and RSVP in Scoutbook at least 1 week in advance of the campout so that meals and transportation can be planned.

Campouts typically cost $35 to cover the cost of food and campsite. Some campouts may cost more to cover the cost of activities.

For most campouts we will meet in the parking lot of OLPH at 5:00 on Friday. Scouts will be brought to the campout via a carpool of adult leaders attending the campout. On occasion we will need adult volunteers to aid in transporting scouts to the campout when there are too many scouts to adults leaders. Scouts will be returned to the parking lot of OLPH typically around noon on Sunday. Please note that the exact timing of the return can vary depending on the length of the drive and how motivated the scouts are at waking up Sunday morning. We typically create a parents text group in which we will announced a revised ETA from the time we leave the campsite.

Camping Gear

On a campout some of the camping gear will be provided by the troop while other camping gear must be brought by the individual scouts. Please review our campout pack list for a list of required personal gear and recommendations.

Makajawan

Makajawan is the premier campout and we highly recommend all scouts participate in this amazing experience.

The Makajawan campout is a full week of camping. Troop 57 goes to Makajawan week 1 which is the typically at the end of June (the last full week before the 4th of July). Scouts will leave first thing Sunday Morning (6:30 am) and return home the following Saturday (~3:00). On the way to camp the troop will stop for lunch and on the way home the troop will stop for breakfast.

In order to attend Makajawan all scouts will be required to have filed medical forms A, B, and C with the troop (see below).

Medical Forms

In order to participate in scout events each scout will need to fill out and return scout medical forms:

  • Events lasting less than 72 hours require medical forms A and B

  • Events lasting more than 72 hours (such as Makajawan) require medical forms A, B, and C.

Scout medical forms can be downloaded from Scouting America. Forms A and B can be filled out by the scout’s parent or guardian. However, Form C must be filled out by a licensed physician medical examiner and requires the scouts to have received a physical within 12 months of completion. Please plan to complete this requirement to ensure your scout will be able to participate in scout events.

Troop Payments

Troop 57 has a Zelle account registered with the troop’s email account. Please send all payments to the troop via Zelle. To help out our troop’s treasurer please do not combined payments when paying for multiple events. In the description please include your scout’s name and the event for which the payment applies to.

Fundraising

Our primary fundraising event is a pancake breakfast held each February at OLPH. We ask each scout to sell tickets to the breakfast or pay a $300 opt out fee. Funds raised pay for troop equipment used during campouts and allow us to keep campout fees as low as possible.

Advancement

Rank advancement.

Merit badges.

Paper scout book vs. Scoutbook. System of record. How to report requirements. giving your youth an occasional nudge.

Getting Involved

A scout troop is only as strong as it’s members. It takes a lot of work to run a troop and as we like to say,.. many hands make light work. Please take a look at our roster of leadership positions for more information on how you can get involved!