About Troop 290

Troop Meetings

Troop 290 holds weekly meetings every Tuesday night during the school year. We begin at 7:10 p.m. and end around 8:25 p.m. Most meetings include an opening, followed by a  program or training session, and end with a game, Scoutmaster "Minute", and closing. Many meetings are geared to upcoming events such as campouts or are organized for an advancement opportunity. Several meetings are also scheduled for community service projects or family events, such as our highway clean-up project, skiing at Cannonsburg or a sporting event. There are no meetings during the holiday school breaks. Although we do meet weekly, we know that the boys cannot make all meetings. Absences due to sports, school activities and family events are completely understood.

Campouts and Programs

Troop 290 has a full complement of camping equipment. All Scouts are encouraged to attend as many campouts as possible. At least one event is scheduled for each month. Plans for this year include several different trips to Gerber Scout Camp, and another overnight of conservation and riflery at Kent County Conservation League. We will continue with the traditional "Thanksgiving" campout (with all the trimmings and advancement opportunities -- and keep with the tradition of our senior Scouts doing the cooking), an overnight lock-in, possibly skiing at Cannonsburg, and the rigorous Polar Bear campout. In late winter, we will return to Gerber Scout Camp's Chaffee Lodge for an indoor campout and advancements. We will continue hiking, climbing, and canoeing campouts in preparation for our upcoming high adventures. All of these campouts last either one or two nights over a weekend. Each patrol is encouraged to do at least one campout on its own. Information is presented at the weekly troop meetings.

Summer's Program

Mackinac Island (June)  Mackinac Island Service Camp is an exciting one-week adventure. Troop 290 will join with scouts from a number of other West Michigan troops to serve as the Governor's Honor Guard and as guides for Fort Mackinac and other historic sites on the island. They also participate in daily flag ceremonies and may march in the annual Lilac Festival Parade. All Scouts work on service projects for the Mackinac Island State Historic Park. They also have ample time to explore the island, shop the village, exercise, eat fudge, and just relax.

Scouts who have reached Star rank, may qualify to apply to attend Mackinac. Not all Scouts are able to attend Mackinac because of limited space and other local troop members are encouraged to apply. Scouts will be chosen by their rank, meeting and campout attendance, maturity, willingness to proved service, and general Troop participation.

Summer Camp - (July 26 - August 1) Summer camp is not only great fun, it's a time to earn advance rank, merit badges and skill awards. If a Scout wants to become an Eagle Scout, summer camp is a must. Our Troop will return to Gerber Scout Camp, north of Muskegon. The camp lasts one week and parents are asked to assist the Scoutmaster in part of the program. For those who cannot join Troop 290 at the scheduled time, Gerber Scout Camp offers SWAT (Scouts Without A Troop). This is a regular one-week camp where Scouts join other SWAT's in a traditional BSA summer camping experience.

High Adventure -  We are currently working on the high adventure program for this year.  Although we have submitted an application for Philmont, it does not appear that we will be selected this year.  Another option is a backpacking trip to Isle Royale.

The High Adventure is intended for more experienced Scouts who have earned at least first class rank, are mature and have had significant camping experience. In prior years we have gone white water rafting and ducking in West Virginia, hiking in the Black Hills, to Philmont Scout Reservation, touring Civil War sites, canoeing in the boundary waters of Minnesota, fly-in fishing in Canada, hiking Isle Royale, touring Europe, visiting and hiking in Wyoming and South Dakota and Sea Base in the Florida Keys.

Scout Patrols and Leadership

All Scouts are assigned to a partol by the Senior Patrol Leader and his assistants. We've broken from a "patrol by age group" to give more opportunities for leadership, mentoring and advancement. The Senior Patrol Leader selects his assistants. Together they run the meetings, set the program for the year (with input from the Senior Patrol Council) and assist in making important Troop decisions. When new Scouts join the troop in the spring they are placed in a patrol which is led by older Scouts. Scouts are encouraged to take leadership positions as they are required for rank advancement. Patrol leader and assistant patrol leader are key positions, but a number of other positions are available, like Troop Guide, Quartermaster (equipment), Scribe, Librarian, and Den Chief. Troop leaders are selected each spring for the next year, however to ensure leadership opportunities, changes may be made during the year.

