We meet on Thursday evenings, throughout the year. Typically, meetings are from 7pm until 9pm, but during basketball season, we do not have the gym until 7:30 pm, and meet from 730 until 9pm.
Where do you meet?
During the school year, our usual meetings are at Goodrich School (the corner of Hobson and Rte. 53). When the school is not available and in the summer, we generally meet at Hobson Park (71st street in Woodridge, a couple of blocks east of Rte. 53). The first meeting of the month is an off site “field trip” meeting and Courts of Honor are usually at special locations as well.
What does it cost to join?
The initial joining fee is $30 per scout and dues is $20 every six months thereafter. There is a small discount ($5) for each additional scout in the same family.
What do I need to buy?
We wear a full uniform (Shirt, belt, socks, pants) which you will need to purchase. The troop provides the neckerchief on joining, as well as numerals, council patch, epaulet tabs, and neckerchief slide.
Why should I choose this troop?
Our troop is different from a lot of other troops in a couple of ways. Our outdoor program includes both camping and hiking avery month of the year. We are a boy run troop and work very hard at keeping the adults from “taking over” the troop program. We also are active in service projects, as we consider this to be a key aspect of what scouting is about.
Don’t all the Troops camp?
Surprisingly, many troops do not. We camp every month of the year, even in the winter. Many troops do only indoor programs in the winter (cabins, submarines, etc.), but we are sure to camp outdoors in the winter every year as well as occasionally doing some of the other events at times. We feel that it is important to learn these things and that winter camping is a great way to learn skills that will keep you warm and active all winter.
What is your hiking program like?
We hike every month except July (too busy already with summer camp and the holiday eating up three of the weekends. We generally hike 5 miles in the January-February months, then up to 10 miles for the rest of the year and a 20 miler in September or so. This allows scouts to work on the Hiking merit badge; not possible without significant opportunities to hike. The merit badge requires 5 ten milers and a 20 miler.
What is “Boy Run” about?
The scouting program is designed to be run by the scouts themselves, with adult guidance and oversight for safety and to be sure that the program is consistent with BSA policies. Unfortunately, although many troops say “boy run,” if you watch, you will see adults deciding, planning and running things, with only lip service to “boy run.” We work hard to be sure that our scouts plan all aspects of the program through their patrol leader council meetings and that they run all of their meetings, camps and events themselves. We teach to boys HOW to lead, then stay out of the way (even when it is not going all that well), so that they can learn from the process.
What about those service projects?
The BSA program has service built into it to a degree (scouts have to do a certain amount of service for rank advancements), but was also have a troop emphasis on community service as part of our annual program. Our biggest, regular service project is at the Naperville March of Dimes walkathon, where we set up, cook and serve food to the walkers every year. We also participate in scouting service, running training booths at the Klondike and Webelos Overnight events, as well as other service projects over the course of the year.
Anything else?
Well, whatever you want, is really the answer. If you want to do something, as a boy run troop, you can make it happen. Whatever interests our scouts is what they plan and do. Recently, they have expressed an interest in historical scouting skills and are looking at learning such things as tracking animals, identifying tracks and plants, pioneer skills such as making soap and building shelters. If the scouts decide on a different focus as the members change (or their likes change), then the troop plans will reflect those desires. the beauty of a boy run troop, is that the boys will always be able to make a program that they like.
Klondike Derby
Written by Colton A.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
This year at Klondike we were in charge of running a town. The town that we were running was about setting up a cold weather shelter. We did this by using the tarp that Mr. B had brought along, tying a clothes line to two trees that we found, then we tied the tarp to the rope using modified prussic knot. Then we staked down the corners of the tarp. We showed the Cub Scout how to do this. During our free time we went down to the river that was there and threw ice into it. Then we went up to the lodge for lunch. They had hot dogs and hamburgers. Then we went and taught some more cub scouts about making the shelter then we went home.
Adult Training for BSA positions
Written by Administrator
Monday, 01 February 2010
Adult Training is provided by the Three Fires Council and the Thunderbird District. Each adlut position has certain training requirements and beginning in 2011, adults who have not completed the require training for their position will not be allowed by BSA to recharter. The training page for Thunderbird district tells what trainings are available and where, as well as how to do online training for those areas for which it is available. To do online training, you will need to set up a (free) "myscouting" account, which will direct you to the necessary trainings, track them for you and tell the council that the trainings have been completed. It is wise to also print a copy of the training certificate when you finish any online trainings, to keep for your own records as well.
National Youth Leadership Training
Written by Administrator
Monday, 01 February 2010
THUNDERBIRD NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (NYLT) - June 20-26, 2010 at Adventure Camp, Rochelle, IL
Thunderbird National Youth Leader Training, is a seven day outdoor training conference for youth leaders, which supports the Scoutmaster’s responsibility for training junior leaders. It is conducted by the Council Training Committee using a syllabus that was developed by the Boy Scouts of America. Leadership requires vision, goals and planning. Through presentations and positive experiences in goal setting, planning and problem solving, participants learn how to set a clear course toward realizing their team and individual visions, and then begin to put themselves in the center of those pictures of future success. WHO MAY ATTEND? Participants must be 13 years old by January 1, 2010, be First Class rank or higher, serve in a leadership position, and have long term camping experience. Since the conference will take place in a camp setting, the Scouts should have skills in camping hiking, and cooking.
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Adult Training is provided by the Three Fires Council and the Thunderbird District. Each adlut position has certain training requirements and beginning in 2011, adults who have not completed the require training for their position will not be allowed by BSA to recharter. The 
THUNDERBIRD NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING (NYLT) - June 20-26, 2010 at Adventure Camp, Rochelle, IL