About

Troop 1 offers a traditional scouting experience for youth of Scouting age (11-17).  Service, community engagement, and leadership development have become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. Since 1911, Troop 1 has produced over 120 Eagle Scouts and has had thousands of youth pass through its ranks.

Troop 1 meets each Monday from 7 P.M. to 8:15 P.M. at Trinity Presbyterian Church. During the school year, meetings are held weekly. The last meeting of each month is designated as the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) where Scouts in leadership positions meet to review planning for upcoming events. During the summer, meetings are held every other week, there are no PLC meetings and, weather permitting, the meetings are held at Jeff Robertson Park in West Ghent.

The meetings include presentations and reports by the Scouts in leadership positions, a portion dedicated to advancement, a skills period devoted to our philosophy of being brilliant at the basics of Scouting, games and competitive activities, and more. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us, and we would be happy to hear from you.

Our Philosophy

Troop 1 is a Scout-led, adult-supervised organization. We aim to help young boys to grow into responsible young men by providing them with opportunities to advance, grow, mature, and lead. We embrace a culture of habitual excellence by being brilliant at the basics of Scouting.

Our Objectives

It is the objective of Troop 1 to pursue the Aims of Scouting for every Scout:

  1. Develop Character
  2. Embrace Active Citizenship
  3. Foster Leadership Skills
  4. Build Mental & Physical Fitness in the young men of our community.

Our Top Priorities

  1. Youth Protection. True youth protection can be achieved only through the focused commitment of everyone in Scouting. Our commitment to youth protection requires all volunteers and professionals supporting the Troop’s program to work within Scouting America’s guidelines to maintain a culture of awareness and safety.
  2. Growth.  A scouting program that is fun and challenging through the following:
    • Weekly meetings that are interesting, skills based, and activity oriented
    • Monthly outdoor activities to stimulate, challenge and educate Scouts while allowing them to practice skills learned in meetings.
  3. Recognition. To offer an advancement program for all troop members and regularly recognize achievement. As Scouts advance to Eagle, Troop 1 uses every opportunity to promote their Scouting accomplishments as a reward for their commitment to Scouting.

Scout Run Organization

The Troop organization is based on the patrol method. The patrols consist of groups of boys headed by a Patrol Leader and an Assistant Patrol Leader. A Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) and an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) work closely with the Patrol Leaders to run the Troop. Elections are held twice each year to provide for leadership opportunities for Scouts within the Troop.

While Troop 1 is a Scout-run program, adult our leaders function to:

  • Ensure the program is run safely in accordance with the tenets of Scouting and the guidelines established by the local and national councils
  • Ensure the Scouts have all the necessary prompting and resources (including material, knowledge, and leadership skill) to carry out the program and achieve their goals. Mentorship, guidance, and leadership training is provided and promoted.

Expectations:

Parent Involvement

All parents are part of the Troop. Many are trained leaders, committee members, merit badge counselors, drivers and participants. The ultimate success of Scouting depends on the quality, commitment and enthusiasm of our adult leadership. All adults are volunteers who freely give their time to help the development of young people.

Expectations from Scouts

As a member of Troop 1, each Scout is expected to live by the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Additionally, the Troop 1 Handbook outlines specific expectations from Scouts for uniform wear, behavior, and participation during events. Even so, Scouts are expected to HAVE FUN!