Welcome To BSA Troop 123!

BSA Troop 123 is based in Rochester, Michigan. Troop 123 is one of the older Boy Scout Troops in the Rochester area and is part of the Great Lakes Council. We have been in existence since June 1, 1958. We have a large contingent of adult leaders who are committed to making the troop successful. We continually strive to maintain and upgrade our equipment to ensure a pleasant and enlightening camping experience for the boys in the troop. We are proud of our Troop's history, and have had over 95 scouts climb to  the rank of EAGLE, the highest rank a youth can achieve in scouting.  

 

Sponsoring Organization: Map	St. Paul's United Methodist Church 620 Romeo Road Rochester, MI 48307
Troop Meetings:	September through May; every Monday. June through August; every other Monday. Troop gathers  at 7:15 pm. Opening ceremony is at 7:30 pm. *Rule of thumb: no school no meeting. Troop Committee Meetings: Monthly starting at 7:00 pm. No meeting in December. Special planning event in August. See Website for dates and times.
Parents Meetings:	All parents are invited to attend. First Monday of each month at 7:30 pm. Meeting held at St Paul's Church during scout meeting.

 

Information

Ideals

The ideals of Boy Scouting are spelled out in the Scout Oath, The Scout Law, The Scout Motto and the Scout Slogan. The Boy Scout measures himself against these ideals and continually tries to improve. The goals are high, and as he reaches for them, he has some control over what and who he becomes.

Patrols

The patrol method gives Boy Scouts an experience in group living and participating citizenship. It places responsibility on young shoulders and teaches boys how to accept it. The patrol method allows Scouts to interact in small groups where members can easily relate to each other. These small groups determine troop activities through elected representatives.

Outdoor Program

Boy Scouting is designed to take place outdoors. It is the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. In the outdoors the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. Being close to nature helps Boy Scouts gain an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us. The outdoors is the laboratory in which Boy Scouts learn ecology and practice conservation of nature's resources.

Advancement

Boy Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. The Boy Scout plans his advancement and progresses at his own pace as he meets each challenge. The Boy Scout is rewarded for each achievement, which helps him gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Boy Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.

Q & A 

 

• How often has your Troop achieved Quality Unit status in the last 5 years? Every Year.
  How are new Scouts handled? Are they mixed in with existing patrols or put into a new patrol? We have done both and like to keep friends together. We have an Assistant Scoutmaster focused on advancement with the younger scouts.

• How many registered leaders are there? 30 What is their attendance history at regular meetings and on outings? Pretty high. Rough estimate last few years of 6 – 10 per campout probably more on the 10 side than the 6 side.

• What is the boy:leader ratio at meetings and on outings? Rough guess: 5 boys to a leader.
  Do you have an active outdoor program? Yes. How many days/year are spent camping? 35 – 40 days not including High Adventure. High adventures tend to be 7 – 14 days in duration. Where? Midwest generally. High Adventures vary: Philmont , Alaska , Isle Royale , etc… What are the plans for summer camp? We alternate. Recently visited Camp Greilick, Cole Canoe Base and Lost Lake Scout Reservation.

• What is your philosophy on uniforms? Scouts should be in Class A’s for all meetings and on way / back from campouts. Monday after campouts, class B is OK.

• How are new Scouts going to learn what to do as Boy Scouts (camping skills, patrol activities, advancement, etc.)? The older scouts work with the younger less experienced scouts to teach the skills. Scouts 1st Class and higher can sign off rank requirements for 2nd Class scouts and lower. 2nd Class scouts can sign off for Tenderfoot. Will they have an experienced adult leader working with them? An Assistant Scoutmaster is dedicated to working with the younger Scouts.

• What is a typical Troop meeting like? Flag ceremony, oath, motto, announcements, boy planned and led sessions, usually play a game near the end of the meeting. Do you work on merit badges? There are alternate merit badge sessions graciously put on by some of the merit badge counselors. These sessions are usually held prior to a troop meeting or on an alternate night as not to disrupt the troop meeting. This works pretty well. Do you play a lot of games? It is entirely up to the senior scout leadership.

• What is your philosophy regarding advancement (at what pace are the ranks earned)? The boys work at their own pace. We do not force them to advance. If they wish to do High Adventures or other special trips, it is a general requirement that they achieve 1st class status. We strongly support and encourage advancement but do not “make” them achieve it. The resources are available to the boys if they wish to use them. Generally, if the scout is on track, they should be 1st class around the end of their 1st year or so.

• What kind of program do you have for the older Scouts? Are there any High Adventure activities? We have several older scouts in the troop and have many special activities. We have been going on High Adventures each year. We have special activities like climbing at Planet Rock, a Bowl-A-Thon, Skiing, etc…. There is also a “sister” Venture Crew – 2123 for those interested in additional high adventure type campouts.

• What kind of fundraising do you have? Christmas Wreaths and Popcorn (fall), and sometimes can drives for High Adventures or special trips

• What are the financial obligations for each Scout?
  a.     at signup $75 per year if signed up by Dec 31. After $80. Includes Boys Life Magazine and Scout registration.
  b.    per campout Depends on campout. Usually $25. If a longer trip, include an extra $5 or $10 for lunch on way back. Adult drivers are free. 
  c.   summer camp 2008 was: $250
  d.   other Each scout has a scout account. First $200 of fund individual fund raising is split with the troop 50/50 per year. After that it is 90% scout /10% troop.

• Do you pay for or subsidize training for the boys (Junior Leader Training, Den Chief training, etc.)? We do for JLT and bring up other decisions to the committee.

• Does your Troop have a limitation on size? No.

• Do you have written policies? Yes. Troop 123 Handbook

• Is your Troop "boy-run" or "adult-run?" Boy Run

• Are Troop meetings and activities planned:
  - by the boys? Yes
  - for a full year? Themes are planned in advance – meetings planned once a month
  - at a patrol leaders meeting? Yes
  What kind of equipment do you have? Eureka Tetragon 9’s for most campouts. Eureka Backcountry 4’s and 2’s for backpacking. 5 Patrol Boxes, several stoves, etc…2 Trailers. Is it in good shape? Yes Do you have enough if Webelos were to join your Troop? Yes. If we need more, we get approval from the committee to purchase.

• Are your Scouts able to balance Boy Scouts with other activities such as sports, band, church, etc.? Certain times of year, scouts may be busy with other activities. Just make scoutmaster aware if not going to attend meetings for an extended period of time.

• How active is your Troop at District and Council events? Several adult leaders are on Council and District Committees.

• How many current leaders are trained in:
  - Youth Protection? Almost all leaders. We strongly encourage all leaders to attend.
  - Scoutmaster Fundamentals? Several. We strongly encourage all leaders to attend.
  - Woodbadge? Some.

• What are the expectations/requirements of new adults/parents to this Troop - as assistant leaders, committee members, special event chairpersons, event workers, merit badge counselors? Pick a passion and we will be happy to have your help.

• Does the Troop pay for any/all adult leader registration and training? Registration is covered and most adult leader training is covered by troop.

• How many leaders routinely attend Round Table? 2 – 5.

• How do you feel about a Scout (and parent) visiting a meeting unannounced? It’s OK. Prefer notice so we can plan better.