New Scout Page
Welcome to Troop 153!
Scouts BSA is more than just an after-school activity. It’s a place where boys and girls can grow into young men and women of character, where they go on adventures, explore their interests, learn about citizenship, develop leadership skills and a spirit of service, and above all, have fun! We’re so glad you are joining us!
Who Are We?
Troop 153 is a boy troop; although Scouts BSA allows girls to participate, at the Scout level, boys and girls are in separate troops.
Troop 153 is also a Catholic troop, as our chartered organization is St. Agnes Church. You do not need to be Catholic to participate, but you should know that the troop’s mission includes the Goals of Catholic Scouting Ministry as set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (https://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Guidelines-for-Catholic-Scouting.pdf).
Scouts BSA is a family activity, as well—here, you'll find plenty of opportunities to spend real quality time with your son—whether it’s leading family activities at home, helping out with troop fundraisers, driving to and from events, or going on camping trips, there’s plenty to be done, and you can choose the level of participation that works for you and the rest of your family. But we encourage you to dive in; any of our involved parents and leaders will be happy to tell you how precious the time is that they spend with their kids!
What Is Scouts BSA About?
Mission of Scouting (why we’re here): to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over the course of their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout oath and law.
Aims of Scouting (what we’re hoping to achieve): character development, citizenship training, physical and mental fitness, and leadership development.
Methods of Scouting (how we achieve our aims): Scouting ideals, patrols, outdoor activities, advancement, personal growth, adult association, leadership development, uniform.
What Will My Scout Need?
Class A Uniform (“Field” uniform): you can purchase this at the Chester County Council Scout Shop in Exton, PA or online at scoutshop.org.
Neckerchief slide
Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys
Note: The Troop will provide you with a neckerchief and a special Troop 153 Class B uniform (tee shirt). The Class B shirt is given to the Scout after the registration and initiation fees are paid (see below under “Fees for Scouts”).
How Do I Join?
Please print and fill out these forms and return them to Roger Grey.
Fees for Scouts:
One-time initiation fee of $40 upon joining the Troop
Annual registration dues: $100/year (prorated for month joined)
How Does the Troop Work?
Troop meetings are generally Sunday evenings from 5-6:30 pm throughout the school year. When the weather permits, we meet at Hoopes Park in West Chester. When it does not, we meet in the cafeteria at St. Agnes School. We do not meet on weekends when there is a camping trip or weekend outing, nor do we meet during the summer.
Our troop website is T153.org. There, you’ll find lots of resources like information on merit badges, medical forms, packing lists for camping trips, etc.
We use Scoutbook.com to track rank advancement and earning of merit badges. We also use the calendar there to advertise events and track RSVPs. When you can (after you have registered with the troop), go and set up your account with your own username and password.
Troop communication: The troop communicates to families via email, text, and Scout Book, as well as verbally at meetings.
Email: we will get you on our group email list once you register.
Texts: to join the Senior Patrol Leader’s group texts, text @bsaT153 to 81010.
Troop leadership
T153 is a boy-run Troop led by the senior scouts. The SPL (senior patrol leader) is supported by assistant senior patrol leaders (ASPLs) and patrol leaders.
The Troop has adult leaders registered with the national BSA who comprise the T153 Troop Committee. The roles of the leaders include mentoring scouts, supervising and supporting activities, and handling administrative tasks.
Interested parents are invited to join the Troop Committee.
Adult leaders must get specific BSA and Archdiocesan clearances, which include a PA criminal check, a PA child abuse check, and an FBI clearance. In addition, they must complete the BSA’s online Youth Protection Training (YPT) annually.
Safety requirements: Safety is a top concern of Scouts BSA. The organization has rules that define the allowed interactions that adults can have with Scouts. This includes texting and online communication requirements.
Leaders: We follow the BSA policy of “two-deep leadership,” where a minimum of two adults needs to be in attendance for any event or communication with the boys (even on emails and texts).
Health Forms: A health form that has been updated in the past year is required for all those participating in Scouting events—both adults and youth. Please see T153.org > Resources tab > Medical Forms for complete information.
Parents: Parents do not have to be registered BSA adult leaders to attend Scouting activities but must also have an updated health form on file and have completed YPT.
Fundraisers
The Troop holds several fundraisers a year in the form of flower sales (typically Easter, Summer, and Fall).
In participating in these, Scouts can raise money for both their own Scout-related expenses (like dues, camping fees, etc.) and for the Troop (to help pay for gear, etc.)
Scout accounts are administered by the Treasurer, who will email you a copy of the rules by which Scout accounts can be used.
What’s the Difference between Rank Advancement and Merit Badges?
Rank Advancement: Boys grow in self-sufficiency and self-confidence as they advance through the Scout ranks (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle) by accomplishing tasks for each rank, keeping records of those tasks, and then reporting on their progress to adult leaders in a Board of Review. To make Eagle Scout, a boy must move through all the ranks before the age of 18. Click here for more info on rank advancement.
Merit Badges: Part of rank advancement is achieving a certain number of merit badges at each rank. To make Eagle, a Scout must earn a minimum of 21 badges, 14 of which are Eagle-required, the others of which can be anything that he is interested in finding out more about. Click here for more info on merit badges.
Who Do I Contact for More Information?
If you have any questions, please contact one of the following individuals:
Roger Grey, Troop Committee Chair and Treasurer: wcgrey@verizon.net
Michelle Blake, Chartered Organization Representative: mfblake@verizon.net
PJ Redmond, Scout Master: t153scoutmaster@gmail.com