What to Expect
Boy Scouts is boy lead. In Troop 66, our senior Scouts (all boys holding a Troop leadership position) plan and lead most activities, with adult supervision. We go on at least one outdoor activity/month, 11 months of the year (we take December off). Yes, we camp in the Rocky Mountains in January, February, and March - and stay warm and have fun doing it! In the course of a year expect to do the following: monthly camp outs; at least one backpacking trip; a snow caving trip; a snow sports trip; a mountain biking trip; summer camp; Klondike; Camporee; and service projects. Also expect to attend one or more Eagle Courts of Honor - about 8% of our boys earn their Eagle, twice the national average!
AdvancementThere are seven ranks in Boy Scouts: Scout Rank, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. After completing Eagle boys can earn Eagle Palms, which are Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Detailed descriptions of the advancement requirements can be found in the Scout Handbook and on-line (see the resources page for links).
Ranks can be roughly divided into two categories - learning Scoutcraft, and personal advancement. Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are all about learning how to be a Scout, and learning outdoor skills. Older Scouts teach the younger Scouts, with adult supervision. Much of the learning is hands on, and some takes place only on campouts. In Troop 66 we have a time-tested schedule that will get most boys through the First Class rank in their first year. After the rank of First Class has been achieved advancement becomes much more self-directed. In addition to participation and service requirements, Scouts must complete merit badges, some of their own choosing, some from a list of required badges. Scouts work with adult merit badge counselors to complete the badges. It is up to the Scout to pick the merit badges he wants to do, find a merit badge counselor, and get the work done. Eagle is the highest rank awarded in Scouting. Only 2% of boys achieve this rank worldwide. Troop 66 has about twice as many boys earn their Eagle - an impressive accomplishment that reflects the strong leadership and depth of support our Troop offers. |
PatrolsA Boy Scout Troop is organized into patrols. Each patrol has a boy leader. In Troop 66 we also have assistant leaders. Together they plan activities for the patrol and help the new scouts complete their rank requirements.
Patrols pick their own names. Currently we have four patrols in Troop 66: Beasts, Dragons, Spartans and Stealth, . New scouts are assigned to a patrol based on where their friends are, and what the patrols needs are. CampingIf you haven't gathered it by now, Troop 66 does a lot of outdoor activities - and camping is at the heart of all of them. Our troop camps year round, and yes that includes the snowy winter months. As with all things Scouting the activities are led by the boys as much as possible. They are responsible for packing the right gear for the conditions (which in Colorado means just about anything!), and they plan and prepare the meals. Adult leaders will haul boys and gear and supervise the weekends activities. Parents are always welcome to come; just sign up in advance so the boys can get enough food.
Before their first camp out the Troop will provide new boys with a list of recommended gear, and they will do a "trial run" by packing and bringing their gear to a Troop meeting, to be inspected by the older boys for completeness. |