Welcome to the Scouting family where we help enrich the lives of boys and endeavor to make a positive impact in the kind of men they become. By becoming a parent of a Boy Scout, you are setting your son out on the grand adventure of Scouting. This is a tremendously important and rewarding endeavor that you will be able to share with him.
Troop 23 is an active troop that engages in monthly camping activities from September to June. We also participate in fundraising activities, service projects, and activities within the community. The success of the Troop includes the leadership of the troop leaders, committee members, and parents!
The Troop Meeting is held every Monday, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the OLA auditorium. Weekly meetings run between September to June. Scouts should wear Class A to all meetings and bring their handbooks. Scouts work on rank advancement, Scout skills and prepare for outdoor activities.
Patrol Leaders Council: Each month the Patrol Leaders’ Council meets with the Scoutmaster to plan the next month’s Troop Meetings, events and review past meetings and events. The Patrol Leaders Council is made up of the Patrol Leaders and lead by the Senior Patrol Leader.
Annual dues: $190.00*
Dues are applied toward:
* Fee for 2024-2025 season. Subject to change.
Monthly weekend camping trips. Trips include fun activities like hiking, visiting caverns, cooker-ees, and more. It is expected Scouts attend all camping trips. This offers the Scouts time to work as a unit, learn different skills, and foster comradery.
Troop camps in tents at Boys Scout Camp Reservations, County Parks or State Parks.
Camp costs vary between $15-60 depending on the trip, food and number of scouts attending. Specialty trips like going to Washington D.C. will cost more. Note: Trips occur during the Winter (February) and Spring (April) school breaks.
Troop typically leaves on Friday night and returns around Sunday at noon. (May vary when there’s no school) Troop leaves as a unit and Scouts wear Class A uniforms when traveling. Scouts should bring their handbooks as well.
Permission slips are required for every camping trip. If one parent attends the camping trip, we require the other parent to complete the permission slip. Permission slips are available through Scoutbook.
Scouts should pack all camping gear in one backpack. Duffel bags are not preferred. Scouts should wear backpacks so they have two available hands to carry camping equipment.
Cell phones are not permitted on trips. Leaders will contact parents as needed.
The Troop spends one week at summer camp- usually in July. Camp runs from Sunday to Saturday. Space is limited and advance sign up is mandatory with camp deposit fees due around March 1st. Costs are approximately $400-$450 per Scout for the week, however, needs-based financial assistance is available. Meals are included in this fee - snacks are not. Transportation is usually provided by parent volunteers. Duffel bags are permitted for summer camp.
Summer camp is fun and offers Scouts to work on merit badges. First year Scouts typically focus on basic camping skills, including cooking, wilderness survival, and craft merit badges. Experienced Scouts focus on waterfront and other outdoor badges as well as high adventure activities. Initial merit badge sign ups take place in March and April.
In addition to summer camp, the Troop offers 5-day High Adventure trips during the summer such as a 200-mile bike camping trip and 50-mile backpacking trip.
In addition to weekly meetings and monthly activities, Troop 23 Scouts develop a sense of citizenship and strengthen their community by participating in special Service Projects throughout the year.
Troop 23 conducts Parent’s Night four times a year to recognize Scout advancements and awards. The Court of Honor is a public ceremony, and is a chance for the Scouts to be recognized for their achievements. Families and all other interested individuals are strongly encouraged to attend.
The Troop plans to do two to three major fundraising activities a year to supplement camping trips and Troop equipment. Two main fundraising activities: 1) Wreath fundraiser for Christmas; and 2) Flower sale in the spring for Easter. All Scouts are expected to participate in the fundraisers rain or shine.
Each Scout is required to have the Boy Scout Handbook and brought to each Troop Meeting.
Scouts should wear the Boy Scout Field Uniform (unofficially called the "Class A") for all Troop meetings and outings unless otherwise noted. Class A items include:
NOTE: All shirts should be buttoned and tucked in.
Activity Uniform (unofficially called the "Class B"):
Donating gently used uniforms: Scouts outgrow their clothing – feel free to pass on gently worn uniforms to the Troop. Before purchasing new items, ask the Troop if there’s any articles that may suit your need.
The Troop Committee functions as an administration and support organization for the Troop. The Troop Committee takes care of non-program issues surrounding the Troop. For example: newsletters, Troop funds, fundraising activities, membership drives and Troop coordination, activity permits and coordination, advancement records, procurement and maintenance of Troop equipment.
The Uniformed Adult Leaders are adult volunteers, usually parents of Scouts, who work directly with the Scouts. The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters make up the Uniformed Adult Leaders. All Uniformed Adult Leader are expected to complete the formal Scoutmaster & Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training course (conducted by the Council).
We are a volunteer-led program. Parent involvement is absolutely necessary. We require parents to assist with the following:
In addition to volunteering time to the Troop, parents should:
GYNC requires YPT for all adults participating in events with the Troop even if it’s driving the Scouts on a trip. All parents should complete the YPT course to ensure the safety of our Scouts. You can complete the Youth Protection Training course through my.scouting.org. Once completed, submit a copy of the YPT certificate to the Troop Committee Chair. The YPT expires after two years.
Scouting activities are meant to be learning experiences in an atmosphere that is fun for everyone involved. The rules of Scouting can be found in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Troop specific rules are listed in this guideline and in our Troop 23 Procedures. The spirit of Scouting dictates high expectations for the behavior of Troop members both during scouting events and outside of scouting events.
Self-control and self-discipline are attributes expected from all Scouts. In order to ensure the health and safety of Troop members and the effective operation of the Troop, disciplinary actions may be necessary. Discipline and control must be treated as an individual matter, realizing that basic discipline is preventative in nature rather than regulatory or restrictive. Scouts will receive positive reinforcement when exhibiting inappropriate behavior. Troop adult leaders are ultimately responsible for the behavior of Troop members and therefore will be expected to enforce a fair and consistent disciplinary plan. If a youth has an issue or complaint against an adult leader they are to report such complaint to the Scoutmaster or Committee Chair for action.
When a Scout has completed all the requirements for a rank, he must meet with an Assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster who will review the requirements with the Scout to ensure that all the requirements have been met. Thereafter, a Scout appears before a Board of Review composed of members of the Troop Committee. The purpose of the review is not an examination. Rather it is to determine the Scout's attitude and acceptance of Scouting's ideals; to ensure that the requirements have been met for advancement, to discuss the Scout's experiences in the Troop and the Troop's program, and to encourage him to keep working towards advancement.
The Boy Scout advancement program provides a ladder of skills that a Scout climbs at his own pace. As he acquires these skills he moves up through a series of ranks, for which he is awarded badges – Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The higher he climbs the more challenging his tasks – and the more rewarding.
The goal of the merit badge program is to expand a Scout's areas of interest and to encourage the Scout to meet and work with adults in a chosen subject. A Scout working with a registered merit badge counselor earns merit badges. All parents of Scouts are encouraged to become Merit Badge Counselors. Speak to a Troop Leader for more information.