Joining Requirements
Our Scouts BSA program is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light rank and are at least 10 years old, or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 year old, or who are 11 years old, and who are not yet 18 years old.
How to Join
Complete a BSA Youth Membership Application and an Annual Health and Medical Record, and pay the annual troop dues. Dues will be prorated for scouts who join mid-year.
What happens next?
You will be assigned to a patrol, which is a group of 6-8 scouts of similar age in our troop. One scout is elected by the patrol to be the Patrol Leader, who accepts the responsibility to help is fellow scouts along the way. Younger scout patrols are also as- signed a Troop Guide, who is an older Scout who helps the Patrol Leader to carry out his duties. Your first task will be to earn the Scout rank, where you will learn the basics of being a scout.
The Basics
Meetings
Regular troop meetings are held are held from Septem- ber through June every Wednesday, except for the sec- ond Wednesday of the month and when School is not in session. Meetings run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Meetings are held in the basement of Saint Pius Tenth School, 3000 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624.
Campouts
Troop 178 camps about once a month. Most campouts are weekend trips, running from Friday evening through Sunday morning. We attend a weeklong Summer Camp in July.
Cost
Annual dues are $99 in 2018-19. This includes: • $33 BSA national membership fees • $6 Insurance • $60 Troop program expenses Some troop activities will have additional fees. “A Scout is Thrifty.” Scouts are encouraged to “earn their own way” through active participation in troop fundraising activities. Scouts earn credits for fundraising participation, and dues are waived when a scout earns enough credits. We are committed to providing our program to all boys, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Speak to the Scoutmaster if you require financial assistance.
Duty to God
The BSA maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but is absolutely nonsec- tarian in its attitude toward that religious training.
What You Need
Uniform
All scouts wear a Field Uniform, commonly referred to as a “Class A” uniform. New scouts receive an Activity Uni- form tee shirt (“Class B”) with our troop logo. About once a year, scouts will also have the opportunity to or- der additional (optional) gear with our troop logo.
You will need to purchase:
- Field Uniform shirt
- Seneca Waterways Council Shoulder Patch
- World Crest Emblem
- Merit Badge sash
- Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys
The Troop will provide at no additional cost:
- Uniform shoulder loops
- Troop “178” numeral patch
- Patrol emblem
- Troop neckerchief and slide
- Troop tee shirt Also available for purchase are uniform hat, uniform pants and shorts, uniform belt and uniform socks. We encourage but do not require Scouts to be in full uni- form.
Uniform items are available for purchase at the Strong Scout Shop, 2320 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road. “Experienced” uniform parts can often be found at local consignment shops and online at a reduced cost. Camping Gear Troop 178 provides tents and cooking gear for all scouts on campouts. Scouts should have their own sleeping bag, backpack, mess kit and personal gear, as appropri- ate for the type of outing.
The Troop has some sleeping bags, sleeping pads, back- packs and mess kits available for loan if needed.
Other Information
Activities
In addition to regular meetings and monthly cam- pouts, Troop 178 offers a wide variety of activities.
The program elements are selected, planned and run by the Scouts, and vary from year to year. Examples of other activities include: - Rank Advancement - Merit badges - Service projects - Fundraisers - Camporees - Summer camp - Leadership training - Order of the Arrow (Scouting’s Honor Society) - High adventure treks - National Jamboree
For Older Scouts
As scouts get older and demonstrate their outdoor skills, they are able to participate in special activi- ties exclusively for experienced scouts.
Troop Calendar
The Troop’s annual calendar is published online at www.chilitroop178.com. It is a Google calendar which you can sync to your phone, tablet or PC.