Troop 243 Web Site: www.troop243.com
Boy Scout Troop 243
Fact Sheet
Troop 243 meets on Wednesdays (except the second week of each month when patrols meet) from 7:00 until 8:30 PM in Gallagher Hall at St. Barnabas. There are currently over 45 scouts registered.
We keep the “Outing”, in “Scouting” - The Troop's annual program consists of weekly troop meetings, quarterly courts of honor, at least 10 weekend campouts, day hikes, and a one-week or longer summer camp.
Our troop attends at least one week of summer camp or some other long trip every year. Every other year since 1976 the troop has taken an out-of-state trip.
Year / Trip‘76 / Rocky Mountain National Park
‘78 / Yellowstone National Park
’80, ‘91 / Haliburton Scout Camp, 140 miles North of Toronto , Canada
‘82, ‘89 / Ben Delatour Scout Ranch - North central Colorado, Historic sightseeing
‘83 / Buckskin, West Va.
‘84 / Bus tour to Florida, Space Shuttle Launch, Disney World
‘86 / Two week trip to Hawaii
’87, ’93, ‘07 / Skymont Scout Reservation - Chattanooga, Tennessee
’95, ’99, ’03, ’07, ‘12 / Backpacking at Philmont Scout Reservation, Cimmarron, New Mexico
’97, ‘09 / Camp Daniel Boone, Asheville NC (in the Great Smoky Mountains)
’97, ’01, ‘05 / National Jamboree, Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia
‘99 / Scout Camp Woodruff, in Northern Georgia
‘01 / Camp Davy Crockett, Whitesburg, TN
’02, ’06, ’08, 11 / Florida Sea Base, Sailing, snorkeling & fishing in the Florida Keys
‘03 / Camp Friedlander, Cincinnati, Ohio
’04, ‘09
‘10 / Northern Tier Canoe Base, Canada
National Centennial Jamboree
‘11 / Ingersoll High Adventure Summer Camp
Troop Equipment - The troop owns a 66 passenger 1991 International diesel school bus, a newer 20 passenger bus and sufficient camping equipment; tents, dining flys, cooking equipment, axes, saws, shovels, lanterns.
Advancement - Troop 243 is very proud of the accomplishments of its scouts. The goal of every scout is to become an Eagle Scout, scouting’s highest rank. More than 90 scouts in Troop 243 have reached this pinnacle. The troop’s activities are centered on learning and doing the things that scouts need to do to advance. A scout who has completed requirements for a rank participates in a conference with the Scoutmaster and a review by the troop Committee. It’s the scout’s responsibility to ask for this review. We present awards at a quarterly “Court of Honor” attended by parents and other family members.
Parent Participation is not mandatory, but is always needed and welcome. Areas where we need parent help:
Be an adult leader within the troop Serve on the troop committee, supporting the troop’s program.
Attend camping trips Serve as a merit badge counselor.
Help direct traffic at St. Barnabas Parish Picnic Participate in Advancement "Board of Reviews"
Help with Troop’s annual Flower sale And more.
Serving area youth since 1970
Sponsored by St. Barnabas Catholic Church
Each Scout in Troop 243 needs:
Full Scout Uniform - We stress the importance of PROPER UNIFORMING. Scouts should wear scout pants (or shorts), scouts sox when wearing shorts, scout belt and a scout shirt with proper patches. This uniform should be worn to all meetings, and all camp outs. You can buy uniforms at the Scout Shop Off of Blankenbaker Lane. "Experienced" uniforms can be found in our troop "uniform bank" or at yard sales, Goodwill or other thrift stores. A scout can not participate in Boards of Review or Scoutmaster conferences without a Class A uniform.
The Official Boy Scout Handbook - Bring to every troop meeting and campout.
Sleeping Bag - Warm to at least 20 degrees with an extra blanket in the winter.
Eating kit (Plate, bowl, knife, fork, spoon, cup and canteen, or water bottle).
Optional - pocketknife - Before carrying a pocketknife, a scout must prove he can use a knife, axe, and saw wisely and safely. When proven, he will be awarded a "Totin' Chip" - a card that states that he has the right to carry and use such tools.)
A Scout is Thrifty - Troop 243 provides opportunities for scouts to “pay their own way”. We maintain an account, within the troop, on behalf of each scout. A scout’s ability to participate in troop activities will be limited if his scout account has a negative balance.
Troop Dues
The Troop is funded through dues paid by each Scout. As of February of 2012 the dues are $148 per year, payable in $74 installments on January 1 and July 1. The dues pay for all Troop camping equipment, awards presented to Scouts in recognition of their advancement, training programs provided to youth and adults, troop administration expenses, Boys Life Magazine, registration fees paid to the National Scout office, insurance, etc. New members, however, pay only $74 for their entire first year, payable when they join. Each new scout will receive a copy of the current edition of the Boy Scout Handbook when their dues are paid. They will receive two troop “Class B” t-shirts when they have earned the Scout rank.
Scout Account - An account is maintained in every scout's name. Deposits are primarily made through participation in fund raising. Withdrawals can be used to pay for any scout related expenses (dues, equipment, uniforms, fees).
Fundraising - In 2001 the troop decided to focus all fundraising on one event - an Annual Flower / Plant Sale. Scouts earnings are based on the amount of sales they obtain, and on their level of participation in the activity. All the money earned is divided up and credited to the scouts who participated. In the past few years, several Scouts have earned over $1,000 through their efforts.
If you have any questions about our program, please feel free to call one of our troop leaders.
Joe Lynch Scoutmaster (502) 802-0502
Tom Kennedy Committee Chairman (502) 439-5460
2/2012 Revision