Public Troop 522 FAQ's - Boy Scout Troop 522 (Gilbert, Arizona)

BSA Troop 522 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can become a Boy Scout?
Any boy can join Boy Scouts regardless of his outdoor experiences or whether he was a Cub Scout. He must however satisfy any one of these three requirements:
A. Be 10 Years Old and have earned the Arrow of Light as a Webelos Scout - or -
B. Be eleven years old and have graduated from the fifth grade
C. Be under 18 years of age

2. When and where does BSA Troop 522 meet?
Troop 522 meets every Thursday evening (with the exception of the 2nd Thursday of each month) from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at San Tan Learning Center Located at 1475 South Higley Road, Gilbert, AZ.

3. When was Troop 522 founded and who is the chartering (sponsoring) organization?
BSA Troop 522 was founded in November 2009. Every scout troop belongs to an organization. Our chartered organization is Saint Mary Magdalene Church Knights of Columbus Council 13779. The Chartered Organization shares our objectives for the boys and insures that there is adequate, trained leadership. A Chartered Organization Representative acts as a liaison between Troop 522 and the sponsoring organization. .

4. Does BSA Troop 522 follow a particular religious denomination?
Although BSA Troop 522 is Chartered by a Catholic organization, scouting is a non-sectarian and non-denominational organization where members of all faiths, beliefs, races and national origins are welcomed.

5. What are the typical one time and annual costs of being a boy scout in Troop 522?
Below is an itemized list of typical fees of being a boy scout.

One time fee estimates
Neckerchief	$10.00	Purchased from Troop
Slide	$4.00	Purchased from Scout Shop
522 Patch	$3.00	Purchased from Troop
Shoulders	$2.00	Purchased from Scout Shop
Web belt with buckle	$11.00	Purchased from Scout Shop
Socks	$14.00	Purchased from Scout Shop - 2 Pair x ($7.00 Each)
T-Shirt	$12.00	Purchased from Troop - Class B
Pants	$45.00	Purchased from Scout Shop - Class A
Shirt	$43.00	Purchased from Scout Shop - Class A
Handbook	$15.00	Purchased from Scout Shop
Total one time fee estimates:	$159.00

Annual fee estimates:
Scout Registration*	$16.20	pro-rated by month; annual due in Nov for following year
Leader Fee contribution*	$12.00	pro-rated by month; annual due in Nov for following year
Boy's Life Magazine*	$12.00	optional; subscriptions renewed in Nov for following year
Fundraising commitment	$60.00	above $60 goes to Individual Scout Account
Regular Campouts*	$60.00	dependent on attendance; average 4/year
Total Annual fee estimates:	$160.20

Optional Summer camp estimates:
Summer Camp* **	$400.00	$350 in-state odd years; $450 out-of-state even years (approx)

Miscellaneous additional costs:
Merit Badge books	$4.50	each; troop library maintained for loaner books
Merit Badge fees	up to $20	supplies; council classes (varies by merit badge)
Extra camp fees*	$50.00	Council fees; ticket costs, permits, etc (approx)
Total miscellaneous fee estimates:	$74.50

* These estimated fees can be offset by scout fundraising. Any troop proceed funds above $60 that the scout raises will be deposited in their Individual Scout Account. Individual Scout Account funds are used to offset the above (*) denoted estimated fees.
** “Camperships” or “Partial Camperships” may be available to offset summer camp fees depending on availability.
Parents are encouraged to register as adult members of the troop - a monetary contribution from all active scouts is collected during annual re-charter to support adult registration fees.

6. What kind of gear (outside of the uniform and handbook) will I need to have to be a boy scout in Troop 522?
Most scouts own their own daypack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and mess kit. Tents and cooking gear is for the most part provided by the troop. Most scouts borrow gear for a while and then begin to purchase more of their own equipment as they become more experienced campers.

7. What are the ranks in Boy Scouts?
The scout handbook provides the requirements for seven ranks. They are; Scouts,Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle Scout. Our outdoor activities, merit badge and leadership programs are designed to provide every scout with an opportunity to advance in rank at the pace they select.

8. What is a Merit Badge?
A merit badge is an award for completing the requirements in one of 120 career and hobby fields. Each merit badge is designed to provide a scout with an introduction to that specific field of interest. The subject matter of these merit badges vary wildly. Each merit badge has a specific list of requirements that must be completed by the scout, then reviewed by a qualified merit badge instructor and finally signed off by the Scoutmaster. Merit badges are worn on the scout’s sash as part of his class A uniform.