Advancements

Almost all Scouts come into Scouting hoping to become an Eagle Scout. They are helped along the way by other Scouts, the Scout leaders, parents, and merit badge counselors. All Scouts are expected to earn advancements. Most boys come in as Webelos crossing over from Cub Scouts. But all boys are welcome and encouraged to join Scouting. Scouts begin their scouting adventure by joining a patrol, lead by more senior Scouts. New Scouts first earn Tenderfoot and by the end of the first full year many will have earned their Second Class and First Class ranks. During the year, several campouts and meetings are devoted to earning merit badges and other advancement requirements. These include Summer Camp, the Thanksgiving Campout, and the late winter Indoor Gerber Scout Camp campout. Scouts must take the initiative on their own to gain their awards. Patrols, particularly with new Scouts, can work together on advancements. Parents are asked to volunteer as merit badge counselors. The Troop maintains an extensive library of merit badge books and program activities to aid in the advancement trail to Eagle. Active attendance and participation in both weekly meetings and special projects as well as fulfilling your job duties and/or requirements in your elected position will be considered for advancement.

The Court of Honor provides recognition of outstanding achievements and awards the Scouts have earned. It recognizes the growth of the individual Scout with dignity and ceremony. We ask that all families attend the two main Courts of Honor held each year (Fall - November, and Spring - May). These are usually held on a Sunday afternoon at St. Roberts Church, in Ada or at a location to be announced. When a Scout is receiving an Eagle award, a special Eagle Court of Honor may be scheduled at the same time. There is also a final Court of Honor held at the last weekly meeting of the year to give out awards prior to going to Mackinac Island. In addition, an Eagle Court of Honor is often held on Mackinac Island in June, usually in the Fort, it's a most memorable event for all Scouts.

Order of the Arrow and Junior Leadership Training

Each year, several Scouts and adults are asked to join the Order of the Arrow brotherhood of Nacha Tindy. This honorary program builds camaraderie and teaches advanced Scouting skills. Selection into the Order of the Arrow is made by the bortherhood in troop elections. The prospective member must undertake an ordeal. This year, the Ordeals are scheduled during the Gerber Scout Camp summer camp or at the fall conclave.

There is also a more advanced training program for those Scouts wanting troop leadership positions - the Green Bar Brigade program. Troop 290 will send two or three Scouts annually to this one-week junior leadership training. Scouts interested should contact the Scoutmaster. It is usually held right after Mackinac Island and is a great learning and camping experience.

Community Service Projects and Service Hours

Scouts are expected to earn "service hours" by working on community projects or helping others. Each Scout needs these for rank advancement (it can also be used in the Forest Hills Schools program). Service hours are also earned while on Mackinac Island or when helping an Eagle Scout candidate with his Eagle Scout project. The Troop's annual community service project is with the Michigan Department of Transportation's "Adopt-a-Highway" program. Three times a year, Troop 290 cleans a section of I-96 between Whitneyville Road and Snow Avenue -- look for our signs. Community service projects are necessary for each Eagle Scout candidate, who must design, organize, and complete a service projuct as part of their Eagle requirements.

St. Robert's Garage and Camping Gear

Our sponsor, (St. Robert's of Newminster Catholic Church) offers the use of a garage as a "base camp". Campouts often start there and much of our camping gear and supplies are stored there. St. Robert's Church is located at 6477 Ada Drive.

For campouts, the Troop generally provides tents, cook stoves, and other group gear. Scouts are expected to always bring their own sleeping bag, ground covers, mess kits, cups and eating utensils, water, flashlight, scout knife, rain gear and other personal items. Before each campout the troop will discuss special gear and camping needs and often have an equipment inspection at the preceding weekly meetings.