9. What is a Blue Card?
A blue card is the document that the scouts and merit badge counselors complete once the merit badge requirements are met. The card has three parts. The first part is retained by the merit badge councilor. The second part is retained by the Council who records the scout’s completion of the badge. The third part is returned to the scout with the merit badge. The third portion of the blue card should be kept in a safe place as it becomes the scout’s proof of completion in the event that the merit badge or sash are lost.

10. How does the scout leadership communicate with the scouts and their parents?
BSA Troop 522 utilizes Scoutlander (www.scoutlander.com) as a central point of collaboration for:

Broadcast Emails
Troop Calendar
Forms and Policies

11. How do I get access to Scoutlander?
Scoutlander access will be provided to each scout and their parents upon completion of the registration process. It is strongly recommended that each scout have an email address separate from their parents email address. Our goal is to have the scouts take ownership in their scouting experience. This is just one way we empower them with that responsibility.

12. How do I track my scout’s progress up through the different ranks and merit badges?
Valid signoffs in the scout’s handbook and completed blue cards are always the ultimate proof of completion. However, BSA Troop 522 leverages TroopMaster Web (www.troopmasterweb.com) to track scout’s personal advancement as well as troop wide advancement or merit badge completion.

13. How do I get access to Troopmaster Web?
Troopmaster Web access will be provided to each scout and their parents upon completion of the registration process.

14. What is the Level of Involvement to be in Boy Scouts?
When you join the Boy Scouts of America you should be ready to make a sizeable time commitment. The time and effort one puts into a great youth program like the Boy Scouts of America is payed back exponentially in future benefits. We hope that a Scout is active in most Troop activities but understand sometimes other obligations will impact participation and are unavoidable. To understand the time commitment the following lists a typical month in the life of a Boy Scout and his family:
Scout

Three weekly meetings a month
A weekend campout (typically Saturday morning to Sunday mid-day)
A service project (about once a quarter but sometimes more)
Troop or Scout Fundraiser (on average quarterly but some months may have multiple events)

Parent
The below is a little more fluid as, for example, not every Scout's parent needs to attend every campout. What we hope from parents is that they attend a couple of camp outs a year, help out with service projects and fundraisers and other Troop activities that the adults take on in a support role to ensure the Scout program is as beneficial to our sons as possible. The involvement of the parents pretty much mirrors that of the boys and looks as follows:

Three monthly meetings. You do not need to stay but we ask that you make certain to return before the meeting ends.
Monthly Troop Committee meeting, which is the second Tuesday of each month. We ask that at least one parent always attends.
A weekend campout (typically Saturday morning to Sunday mid-day). As mentioned above, we ask that one parent attend or help drive on at least two events. Without parent involvement these events don't happen.
Troop or Scout Fundraiser (on average quarterly but some months may have multiple events)

The bottom line with our troop is that although the boys run it, we must, as parents be there to assist in positions such as Scout Leadership, Troop Committee Member, Driver and Merit Badge Counselors. Parents are encouraged to register as a member of the troop - a contribution from all active scouts is collected during annual re-charter to support adult registration fees. The sustainable success of scout development, achievement and troop operations completely relies on adult/parent participation.

15. What typically happens in a regular scout meeting?
Regular scout meetings occur Thursday evening year around with the exception of 2nd Thursdays of the month which are reserved for Patrol Leadership Committee and Troop Parent Committee meetings. During regular meetings, scouts and their leadership meet together for a flag ceremonies and for troop wide communications. Then the different patrols meet and conduct patrol level rank achievement training, an active activity and planning activities. The patrol’s Assistant Scoutmaster works with the Patrol Leader and the scouts ensure that merit badges and scout advancement is being performed and documented. The last 10 or so minutes is reserved for the Scoutmaster Minute and any final announcements.

16. What typically happens at summer camp and where is it held?
Boy Scout summer camps are held in too many locations to list but what is clear is the fun, achievement and camaraderie they experience during the camp. Typically, Scout Camp is held in June and occurs over a 7 Day period. Troop 522 has primarily held our scout camp at Camp Geronimo up near Payson, AZ but have also went to camps such as Fiesta Island in San Diego for a more marine experience. The scouts earn a lot of merit badges while at summer camp so it is a good place for a younger scout to get the whole scouting experience while jump starting their boy scout achievements. Some of the scout’s favorite merit badges are Climbing, Archery, Canoeing, Horsemanship and Orienteering. To keep the boys going to different places, we try to go to in-state summer camps during odd calendar years and out-of-state summer camps during even calendar years.