Who to Call for Information and Bad Weather

If a Scout or parent has questions regarding campouts, meetings, or other activities they should first call their patrol leader. If the patrol leader has questions, he can contact the senior patrol leader. Refer to the Troop roster in the program guide for a listing of phone numbers of all Troop members, adult leaders and each campout coordinator. If adverse weather conditions close Forest Hills Schools or sends students home early, our meeting will be cancelled. If a campout or other event is cancelled or changed, the senior patrol will notify the patrol leaders who will inform the members of their patrol.

Uniforms

Troop 290 has two uniforms; a Class A formal uniform and a Class B casual uniform. The formal Class A uniform is a regulation issued Scout shirt (perferably short sleeved), pants, web belt, socks, sash, and Troop issued neckerchief with slide (hats or shoes are not required). During the year, Scouts are expected to wear the Class A shirt to the meetings (they can wear the class "B" or "civvies" if coming from another event). But for all formal events, Scouts are expected to wear the full Class A uniform. For Scouts who attend Mackinac Island Service Camp, two complete uniforms are necessary - shorts and long pants and short and long sleeve shirts, including special (brown docksider style) shoes and berets. The informal Class B uniform is a red Scout shirt worn with blue jean pants, Scout pants, tan or khaki shorts. The Class B uniform allows Scouts to be in a uniform and saves the Class A uniform for special events.

Uniforms can be purchased at the Gerald R. Ford Scout Center Store, Rogers, and Dunhams. The Troop also maintains an "exchange" for Class A uniforms. When old uniforms are "Sold" to other Scouts, the money paid goes into the troop account. Red Class "B" shirts may be worn by direction of the Senior Scouts or adult leadership. They may be purchased from the Adult Uniform Coordinator.

The Scout's Account

Each Scout has his own "Scout account" from which campouts and other campout expenses can be charged. The Troop Treasurer maintains the account and reports periodically on the Scout's status. Scouts fund their account by "earning" money through Christmas wreath sales. $2.00 (possibly more as announced for high achievers) from each wreath sold goes into their account. Popcorn sales also allow a Scout to build up funds to pay for campouts and high adventure. No refunds are given from wreath or popcorn sales deposited into a unit account, once a Scout leaves Scouting. (Unused Scout account funds are used to offset ongoing troop expenses.) Scouts and their parents are obligated to reconcile the account with the Treasurer.

Fund Raising

The Scouts can participate in all programs of the Troop at little or no cost. Troop 290 prides itself on being self-funded. We also encourage each Scout to fund much of his own Scouting experience. To assist, ther are two fund raising projects during the Scouting year.

Christmas Wreaths - Beginning in early October, the Troop kicks off its annual Christmas Wreath sale. This fundraiser finances most of the Troop's activities. Incentives are provided for early sales and most wreaths sold. The sale closes in early November and wreaths are delivered before Thanksgiving. The wreaths sell for $15.00, with $2.00 typically going into each Scout's account. The money can be used to pay for campouts, Summer Camp, Mackinac, or other Scouting events. Please be sure to keep your customer lists for future use.

Popcorn Sales - The Gerald R. Ford Council has an annual popcorn sale. This year, Troop 290 will formally participate. The popcorn sale will coincide with the wreath sale. Scouts wishing to earn extra money for Summer Camp and other BSA programs are encouraged to sell popcorn. In the past, Scouts have paid for their entire Summer Camp with a few hours of sales.

Youth Leadership

Our troop is led by its Scouts. One of the key skills learned in Scouting is leadership. Scouts become leaders by being active and involved. Major decisions, like uniform selection, meeting times, campouts, and other activities are decided by the Scouts. The Scout leadership is made of the Senior Patrol Leader, his assistants, and the Senior Patrol Council (SPC). The Senior Patrol Leader is elected each spring for the next year. He selects his assistants and the most senior Scouts and the patrol leaders generally make up the council (SPC). Although guided by the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee, their decisions are their own. Planning, implementation and review of Scout activities by the Scout Leadership allows Scouts to become leaders.